A style challenge: help dress me for a posh dinner, when I have almost no money

[ExasperatedSigh]

DH's work are paying for us to go to a naice restaurant, which is good of them. I have £40 to spend and almost nothing I could wear. Also I have no idea what actually to wear, since this sort of thing never happens and I can't remember the last time I ate out anywhere more costly than the library cafe.

I am 5'4", a size 12, with a bit of a spare tyre. The meal is a couple of weeks away, so I could order something online in time. All thoughts gratefully received!

Have you tried charity shops? You'd probably get a lovely silk dress or shirt and skirt/trousers for much less than £40.

Unless you find somethig on sale, I'd buy second hand rather than new, as you're more likely to get something in a lovely fabric, cut well, that will last.

What do you have already? Do you have anything like black trousers, or a black skirt? If so you could buy a top. Or any plain tops or dresses you could buy a lovely necklace to wear? If a restaurant it can be a bit less dressy than say a dinner dance, even jeans heels and a jacket could work, depending on what kind of restaurant. We need more details!

Try Lady Vintage online, their sales include ridiculous bargains. Pair of New Look or charity shop shoes et voila :)

Tesco have got some lovely dresses in their sale. A lot are far less than £40 too.

It's this restaurant. I don't think it's super-dressy or anything, so that is a plus. I just want to look nice and kick the toddler snot from my heels for one night

Marcheline definitely happy to buy second hand. I am planning to haunt ebay and explore the charity shops in the local upmarket suburbs (they get a better class of donation ime).

I don't really have any decent separates that I could dress up, apart from some pairs of jeans that are okay. Do have elderly heels in various condition. Also have a couple of dresses but have worn them to death iyswim?

Could this work? It's online in purple too.

Pink

Printed

Or would you prefer more casual?

I really like that first one Remus but the reviews are fairly damning :(

Found this but I suspect that it is the kind of thing that looks great on the tall and lean, shapeless on me.

,the restaurant looks very swanky ,its has a michelin star,so a nice dress is a better option ,asos sale section has amazing bargains,lots of nice dresses for less than 20

Ghost

How tall are you?

Planet

Ooh I like this A ten should be fine, because they come up really big.

Something like this would work if dressed up with necklace and metallic or red strappy heels, and you could dress down for another time?

Really like this one but will prob go for a lot

Strapless Ted Baker; not my style but pretty

What sort of thing do you imagine yourself wearing to go there? If you have a vague sort of idea it'd be easier to find maybe?

I'd get a shapewear slip from M&S to neaten your shape.

These dresses are all under £40 & should be flattering:

Red

Blue

Red maxi

Red frill

Yes that is a swanky restaurant! Always wanted to go there, v jealous!

love this.
an this
this

I have one of these in a plain blue and the shape is super flattering

Size 12? The world's your oyster. Lol on Ebay. You may even have change if you don't want mega expensive dress. Enjoy your night out!

Hey santamaria I love the Asos midi wrap dress in navy.

I have to say the last dress I linked ('red frill') is absolutely ghastly!

I am a similar height and build to you by the sounds of it, so will recommend this Next dress. I've had plenty compliments in it, and it's a nice day time/night time sort of dress. Only advice would be to try it on in store to check the fit, as the sizing is VERY generous and you might find a size 8 gives the best look. The dress has loads of good reviews, but many people have opted for a smaller size.

Love that Whistles one. Must admit though that, as a size 12 hourglass, I find it virtually impossible to get Whistles dresses to fit me properly.

Remus really? I have less if a waist now after the DDs, but used to be very 'in and out' - that shape worked well on me as hugged my ribcage (where I'm thinnest) but had nice drape for my hockey-players thighs. Also, the crossover bust is great for breastfeeding - not that that was my original intention when buying!

Actually, thinking about it, I have another whistles one that is a fine everywhere else but tight on thighs, so possibly the style I linked to is a bit special?

OP - I think you should try the dress you linked to. It does appear to have a semi full skirt but has a nice, flattering shape around the waist and shoulders. Which is what people will really see when you are sitting down for dinner.

Looking through the links, I think Remus' Kaliko and the Whistles animal print ones are good options.