Night out in Birmingham - what to wear?

[hazelnutlatte]

I don't go on many nights out in city centres these days but I have 2 nights out coming up in the next few weeks and will be out of my comfort zone and am a bit clueless at what to wear. When I used to go out regularly it was the done thing to not be too dressy - now everyone seems to be dressed to the nines with nails, tan and big hair!
That's really not my style but I also don't want to look like a frumpy mum - is there a middle ground? Links to suggested outfits would be great. I'm in my 30's, short and a size 10. Budget is high street rather than designer and I really don't do blingy, leopard print etc. normal style is lots of Boden day dresses but I know that won't cut it here!

Depends where you're going, really - what sort of place? It'll be a different dress code for the Glee Club than it would be for Gatecrasher, for example.

Will be for a meal somewhere in the Mailbox then on to a few bars - not sure where but know we will be on the lookout for somewhere that does good cocktails so prob fairly dressy. Unlikely to go clubbing though - at least I hope not!