School mums xmas party outfit ;) skinnies + ?

[ColouringInQueen]

That time of year approaches. Dinner and a bit of cheesy dancing on its way....

Anyhow, want something simple, stylish, little bit dressy, not expensive, a bit timeless, to wear with my lovely Indigo New Look skinnies (thank you Style and Beauty people). Am 5'2" and a bit pear-shaped if that helps! Preferably black (ok with indigo skinnies?)

Any suggestions? Have tried on a lovely sheer top in Zara but it was cropped which I can't wear, a few things in h&m and just seen a shell top with some sparkle round the neck on New Look...

New Look top

Zara top

Have this in black which I like but don't feel its dressy enough

Shoves frumpy j brands and equipment silk shirt to back of her wardrobe

pinup what would you wear to a smart/casual night out?

Thanks bun baker....that was the link I was trying for....
:)

I don't think it's the end of the world to question the "skinnies and nice top" cliche.

BUT the op had said that she had some jeans she loved.

I would go with a plain ish top but a fabulous statement necklace and earrings.

I tried this on in Zara yesterday. They had earrings to match.

I agree.

Wow thanks everyone, never expected to cause some such controversy! Will review everyone's lovely links a bit later this morn when I won't be disturbed by dcs. ..

Hmm skinnies thing is interesting

I do love my new look skinnies! My main reason is I'm not that confident going out with groups of women, and would prob rather risk being seen as bit frumpy (?) in skinnies and nice top than feeling like I'm trying too hard/am too formal. Best for me to be comfy in what I'm wearing tbh..

Sorry if that's not quite stylish enough for Style and Beauty

Tho open to other ideas!

Liking the sparkle idea too

Coated jeans? Sorry too TOWIE for me ;)

New look and mango tops more in the right direction - thanks

To the poster who asked me what I would wear-I would wear a dress but I always wear dresses.Every day. I hate jeans and I particularly hate skinny jeans.

I like retro fashion and would probably wear a wiggle or swing dress,seamed stockings etc. Now I know this look is not for every one-although I personally thinks its flattering on a lot more body types than skinnies-but I would always prefer to be over dressed than under and to me jeans are far too casual for a night out.

The Zara necklace is gorgeous :)

Depends on the night out surely? I'm never sure whether I feel worse underdressed or overdressed.

Nice jeans dressed up is so normal though if you like, I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid if you turned up to a lot of things in good jeans, styled well. Yes, maybe not to a ball or a wedding or a formal lunch etc.

Heavens I hear people even wear jeans to the theatre these days !

Some people do. I wouldn't. The outfits and clothes linked too on here are the sort of stuff I see women wearing when they are out lunching/shopping with friends on a weekend. They are not special enough for a night out imo.

I agree its best to wear something you feel comfortable in though. I have a friend who always wears mum jeans-ie boots cuts with either a top or a fleece. She will wear this on any night out and I think she looks great because she is happy in it.

But it's so easy to look like you're in fancy dress in retro stuff imho. I don't dislike the look, but I'd look a twit in the kind of places I go, if wearing it. I'd rather wear Westwood if I want to stand out a bit.

Yes mum boots and fleece is a very low end of the scale and a look most people wouldn't wear to go out in evening but there is masses in-between.

Yes Westwood to a ball or some such.

well I would look am absolute fright in seamed stockings and a retro dress.

OP, your outfit idea sounds lovely and I hope you find a top you feel fab in. I have a dress from all saints I often wear over skinnies as a longer top, it is v flattering (and black!). might be worth a look? they used to have a fab archive section with bargains in but i think they did away with it. still, I have some gems from AS.

I have been to several evening dos with dinner and cheesy dancing and I have never seen anyone wear jeans to this kind of do. A nice top with dressy trousers or a dressy dress is the usual kind of attire, especially for a Christmas do.

But maybe I am out of touch these days.

Have you actually ever tried a retro style dress foxy? The amount of women on here who have said oh no I couldn't possibly wear a retro dress and then have tried it and fallen in love with them are evidence of how flattering they are imo.

Of course you don't have to go all out retro like I do with seamed stockings,rolls etc but a fitted mad men style dress is very flattering on a lot of figures I think.

If I weren't so crap at doing links I could show you what I mean but sites to look at are-

Deadly is the female
retro revival boutique
20th century foxy
Collectif
vivien of Holloway-her jezebel wrap dresses are super flattering on many people-have a look on their fb page for customer photos and you will see what I mean.

Ps-I also love westwood and am lucky enough to own a jacket,bag and 2 pairs of the Melissa lady dragon shoes. I actually think Westwood is a good nod in the direction of vintage style as you can wear it many ways.

I lurve All Saints.

even if they did look good on me I wouldn't choose to wear those styles. I wouldn't feel comfortable. if I wear a dress i prefer a cocoon shape. i never wear anything belted, ever, unless it's a belt worn low on the hips.

anyway, the OP stated that she already had some jeans she loves and wanted a top to wear with them. she wasn't after a critique of her style.

me too ecuador, LOVE it.

I've been on a fair few mum's nights out and honestly, there are not that many dresses - its more dressy casual. So sparkly top, velvet blazer - that type of thing.

The retro look is fine but its very much a 'look' and not one I'd ever do as its just not my thing.

Its just a much of a "look" as the skinnies,"naice" top and heels mrscb but the difference is that it is not so common place. I prefer to stand out a bit from the crowd.

I don't think it just as much as a look as skinnies - if you're doing the whole victory roll thing and seamed stockings - you're taking it to an extreme. I'm sure you look fab but the OP was after a nice top to wear with skinnies so is unlikely to suddenly start wearing the Vivian type dresses.

But god what do I know? Am stood in kitchen in primark pyjamas whilst wrestling stupid roast potatoes into oven and supervising DS's pitched instrument homework