Frumpy SAHM S&B eejit begging for help from you lovely stylish ladies....

[OhSweetCheezus]

DH has just texted to ask say that we have to go to dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant with the partners in his firm and their wives on a Saturday night. After spending the past 4 years in maternity or frumpy SAHM clothes, I honestly don't know what to wear. I don't even know what's in fashion at the moment. Five years ago, this would've been a fun excuse to go shopping, but I am filled with dread and horror at the moment! I need to pull off something suitable for the occasion - completion of work for an important client, straight-laced/traditional industry, dinner at fancy restaurant, drinks at fancy club after, with the higher-ups who decide DH's future progress in the firm... Sadly it's the type of profession in which there's a behind-the-scenes evaluation of the entire package wife/family in higher up progression, and I've never met strategically avoided meeting them til now... So I have to get this right. UGH!

So please help dress me... Mid-30s, 5'6", approx 135lbs, size 8 - 10? Oh and have to tuck a 34DD into whatever neckline it is - cowlnecks have never worked as I always seem to end up with a weird shelf pointing out... Ah, and I'm still breastfeeding so absolutely must wear a solid bra underneath.

Thanks so much!!! All suggestions other than "fake a last minute illness"(believe me I'm tempted!) are welcome! :)

Ah, and I'll also need some advice on accessories/hair/make-up etc once the outfit's decided....yup, I am that clueless.

Isn't that the first step though? I am OhSweetCheezus and I have a problem, I know absolutely NOTHING about style and beauty....

I trust myself in your hands ladies! :)

Id get something like this here wear with nude patent court shoes and a nice clutch bag. Book a spray tan for the day before if possible and go for a blow dry on the day. Blow dry is non-negotiable imo for something like this. WIll increase confidence by one million percent

Five ft six and an 8 - 10 ....... You can wear anything!! Seriously you can!

Get booked in for a facial/defuzz/eyebrow wax and manicure then hit the shops with an open mind.

Good luck and enjoy

I concur re the blow dry also

I would play it very safe. No bare arms, not too short and not too low cut.

What do you like wearing? Do you have anything as a starting point, shoes? clutch bag you love?

When it comes to accessories keep it v.simple. If you are a bit nervous then you don't want to give yourself loads of things to fiddle about with. So maybe just earrings and a small bangle - nothing that will clang on the table every time you go to stab another mouthful!

That dress is lovely.

I also agree about the blow-dry.

Debenhams have the dress with 20% off. I regret finding it for you. I want it now here

Oooh, that is a pretty dress! The only thing I'm concerned about is my middle - my tummy never fully deflated after 2 kids and I eat like a pig, seriously like 3x as much as I should, thank god the breastfeeding seems to melt it away! so I'm worried that if it's clingy through the middle I'll end the dinner looking 5 months pregnant iyswim? But pre-babies, that would have been perfect!

I used to err on the body-conslightly whoreish Barbie style of dress, back in pre-baby body days. But everything's a bit lower/wider/flatter now, so afraid I won't be able to pull it off. I love v-necks/can't stand necklaces shorter than 24 inches/high necklines as I have the odd feeling I'm choking when I do. Love high heels, but have to have a platform for stability as I badly sprained my ankle a few years ago. Always used to wear black with maybe some teal/print/wild accessories...

So blow-dry, de-fuzz... Anything else?

That dress is ruched on the tummy to disguise less than perfect tums. Wear big pants and you will be fine. I promise.

Id avoid a necklace as the detail is at the neckline. id go with a pretty bracelet/bangle and cocktail ring.

Nude platform court shoes are everywhere, you will find them no problem

A lot of hair salons have beauty therapists instore, could you book a blow dry and get your make up done at same time?

I would steer clear of nude platforms, they are so obvious and they are going to be massively dated any day now.

Stick to black, or maybe grey and you will get more wear from them.

Agree about avoiding a necklace with that dress though, simple stud earrings would look good.

Loving this dress perfect for posh dinner

If worried about tummy - control pants are required

Also agree re nude heels - would try something else as I think they are everywhere and a tad errgh for my liking. Just my taste. I would try grey or silver with a navy dress.

longer length but slightly scooped top for boobage and tummy hiding knot plus bargain price

this with chunky silver necklace?

I agree too, although quite like the snakeskin effect nude platforms. I would wear something like these with that dress
www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-PINK-LADY-Platform-Patent-Peep-Toe-Court-Shoes/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1703587&SearchQuery=pewter&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Pewter
Also agree with all above comments on getting hair done and no neck jewellery with that dress, know what you mean about the tummy but if you're an 8/10 you will get away with it.

this Whistles dress is lovely, also comes in navy

I tried on that Whistles dress and it is lovely. They have 25% off until 13th March.

Would also recommend the LK Bennett Davina which I think is a dress which really can take you anywhere!

Since your dh is in a conservative profession .....

Yes to whistles or phase eight dress
Yes to blow dry and manicure
No to fake tan
No to stripper shoes
No to too tight or too short or too much flesh showing or body con
No to black plus bright or animal print
No to too many accessories or too much bling

You are aiming for elegant and stylish, not sexy or cutting edge fashion

This isnt about expressing the " real you" or the pre baby you. Its about dressimg for a work meeting that happens to be on a saturday night

What kristina said, especially the part about stripper shoes. A nice almond toe court is your friend.

Oh, yes Davina is a fab dress, so flattering and very grown up

These shoes are classics and won't break the bank

Davina dress is lovely < looks for lk bennet discount code>

Yy to classy bargain shoes too

Shellac nails are my latest can't live without beauty find. If you've not heard of them it's a gel polish (so all your own nails) dried under a UV light and they are seriously strong, perfect and shiny for 10 days. A shellac French manicure even say, five days before and they would look perfect on the night