I need a dress for an event tomorrow night. Please help?

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

I've been invited to a party tomorrow evening with the dress code "something fabulous" which is pretty much meaningless to me and am in a bit of a panic about it. It's in a nice restaurant (private hire) and will be drinks/dinner/dancing but I think black-tie formal will be overkill. Nothing in my wardrobe either fits or is appropriate (I have lost a fair bit of weight recently) so I need something new.

I don't have a budget to speak of but would prefer it if I could buy something under £100 (though would go higher for something fab), I'd pay extra for amazing shoes but do have a cupboard full of them so may be able to recycle on that but I either need to be able to pick it up in London or get overnight delivery.

I'm a size 8 (sometimes 6) hourglass, need to wear a bra at all times though will do a strapless one and have short brown hair and average skintone, though have a bit of a tan at the moment, with strapmarks from my bikini on my back so a strapless frock is probably a bad idea.

Can anyone help me as I am clueless (and terminally unstylish)?

Thank you.

[mintgreenchilli]

Fabulous = sparkly!

At least get something with a bit of sequin detail. TK Maxx does some outrageous cheap ones!

[nomorebooze]

I take it you are going to a good highstreet today or tomorrow what about checking out French connection? what shops have you access to? not sure where to check out otherwise?

[tethersend]

I'd advise against sequins, TBH!

How about something like this?

[moondog]

Eh? Why?
If you can't rock a sequin or two when it specifies something 'fabulous' when can you?

[moondog]

That's just a brown sack Tethers

[IHeartKingThistle]

Sparkles, damnit!

[LeslieKnope]

Agree with moondog. That Michael Kors dress is Dullsville.

[PoohBearsHole]

Have a look at hiring something - there are some great websites out there that you can hire for 2 days :) not sure of them but perhaps our friend google can help. They can also get things to you pronto!

[LadyBigtoes]

I was admiring this sequin number the other day. I like it because it has a beautiful glamourous texture but is otherwise very plain and simple, you could wear with dark tights and many kinds of shoes/boots would work.

Obviously not v helpful budget-wise but it might give you some ideas.

[tethersend]

Bollocks to you all and your sequinned horrors

To be fair, I do like some sequinned stuff, but the vast majority of things with sequins on available on the high street look like trashy middle-aged-Christmas-party fodder, and are pretty far from fabulous IMO.

The dress I linked to would look gorgeous on a size 6/8 figure. Mind you, so would most things

Ok, will look for something more glam. But not with bloody sequins on

[FauxFox]

navy lace
black fishtail
green lace
black and gold
white

[tethersend]

What about something like this with gold chandelier earrings and heels or This with black pointy suede heels if you want sparkly.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

Thank you!

I'm not sure about sequins to be honest - I'm a bit concerned that I'd look like I was going to a civil service office Christmas party (have been to a lot) rather than somewhere fabulous.

Tethers - the brown one is a lovely shape, but the hem is odd and the colour seems a bit flat, not sure.

The sequinned one from all saints looks a bit shapeless - I think I would need to try on.

The HoF blue one is nice - may see if I can find it in store.

The black one really isn't me.

I like the first asos one but fear I've left it too late for delivery tomorrow.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

I like the anglomania one but it's only in large - will see if I can find a smaller one once off my phone.

[Twinklestein]

How about this OP, plain front, saucy back. With one of these type of 'statement' necklaces.

(Wtf is a 'statement' anyway...?)

[CelticPromise]

Do you like a 50s style look? Vivien of Holloway dresses are fab and suit hourglasses, and their service at the shop is brilliant if you can get there.

[Twinklestein]

//www.girlmeetsdress.com has lots of designer dresses to hire.

They're in SW10 if you're in London.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

I am in London so can get to girlmeetsdress.

I like the black one but I'm not sure about it being too safe. I hadn't even thought about going down a statement necklace route so that's definitely an option.

Love Vivien of Holloway dresses but always thought of them as more daytime. Off to browse website now.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

So I did a little online order last night and also raided my wardrobe for the few bits that fit me and am still a bit stumped. Any advice on what I found?

These are from House of Fraser. The long sleeved one was called grey but is more of an ear de nil shade. I'm not sure if it's a bit grannyish. The others are the same dress in two colours.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

These two are from my wardrobe. The blue one is a bit big so I've popped a belt on it. The long sleeved one is DH's preference but I think it's a bit daytime.

Does anyone have an opinion on which one I should go for? And some suggestions on how to dress it up. I'm so much more comfortable in jeans than at dressy-up occasions and am going to be around some very naturally stylish types.

[Twinklestein]

The grey is a pretty dress, but it's a bit demure for 'fabulous'.
I think the next dress in the two different colours look too big for you & slightly swamp your frame.

I think the last two are best, given the 'fabulous' dress code I'd go for the leopard print. But I'd wear black shoes...

It's a really fun, funky dress, it shows off your figure & you will look fabulous...