Invited to very fancy party and nothing to wear!

[custardlover]

A very fancy and couturey fashiony party; guests will be wearing CHANEL but my speed (and budget) is a lot more like Boden. What would you do? I wonder if there is something chic I should target on Vinted or Vestaire (or somewhere else?)? Rixo maybe?

And absolutely I could just wear something in my wardrobe but it would be great to hear any inspiration!

How long do you have until the event, OP? Is it sometime this winter I assume?

I'm sorry to say this, but I really don't like that Self Portrait dress, @custardlover. I think it looks sort of style-less and dowdy, the fabric looks like really shiny polyester, and I'm not sure who that length would flatter.

I'll try to come back with something more constructive than that tomorrow!

It’s mid-October! One more weekend left to shop yikes

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/staud/clothing/midi-dresses/gwen-paneled-pleated-cotton-blend-poplin-midi-dress/46376663163018027?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GOO%3ANAP%3AEU%3AGB%3ALO%3AENG%3ASEAU%3APMX%3AMAN%3AMXO%3ANEW%3AWN%3ALTV-SCORE-2%3ALV0%3ALV1%3ALV2%3AXXX%3A0%3ALTV-SCORE-2%3A&utm_id=23954607979&utm_term=3074457345630523775&vtp00=GOOGLE&vtp01=SEAU&vtp02=&vtp03=&vtp04=x&vtp05=c&vtp06=&vtp07=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23944880559&gbraid=0AAAAADRhZntgWq02lcE6ehxN9aVNFzw0C&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5vLVBhCiARIsAD56SFLmlamg2cawWlu6HLzvjfEyrAs7TtxVonjnlA33Lj1hCa0HMOGQBo0aArpQEALw_wcB

Your love of metallics & jewel colours - & the fact that you want to look good in photographs - made me think of another (now defunct) British brand, The Vampire's Wife.

This one is not a jewel colour, but it is a great price on eBay, & would photograph beautifully. Someone on a thread a while ago was a bit sneery about VW dresses, saying that they were "everywhere" at London weddings a few years ago ... but I didn't give a toss about that poster's opinion!

Yes, they're not cutting-edge fashion any more, but they're beautiful, designed by a British woman with really exquisite taste, & her clothes will absolutely be considered collectable vintage pieces in years from now (not that long in fact!).

(And she's now started up a new demi-couture line.)

I believe they run small though, so you'd need to be an 8-10 probably?

https://ebay.io/m/G9QnS0

That sold 16 minutes after you posted it, @EleanorMc67!

Some skinny minnie must be happy, it was a bargain find.

Ah well ...

There are a few more that aren't stupidly expensive & they're open to offers. These are on eBay. And I think dramatic floral is also quite a British thing. Plus if lots of guests are wearing new season Chanel being this colourful will be just fine!!!

It's a great length for someone tall - which the OP is, as am I. I wear skirts & dresses that come to that length on me a lot! My sister is about 7cm shorter than me & doesn't feel that she suits it, though.

I love every one of these! Vampire’s wife on eBay you say…

What about this, OP? It's Queens of Archive, reduced way down to buy - but you can also rent it?

So if you liked it you could probably put the rental cost against buying it ...

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/ginger-77731

Not to alarm you or anything, but you're cutting it a bit fine ... 😁!!

This is the first pink floral one, I think it's The Villanelle. Do check the measurements though, as you might be a 12 in them - almost all the listings say they run small. This one mentions a slight stretch in the fabric, so if you love it I would definitely haggle!!

https://ebay.io/m/x02YWa

This one is in a 10 & 12 to rent on Hurr. And you can make an offer to buy ... It's the same dress as the pink floral one above, just a different print.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/villanelle-dress-75247?plpexperiment=1

Photos.

Also to rent in both 10 & 12 on Hurr. The green Falconetti. Probably the most recognisable.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/the-vampire-s-wife-the-falconetti-silk-blend-midi-dress?plp_experiment=1

This one is a 12, to rent.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/gypsy-78536?plp_experiment=1

A 10, to rent.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/eclipse-the-midnight-tremors-dress?plp_experiment=1

Size 10 in deep pink, to rent.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/falconetti-4549?plp_experiment=1

Both on eBay, & to rent.

https://ebay.io/m/FnfvB8

https://onehitwondersuk.co.uk/products/rent-the-vampire-s-wife-villanelle-rrp-750

On eBay, & open to offers.

https://ebay.io/m/5rPtw1

Also open to offers on eBay.

https://ebay.io/m/81TQSI

As is this. https://ebay.io/m/6AlcV7

This one (to rent) is a bit more Gothic. Black but the gold details make it photo-worthy!

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/dark-dove?plp_experiment=1

Others on eBay in 10/12.

Ands lots more to rent on Hurr ... I love the green one.