Real stories · Dressed up, covered up, comfortable

The evening gown that made me feel graceful at a family wedding — sleeves and all

I needed a dress for a proper evening do — one that felt graceful without clinging — and I'd been quietly dreading the search. I'm 67, and there's a big family wedding this September. Everything I tried in town was either sleeveless, which I no longer wear, or cut for someone forty years younger, or so shapeless I disappeared in it. I came home from one shopping trip and told my husband I'd just wear the navy dress again. He knew I didn't mean it.

What I wanted was a long, elegant dress with proper sleeves, something that made a bit of an occasion of me without asking me to be twenty-five.

Then I found the Theodora gown from a British label called York Boutique — a chic evening gown, and I chose the soft apricot, which is lovely with grey hair.

The moment I put it on, I relaxed. The fabric is a soft stretch jersey and the crossover neckline sits over a gently ruched waistband, which is why it skims over everything rather than clinging to it. The long sleeves cover my arms properly — with a pretty open detail at the shoulder that keeps it from feeling heavy — and the skirt falls right to the floor and moves beautifully when you walk. It's an evening gown that's actually comfortable; I keep forgetting I'm wearing something special, which I suspect is the whole trick of it.

It skims rather than clings, the sleeves cover what I want covered, and I danced in it. Actually danced.

A gown like this, I assumed, would be sixty pounds at least. But York Boutique sells direct, so it was £29.95 in the summer sale. For a wedding outfit, I nearly laughed.

When I tried it on for my daughter she went quiet, then said, "Mum, you look lovely." I'll admit I'd checked before ordering that I could send it back if it didn't suit — you can, within a fortnight, and the delivery's free — but it never crossed my mind again. It comes in five colours and in sizes UK 8 to 18.

If there's an invitation on your mantelpiece and a small knot in your stomach about what to wear, do treat yourself to a look. The Theodora is rated 4.6 out of 5 by more than 300 women, it's £29.95 in the summer sale instead of £60 — half price — and the middle sizes always seem to go first.