sexy but not thirsty cocktail dress

[Anonymous]

I think this is sexy yet tasteful - I’m just not sure about the colors. https://www.dillards.com/p/belle-badgley-mischka-holly-satin-mock-neck-sleeveless-a-line-dress/517137815

Not sure if you think this would be too plain, but I like the color, I don’t think it would be as harsh as a black dress. It would probably be longer on you if you’re petite. https://www.dillards.com/p/siena-keyhole-hardware-ruched-scuba-mini-dress/521289273

Too long? https://www.dillards.com/p/aidan-mattox-sleeveless-beaded-mesh-midi-dress/521217736

Not sure how you feel about a cape dress but I kind of love this one! https://macduggal.com/products/5931?_pos=24&_fid=650f83ef7&_ss=c

Tons of different colorways but quality might be iffy https://www.lulus.com/products/beyond-classy-chartreuse-satin-halter-midi-dress/2544311.html

Another one that comes in a few different colors but not sure if I love any of them? https://www.nordstrom.com/s/brooklyn-beaded-fitted-short-dress-with-open-back/7987398?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FCocktail%20%26%20Party&color=300

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is sexy yet tasteful - I’m just not sure about the colors. https://www.dillards.com/p/belle-badgley-mischka-holly-satin-mock-neck-sleeveless-a-line-dress/517137815

Not sure if you think this would be too plain, but I like the color, I don’t think it would be as harsh as a black dress. It would probably be longer on you if you’re petite. https://www.dillards.com/p/siena-keyhole-hardware-ruched-scuba-mini-dress/521289273

Too long? https://www.dillards.com/p/aidan-mattox-sleeveless-beaded-mesh-midi-dress/521217736

Not sure how you feel about a cape dress but I kind of love this one! https://macduggal.com/products/5931?_pos=24&_fid=650f83ef7&_ss=c

Tons of different colorways but quality might be iffy https://www.lulus.com/products/beyond-classy-chartreuse-satin-halter-midi-dress/2544311.html

Another one that comes in a few different colors but not sure if I love any of them? https://www.nordstrom.com/s/brooklyn-beaded-fitted-short-dress-with-open-back/7987398?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FCocktail%20%26%20Party&color=300

All horrific. The first would be fine if lined and in silk. Cheap cheap taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:trying again with image

[img]https://is4.revolveassets.com/images/p4/n/z/AMAN-WD1930_V1.jpg[img]

https://is4.revolveassets.com/images/p4/n/z/AMAN-WD1930_V1.jpg

Are you an idiot?

You’re a fug cooze- this is the only good dress in the thread.

[Anonymous]

this thread is terrible. For a GALA? And op is petite and super skinny and early 40s? And you have her dressed like a nun or an office worker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is sexy yet tasteful - I’m just not sure about the colors. https://www.dillards.com/p/belle-badgley-mischka-holly-satin-mock-neck-sleeveless-a-line-dress/517137815

Not sure if you think this would be too plain, but I like the color, I don’t think it would be as harsh as a black dress. It would probably be longer on you if you’re petite. https://www.dillards.com/p/siena-keyhole-hardware-ruched-scuba-mini-dress/521289273

Too long? https://www.dillards.com/p/aidan-mattox-sleeveless-beaded-mesh-midi-dress/521217736

Not sure how you feel about a cape dress but I kind of love this one! https://macduggal.com/products/5931?_pos=24&_fid=650f83ef7&_ss=c

Tons of different colorways but quality might be iffy https://www.lulus.com/products/beyond-classy-chartreuse-satin-halter-midi-dress/2544311.html

Another one that comes in a few different colors but not sure if I love any of them? https://www.nordstrom.com/s/brooklyn-beaded-fitted-short-dress-with-open-back/7987398?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FCocktail%20%26%20Party&color=300

All horrific. The first would be fine if lined and in silk. Cheap cheap taste.

