Black tie do, except I don't do black tie! Help!!

[Yanda]

Its for DH's work, its a black tie event, evening dress required. I have never been to something like this before. Worse still I am generally a jeans, t-shirt and all stars kind of girl. I am hyperventilating at the thought of wearing a "posh" dress! Please help me find somethin suitable because I don't even know where to start. Im a 14-16, curvy on the hips and bust, smaller waist hourglass really. I can't wear anything mini as my legs are like corned beef and I can't wear anything strapless without serious scaffolding. I'm happy to wear any colour except red or baby pink and I would prefer quirky to boring. I need shoes too and I have big size 9 feet Budget is as cheap as possible

Go for a longer dress that will cover legs, go for something simple and classic.

I have a work collegue, bit more than curvy I would say, would never wear a dress so wears tuxedo type outfit with a sparkly top.

If you have curves and a waist you might be suprised what you look good in, take a more adventurous freind with you to encourage you to try things.

A low kitten type heel looks daintier than a chunky low one, if you go for a solid shoe you can wear decent tights than will cover your legs if they are a bit corn beefy like mine .

not that I ever go to stuff like this but an abaya hides everything and looks nice

By slid I mean not strappy or open toe, solid shoes with a strap are quite popular right now, bit more secure feeling. just keep the heel not too chunky if low.

Whats an abaya?

I'm not sure about a tux as I think DH would be abit and he has offered to pay for a dress so I guess I need to find a dress.

TMMJ, that dress is a beautiful colour, but I just know it would squash my boobs to death lol

Do you think I could get away with a skirt and a top?

just wear a black tie........and nothing else

this is a gd shape for hourglasses

this with a shrug?

Thank you for further suggestions, like both the monsoon dresses, not the strapless one though for reasons that TMMJ has said, which is a shame because I like my shoulders/back/neck area

Where in the country are you Yanda?

I'm in Exeter

YANDA - some great shops in new exeter mall. JUST GO TRY SOMETHING DARING ON!!!

Just do it.

I rememberthe first time I went from wearing jeans to trying a ball gown on. Twas AMAZING. I looked fab, DH almost cried. I felt so elegant.

You need, long, under bust the flowing to the floor...

In fact...what size are you? I might have the perfect dress...except it has salmon colour in it....

Oh sorry you did say, just a little too small for you...sorry

Or how about some serious scaffolding and

this?

I know sancerre, there are great shops I should just go and have a look. I do understand what you are saying, but it just doesn't feel like me. If I were to go for something I think it would HAVE to have something quirky about it for me to feel like myself.

And don't apologise about the dress being abit small for me, I'm tall so lucky enough to be able to carry off my size 14, only need a 16 for the norks! I have big feet, 34 inch inside leg and so on, I'm just bigger all over really!

YANDA - the dress I have is perfect for big norks. It is very quirky which is why I thought of you, such a shame as its gorgeous and different, you would stun everyone in it...

Oooh, not black tie, but I could go for that bravissimo dress anyway, I like the big spots and the colour. Hmmm, could I be turned over to dresses!? See if that was a top I would wear that with jeans and wedges....

Sancerre, yes, would need SERIOUS scaffolding for the 34G's and then the dress would have to have enough material to cover them I think this is what has usually put me off dresses.

Ooh Sancerre, link to it anyway so I can dream.....!