I need a dress. Is this one vile?

[LovestheChaos]

So I need a party type dress for the work christmas party. It's not a big party and I'm not that bothered but I can't find anything. I am so frustrated. I kind of like an understated plain look. I'm not ugly but I wouldn't be doing myself any favours by dressing like a teenager and tend to err on the side of frumpy. I would just look silly if I went completely trendy.

I am about 31 years old, 5'3 and a size 12, big hips (pear shaped) with a DD bust.

I am on a budget right now so can't really afford to spend a whole lot.

Anyway I found this at Wallis.

www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=20&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId= 20551&storeId=12557&categoryId=140443&parentcategoryrn=45258&productId=1371083&langId=-1

Any thoughts? Any suggestions?
Thanks.

looks nice.I prefer a bit of a sleeve and black can be harsh on pale skin. what colouring are you?

Are you sure you are pear shaped? With a DD bust you sound more hour glass to me.

The dress is nice but you sound like you have a great figure and maybe something a bit more interesting might suit you? You don't have to go ultra trendy.

I think I have really fat stubby legs so anything really short is out....maybe hourglass pear? Gosh, what happened to my original post? It's all spacey.

Pale skinned long brown wavy hair and brown eyes. Black might be a bit harsh actually. I am so bad at this stuff!

I think with that colouring you need colour..do you like purple?

black almost certainly too harsh then - nice enough dress but you would be better in a colour, maybe a squashy purple instead?

i bought a gorgeous purple dress from next. I am size 8 but 5 ft and hourglass..d boobs and it was soo flattering..understated .I am 35 so similar all round.Oh expect I am blode with blue eyes but you get the gist.I can link if you like purple

Yeah actually purple is one of my favourite colours tbh! Link please if you don't mind.

As long as it is knee length and you wear heels it shouldn't be a problem. Although if you are a size 12 they can't be fat

Purple is definitely a good choice and there are loads of lovely purple clothes out at the mo. What is your budget?

this would look fab with your colouring and shape

I just bought this dress. It is very very flattering; though shows off norkage quite a lot! So depends if you are the 'got it so I'll flaunt it' type

I am a pear, with similar colouring... and it does suit - and different to black!

Which one Nota....?

Damn - link didn't work. try again!

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66154_1081466_-1

This sort of shape is great if you have wider hips as it skims over them.

Ooh I love that one Naomi!!

try the Debenham's website - here is the purple lot for under £45

Liking the Monsoon purple dress - and I was a bit about some of their stuff this year.

very understated and classy..looks much more expensive than it is,could be dressed up or down

monsoon one is nice too

I saw this purple dress in the window of the shop today, it looked quite nice actually.

The black dress you linked to is ok, but a bit boring.

How about something like this?

I like this as well

not purple but would probably still suit your colouring - but maybe not your style?

Thanks everyone. So many of these dresses look fab. It's good to have an opinion of from people other than dh.

men useless. they just want to end the discussion asap. that is their one and only aim. what you look like is not a consideration. Just 'how soon can I wrap up this convo about clothes'.?

Not sure I like the autograph one thumbwitch.

Tis a bit....frumpy..

Like the two Sidge linked to from Monsoon. Seriously consider buying them for myself. However I am a. 5 ft 10 so petite stuff is out, and b. on a clothes buying moratorium after buying too much stuff recently.