Graduation Dress Help!

[corn poffi]

Okay ladies, I need some help. I am required to go to the black tie residency graduation for my job. For reasons I don't want to get into, I need to look as amazing as humanly possible. I had my heart set on a long, violet Nicole Miller dress from RTR. But, they don't have my size.

So now every dress pales in comparison, and I'm stuck!

Criteria:
Black tie appropriate
Not black
I work with these people, so nothing too short or totally backless or super flashy
Actually available in something smaller than a size 6 (my size varies like crazy between brands, so I am between a 0 and 4).
I'd like to keep it $200 or less if I'm buying and $100 or less if I'm doing RTR.

[diggitydot]

Maybe something like this?

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Detai...=keywordsearch

You can dress it up or down with accessories, but red is ALWAYS a great eye-catcher.

This is a great dress, too. Looks like it comes in a couple different colors, too.

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Details/3197096

[McPants]

The gf saw me looking at some of these links. Browsing dresses is her crack, so she begged to have a go, if that's okay.

UK 6 = UK 4, and ASOS do deliver to the US.

ASOS Maxi

ASOS Red

ASOS pink maxi

Violet ModCloth maxi

ModCloth bodycon

ModCloth one shoulder

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Check out ModCloth and eShakti as well!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Just noticed McPants posted some ModCloth links

[HouseofWool]

I really like the second to last one that McPants posted. With your figure and coloring, it would be awesome!

[ms.conception]

I wore this Nicole Miller one to our last black tie - mine isn't EXACTLY the same, but almost identical - it fits more snug, is dark pewter grey, hits just above the knee. If you lived closer i'd lend it to you - as i'm a 4 and it had a lot of stretch to it. Looked super sexy and awesome with a pair of black patent platform heels.
http://www.6pm.com/nicole-miller-v-n...no-metal-dress

[ides]

Maybe something like this?

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Detai...=keywordsearch

You can dress it up or down with accessories, but red is ALWAYS a great eye-catcher.

I vote for this one.

[Vishenka69]

I like the ASOS dresses best. What's your shape and complection? RTR has some beautiful dresses for under $100. Will you have an occasion to wear this dress again within a year? If so, I'd buy but if not, it's best to rent.

[corn poffi]

Thanks everybody! I am still only on my phone, so I haven't had a chance to check out the links yet, but I will when I get to a computer tomorrow.

My complexion is tan, and I have dark hair and blue eyes. My shape is pretty straight/athletic. I'm 5'6", but have a short torso with really long legs. So sometimes short dresses are a bit tricky for me, just because they tend to look super short on me!

I will probably not have another chance to wear this dress this year, which is why I'm leaning toward renting. But, I am not against buying something classic that I can wear in the future.

[L.Jane]

ah.. Forget my pm then.. too bad we aren't closer in height. I would have shipped my dress to you.

[Cinderella]

I'm loving some of these dresses. I'm curious though what the dress you had your heart set on looks like to get a sense of the style you like. Let us know what you find.

[corn poffi]

Still on my phone so can't post pictures and can't find a link other than RTR (ok, kinda drunk so too lazy to find one, whatever).

But, if anybody wants to google it, it's the Nicole Miller Amazing Amythest dress. For some reason, I'm really digging full-length dresses lately. I am inspired by DD's red suggestion, so I might go with the Faye Chiffon gown by Badgley Mischka. Although I do admit that that dress doesn't have the "hot" factor that I loved about the Nicole Miller.

ETA: I never wear long dresses, so I'm not sure where this newfound obsession came from. So I'm not set on a certain length.

[poky]

Here's a picture of the RTR dress: http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/..._gown_2615.jpg

[HouseofWool]

Oh my. I can totally see you in the RTR dress. You would be smokin' hot!