Pretentious? Moi?

[AdelaideJo]

So anyone who dislikes playing dress-up, look away now .

I have sister-in-law's Wedding in a few weeks time, and am in outfit conundrum but I have hit on the perfect plan and need help to execute it!

I was planning to do Pretty Dress, Navy Blazer, Little pair of heels (all covering an armoury of control undergarments - being 14 weeks post-birth!). But then I thought how much I didn't want to look like every other (slimmer, no varicosed veined) girl there.

What I want, is to wear a pair of really slim black trousers which finish kind of above the ankle, a pair of ballet flats, and a pretty peter-pan collar blouse. Kind of channelling a sort of Jean Seberg or Audrey Hepburn sorta look. I'm about a 12-14 now. I've checked out the 'net but I think the trousers are really eluding me. They have to be just so. Any ideas? please help me to indulge Cool French Woman fantasy .

Would be lovely with simple navy pumps (possibly a square or pointy toe?) and maybe a huge piece of arm candy?

Guessing you are sorted for trousers now, but john lewis have some slightly stretchy black trousers - slim leg, finish just on the ankle. Own range. Very comfortable...

And sorry - more expensive - and I think you might need black trousers but I love this

Love the grey Phase Eight top - that with silver ballet flats, silver cuff and grey or charcoal trews would be gorgeous.

I think i've picked. Well, its stuff i'm going to order tonight and try when it comes.

The navy boden crop trousers and the L.K. Bennett grey silk top, which I really love.

I have a pair of silver ballet flats already, but I'm thinking i'm going to go a bit crazy with pattern, and get a garishly patterned pair from Pretty Ballerina's or French Sole. Not zebra or leopard, but they do some patent toe'd with material shoe part in contrasting petrol type colour.

The Anthropologie cuff is amazing but i'm not sure I can do that cost on a bracelet. It might just be taking the mick a bit on my statutory maternity pay.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions, truly. I would never have thought of either of the brands i'm going to go with, especially L.K. Bennett as its normally a bit out of my price range.

oh, will just show you a bit o' headgear I was considering...i have long straight hair so it might work, or it might be a bit mutton dressed as...etc etc (i'm 37).

www.my-wardrobe.com/deepa-gurnani/chain-embellished-headband-203491

Nice cuff here

Not fond of that headband - there are much prettier ones around imho. That one is v expensive but doesn't look it.

I went to a wedding on saturday and wore:

• gap slim legged black cropped trousers - new in £35
• black silk top tucked in
• this jacket in ivory

With high black suede heels.

I think it looked good and was certainly different to all the coast/monsoon frocks on offer.

So go for it.

Tracey - is that your Turn Of The Screw jacket? It's very sweet - and very you!

It is BG

I removed the bow thing but its very flattering as narrow shouldered and puff sleeved which I love.

Thought of you and that thread the other week as wore an ancient warehouse blouse which is very governessy.

Have you worn your VW dress much? And did you handwash it?

I need to wash it, having worn it a couple of times - but am scared! I LOVE it - it's been worth every penny, even after such a short time.

Ive got The Turn Of the Screw on my holiday reading pile.

Warehouse tend to have a lot of lovely blouses but they are all too high-necked for me. I've just bought a white brorderie cotton dress (Esprit) and a white 'vintage lace insert' summer top (White Company) which are letting me feel that slight old fashioned vibe, without looking matronly!

Apologies for lost apostrophe.

Tracey the jacket is tops, exactly the sort of thing I would wear actually but i'm gonna get a blazer I think.

I knew this plan was bang on! Its not a posh Wedding by any means but where I live its hammered down with rain for hours today; who wants to be tugging at the drenched silk hem of a dress over their wet knees? Or (horror of horrors) a Maxi dress!

The M&S Autograph trousers are these ones but on me they are ankle length and look fabulous, and v audrey because I am so short petite.

Adelaide - I was the same on Saturday. Have taupe silk shirtdress on but then changed mind at last minute as realised I would be freezing and flashing my knickers everytime I bent down to pick up one of my dc's.

Have a lovely time!

Tracey I love that jacket. I'm trying to see if I can in any way justify it seeing as I have zero events coming up. Too much for the school run?

Adelaide - hope you don't mind me saying, but unless you particularly need to wear head gear to the wedding, I think that headband might not sit very well with the rest of the outfit - especially if you're wearing a blazer with it (have you found the blazer, or can I look for that too?!)

Does your hair part to the side? Deep side parting with a grip holding off your face would be quite chic I think some here - and some alternative headbands

BG - I love plumo's stuff.

Here's a lovely velvet jacket - or does the detail look like dandruff? I can't decide! here

Yeah I must be truthful, in the Guardian w'end magazine of 2 weeks ago, the fashion segment featured a peach topshop dress worn with this particular headband, except she wore it OVER the head (like Agnetha from Abba!)..it just looked very pretty.

I do have a side parting, but now i have bought a pussy-bow blouse I might do a loose bun.

I don't have a blazer but its got to be mannish so I can continue to wear it afterwards.

Mont thanks for posting that link. Those trews do look nice but being very post-partum they are a bit high on the rise for me - don't want a lot of relatives asking me if i've had the baby yet .

Loose bun would be lovely.

boyfriend blazer here

here

and here

Sparky - I adore that velvet jacket and nope to dandruff!

That Jigsaw silk one is yummy too.

I'm trying to stop shopping for clothes so much - will have to shop vicariously on here Adelaide - come back and let us know how the outfit is?

Going to check the boyf jackets tonight...can't thank the personal stylists on here enough .

I'm banking on cool weather actually for the 'do. Today i've just swopped my sandals for wooly socks indoors so temperature is definately dropping...