Tasteful and 'well put together' looks on a budget?

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

I am quite short, very curvy (huge of nork/arse.) and have just found out that I am being whisked off for a swish new years treat.

I am a student and I am skint. I live in jeans. There are 3 dinners- one formal, one buffet and one ceilidh plus all the daytime activities. (Spa, outdoor pursuits)

All footwear needs to have a modicum of sensibility as it's in a really rural, rugged area and there's not even street lighting.

That said, t'is vair naice and I don't want to let the side down....

Anyone up for a challenge?!

I do like 'quirky' clothes so trying to reign it in is hard!

[Sonotkylie]

Try this? www.marksandspencer.com/spotted-dress/p/p22437942
Feminine but not too girly. I have it and it fits well over large norks (G cup) and arse - but don't size down whatever the reviews say. (You don't have to wear the stupid neck tie thing as it comes off or could use it as a belt). And its reduced at the moment. Shoe boots or flats would work as would plain black court shoes. Formal dinner done?
Then jeans and pretty top - fine knit/ sparkly something for the buffet with shoe boots or heels from formal dinner. Dark slim or v flared jeans would work best I think.
Ceilidh - you need to be able to move. That's all I know! Suggests flat shoes! But jeans or trousers with a smarter top should cover it.
Day time stuff - jeans should be fine as long as smart not scruffy. Unless there is some other dress code. But for spa and outdoor pursuits, jeans or trousers would be fine. What do you have generally?
I have heard Sainsburys Tu range are good at the moment and always seem to have offers. Also online now.
Sorry - not very helpful but I wanted to recommend the dress.

[Sonotkylie]

PS just remembered this - might not be your 'thing' and far too much money but might give you some ideas …
www.lookingstylish.co.uk/2015/11/26/3-days-of-christmas-what-to-wear-to-suit-your-colouring/?utm_source=Friday+Bulletin+27th+nov+2015&utm_campaign=Friday+Bulletin+27+nov&utm_medium=email

[Pantsalive]

Would anything in the Lindybop sale work for the formal dinner or ceilidh?

[Pantsalive]

If we're going to get serious about this:
How skint is skint, ie what's the budget?
How many items do you think you need to buy?
What size and colouring are you?

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Love some of the stuff in the 2nd link Kylie but hopelessly out of budget for now!

Pantsalive- I can maybe part with about £60 per outfit. I can supplement with shoes and bags as I have a good foundation wardrobe of those!

I'm a 16 to an 18 size wise but it's all in the T&A. My actual waist is about a 14 but it's all hips and tits elsewhere.

I am very pale. Ice blue eyes and ombré brown and blonde hair. Deep or bright colours tend to reflect off my skin and make me look weird in photos.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Surprisingly for me some of the Lindybop stuff looks lovely. I thought I would hate it!

[SerendipityDooDah]

How about this

Or this

[SerendipityDooDah]

quirky print

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

1st two a bit skimpy. I need something I can wear thick tights with (while I tramp through the heather to get to the hall with the ceilidh! It's THAT rural!)

Quirky print is nice, I wish it wasn't green as I never feel like I can get away with green. It is a contender though!

[SerendipityDooDah]

Gotcha. How about Joe Browns? Very quirky prints, with loads of dresses that would work with opaque tights. one example

[originalmavis]

Some nice frocks on the chichi site.

Now i was looking for a work dress and ocled through to this site. OS to just me or does this model look like she's got a pillow stuffed down the back of her dress? I think she's gone the full kardasian.

m.rosewe.com/round-neck-sleeve-contrast-mini-mermaid-dress-g112713.html

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

i like a few of the joe Brown's things but I am slightly wary as it does look like identikit outfits of women in the village that we are friendly with.
I don't want them thinking that I am trying to be their doppelgänger!
Thinking maybe a daytime outfit from there is a goer.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Oh my Mavis. I'd definitely be talk of the village haha!

[SerendipityDooDah]

Ooh, this is a challenge! Good thing I have a great deal of procrastinating to do.

Right. So there is tromping to be done even en route to the formal stuff, eh? By thick tights do you mean opaque or close to it? If so, what about something like this for the formal, with patterned tights and really sleek knee-high boots? body con Quirkiness would need to come from the pattern in the tights and/or accessories.

Also this option: love the cape

Sleek boots might also work with this and plain tights: jacquard pleat Of course plain tights opens up a lot more choice in footwear as well.

For the buffet, which I presume is more of a smart casual, how about a knit dress with tights and ankle boots?

As for the ceilidh, I must admit I'm not au fait with the expected dress code (expat, sorry!). What are you after there?

[InternationalHouseofToast]

Have a look on eBay to see if you can get your money to go further. Something like this would suit your build and do for the formal dinner with exisitng bag / shoes.

[Tanaqui]

If you plan to dance at the ceilidh, wear layers as you will get v hot! A lindybop swing type dress would be way fun to dance in, and cool too.