I can do dressy, I can do casual. I cannot do in between. Style me, please!

[CeliaFate]

Help me to find some decent smart casual stuff please.
I'm mid 40s, size 12 with a muffin top I hate.
I'm fine with casual stuff for school run etc. but I'm clueless when it comes to finding an outfit for eg. lunch with the girls, going to friends' houses for dinner - something where jeans aren't right, but neither is a dress.
I don't like skinny jeans, I find them uncomfortable. Blazers look mannish on me (I'm quite angular with a long body).
I look at fashion blogs like Does my bum look 40 in this? and she always seems to wear skinny jeans, top and blazer.
Help!

Leggings and some nice tunics or short dresses?

Thanks, sugarquill. The trouble is I wear that as my casual stuff. I wouldn't wear them out to a pub or a restaurant, they'd feel too casual for me iyswim.

Not if you dressed them up in a smart jacket, boots, belt over the dress etc. :)

I wear dresses with cardigans when I'm out and about. Dresses can easily be smart-casual, it depends what you layer them with.

Have another look at dresses, just more casual ones. I think that this sort of a thing with black knee boots is nice but not too dressy and perfect for a sunday dinner type thing www.matalan.co.uk/womens/brands/d-by-damsel-in-a-dress-dresses/s2580393/d-by-damsel-illusion-printed-tie-dress

You sound quite similar to me, OP, and I tend to wear dresses but "dress them down" with a denim jacket and sandals or ballet flats in summer, or a cardigan, opaques and long boots in winter.

I also wear a lot of skirts with a vest top or long-sleeved t-shirt and a denim jacket or cardigan etc.

I look dreadful in buttoned up blouses or shirts (v. hourglass!) but in summer I often wear them open, over a vest or t-shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to elbow level, in place of a jacket!

I realised it's mostly about what shoes you have on changes the look from casual to smart/casual.
Jeans with trainers- casual
Jeans with boots- smart/ casual

Same goes with dresses but changes with cardi/ jacket and accessorise.

What size and shape are you?

If I want to look nice but not -too- dressed up, for example if i'm going for a meal or the cinema with DH or into central London, I generally wear black skinny jeans, a blouse or shirt and brogues instead of my usual trainers. And a leather jacket/blazer on top.
Oh and i'll wear bigger jewellery, like big earrings or a statement necklace or something.
And I always make sure my make up is on point.

If you find skinny jeans uncomfortable have you tried jegging/tregging type trousers? I have some from D perkins that are really comfortable, like wearing leggings but far more flattering. I'm pear shaped and would look horrendous in anything less structured on my bum!
Or you could try some chinos in khaki or grey?

For this type of thing I wear jeans, ballet flats (possibly in gold or with some detail) and a nice top (eg silk shirt, a 'nicer' top from somewhere like French Connection, a black vest with fab necklace and cashmere cardigan... Or similar). I always try and wear something that has a touch of fancy or luxury to set it apart from my everyday outfit). I also wear jersey dresses in summer and shorter ones with long boots in winter

Thanks, all good suggestions to try.
Tethers I'm size 12, smallish boobs, big tum, not much of a waist, legs and bum ok(ish!)

A dress like this or this with tights, leather jacket and ankle boots would work well.

CeliaFate I am very similar in profile to you, I am 44, size 12, prone to being apple shaped, small boobs, good(ish) legs and bum.

I work in a creative environment where it is mainly smart casual so I know exactly where you are coming from..

I wear a lot of skinny jeans in dark colours (indigo, black, charcoal etc) and I buy then from a variety of places ranging from GAP (love theirs!), Salsa, Bastyan etc.

I only shop in a couple of places (lazy!) and I love Noa Noa for very nice slightly different to the norm dresses, knitwear and tops. It is worth taking a look at their website and they style 'looks' on it so if you see a nice top you can see what it would look like as part of an outfit.

I also like French Connection and Boden (plain, classic styles from there!)

I find having nice jewellery (noa noa is great for costume pieces) and good appropriate footwear makes all the difference. For instance I have not worn long boots for about 2 years now, way prefer ankle boots. I am tall 5ft 9 so mainly wear flats for day to day.

Thanks! I've gleaned some great tips good info on new websites I'd never bought from.

I used to be like you and struggle with that in between of day to day casual and smart wear. I've since realised that jeans are my thing and that I like wearing them but for going out I will wear a blouse and heels/heeled boots, blazer, jewellery, nail polis etc. Also I love slim cropped black trousers/cigarette pants with heels or ballet flats.