What would you wear? - reception parents Xmas party

[perrinelli]

Dear fashionistas/style gurus - the school parents Xmas party for our class is approaching and I've got outfit dilemmas. To build a picture of the event - It's a London state primary school, not exactly very diverse, affluent area with a high proportion of yummy mummy types. The event is in the evening at a local restaurant/wine bar where we've got the whole place, I think they'll be a buffet.

I am a 5'4" pear shaped size 14 and I tend to dress quite safely but am trying to be braver and find my style! I'm early 30s but dress quite conservatively I think partly due to having been more overweight than I am now for a long time which limits options! I buy a lot of stuff from monsoon and next.

Not sure what kind of thing I should wear, what would you go for?
I have a couple of eveningy tops but not really the right bottoms for them, only quite smart jeans (bootcut - chicken drumstick-like thighs do not allow skinnies)... Would really appreciate your guidance and opinion!

[ruby22]

how long have you got and how much to spend? have a few ideas based on what you wrote but depends on budget and time. Can you get to shops or online only?

[perrinelli]

I've got just over a week, I've probably got a couple of shopping opportunities next week for a couple of hours at a time with a toddler in tow, or online is good.

[perrinelli]

Oh and budget is not too much of a worry within reason if its something I really like and will use.

[QueenCadbury]

This is the sort of in between occasion that I struggle with. Daily wear I can do, full on glamour I can do but never know what to wear to these type of events. Jeans with evening top heels may work but if it's full of yummy mummy types they may be dressed up more than that.

How about a wrap around dress? I have a black one from coast from last year and can be glammed up with heels/jewellery or dressed down with flats. Coast have a few more wrap dresses in this year. There's also a green one and blue one in phase eight which look nice online but haven't seen in irl.

The other thing I love is cropped trousers. I love the look of the bistro crops from boden but most places have them at the moment. I just always worry about cold feet at this time of ŷear though.

Not sure if that helps at all. Have fun.

[HullyEastergully]

Wear a TUNIC

[ruby22]

ok, if you really want to wear bootleg jeans make sure they're a really dark indigo wash, wear with heeled boots and wear the jeans really long, almost on the floor, put with a white silk shirt and then wear smart accesories, an understated statementy necklace and/or some pretty dangly earrings. then if you have a leather jacket wear that with a scarf with a bit of sparkle/sequins. Otherwise a smartish blazer. either of which you can take off on arrival.
But you are much younger than me so maybe that is too plain.

[perrinelli]

Thankyou for your help so far - yes I think it's the inbetweenyness of the occasion that's the problem, and is it just me that has a huge fear of being the most-over-dressed one?

My boot cut jeans are as you describe, Ruby. I don't have a white silk shirt & don't wear much white at all, also don't have that many accessories (I know - I'm a project!) but I DO have a sparkly scarf and heels. I also like the sound of a wrap around dress so will have a look. Could I wear with smartish long leather boots perhaps?

[perrinelli]

Oh and I don't have a leather jacket or a blazer, but the suggestion is not too plain - plain is good!

[Amblin]

Do jeans look good?
Why not those and a floppy blouse? Proper belt too.

[AngryFeet]

If you are going to wear jeans I would wear a really nice top. A blouse and blazer is ok if they are interesting colours. Don't wear a white blouse and black blazer though. Maybe a red top with a bit of sparkle?

I would go with the dress and boots. Maybe this if you are pearshaped - they have it in black if you prefer.

I will see what else I can find...

[AngryFeet]

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54510+201805892_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women

www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/ice-blossom-embellished-prom-dress/invt/by221148/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=81&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=7535163&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=758148&parent_categoryId=226988&pageSize=20

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/tfnc+Sequin+Sarah+high+low+dress/175769913,default,pd.html

Nice tops for the jeans

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54510+301128731_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Warehouse+Lace+insert+yoke+tee/175957304,default,pd.html

[ujjayi]

Would rather be over dressed than underdressed.

The Phase 8 green wrap dress is great and would look good with opaques, heels and a statement necklace.

Stay away from jeans for a Christmas do. IME, most women use this time of year to break away from the jeans & top combo. If you feel more inclined towards trousers then go for black skinnies and a top.

these from Zara are not so scarily skinny in the flesh and are a nice quality (they are part of Zara's Basic range). But check out Zara anyway - I always think they are a good blend of grown up chic and trends.

[ruby22]

Yes those trousers are really nice. Also if you DO want to wear your jeans what about wearing them with the French connection mini sequins jacket which is currently in the sale with a cream top underneath?

[perrinelli]

Thanks for all the help! Went and got a black mock wrap dress from coast today, called Olivia I think (20% off too!) I feel great in it and I think it's a younger cut than some others in the same style and is a good length - just on the knee so not too long & hopefully not frumpy. I couldn't find any black trousers I was happy with so options are jeans with nice top or the black wrap dress which I think will be useful for other stuff anyway.