If you’re a woman of a certain age, like me, with a proper bottom and hips that don’t lie, you’ll know the sheer nightmare of shopping for evening wear. I’m 52, and for years, I’ve dreaded formal events. Most gowns are clearly designed by people who’ve never met a British pear shape. You know the drill: you wrestle a dress over your hips, and the top half hangs off you like a deflated balloon. Or worse, it’s so tight across the rear you can’t sit down for the three-course meal.

Well, ladies, I’ve finally found the answer.

I bought this royal blue wrap evening dress for a friend’s anniversary do at a lovely old converted mill, and I’m still buzzing about it. Let me share my honest experience, because I know you need the real truth.

When I pulled it out of the box, I thought, “Here we go again.” But the moment I slipped it on? Absolute magic. That A-line skirt just glides over my fuller hips and bum. No pulling, no clinging, no awkward tugging every time I stand up. The top is a wrap style, which means I could cinch it perfectly to fit my bust and torso – no gaping, no bagginess. For the first time in ages, both halves of my body got along in the same dress.

The colour is exactly that deep, rich royal blue you see online. I’ve been burned before with faded disappointment, but this is the real deal. The material is soft, drapes beautifully, and doesn’t wrinkle after sitting for hours. It came with a matching sparkly wrap shawl, which I threw over my shoulders for the church bit and then ditched once the dancing started.

Honestly, if you’re a curvy British lady who’s fed up with feeling squashed or swamped, treat yourself. This dress made me feel elegant, comfortable, and – dare I say it – a bit glamorous. And at our age, that’s exactly what we deserve.