Help me find a stunning dress for fancy work dinner...

[pinkglove84]

Help help help please, MN hive mind!

I need a formal evening dress for a glitzy work dinner. Lots of famous-type people going to be there. Big, full on, black tie occasion. I need to look serious ish (it's work) but also sort of glam.

I'm 5ft 6, size 8-10. Thin and bony on top but need a bra (so nothing backless). Fat arse, short legs.

Open to anything on the dress. I suit burgundy, emerald green, jewel type colours. Oh and I'm blonde.

Want to spend £100 max but don't want anything crap (!) May also need new shoes/bag. Heeeeelp...

With that budget you will struggle to rent let alone buy what you are looking for OP.
have you got a dress that you could wear and then get new accessories to glam it up?

www.meandem.com/two-tone-lace-maxi-dress-red-black

Sounds like a fab night! My job means I have to attend lots of black tie events…Vinted is my go to - I’ve picked up gorgeous gowns for less than £20. Goddiva, Vesper, Lace & Beads and ASOS Design are some of my favourite brands to search for.

if you want new, ASOS can have some real bargains - like this (hopefully not crap): https://www.asos.com/prd/209675511?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

Not a bad choice but this is more 'glitzy' and they have it in size 8.

https://www.meandem.com/cross-over-front-feature-maxi-dress-ultra-red

Look on Karen Millen in the Outlet section. Loads of options for under £100!

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-stripe-fabric-detail-fluid-halter-maxi-dress_bkk29019?colour=black

Depends on your definition of what "crap" is, OP?!!! Even crap probably costs a lot more than £100 these days ... unless you choose pre-loved or proper vintage.

The second Me+Em one suggested by @GarlicSomething is a really good choice for your shape, I think. Adds interest on top, skims out over the bottom. Over budget by a bit, but worth it I think. Also, the resale value will be much better than an ASOS dress, if you don't want to keep it afterwards.

Good call, @JustBlossom! Goddiva on Vinted
https://www.vinted.co.uk/catalog?catalog[]=1774&page=1&time=1789074970&sizeids[]=3&statusids[]=6&statusids[]=1&brandids[]=193956&brandids[]=232854

The ASOS one looks like nasty fabric. I see some reviewers agree.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-halter-neck-twist-crinkle-georgette-cape-woven-maxi-dress_bkk27847?colour=green

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-satin-twill-draped-waist-structured-tailored-maxi-dress_bkk27288?colour=green

These gold pointed slingbacks are really well-reduced - down to £40 from £130. Unlike almost all the other cheaper options at this sort of price, they're leather not PU.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/gb/en/product/7q30160/cole-haan-womens-go-to-jocelyn-slingback-shoes-soft-gold-leather?gclsrc=aw.ds&&campaignid=21448490360&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21448490360&gbraid=0AAAAAD5OKP3i_yysREQe6KzKpSrDgqfPP&gclid=CjwKCAjwqonVBhA4EiwA9wYJ3dkYQgzkbUTao0ZOmVNgz6onZ92uDvLYchwQr0vveCnhanv01LhPnBoC4DwQAvD_BwE

Some gorgeous ideas here; thank you so much. I particularly love that second Me & Em one and I'd never even heard of Goddiva before. Am having a good look.

Maybe "crap" was a bad choice of word but I was meaning Shein; that sort of thing. I've been googling trying to find options as didn't know where to start and have been inundated with ads for cheap imports.

And no I don't really have anything suitable at all, @Tortephant - my "occasion" dresses are all lighter colour/ floral wedding guest type things which I don't think would fit the bill.

Thought I'd found you a great slinky option reduced to £98 - & then I saw the back ...

https://www.reiss.com/style/su840249/y01818

Another Reiss one under budget - slightly Morticia vibes ...!

https://www.reiss.com/style/su792038/w77812

Or this?

https://www.reiss.com/style/su792034/h71037

Lots more Reiss ones in or around budget, from their sale.

Or these? The purple one is out of stock in your size btw, but one of their stockists might have it.

Burgundy textured satin at Jigsaw?

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/recycled-satin-halter-dress-burgundy

Still available in an 8.

https://religionclothing.com/products/hidden-pink-floral-print-maxi-dress

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-sequin-tunic-dress/p114310546?s_share=jlappdroid

https://www.johnlewis.com/omnes-seychelle-open-back-satin-maxi-dress/p114934108?s_share=jlappdroid

https://www.johnlewis.com/mango-mery-a-line-asymmetrical-midi-dress-red/p115430728?s_share=jlappdroid

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-sequin-long-sleeve-midi-dress-black/p114310534?s_share=jlappdroid

You forgot about the real silk one from Mango ..!!

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/asymmetric-silk-dress/37082562/88/00?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX_1WOMAN_BESTSELLERS_GB&utm_campaignid=20500964046&utm_content=ALWAYSON&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19971246875&gbraid=0AAAAADpcxJi4WswukFDdwbm0Ov0JxKWcr&gclid=CjwKCAjwqonVBhA4EiwA9wYJ3UBOLYJuK_enXulpPZWaPRPejvZ8NbD4HssuvyKvaC77VTf8cx2PzhoC_7AQAvD_BwE

Oh wow, these really do fit the bill @EleanorMc67 and @DeftGoldHedgehog - struggling to choose between these now...!

Knew the MN hive mind would come up trumps.

I love ElanorMc67's choices ,they always seem to match the occasion.

That Mango dress is fantastic

You could always be completely unique OP, & wear a one-off ...

I love the fabric, the slash neck & the hip gathers on this. What a bargain too!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1833200201/beautiful-vintage-early-60s-red-and-gold?ref=share_ios_native_control

Photos of the vintage one above.