I just want one outfit I can wear on rare nights out but need some help as not used to going out anymore!

[Trickymoments]

Last week DH and and I had an unexpected night out, nice meal & drinks in town. We hardly ever go
out & so I found myself struggling to know what to wear. I hardly have any nice clothes for going out & ended up with random things all across my bed and not liking any of them!
In the end I wore jeans, boring & unflattering black top & black ballet
flats.

It's my birthday soon & will have some vouchers & a bit of money
so I just want to go out and buy one outfit that I know will always be there ready in case of a night out! I realise how sad this sounds!

I am 40, 5'3" size 12 sort of pear shaped & don't want to dress mega trendy but also not like my mum!

Please can I have some ideas of what to buy & from which shops?
At least if I start with one decent outfit I can build up from there. Thanks

[coleus]

I have this same dilemma. I bought a ruched stretchy print dress from précis petite and I dress it up or down with a cardigan or shrug. It's a very flattering fit because of the ruching and the print means I can add a plain cardigan in lots of colours to ring the changes. Does that sound like your kind of thing?

[coleus]

Ignore the colours if they're not your thing but see that ruching? It hides my wine tummy! Not suggesting you have one OP but I just mean it's a super-flattering bit of trickery!

[burnishedsilver]

I think black cigarette trousers are a good starting point. I've got a couple of great black trousers from gap that were recommended on here.

[burnishedsilver]

I was thinking of this kind of look but not in this colour. Black trousers would be more versitile and you could get a few tops.
This picture is from Mint Velvet.

[thecatfromjapan]

I have a black, just above knee-length, trapeze-line dress, in silk crepe (Cos). It's my go-to LBD.

Go out hunting for something versatile, simple, that suits you and you feel comfortable in. You WILL find it.

It takes the stress out of 'occasions' when you know you have something utterly reliable to fall back on. You can then add other outfits as time goes on.

[thecatfromjapan]

Trousers are great but you then have the pain of choosing tops and jackets (and footwear). That's, obviously, what makes them so versatile BUT it also stops them from being as much of an 'I don't have to think about this' fall-back.

I think the LBD is a bit of a wardrobe staple for good reason.

[thecatfromjapan]

The other thing - and this sounds so obvious but I'm going to say it anyway - is that the 'going out outfit' stays in the wardrobe, clean and ironed, for 'occasions'.

This is another reason why trousers might not do: you'll wear them a lot and they won't look good enough when you come to wear them out.

You have to be quite honest with yourself about what you're shopping for: versatile clothes that you'll get wear out of/something that takes the headache out of an invitation to a special party/opening/event/special occasion. The two outfits may not overlap.

[Trickymoments]

What do you wear with your dress
thecat, in terms of jacket, shoes, any accessories? Thanks

[Trickymoments]

We have a Mint Velvet & Jigsaw where I live, both of which I've never been in as too pricey. But maybe I need to have a look. I would rather spend a bit more & have one nice classy outfit than spend less on a load of tat that looks awful after few wears (which is what I normally do!).

[Trickymoments]

Oh & we have Whistles & Phase Eight..

[thecatfromjapan]

It can be informalised (PTA/school things) with a black cardigan and black flat shoes; worn with silver, low skin-backs for intermediate-level events; worn with a variety of jackets if it's an opening/corporate-wife sort of evening (dh gets invited to arty openings sometimes); black, high-heel courts, etc if necessary - though I don't really do that these days!
It has a round neckline and cap sleeves, so can be altered substantially with a choice of jewellery.

I love my LBD!

[thecatfromjapan]

Sling-backs!

[thecatfromjapan]

Jacket shapes change season by season. At the moment, a longer length is in. If you like jackets as a 'going out' thing, you will have to accept you'll probably have to update your jacket at least every two years.

Unless you luck-out and find a vintage YSL 'le smoking' or have a really amazing, individual sense of style.

[Tillysmum99]

I had the same dilemma as I have some work events coming up so I went shopping this morning and got a really nice dress from TK Maxx it is the "Taylor" brand. It is black and white print and skater style shape but knee length. It is fitted at the top and fuller skirt as I am pear shaped too and like to hide my bum, it was reduced down to £15 so not too privet. I think I could wear it with flats and a cardi or black heels a fitted jacket depending on the occasion.

[Tillysmum99]

**Pricey

[bonzo77]

Little black dress in a style that suits that does not present any underwear issues (eg needing a special bra). Or if black is not your thing, then another colour. I'd go for plain not patterned as I find it easier to accessorise. Then add tights / heels / boots / shrug / jacket / bling as appropriate.