Urgent help needed - black tie/evening dress needed for tomorrow!

[silverfrog]

I have got 2 big functions coming up (tomorrow and next weekend). I've just been gettign organised, and sorting out what to wear (yes i know, last minute, but this is quite organised for me!)

I have half a dozen dresses - all bought pre-children, and I don't fit anymore as norks seem to be about 4 sizes bigger than they used to be (hadn't noticed in daily life, but dresses are made to measure mostly)

So, need to buy a new one, and need it to be high street/easily bought.

Found this one and love it, but out of stock in my nearest shop.

I am a size 12/14 - broad shoulders (but slim), big norks (34 E/F) and hourglass ish waist/hips - hold on, will measure.....

waist 28 inches (over jeans)
hips 38 inches (again over jeans/t shirt)

what is there around/what do you reckon would suit?

Monsoon had a stunning kimono style dress - amazing if you have an hour glass figure as it is nipped in at the waist

can't find it on line but what about this black dress

coast LBD

oooh, thanks

I quite like the first one, but fear it would just make me look wide (broad shoulders, big norks, wide hips).

really need full length too

Whereabouts are you frog ? I'm a similar size to you and have a few which might be suitable if you wanted to borrow (they've been dry cleaned)

or coast

debs

phase eight

this? i know its expensive but you could probably ebay it after and get alot back.

I like TSM's chocolate one from Debenhams.

Tilly, thanks, but I'm in Surrey.

Like the phase eight one, but again, i tend to look wide (and lumpy!) if not strucutred

What shops can you get to? Online is no use this late in the day really.

possibly not structured enough though ?

love the colour and shape, not sure about middle bit though

Most shops to next day delivery if you order before 4 today, try asos or i know coast do.

nice shape

Have you got any hire places locally you can go to ?

Can get to Kingston quite easily, or Sutton. Guildford and Woking not impossible either. So fairyl good range.

Not sure what they ahve exectly, as new to area (helpful, i know) but assume usual suspects - god I hate shopping.

I do have one fallback dress (ancient old Monsoon which is thankfully forgiving in the nork area) so if all else fails can wear that.

am very that will not prob wear any of my other dresses again - I fit waist/hips wise (which was a surprise to me) but no chance across norks.

Could you get some really good new accessories to go with the fallback dress? Ancient Monsoon = no-one else will have the same.

thanks for all the links - nothing grabbing me though.

I suppose I could accessorise old dress, but i am really bored of wearing it tbh

It's the one I always drag out (or have done over last coupl of years due to pregnancy/post pregnancy state)

might pop into town this pm and see what I find (can see the dds loving that )

You will just have to go into town and walk into every dress shop you see. Grab an assistant and say that you need to see whatever they have in your size right now that is full length, take a glance at them and then walk out if it's no good. Be a diva and make use of them - you hae a serious mission here

god no, could never do that.

will slink around a few though, as inconspicuously as possible (with 2 dds in double buggy, loudly demanding raisins, me in jeans and t shirt ) and see what they have.

I cuoldn't either but on MN I am very confident and tell people to do brave things

I had an awful Pretty Woman moment as a teenager (not that I was working as a prostitute, you understand) where I was looked up and down and told they didn't have the kind of thing I was looking for.

was very and I now can't go and ask for advice anywhere...

silly really, because I look bloody good all togged up but never have the confidence to shop and find anyhting.

How would this Kew number grab you? It has a tie back so you should be able to get a size that flatters your bust and then nip it in at the waist. They have it in red, nany and purple and there's a Kew in Kingston!:

www.kew-online.com/fcp/product/womens-clothing/NEW/Maxi-Tie-Dress/99900819?colour=red

Also I seem to remember that there is a TK Maxx in Kingston - definitely worth a try for evening wear.