This is the first time I've ever asked for help on a fashion thread!

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Basically because I'm not usually that arsed and live in jeans or leggings and smocks BUT ...... I have an 'event' coming up and want to look gorgeous! My daughter leaves her primary school to go to high school and there is always an evening party for kids and parents where mums and dads generally make a bit of an effort. I am also a teacher at the same school where the parents often look fabulous and I look - well, like a kindergarten teacher I guess .

Am coming to UK next week for a weekend without kids so can go High Street shopping.

I am 5,7", size 10 on bottom but with 34DD bust. Am looking for a dress, love square necklines and sandals. Dark blond hair, currently have a bit of a natural tan (if this makes any difference whatsoever!!) Am trying to steer away from black and navy but am terrified of bright colours. Usually would wear neutrals but I do like green!

So ... not much of a list - you can tell I usully stick to the dog threads . Any ideas/links? Not stupidly expensive please

Thanks in advance

Sorry, just to add, am 44. I love the dress Bratnav recommended from a company called Jules/Jools in a thread a little further down, but am wary of mail order as stuff which fits on hips and bum (both small) won't go over boobs and stuff which fits in bust is often enormous on hips

Not that I'm obsessing about this (I am up and everyone else is asleep, even the dog ) but is Phase Eight nice? I have been trawling through old threads and lots of you talk about it? Can't do the link but on the website there is a dress for about £90 called 'jackie' - blue and white, so not my colour scheme at all! It looks lovely on the website. Any opinions? Are Phase eight dresses okay for biggish norks?

blue Jackie dress looks nice

Have tried other Phase 8 dresses and found them to be good for the larger chest

Oh thanks for the link brennanbooth! Am I.T. challenged

Here?

Gorgeous

Lovely

Great colour

pricey but nice- Karen Millen have quite a few nice things at the moment

Love the shape of the last one (although its out of my price league!). Wish I looked like the model in the second photo

What's your budget?

About £100 max for dress and another £40 ish for shoes so not huge

dress 1
dress 2
dress 3
dress 4
dress 5

Aren't low cut dresses much more flattering if you have a larger chest? Not that I have personal experience of that!

I think the Jackie dress would look great, particularly if you are only a size 10

Thanks so much. I hadn't thought of Monsoon. They have some nice things at the moment. Am going to UK in 2 weeks so will hit the High Street. You have all given me some great ideas thanks