Anonymous wrote:For only $15-20 a plate you will struggle for something "nicer" unless you're happy with second hand off ebay (I buy china off ebay all the time, FYI).

Villeroy and Boch occupies this nicer but not fine china. Plenty of patterns both in shops and on ebay.

+1. I found a beautiful set of China plates that I use for everyday on Etsy. I forget what I paid, but they were not expensive.

For only $15-20 a plate you will struggle for something "nicer" unless you're happy with second hand off ebay (I buy china off ebay all the time, FYI).

Villeroy and Boch occupies this nicer but not fine china. Plenty of patterns both in shops and on ebay.

Crate and barrel roulette or similar.

Formal but heavy and not china? Or not expensive china?

Le Creuset

We have a set of white dishes that we use for everyday and I love them and they fit all manner of holidays with a napkin or charger switch. DH would like to get a more formal set for special occasions or dinner parties. I'll be partial to a solid color over a pattern--maybe a heavier pottery type or something with a little sheen. We're not looking for any kind of expensive china--just something that might be around $15-20 a plate? West Elm has some nice options. I'll look at Crate too. Any other sources I'm missing?