I've reached an awful stage in my professional life where I'm expected to attend minimum one black tie gala a year. (It was two in 2023, and could have been three but I elected to be a weird goblin in my hotel room instead.)

I'm a size 20, with a generous belly, so finding something appropriate is a challenge. Honestly, I think I'm going to end up getting something custom-made at eShakti, but if anyone has suggestions for local brands or stores to look at, I'd be very grateful!

(At the last event, my boss wore an $80 Gorman sack that only came to her knees, but I don't have the confidence to pull that off! For one thing, I can't wear heels, so I'm already breaking one of the unwritten rules of formality by wearing flats. I'm going for "appropriate" and "not memorable", and also hoping for a dress that doesn't make me feel like a sad potato.)