Gulp. College reunion. Make me look humanoid, someone.

[KittiesInsane]

Errm.

Have had my arm twisted to go to college reunion next week.

I haven't done remotely smart for years (beyond 'have washed off the worst of the gardening mud').

Emergency haircut booked. But this means A Dress.

I have weird feet that don't generally fit in smart shoes (dodgy sticky-uppy toe joints) though I do have brown knee boots.
And the temperature in college always used to range unpredictably from arctic to sauna, so needs to be adaptable.

I'm size 12-ish with no waistline. The budget is about £70 all in.

Anyone like a challenge?

My first port of call for any occasion is what have I got in my wardrobe?

Is the dress code smart? Do you need to wear smart? I would wear something I felt comfortable in and reflected my personality. If you don't normally do smart you may feel uncomfortable.

Thanks! Wardrobe contains 2 cotton summer dresses, 2 wool winter dresses and a witch costume flouncy black lace thing from decades back (on top of a lot of dressing gowns, sweatshirts, old knitting wool, emergency birthday presents, padded envelopes, that sort of thing).

The invitation is for an evening dinner and says something like 'We know many of you will want to take the opportunity to dress up though this is not essential.' Urgh. want to look slightly more on top of life than is strictly the case

Back away from the brown boots.

You want something simple and timeless. If you are used to living in mud and holey jumpers then I won't tell you to "just feel comfortable" because you probably won't feel comfortable in anything remotely smart!

What is your shape like, other than no waist?

Off to bed now but will make a note to come back tomorrow.

I would initially say go for a mid length pencil skirt, with a soft jumper and ballet shoes. Get a pair of simple drop earrings, make sure you moisterise your skin and get some blusher and tinted lip balm on you. If you are getting your hair done too, then that should get you to "elegant but not making an effort for you losers" level of smart.

:)

Separates are a good plan for above arctic/sauna reasons!

Blusher, moisturizer, lip balm yep, sounds doable so far. Drop earrings more of a challenge for un-pierced ears but DD has some rather nice old clip ones she might be bribed to-- lend me.

OK, no boots. I have never yet found ballet shoes that will stay on my feet but surely town will have something that would do for one evening.

Any suggestions for a style of top for under the jumper, again in case of Saharan temperatures? I'm never sure if I'm an apple or pear. Top half is slimmish I just look permanently 5 mths pregnant

a semi fitted shirt (m&s / next) can be v. flattering under a jumper if you're likely to take jumper off, also I'd trim nails and put on some varnish, big smile and have a wonderful time!

Groomed and polished but not trying too hard, that sort of thing?

Thank you! Off for a spot of shopping then.

New Look and Dorothy Perkins always good for some cheap pretty ballet shoes. Daps have some pointy ones with a bit of sparkle on the front at the moment I think.

I don't agree that ballet flats would be better than boots. Really depends on the rest of the outfit.

Well, given the mysterious absence of my cashcard today, so far the outfit is just the boots. And possibly DD's clip-on earrings.

Might be a bit controversial, but would at least turn heads.

ahaha, I was looking online for something else earlier and came across this dress.

I think it might work for you - it's got a band which creates the illusion of a waist, and the skirt is fuller to minimise any tummy.

DRESS HERE

I would recommend teaming it with some nude sheer tights (DON'T YOU DARE WEAR THICK DARK TIGHTS WITH IT), and some simple flat ballet pumps. If they are a little uncomfortable, try and just deal with it for one night. They will stretch to your feet (they are cheap after all) and if you want to chuck them at the end of the night then they are cheap enough that you can do so!

GOLD SHOES. There are THESE ONES too as an alternative. Or THESE are a little more expensive but a little more adult.

Then you just need a cardi to throw over the top and you are done. Leave it undone and just wrap it around you if you get cold. By leaving it undone you are getting a bit of warmth from the arms, but showing off the shape of the dress

CARDI RECOMMENDATION

It might all work out a small but over budget, but not by much.

It's a very understated but elegant look :)

Kaykay, you are an utter genius. That dress is gorgeous. And I've found my credit card!