So many compliments after the Christmas do, it's starting to freak me out

[Checkedtowel]

I like a party. I usually avoid the work one because I have a fairly senior position and I think the staff prefer a party without management and I find at work dos I'm in a weird limbo where I'm expected to let my hair down and participate, but also behave professionally. I usually keep work and social very separate and that's the way I like it. I'm quite a different person socially, much less staid.

Anyway, this year, boss made it clear managers were expected to attend and I decided if I was going, I'd throw myself into it 😆

I had a nice dress, but nothing really special, short, tight or revealing. I wore it with chunky flat boots because I'm not doing uncomfortable shoes for anyone.

I had a bit to drink, but by no means as much as many others. I circulated, chatted and danced. The party was a success and I enjoyed myself.

When I arrived at the party, people (women) audibly gasped at how "amazing" I looked. People kept mentioning it all evening and some mentioned it at work next day. One even emailed me to tell me.

I am a very ordinary looking middle aged woman, with no curves and a cropped haircut. WTF is this all about? I'm starting to think they're taking the piss.

I mean, if it's all genuine, then this is stealth boast 😆 but it's weird, isn't it?

Lol! This would freak me out too.

Do you wear dresses at work?

It is a bit weird! Do you usually look rough at work?! 😁

Enjoy the compliments op!

Yeah, I would also be thinking, how rough do I normally look to get comments like that.

Yes. My work "uniform" is kneeish length dress and a fine wool cardigan with flat boots. So really not that different, although this was a more dressy dress, the shape and length was pretty much what I always wear.

Yes, this is what I am thinking! I don't wear much makeup for work, only foundation and a touch of blusher. I added eyeliner and mascara and wore contacts instead of glasses. That's it!

Own it and take the compliments! I get this I think as in work they see me as “work” then outside when I’m in “normal” clothes and more makeup I’m different, especially at a work do.

Do you have a picture of how you looked?

Ah I reckon it's cos you didn't wear your glasses

It was probably the lack of glasses. It can really change a person's appearance.

Yeah this also makes a difference

I agree - lack of glasses makes a big difference so it's probably that and if you were more relaxed that makes anyone look more attractive.

Accept all the compliments with grace and don't overthink it. At least you didn't drink too much, flirt with All the men, dance like a loon all night and show yourself up. (like someone who shall remain nameless) 🙈

I usually get this after big events but I don't let it go to my head because it genuinely is because I make no effort 99% of the time.

This is exactly how I'd be feeling too!

Truth is, you let them see a little glimpse of the "real" you OP and that, coupled with the extra outfit effort, has had a double whammy effect of making you shine.

Take the compliment!

Wearing contacts instead of glasses can make a huge difference to appearance, especially when done up with more make up. It’s probably that they’re so used to seeing you with glasses that you looked very different and they genuinely thought you looked lovely!

I think it’s the glasses. I normally wear glasses for work. Wore contacts for a night out recently and people walked past me, didn’t recognise me. Then when they realised it was me did a double take and a “wow, you look fab” stuff. Contacts make a massive difference

It will be the glasses. I confused most people at ours by wearing makeup and no glasses as they'd never seen me like that before

It sounds like when Plain Jane Superbrain removes her glasses 🤓

What kind of glasses do people have that they make such a difference? People have no trouble recognising me with or without glasses, but they’re not Dame Edna style glasses or anything.

I quite like my glasses and think I look better with them 😆 They're like jewellery.

Eye makeup makes a big difference IME. I wear it all the time, so I get the opposite effect when I don't, people asking if I'm all right, I look tired and so on.

It's the glasses and eye makeup.

I don't wear any makeup most days (on mat leave) but on the days I wear mascara even I know I look a hell of a lot better.

Bask in the warmth of the compliments OP!

Even a bit of extra makeup makes the difference - and as a fellow glasses wearer, I can confirm that switching to contacts does make a big difference. It's possibly the single biggest change you can make to your appearance, and makes a lot of people look several years younger. Plus you must have had the balance right when it came to joining in - so not a party pooper and not trying too hard/drinking too much! Glad it went well.