Oh. I need to go to a party. What does an overweight 39 year old wear to such things??

[Moogdroog]

Ok, so I need to go a party. A 40th party, in the upstair room of a pub in the big city. There'll be music. Dancing. Drinking. My friend and her friends are cool, hip types. This feels so far out of my comfort zone at the moment...

Can I have some help? I'm 39, size 16 (though post-Christmas I'm on the upper end of size 16), short, usually fairly comfortable in my clothes, but just not at parties. Usual uniform is leggings, skirts and breton tops, or a tunic. I dont' do heels. I tend to shop at Toast (in their bargain sales), Seasalt and White Stuff. God I'm mumsy!

Would probably need to shop online as I live in the sticks.

Where do I begin??

[RubyWinterstorm]

I think Toast is cool!

Go as yourself and be comfortable, wear your nicest outfit from Toast

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

Don't worry. Upstairs in pubs are usually pretty dimly lit. Sorry, that sounds awful! I didn't mean it to sound like that. I'm exactly the same size as you so I hear you. Are you comfortable getting your legs out? What about a mini/opaques/ankle boots?

[Moogdroog]

Lady - I'm happy with legs out just above the knee, as long as they're well covered, so opaques and ankle boots might be a goer. Thanks for the dimly lit reminder too!

Ruby - I'll go through my Toast collection and see if there's anything suitable, though I mostly wear Toast stuff for work.

I'm quite happy dressing for work, lunches out, but I cannot remember last time I went out-out, hence the blind panic!!!

[AgathaF]

I second a mini/above knee length skirt with opaques and ankle boots. Then whatever type of top you feel most comfortable in.