I was honestly a bit iffy about buying a velvet dress online 'cause you never know if the material will look cheap or shiny, but this one absolutely surprised me.

Finding a dress for my son's rehearsal dinner was turning into an absolute nightmare until I stumbled across this one. I didn't want anything too flashy, but I still wanted to look elegant. This dress hit the sweet spot perfectly. The half sleeve is a gorgeous touch because I'm a bit self-conscious about my arms, but I didn't want to be completely covered up. It’s super comfy to sit and move around in, which is a huge deal for me. The colour is exactly like the picture on the website. It’s a brilliant choice if you need something classy that doesn't scream for attention but still looks really put-together.

So, I ordered this for a formal work Christmas party because I was after something a bit different to the usual black cocktail dress. It’s a fantastic piece to have in your wardrobe for those random fancy events that pop up.

I grabbed this for a charity ball I went to with my husband, and I got heaps of compliments all night. The velvet gives it such a gorgeous luxe feel, and the cut is super flattering for a curvy figure. It hugs in the right places without being too tight or restrictive. I could dance comfortably, and I didn't spend the whole night messing with the shoulder strap. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that the zip was a bit stiff at first, but after working it up and down a few times, it was sweet. Definitely a great buy.

The velvet fabric is nice and stretchy, so I didn't feel like I was bursting out of it after a massive feed.