Help with dress for black tie event - professional rather than social

[lilolilmanchester]

The dresses I would normally wear to a black-tie dinner are too low cut for this particular event. Can anyone help me search please?

oh I was a bit vague! I'm 5'4: size 14, so not particularly slim; 46; dark hair/eyes; slightly olivey skin. Going for professional look so probably black (yawn) but not dowdy.

Thanks LL. These are all very much along the right lines. Am thinking cocktail, but willing to consider long. I have a long dress that I totally love,and very flattering, but too revealing for this occasion. I don't have any preference for labels, but I am a funny shape so really do need to try things on and running out of time if order online. Thanks for your help, really, your suggestions are spot on (if they fit!!)

How about this one?

Night night.

Thanks PM. Will go to Debenhams and have a good look through the phase 8 stuff. I like that dress, just think perhaps with my age/shape might look a bit dowdy. But will try. Thanks.

thanks LL. Agree black is a bit boring, but fitting for the occasion. If it helps, I had my colours done years back and am autumn. Off to bed now ladies. should go myself. Long day tomorrow, unlikely to be on MN til at least Sunday. Night all and thanks.

(that was ambiguous, don't need the dress til Dec 1st....)

LAPIN!

i tried on the phase 8 purple dress that little lapin linked to

I'm 5'5 and also size 14 and 46 . Unusually for me it was a really good fit as the bands of jersey on the bodice expanded to accommodate my HUGE bf norks. Many evening dresses have a pre formed bodice which is always too small for me. Or little triangles of chiffon ( even worse)

The colour was also lovely as I try to avoid black if possible

I found the length a bit formal, as i was looking for a party dress rather than serious work function dress. So might well be perfect for you

Last awards dinner I went to I did the tux thing (from autograph m&s), with bling and heels. and a black satin top under. I felt GREAT. It was so good - I felt completely dressed up and appropriate but unexposed (quite a male dominated industry). Got lots of compliments too, which was nice.

Ah ok good.
I was in Habitat today and they ahd the sweetest set

however it was about 85 quid

Worth a look perhaps if you are desperate!!

Thanks KatieMorag, sounds encouraging. Will go look. Miyazaki, the tux thing can work well but not appropriate for this particular event. Deinitely something I will think of another time tho. Thanks.

ended up with this dress from monsoon. (with apologies to LittleLapin for it being black!) £75 instead of £95, so a bargain.

lovely, very classic

Thanks Kristina M. I wanted to find something professional but not too boring. I think I'll wear this dress a lot cos not too "black tie" to wear for less formal occasions ( I think/hope!)