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Original poster

Can you help me find a dress please............

26 replies

snowmummy · 20/04/2009 16:41

Hi

I've been lurking here for ages but this is my first post, so hiya

We're having a joint party for our DC's birthday in May and I would like a really nice dress to wear but unfortunately haven't got a clue. I have looked at loads and looked at suggestions on other threads on here but everything I've looked at seems too 'young' for me (am 39) or too smart and formal looking iyswim. I'd like something in the middle, so something quite funky but don't want too much hanging out!

So, I'm 5'6" size 12, quite long, skinny legs (but not in a good way) so I don't want anything too too short.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

TIA

OP posts:
namechangecosfeelingsad · 20/04/2009 16:44

Welcome snowmummy.

What are your favourite shops, and do you have a budget in mind?

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 16:44

WHite Stuff have some good things - something like this might work? What sort of colours do you like?

Other White stuff dresses.

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 16:46

Maybe also this or this (though the second one might be a bit shorter than you had in mind).

namechangecosfeelingsad · 20/04/2009 16:47

(hijack, sory sm) Hello JackieNo, did you have any luck finding that black & green dress last night? I had to give up and go to bed.

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 16:50

(sorry snowmummy - no, no luck at all namechange. I gave up too, I'm afraid ).

OllieWollieWoo · 20/04/2009 16:51

This dress doesnt look like much on the Monsoon website but my friend has it and looks fab - she is the same height and size as you.

She wore it the the playground with a lovley white shrug - and put the rest of us in jeans to shame!!!!

here

What sort of colours do you like?

Jackie No's suggestions v good too.

namechangecosfeelingsad · 20/04/2009 16:52

Right, let's vow to do better for snowmummy. What's your colouring sm? best feature?

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 16:53

That monsoon one's lovely OllieWollieWoo.

Bit more formal? Maybe too formal?

OllieWollieWoo · 20/04/2009 17:02

Glad to see you again JackieNo - not seen lots of your lovely suggestions for a while and wondered if you had name changed or left???!!!! Did you see your name in the thread the other week of tributes to MN's????

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 17:03

I rather like this one, but again, might be more formal than you have in mind.
this is nice too (also available in brown), with some strappy wedge sandals? But only if you don't have too much in the way of a bust, I suspect.

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 17:04

Ollie - no, I didn't see that thread. I've been in and out, but not been around as much as I used to be.

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 17:07

This is the same sort of shape as Ollie's Monsoon one - if your arms aren't up to sleeveless, you can always wear a shrug with it.

pointydog · 20/04/2009 17:09

jackieno, hello!

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 17:09

Hello pointydog .

OllieWollieWoo · 20/04/2009 18:11

Can't find it now JackieNo but someone asked other MNs to name their favourite MN's and why and somone mentioned you for always having faboulous style suggestions! Shame you missed it!

Sorry Snowmummy for going off topic - will now resume search for the perfect dress!

JackieNo · 20/04/2009 18:58

Thanks Ollie

Found a couple more dresses snowmummy, but a bit more on the pricey side:
silk, but v pricey
Not quite as pricey - I love this one, and I reckon it would look even better with a different belt. Maybe a metallic one for the 2 bluey grey versions...
This is pretty too and a bit more girly than the others.
I like this one a lot too. Quite summery.

Original poster
snowmummy · 20/04/2009 19:30

Ooh thanks some lovely suggestions there.

I really like Fat Face and White Stuff so maybe I should go try on a few - definitely the Cherry Laurel and the Bolivia dress.

I'm not so keen on the shirt dresses Jackieno, sorry. Those ones from Wrap are out of my price range. I suppose I'm looking around the £60 mark really.

I do like the Monsoon one that your friend has, Ollie and the leafy one you suggested from Debenhams Jackie but I don't know whether I'd feel too dressed up in them. Are they not the kind of dress you'd wear for a wedding? See, this is the problem I'm having. I suppose my style is normally quite casual (scruffy?) so I'm drawn to the more casual dresses that then seem too young for me! Oh I don't know!!

Namechange, I do like to wear colour though I'm not sure what colours suit me. I have short, asymmetric, mousey brown hair that is highlighted but I'm having a restyle at the weekend so that could change. I have pale skin with yellowy, warm undertones I think.

Thanks for your suggestions so far. Hope there is more advice to come.

OP posts:
LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 20/04/2009 19:32

The monsoon one is lovely and it's cotton so actually looks quite casual.

OllieWollieWoo · 20/04/2009 21:14

Agree Libras - hence my mate wearing it to the playground - with wedge heels no less!!!!

I'm a bit like you Snowmummy - always seem to plump for more casual clothes given a choice but forced myself to wear a skirt and little cardi the other day and didnt feel as over dressed as I thought I would! The Monsoon one isnt too dressy - honest!

Thought the Cherry Laurel dress was lovely too - its really difficult to find dresses with sleeves at the mo!

Original poster
snowmummy · 20/04/2009 21:22

Right, you have convinced me. I will venture into Monsoon and try that dress on. I always think of Monsoon as being for grown ups but I guess I should accept that I am nearly 40 .

I will go and look at the Fat Face one and see what White Stuff have got in to try as well.

Thank you all.

OP posts:
OllieWollieWoo · 21/04/2009 07:29

Last bit of advice - try a few other dresses on in Monsoon - even ones that you are not sure of on the hanger - its amazing how different they can look on. Just pick ones whose colours you like - and that way you can see which styles suit you. Also things like little cardis can really help dress things down!

Good luck Snowmummy - and please, please, please report back - which doesnt happen v often on here but its always nice to hear about! (then we can shamelssly run out and buy same dress as you!)

JackieNo · 21/04/2009 08:07

Agree with Ollie - just try a few things on, even if you just take them into the changing room as an 'experiment' - you might find something suits you that you wouldn't have considered. Would love to hear back if you find something, too.

Original poster
snowmummy · 23/04/2009 12:35

Hiya,

I'll start off with a big thanks to you all for your help and advice.

Today I ventured into Monsoon, got an assistant to help me and tried on loads of dresses that I wouldn't normally have considered and also the green one that Ollie suggested. Anyway, the good news is that I actually bought a dress that I like and that I think looks nice on me. The bad new is that its so new that its not on the website yet and so I can't show it to you. As soon as its on the website I will post a link and I'll be asking for your opinions.

So, thanks again for 'pushing' me into Monsoon - think I'll be in there a little more often from now on

OP posts:
JackieNo · 23/04/2009 15:22

Excellent . Look forward to seeing it once it's on the website .

modernmama · 23/04/2009 15:33

Hey - so glad you found your dream dress. Have a look in Karen Millen if you are ever stuck again - they have some really fab dresses in - beautiful colours and timeless styles!

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