Where to find an affordable full-length evening dress for a military event

[EveningDressSuggestionsPlease]

I have just had an invite to a military 'do' at the start of November. I need to find an evening dress (has to meet mess dress standards so must be full length, must cover the shoulders, can't be hugely low cut/ high split). I'm 55 5'10 size 16 (thanks unshiftable menopause weight) hour glass/ big bust (so no high necks) and suit jewel colours.

I've found a few options on vinted but I would like to buy somewhere physical or online with easy returns so I can try a few options to see which looks/feels best. Budget is as low as possible (so I'm guessing I will end up on vinted after all) but is there anywhere I should look for a dress or jumpsuit that fits the brief and won't break the bank? My confidence is at a low so I want something that makes me feel a special as it will be a big night for DH and I'd like to look presentable.

I've bought some beautiful dresses here that many people have commented on, some £10 upto £30

You cant guarantee where your dresses from UK shops come from, most i would imagine from the same places, but a higher mark up.

True, but UK returns are easier and they are more likely to be cut for western body shapes. I'm not trying to tell others where to shop but I'm not prepared to give money to Temu or Shein.
If I want a lottery on fit that I can't return when it's wrong I'll use Vinted.

I spent an entire Christmas ball shivering with my fur wrap on. Most messes are freezing in the winter.

In the case or the army the men tell the men how to dress as well. It's equality in action 😁

We aren't going to be in the mess but at an historic building.

I think you've over exaggerated the rules and some posters think you need "modesty" clothing. I know knees and shoulders are frowned upon, but cleavage never has been..? I don't go in for it myself, but I've seen plenty of very low cut dresses and they are deemed perfectly within the rules. I thought the next multi way one looked perfect.

The army aren't telling me anything -

Checking in not digging in 😉

It's mess dress rules, set by the army..?
Edit - ignore! I saw that it's in a different setting. I'd still apply the same rules.
Have a fabulous time!

Even worse, probably! I like the reduced red Monsoon one. It’s perfect.

I doubt the army set the rules for the RAF.

Former military wife too - I've had several dresses from ever pretty before. They are quite good quality and re-sell well on eBay (and now probably on vinted too) this one is a lovely colour for a winter ball
Edited: dress was the wrong size

There are a couple on there that look OK and I can find their how to measure yourself instructions but not their actual sizes. Are the tucked away somewhere or have I looked straight past them?

https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/pages/size-measurement
I generally went up a size, as I also have bigger boobs. I find there's usually plenty of room in the skirt area as there's loads of material there

Ever Pretty have a great range of affordable dresses, I got DD's prom dress from there. Just check the return rules, as there are extra charges for returning more items, so you don't get caught out and order 6 .

Do you have any outlet villages near you? Our "local" one is 25 miles away, but they have a Next that has lots of evening wear in it at a reduced price, plus other shops.

Also, charity shops often have a great range of evening wear, just make sure that you check it over very carefully for marks and snags etc.

Phase 8 always have masses in their sale/clearance stock. You can search by size and price This is £49!.

Have you tried looking on local camp buy/sell pages? Not sure where you’re based but I know on ours people are always selling dresses from mess do’s etc. Or someone might even have something you can borrow if budgets are tight.

We aren't on/near a base - I am a terrible wife who refused to do the whole following family thing. So we have stayed put and DH travels. His role is one that means he usually rattles from base to base rather than spending months/years in the same place anyway.

Plenty of us stayed put @EveningDressSuggestionsPlease! No need to justify it.

I'd forgotten about Ever Pretty - you can get them on Amazon if you want returns as an easy option. You could order one to try the sizing and then order a second hand one on Vinted....

I'm a 40G bust and EP are pretty generous in that area. Definitely cut for western bodies and heights (I'm 5'9").

I bought a stunning full length evening dress for an event from Amazon . I would never have though of buying clothes on Amazon until a friend mentioned it. I’ll see if I can find a pic. The prices go up and down . I got the green up for £38. Had to check but I remember it being cheap. It’s a beautiful dress.
https://amzn.eu/d/003lzcTZ

The 'terrible wife' is a bit of a standing joke - early in his career some bigwig's wife went on and on about how awful wives who don't move are before asking if I did. Whan I said I don't she tried some Olympic standard back pedalling. OK for her with massive budget and the ability to just 'pop the kiddies into boarding school' (direct quote). There are a few of us and on the rare occasions we meet up we call ourselves the terrible wives club.

https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/elegant-chiffon-applique-evening-dress-with-flutter-sleeves-ee01960?pos=4&fid=6f1b963fc&ss=c&variant=44841743876283

Edit to say in the purple as for some reason the link is showing the orange version.
Tempted by this - I have a fantastic amethyst pendant that DH brought me back from his travels which would hopefully go beautifully with this and silver shoes/bag I could use.

Another vote for charity shops. Upmarket one near me caters for formal cruise wear and they get returned after the cruise.

I would add it is worth having a look on Vinted. They have got in a lot of cases amazingly low prices and photos show some beautiful dresses.

Oh, Goddiva is another one - I bought a green, gold and black floor length sequinned gown on Vinted when I was still a size 24 and it was SPECTACULAR. Brilliant in the cut on the bust as well.

Yeah that's my back up plan but if something doesn't fit/look good I'm stuck with it unless I can sell it on.