Outfit for special event - ideas please

I have a local shop who does Ann Balon too Germanshepherdsmum and they do come up a lot on ebay at a much better price.
I rather thought I might like something different for this - but maybe I should take a look...
They use a lot of viscose lace which is very heavy and not easy to put holes in (!) even if you ate a bit on the clumsy side like me. They do wash well too.
I have worn my lacy jacket with jeans and capri type trousers quite a lot. I wondered about dying my existing outfit but I'm too fat for it now!

Thanks for all the links folks!

I have spents ages browsing. Instead of cleaning the cooker.

Or buy direct www.annbalon.com/buy-now/

This place sells Ann Balon, seems they might do special orders.
www.brigidfoley.co.uk/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes

Thank you Sarah, Maw, Davida and others..
I'm not usually a mother-of-the -bride outfit person to be honest and wouldn't be comfortable in some more "traditional" outfits. I don't like many synthetic fabrics and find synthetic gauzy ones the worst. Lots of lace is very poor quality unless you pay an arm and a leg...

I wore an Ann Balon 3 piece (skirt, camisole and jacket to one daughter's wedding and was able to wear those pieces separately for years. I wore a nice top, with crop trousers to another (with a great hat) - but this one is a very "fancy" do... and I'm stumped to be honest.
There will be a lot of very well outfitted guests there. I don't want to "let the side down" but can't justify buying one-use-only items.

Maybe I need a crash diet? Would that do some bust/belly shrinking I wonder?
I do appreciate the suggestions.
Thank you all.

I'm with Norah & other GNs - definitely black trousers and a nice top! (Everyone should be looking at the bride, anyway!) I don't possess a dress.....

AussieGran59

Whew! Some lovely suggestions but the prices of some made my eyes water.
I hope you find something beautiful that doesn’t cost the earth!

I’m so glad you said that! I was beginning to think I was odd being astonished at some of the prices!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202302/medium-562320-1b86045a-07d1-460c-a157-25359be5119a.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202302/medium-449780-fe75a2bc-5f73-4b6f-94f5-20f19700677b.png

Even if you are not the “MOB” , Phase Eight do some nice dresses, some with jackets in their MOB range

The Suzy Hamilton dresses are fabulous but I'm too big for them, unfortunately.

I'm waiting to be "allowed in" to see the Facebook pages.

I've looked through Next and Monsoon now. So thank you.

Coast has a "maybe" or two - I'm such an awkward shape though

I've yet to go back to Bombshell to look at new season and although the Dorothy Perkins dress is not me I'll have a look at what else they offer.
I'm looking for something really quite "special".
There is SO much polyester out there - I was amazed!

www.dorothyperkins.com/strap-detail-midi-dress/BQQ02538.html?color=156

Next Online have a huge selection , they sell lots of brands besides their own

Next Online he

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sorry Wyllow3

Ha ha Wyllow3
🥂🍾

I blame this thread for spending the last 1.5 hours on the Monsoon website...sigh.....(no special events coming up).

Thank you all.
I had a dress made for my son's wedding so I could do that if need be.
Will definitely look at your other suggestions.

I'm hooked on this facebook group for buying and selling pre-loved wedding or special occasion outfits:
www.facebook.com/groups/519932719462286

Coast also have some good dresses in their plus range.

Could you have a dress made in the Bombshell style that you like, without the tie? Or perhaps a dressmaker could alter it for you?

Have you considered hiring a dress/outfit that suits you, so you don't spend a lot on something you only wear a couple of times? You could splash out on new accessories that you may use more often, i.e new shoes, bag.
Hope you enjoy the wedding.

Suzy Hamilton, if convenient for you?
suzyhamilton.co.uk

I haven't thought about budget yet (oops!).
Certainly not Prada prices! Ha ha

Thank you GrammyGrammy - I think the bold colour hat is very nice but I know I couldn't get away with beige/ecru/fawn...

I'm probably a 20/22 top because of my bust - depending on style. I have to be a bit careful with styles cut for women with larger arms/shoulders too as mine are more "ordinary" size-wise and the larger arm-holes do me no favours.

I think that's why the Bombshell dress worked as it had some stretch for my bust and a nice v-shaped neck with a lovely (on me) collar shape. The excess fabric in the skirt was nice to give me a better silhouette but the tie was just in the wrong place!

Trouser-wise I'm a 16/18.