Help me feel less old and frumpy, and find an outfit for a hen night?

[JenniMoo]

I'm going out in London in a few weeks. It's daytime and evening and I need one outfit all through as I'm not staying over. I'm early 30s and about a 14. Lots of the girls going are a little younger and child free...
I would be happy to wear a dress or smart jeans / trousers (not black) and a top. I'll probably be wearing flat dark brown shoes.
Any ideas? What trousers/ jeans would suit big legs do you think?
Budget isn't massive, up to £100 all together would be the top end.

[kaykayblue]

A large part of it will depend on what you are doing for the hen do.

Avoid heels if possible - especially if you're going to be trawling around London.

Balance out what you wear though - if you go for a super smart dress like THIS ONE then you need to pair it with silver ballet flats, a very natural hair style (loose waves, or a fishtail plait or something), and natural, flushed make-up (if you run a google search on that term you'll see what I mean).

If you go for a more casual dress like THIS then you need to pair it with kitten heels, a pashmina, and make your hair an d make up a little more groomed.

[JenniMoo]

Thanks for the tips. We're doing cocktail making, mamma Mia and dinner, if that makes any difference.

[Stoneysilence]

Don't bother trying to be too dressy/smart. Tourists stand out a mile on nights out because they make such an effort and wear heels/lots of makeup. Wear something loose with an edgy shape to it (think Cos) and dress it up for the evening with big accessories, bit of extra lippie and a hair brush. Sorted!

[JenniMoo]

I don't think I'll have the problem of looking too dressy, probably too scruffy...
I can't imagine the cos type dresses suiting me, but could haut be those dreadful pictures...

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

I would wear a blazer, loose silky top and cigarette pants OR skinnies. Add a big necklace and take off the blazer for the evening. This will work well with your shoes. You're going to be sitting in a tiny theatre seat AND making drinks - comfort is essential.

Take a striking scarf in case the cocktails spill on your top.

I think what stoneysilence means is: don't be one of those tourists on the tube in massive heels, too much make up and little dress.

[JenniMoo]

Thank you, that's useful. Will look into trousers etc and see if I can find something other than black...

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

For a hen do wear a dress not jeans. Simply be start from a size 12. I guarantee you'll find something in there.

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

If put 'blazers' into pinterest it returns lots of good inspiration.

Instead of cigarette pants you could wear those loose patterned trousers that have been everywhere this summer - works with plain blazer, plain top and big necklace.

[Lucked]

Can you describe the shoes in a bit more detail, are they brogues/ballet pumps?

Also you say big legs do you mean big thighs or cankles ie which areas do you want to hide and more importantly what are your assets?

[JenniMoo]

These shoes in dark brown:
www.hotter.com/gb/en/appledore-shoes
Big thighs and calves, but curvy legs. I have a decent chest and waist, but saggy tummy.
The idea of simply be and those patterned PJ trousers does not appeal, but I may just not be stylish enough to pull it off...

[Lucked]

Those shoes are fine, I think cropped or skinny trousers with blazer as described above. Boden do a bistro crop and there is a navy/brown pair which you could team with blouse or shell top and blazer. I can't link at the moment. Also skater style dresses one, closer to the knee.

[Lucked]

In the clearance section of boden they have the bistro crop in a gold metallic tweed which could work with a coral blouse or shell and navy blazer.

[JenniMoo]

Inspired by the maxi dress Kaykay posted I realised I have a teal maxi dress I've barely worn, as with a baby on your hip it pulls the front down flashing passers by...
How about that with the brown shoes and some nice jewellery?

[coffeenut]

honestly i would steer well clear of dresses ...

I agree with what TondelayoSchwarzkopf suggested ...

cigarette trousers suit most figures and would def suit a 14. Silky blouse (warehouse/oasis maybe?) plus a jersey blazer ...

if it were me? I would wear ankle skinnies (prob coated black ones - these can be very flattering for larger thighs - trust me), black silky long sleeve blouse and wedges .... it is hard to look frumpy in black, but very easy to look frumpy in a dress and flat brown shoes ...

[burnishedsilver]

I'd go with the trousers, top and blazer.
I cant see the flat brown shoes working tbh.

what about these trousers?

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Hi JennieMoo. Please don't wear that dress in London in October! You will freeze, you will get splash marks all over it from stepping in puddles and you will get it caught in the tube doors. It's a lovely dress, I have one similar and would only wear it on holiday or on a very hot day. But in London in October no - no-one feels stylish and elegant when they are damp and draughty.

Please trust me on the silky top/blazer front. If you are against trousers, what about a midi skirt?

I think the shoes will be OK-ish with fitted trousers - find some navy or pale grey if you don't want black.

Also you could get the whole outfit, with or without shoes, in New Look within your budget, I'll bet. Either way it is a lot better value in the long run to purchase separates you can wear again than to go with an occasion dress that will hang in your wardrobe gathering dust.

Plus you will look a lot more stylish and on-trend.

[JenniMoo]

I guess it's a no to the dress then!
I'm avoiding black. Trying to stick to 'autumn' colours although could slip into navy. I'll take a better look at the trousers burnished linked to but would love any other recommendations.

[Ladyface]

Have a look at Oasis or Warehouse. I would find patterned jacket or cigarette trousers, as others have mentioned, matched with plain top/bottoms.

[Ladyface]

www.oasis-stores.com/ditsy-soft-print-blazer/jackets-&-coats/oasis/fcp-product/3430076158

[Ladyface]

www.warehouse.co.uk/TROUSERS/dept/fcp-category/list

Lots of patterns here, ignore the jersey ones though.

[Skinheadmermaid]

What about a skirt with a t shirt, blazer/leather jacket over the top and pumps/brogues?
[http://www.pinterest.com/pin/491455378059722985/ this is the sort of thing I would consider but with trainers, not heels]]
Or a white t shirt.

[Skinheadmermaid]

[http://www.pinterest.com/pin/491455378059722985/]]

link fail!

[Skinheadmermaid]

www.pinterest.com/pin/491455378059722985/

[Skinheadmermaid]

Or I would wear black skinny jeans with a shirt/blouse with ankle boots/nice flats...
www.pinterest.com/pin/294704369338322257/
Again with blazer/leather jacket on top and possibly a scarf as it'll be cold at night.

[JenniMoo]

I've been looking through suggestions. Thank you.
I don't want to wear black but have found a couple of non-black options including these I've ordered to try (with 20% off too...)
www.matalan.co.uk/mobile/product/detail/s2575262
I reckon khaki trousers and the brown flat shoes I mentioned would go, but not sure about a top.
Anyone suggest anything nice and drapey? Perhaps cream?