I don’t know if you’ve tried to find sexy yet appropriate for a 40+ year old, not an 18 year old sorority sister but it’s not easy ………

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d go with navy.

https://www.katespadeoutlet.com/products/tweed-dress/KN074-403.html?KSNY=true&ogmap=PLA%7CRTN%7CGOOG%7CSTND%7Cm%7CSITEWIDE%7CSurprise%7CKS_OTL_Google_PLA_Signal_NA_Generic_National_PMax_NA_BAU_Catchall%7CSitewide_Regular_Core_NA%7C%7C22249683588%7C%7CUS&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=KS_OTL_Google_PLA_Signal_NA_Generic_National_PMAX_NA_BAU_Catchall&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22256270384&gbraid=0AAAAADJUeEVewMx7JmhiRX5VXQM0-EBeI

https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/product/chiara-boni-la-petite-robe-publy-shift-dress-0400017258878.html?dwvar_0400017258878_size=40+%284%29&dwvar_0400017258878_color=BLU+NOTTE&site_refer=CSE_GGLPLA%3AWomens_Dresses%3AChiara+Boni+La+Petite+Robe&country=US¤cy=USD&CSE_CID=SAKS_G_PLA_High+Inventory_Priority%3ASAKS_G_PLA_High+Inventory_Priority&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23543907067&gbraid=0AAAAADO6JtQeGPAyfMbmkw0zYtjqgiiGw

NP here. There are some good suggestions on this thread!

I'm 5'4" with a slight build and in 40s too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:trying again with image

[img]https://is4.revolveassets.com/images/p4/n/z/AMAN-WD1930_V1.jpg[img]

https://is4.revolveassets.com/images/p4/n/z/AMAN-WD1930_V1.jpg

I love this dress, but it's probably too long for OP. Also, you really have to have a great upper chest (skin and not too boney) and arms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this thread is terrible. For a GALA? And op is petite and super skinny and early 40s? And you have her dressed like a nun or an office worker?

I mean, OP is calling it a gala but then requesting cocktail dresses, and the photo she provided is of cocktail dress. It's also a school gala which can have a wide range of meanings and dress codes. Last year at our fundraising gala there were people there in jeans, which surprised me but it's not a formal event and I think people become unsure how to handle that. I wore a black knee length sheath that is too dress for my office but would probably be considered work attire for someone working in a more formal environment.

I haven't liked most of the suggestions posted here, but I get why it's a weird grab bag of styles and formality levels given the brief.

[Anonymous]

I bought a couple of Black Halo dresses fe
Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom that served this function nicely.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I stayed away from the asymmetrical neckline ones because they’re a bit overdone and obviously black halo and was able to find some nice options but I don’t see them available anymore after a quick glance.

[Anonymous]

At our schools gala the dress code was supposed to be “jeans and ugly sweaters”. So there was an interesting mix where half the people were wearing that and then the women who like to dress up were in cocktail dresses and made their husbands wear suits. It looked like two different events were going on.
I for one wore the dress!

[Anonymous]

Black halo is super dated in my circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about this:

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/pippa-shift-dress-petite-golden-blossom/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22895407571&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22889747643&gbraid=0AAAAADrNWmxW9vMlZSEzpnUpaCLNbe9Mq&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtfXMBhDzARIsAJ0jp3DI31vLjJNMT9bO425kF1qTrFPSI2VqDr3qskL5bRTip1Urv7sfyf0aAvcIEALw_wcB

I like this a lot. You might need to have it hemmed but it would be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this thread is terrible. For a GALA? And op is petite and super skinny and early 40s? And you have her dressed like a nun or an office worker?

Because "gala" doesn't mean what you think it means. It's not a ball. It's a super boring school event in which a few people will come dressed in real cocktail attire, and the rest will slum it in various forms of casualness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alice and Olivia - since you’re short the mini dresses will be a normal length https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/alice-and-olivia-wynell-floral-sleeveless-minidress/8497028?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&color=001

I like this one best. Some posts are of day dresses or are generally not "sexy cocktail".