Real stories · The dress that got me dancing

Party outfits at 67 are either dull or trying too hard — this one got me dancing

A party dress that moves, so I did — that's the story of my niece's birthday do. I'm 67, and party invitations had quietly become a wardrobe problem: everything I owned said either 'chaperone' or, worse, 'trying'. So I'd wear the navy thing, sit near the buffet, and leave early.

What I wanted was something festive that didn't require an apology either way.

Then I found the Fringella from a British label called York Boutique — a party dress covered in rows of fine, shimmering fringe that catches the light, with a flattering V-neck. Mine is the silver-white; there's gold, pink and black as well.

The fringe is the whole performance. Every strand moves when you do, catching the light with the smallest step — which is why you look like part of the party rather than furniture at it — while underneath it all the fit is soft and far more forgiving than a party dress has any right to be. It's festive without a single sequin of desperation.

Rows of shimmering fringe that move when you do — which is why you look like part of the party instead of a chaperone — over a fit that's far more forgiving than it has any right to be.

It was £29.95, half the usual £60 — roughly what I'd spend on a round of drinks apologising for the navy thing. A fortnight to send it back and free delivery, though after the first twirl in the sitting room that was never going to happen.

It has since done the birthday do, where I danced — twice, properly — and one dinner where I was, by some margin, the best-dressed person at the table. My granddaughter delivered the verdict of the evening: 'Granny sparkles.' Sandra, who wore navy, has asked for the link.

If your party wardrobe also says 'chaperone', do have a look — the Christmas dos are coming. The Fringella is rated 4.6 out of 5 by more than 190 women, it comes in four colours, in UK sizes 8/10 to 22/24 — and at half price the silver goes first.