need a date outfit- please help!

[sunflowerblue]

Will be second date, going out for dinner. Have just lost a bit of weight so nothing fits properly, so I want to buy a whole new outfit I feel good in. Will consider anything really, kind of want to get out of safe-zone of jeans, sandals and black top. A bit self-conscous of tummy so nothing too tight.

Size 8, 5 ft 3, blondish hair but suit warm colours.

Can anyone help? I used to be so good at putting outfits together, but I don't know where to start!

I've just bought a gorgeous maxi dress from Wallis in their petite range. They've got a 20% off sale at the moment too. Google their website if you don't have a local branch. I'm 5'2 and have always found it really difficult to find a maxi dress to suit my height. I've got a tummy too and it's really flattering. Am on phone so can't post link but it's red with a black and white pattern. Enjoy your date!

Is it this onee /

I've never worn a maxi dress, never even occurred to me! What with?

Shameless bump! Looking for any other ideas.

What sort of budget are you working with? Is it a posh restaurant?

Not a posh restaurant, but not a chain. Date is on a Thursday evening if that makes a difference. Budget is probably £100 max including accessories.

I like dresses for night-time dates. Nothing too fancy, since it's Thursday night at a mid-range restaurant, and nothing too fitted if you don't like your stomach area. Search for 'shift dress' on asos and you'll get the idea.

I'd wear a shift dress with bare, tanned (fake if necessary) legs, sandals (wedges if you prefer them to flats, or to elongate the legs), a clutch bag in colours that coordinate well, and one piece of nice jewellery. Either a statement necklace, or unusual earrings, but not both.

Clean-but-casual hair, minimal makeup.

Good luck!

How about this , this? Would be longer on you, of course.

If you've never considered a maxi dress before, you might feel a bit self-conscious wearing one for the first time - particularly on a date.

How about one of those oversized floral shift dresses? They skim your tummy but give you a nice silhouette with casual sexiness. I like this one - it might suit your warm colouring.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Miss+Selfridge+Petites+oversized+floral+dress/201003485%2Cdefault%2Cpd.html

I think you could wear it with your sandals, but you could dress it up with heels without looking too formal too.

Cross posts with Koala! Shift dresses all the way

Oh thanks both. My tummy isn't that bad, but I want to relax and enjoy my meal knowing my clothes will still fit when I've eaten!

I think I'm being fussy now, but possibly those are a bit too baggy.

I can't link on my phone, but I've spotted something on m&s website, 'textured wrap mini skirt' would wear with bare legs, and slightly loose black top tucked in I think

Experiment here, took a screenshot of skirt

Summer is a perfect excuse for a pretty sexy feminine dress.

Asos 1

Asos 2

Warehouse

The first one is LOVELY! But I would never ever wear it. What would you do about a bra? I don't feel comfortable without one. The warehouse one is the post of thing I would already year and feel comfortable in, I really like it.

This is so pretty

www.oasis-stores.com/high-neck-lace-dress/dresses/oasis/fcp-product/3770042625

There are lots of different kinds of stick on bras for dresses like that...

Oh that lace dress is lovely. Things like that are normally a bit long for me, will have to try on.

Twinkle, I'm quite small chested and have those rest of things as they sort of 'sit on' you and look v.unnatural I think (for small boobs)

Hate not have

Pretty

Floral

Spots

Maxi

OP I'm your height/size. I go for shift dresses a lot and wear a belt with them to cinch in and accentuate the hour glass. Definitely wear a dress - it's a date! Do you know your season colours? Asos have a lot of decent shifts.

Like FlossyMoo's first dress - pretty.

I'm definitely an autumn. But suit blues like teal (not sure if that's strictly on the autumn palette!) in fact I wear a lot of blue, olive green is probably the best colour on me though.

flossy I really like that first dress, I don't normally find anything I like in next.