Sophisticated evening dress for uni reunion

[GingerKombucha]

I'm looking for a dress for a black tie university reunion. I'm a size 8, soft post cesearean tum but can smooth it well with control pants, boobs fairly average size (I'm a rare genuine 34C but a bit saggy post breastfeeding so nothing super fitted without a bra. It's a black tie dinner, more midi or maxi dress than ballgown style. It's starting with champagne at 7.30pm so definitely something evening rather than wedding guest style. I'm struggling to find something that says, successful, sophisticated 40 year old rather than either love island or frumpy middle aged woman. Budget about £500 max, generally like Sezane, ME+EM and Reiss but nothing in any of them caught my eye and excited to look further afield. Happy to go shopping in London to try on or order online.

https://www.whistles.com/product/panel-detail-v-neck-maxi-dress-41185.html

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/peacock-manor-silk-soir%C3%A9e-dress-000854245.html#pos=4

https://www.broraonline.com/uk/silk-velvet-dress-midnight-dd8537km8527 (possibly not right if it's a summer thing)

Any of these the right kind of thing? The Whistles and Brora sales have plenty of other nice things in that budget suitable for an occasion.

Also worth looking at The Outnet.

John Lewis have some good choices

https://www.johnlewis.com/aidan-mattox-by-adrianna-papell-pleated-chiffon-column-gown-rose-gold/p115013797

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-cascade-organza-sleeveless-midi-dress-multi/p115125396

https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-saskia-drape-detail-midi-dress-black/p114410436

https://www.johnlewis.com/anaya-with-love-ruffle-bandeau-midi-dress-vintage-indigo/p113943289

Thanks - I like the Whistles one and I might pop into Liberty to see that they have.

Thank you, the Reiss one is kind of what I'm looking for but maybe too severe. I might try it.

I like the Reiss one...

What is your height, OP, & what is your colouring/what colours do you like & suit? Do you mean that the Reiss one is too severe in cut, or because it's black?

Reiss has lots more in their sale & full price.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su924675/y97669

Less severe but still not love island?
https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/frill-plisse-maxi-dress-red

I have this in a previous year’s colour:
https://www.reiss.com/style/su830127/av6521
and find it weirdly very wearable, sort of nonchalant.

This is lovely too I think
https://www.reiss.com/search?w=kenzie

I’ve got my eye on this Reiss one which looks nicer on than the photos. I unfortunately just don’t have an event to wear it to!
https://www.reiss.com/style/sv046426/h05651?

I came on to say the Reiss Sasha or Kenzie drape dresses too - I was very close to getting the Kenzie one for my black tie uni reunion, the neckline and fabric helped make it a more stylish option when I was worried about being frumpy

The Reiss Saskia dress is lovely, meets your brief of sophisticated, isn't at all 'try hard', would be comfortable, and is a great backdrop to showcase a stunning piece of jewelry eg statement necklace or earrings

This by The Fold is similar - lots of different colour options:

https://thefoldlondon.com/product/salerno-crepe-dress-vibrant-blue/?_gl=1rsxrf6_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gbraid=0AAAAADvgiGqWv5jMU56BGLK2Iwlv_BU4I

It's a nice dress - but I think it's more presentation to the board than black-tie evening wear?

I am just here to enquire what a rare genuine 34C is as a concept, I've not come accross it before?

The OP means she’s a grown woman capable of knowing her own bra size and doesn’t want 50 people telling her she’s wearing the wrong bra and must immediately start wearing a 28FF as it will fit her better, because she can’t possibly be a 34 band and a size 8.

Have you looked at the Reformation?

The Reiss Saskia is nice. The Whistles dress is a summer day dress to me.

I bought this recently for a similar dress code - black tie but not full gown.

I'd have a look here:
https://www.freemans.com/womens/occasion-dresses/_/N-1lZ1z13z4zZ1z1360eZ1z13impZ1z13imh?refined=leftnav&showMeItems=48

https://www.freemans.com/womens/occasion-dresses/_/N-1lZ1z13z4zZ1z1360eZ1z13impZ1z13imhZ1z13jk9?refined=leftnav&showMeItems=48

There are loads of beautiful dresses in all styles and at v good prices.

The jigsaw dress is gorgeous

I love the Jigsaw one!

I wondered this too. Thanks for explanation

I think it’s a reference to

To be fair, my first thought was "How on earth can a size 8 be a 34 band??" as size 8 is 28 - 32 inches 🙈 But if OP is happy with how her bras fit, that's all that matters.

Anyway, I love the Jigsaw dress that WashableVelvet linked - absolutely gorgeous, and so flattering!

I think it’s because of different body shape proportions. Some people are much broader at the top, wider back, bigger rib cage etc.