Fabulous for a birthday party

[friedaddedchilli]

I’m hosting my 60th birthday party at home in a couple of months and I’d like to look fab! I’m 5’6”, size 12/14, mid dark hair and fairly pale. Big boobs and a lot of loose skin. I like to look a bit edgy for a special occasion (I wore a jumpsuit for my wedding), but more in cut and style than colour and bling. My best colours are quite muted - navy, beige, cream etc. Budget is up to £200, or more for something I could use again.

Would love some ideas and pointers from you knowledgeable people!

What kind of length? Any pattern or do you prefer plain?

Ooh, definitely midi length. Plain for preference, or an interesting print maybe. Like that first one! Where’s it from? Second one I’d feel I’d have to wear a vest, which would defeat the object. Thank you!

Oh sorry, I think the first one is from a scam site... That will teach me to screenshot without checking!

There's this Plum one from Roman, Navy one shoulder from New Look, Navy from Yours.

How about something like this. A pair of cream wide leg trousers. Have a look on vinted

https://www.reiss.com/style/su964493/g64304

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8642812644-reiss-lily-occasion-flare-trousers-uk12r?referrer=catalog

With a lovely top

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/100-cotton-halter-top-with-tie-detail-l05718818?pelement=58768927&banner=true

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv086120/w64020

This is nice, from Club L London.

How glam do you want to go?

Surely not those wintery dresses - in June?

I always think

Alemais

is perfect ‘entertaining at home’ wear. The dresses are above your budget but if you look out for sales on their own site and all their UK stockists you may well be lucky. Try here, too:

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/designers/alemais

a bit over budget but I think you get 10% off if you sign up for emails, and these dresses are classic but fabulous and would almost certainly be useful for other occasions. Comes in several colours and one printed option

Before you said muted, I was going to suggest this and then thought again... but then I saw that you liked interesting print, so I am going to suggest it anyway!

Well within budget so you can splurge on accessories, plus brilliant for the summer and for the amply endowed: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/yumi-bird-and-floral-print-ruched-waist-kimono-midi-dress-green/

Arlanymor I love that!

Me too! Wish it was my birthday in a few months, I would be sorely tempted!

@NoDiamond quite like that one shoulder one, but not sure my shoulders are up to it! Fairly glam but nothing which insists on high heels!
@Defiantly41love that. Would take a lot of shapewear though.
@Firesidechatterlike the silk top. I have a pair of cream wide-leg trousers as it happens. Flares aren’t my thing I’m afraid.
@Arlanymorthat is lovely. My kind of thing. I might just get that and try it out.
@TroubledBloodyMary I’ll have a browse through that brand

Bah! The Wolf & Badger one doesn’t have my size.

Oh poo! Right I am on a mission now, here's the Yumi site - anything that fits the bill? There are other colour ways and slightly different prints:

https://www.yumi.co.uk/search?q=bird+and+floral&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&_gl=1e3x6i1_upMQ.._gsMQ.._gaMTU1OTgxODY3MC4xNzc2MTg2MzA1_ga_P2XNZSNHE6czE3NzYxODYzMDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxODYzMDQkajYwJGwwJGgw_ga_S9JDEW7HHRczE3NzYxODYzMDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxODYzMDQkajYwJGwwJGgwga_EFQGZ514Y0*czE3NzYxODYzMDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzYxODYzMDQkajYwJGwwJGgw&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy_fOBhC6ARIsAHKFB79xmdPJnTjNu1qP78cKdv2eWfd5cC-nzoqHtph74aypmpgCXXui5KQaAoMhEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADr5gs8ik3jEUh59PDIUsCbkfvmk

It’s “Yumi” brand, you might find it through another stockist..

Phase Eight always have nice occasion dresses:

www.phase-eight.com/product/aletta-white-dress-10022470055.html
www.phase-eight.com/product/kimira-midi-dress-10019160287.html

Hobbs too:
www.hobbs.com/product/miriam-dress/0126-5521-9045L00-MIDNIGHT-CREAM.html
www.hobbs.com/product/ashleen-dress/0126-5427-9045L00-CREAM-MIDNIGHT.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=176&cgid=clothing-dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=0126-5427-9045L00-CREAM-MIDNIGHT&pos=206

If this isn’t the same it’s very similar

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv037931/g99983

Is this it? They have 12s and 14s if so!

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-floral-print-midi-dress-sage-green/p114927997?size=18&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20151164127&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1xjnQnTrdXAMuw9hEWtx82GQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy_fOBhC6ARIsAHKFB79FRvuJPVQ-yFGveJs2s2QvD49m0VRnwNq2QwI-huFBLgKiykaqUX4aArwlEALw_wcB

Loving all the googling for alternative stockists - we want you to have this dress! (Also I want to know how nice the fit is so that I can decide whether to get one or not!!!)

Clarabell77 Very similar!

friedaddedchilli Freeman's have some nice dresses in.

Am I the only one who feels there should be a discernible distinction between the sort of clothes you go ‘out’ in, and the sort of clothes you wear when you’re hosting a party in your own home? For the latter I’d want something that’s both glamorous and relaxed. Not a day dress, but not a formal evening dress either. Nor a cocktail dress. It’s hard to describe but I know a hostess frock when I see it.

@Clarabell77 That's it! It's much more sage on the JL site and I'm not so sure about it. But I think I might try it for a summer dress in any case.

@sweetsadine I haven't shopped at Hobbs since the 80s, but I like that long sleeve cream one a lot. Maybe a bit more garden party than cocktail party.

I'm not sure. I could go down the Abigail's Party route if encouraged!

Just to throw something else in the mix - what about AllSaints if you like a more edgy look?
https://www.allsaints.com/women/dresses?start=23&sz=24

Not much by Alemais on The Outnet - though if the OP is feeling rather daring ...