I was honestly a bit nervous about ordering a velvet dress online because you never really know if the material will look cheap or tacky, but this one genuinely surprised me.

Finding a dress for my son's rehearsal dinner was turning into a bit of a 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 nail on the head. The half sleeve is a lovely touch as I'm a bit self-conscious about my arms, but I didn't want to be completely covered up. It’s really comfy to sit and move around in, which is a massive plus for me. The colour is exactly as pictured on the website. It’s a cracking choice if you need something smart that doesn't scream for attention but still looks properly put-together.

Right, so I ordered this for a formal Christmas party at work because I fancied something a bit different from the usual black cocktail dress. It’s a brilliant piece to have in your wardrobe for those random posh events that pop up.

I bought this for a charity ball I attended with my husband, and I got so many lovely compliments all evening. The velvet gives it such a posh vibe, and the cut is incredibly flattering for a curvy figure. It clings in all the right places without being too tight or restrictive. I was able to dance comfortably, and I didn't spend the whole night faffing about with the shoulder strap. The only reason I'm not giving it top marks is that the zip was a bit stiff at first, but after working it up and down a few times, it was absolutely fine. Definitely a brilliant buy.

The velvet fabric has a lovely bit of stretch to it, so I didn't feel like I was bursting at the seams after a massive dinner.