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please help me find a 40th dress!

45 replies

blackfriars · 11/07/2026 22:33

I would love some help finding a great 40th dress - maybe some pointers towards brands I don’t know of. have seen these threads find amazing things before and am very time poor so am crossing my fingers maybe the geniuses on this board can help me!

My 40th is coming up in August and i’m doing an evenings drinks event in London - the vibe won’t be formal at all (it’s a bar in south london - hiring a space with an outside and inside bit but nothing fancy) but I’d like to wear a ‘party dress’. I’m a size 12, 5’7, don’t love my upper arms so not strapless or bardot but could maybe do sleeveless or strappy. open to mini, midi, maxi. I basically live in weekend activewear or work shift dresses so am completely lost on where to look for something like this but i used (pre covid and babies) to love a going out outfit and would love to relive this for my milestone bday. Maybe some glitter?! Budget - happy to spend up to £300ish for something great. thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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blackfriars · 11/07/2026 22:55

thanks for the suggestion! I love the green but fear this would be clingy on lower tum which is def something i wouldn’t want to accentuate…I would usually go for something more fit and flare or empire line to avoid that I think

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 11/07/2026 23:06

I’ll plonk this one here as I really like it but maybe a similar issue

wolf and badger gold

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 11/07/2026 23:10

Ah sorry I'm an idiot I meant to check sizes in stock. The red one has 12s in stock but not the green one.

PermanentTemporary · 11/07/2026 23:15

wolf and badger asymmetric

blackfriars · 11/07/2026 23:17

the whistles ones are lovely but maybe less party dress and more wedding guest? i love the wolf and badger and actually think the cut would be fine on the tum but have never felt great in a one shoulder before. that said it may be that it doesn’t actually expose too much of the ‘giblet’ (if you know what i mean?!) - maybe worth a try!

OP posts:
blackfriars · 11/07/2026 23:19

the roman is nice! i really struggle to find this length so nice to see something party-ish that isn’t super short or full midi

OP posts:
blackfriars · 11/07/2026 23:20

the brown one i mean - second roman is a tummy clinger i fear

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 11/07/2026 23:22

Wolf and badger strappy

Tbh I don’t wear things that I’d have to use some kind of non- bra arrangement with and it’s a bit over budget! Love the red though

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 11/07/2026 23:22

Yes, I think the brown one has a better shape. I posted the other one because it has sleeves. But the brown one has a lot going for it.

PermanentTemporary · 11/07/2026 23:31

God I love this. Can’t work out how to link properly but it’s a Vinted listing of a Hussein Chalayan dress. I would wear it with super long diamanté earrings. And iron it properly.

please help me find a 40th dress!
AnotherEmma · Yesterday 00:33

Would you consider something other than a dress - a jumpsuit or a bold trouser with heels and a top? I feel this might be more suitable for a London bar on your 40th birthday.

I turned 40 last year, had a party in a bar (not London) and wore metallic trousers with heels and a smart top. Felt great and got loads of compliments.

unfamiliarwithyourwork · Yesterday 01:02

If it were my 40th birthday I might, on that budget, start with something like this:

https://www.homeofhai.com/product/lana-jacket-in-black

The photo with the skirt is a cool interpretation of ‘party dress’. Though it could equally be worn with Bermuda shorts.

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 02:26

blackfriars · 11/07/2026 22:33

I would love some help finding a great 40th dress - maybe some pointers towards brands I don’t know of. have seen these threads find amazing things before and am very time poor so am crossing my fingers maybe the geniuses on this board can help me!

My 40th is coming up in August and i’m doing an evenings drinks event in London - the vibe won’t be formal at all (it’s a bar in south london - hiring a space with an outside and inside bit but nothing fancy) but I’d like to wear a ‘party dress’. I’m a size 12, 5’7, don’t love my upper arms so not strapless or bardot but could maybe do sleeveless or strappy. open to mini, midi, maxi. I basically live in weekend activewear or work shift dresses so am completely lost on where to look for something like this but i used (pre covid and babies) to love a going out outfit and would love to relive this for my milestone bday. Maybe some glitter?! Budget - happy to spend up to £300ish for something great. thanks in advance!

What's your colouring, OP - what colours do you like/suit?

I'm not snobbish about clothes (I hope!) but if I had up to £300 to spend on a fabulous dress, I wouldn't buy a new frock from Roman or similar at £50? I think they're a bit cheap looking ... sorry!! I would though happily spend £50 on a vintage/second-hand number (which will have originally cost much more) - that, or I'd look for something designer in the sales.

I really like the red silk Whistles dress & think it would look great if you have the right colouring - but then I don't think what you wear HAS to be glittery or sequinned or sparkly to be celebratory? If you want sparkles though, I think there are nicer options out there.

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 02:50

If you fancy something sparkly/sequinned, & you suit pale/mint green, what about this Zimmerman mini? Silk organza too!

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/zimmermann/dresses/mini-dresses/sequined-silk-organza-mini-dress/46376663162934282

please help me find a 40th dress!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 03:01

More pastel sequins, & mini too. Both this & the previous one are cute & modern & being mini makes them a bit more casual.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/needle-thread/dresses/mini-dresses/angeline-ruffled-sequined-tulle-mini-dress/46376663163174946

please help me find a 40th dress!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 03:12

Or there's the LBD with a sparkly twist option. I know it's in August, but I personally would find long sleeves fine if I was bare-legged in a mini dress?

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/isabel-marant/dresses/mini-dresses/lazeli-draped-sequin-embellished-crepe-mini-dress/1647597346205405

please help me find a 40th dress!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 03:14

I like sparkly navy - a bit more lustrous than black.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/maje/dresses/mini-dresses/gathered-metallic-georgette-mini-dress/46376663163082497

please help me find a 40th dress!
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