If you're an hourglass, or thereabouts, what do you wear to the pub/meal out?

[StephenKatz]

I'm just completely lacking inspiration at the minute. Whenever I go clothes shopping I end up buying casual, everyday clothes because I know I'll get more wear out of it (I'm a SAHM so no need for anything very smart). But I've got a couple of nights out planned and need something a little more 'dressy'

I don't know where to start! I'm 5" 5 and size 10/12, I'm also at that funny age (29) where I'm too old for some things and not old enough for others! Has anyone seen anything recently that would suit? I'd be really grateful for some tips!

I'm a 12-14 hourglass and mine is a nice dress with an age appropriate hemline and a lovely cardi. Not the wooly hide your figure type but something that stops just at my waist. The dress skims the hips and thighs and the cardi covers the boobs so I don't feel too "on display" but do have a bit of a figure.

I'm currently wearing a navy dress with a cream cardi that fits the above description and off to a comedy night

As an hourglass, I find it very difficult to do casual, I only wear dresses and skirts. As Deal says, a fitted cardigan is a staple for me too. I think I am happier since I started dressing for style instead of fashion. I like a statement ring, or funky handbag, to stop myself feeling frumpy.
If I were to wear jeans, it would have to be dark blue smart ones, with a fitted blazer. I would struggle to know what top to wear, as an hourglass is supposed to wear fitted clothes to show you have a waist, but then I would want my thighs covered! Then probably take them off and go with a skirt, which makes me feel slimmer.

29? You are very young!

I am 44 and I don't do age-appropriate hemlines, whatever the heck they might be. I like short!

Pub dress would either be skinnies, heeled ankle boots, lace top, biker jacket, or short skirt, opaques, heeled ankle boots, lace top, biker jacket.

Meal out would be v similar but I'd occasionally wear a dress (it would be a short one!) usually with heeled ankle boots and biker as above.

Example of dress

Example of top

Example of boots

Example of biker

Low necklines - scoop, boat, slash, v, sweetheart, etc.

Clingy top and jeans (sometimes slim, sometimes boot cut).

Or casual dress (usually skater). This time of the year I also have a couple of nice tunic dresses which swing just enough to show off my waist.

Or tube skirt with spaghetti strap top and choice of jacket.

Never wear any coats or jackets longer than my waist because I'm also short.

I'm a longish narrow hourglass and I'm wearing kick flares a lot at the moment with healed boots and a silky shirt tucked in and a few buttons undone. Sling on a leather jacket and you don't look like you've made too much effort.

I'm a size 10 and 5'5 hourglass. Depends where you are going but:

for a pub I'd wear skinnies (I have a waxed/leather-look 7/8s pair which are my fave "going out" pair at the moment) and a slouchy jumper or knit (but not too slouchy), with heeled chelsea boots or wedge-sandals in summer.

for dinner or somewhere dressier, I might a pencil skirt (have a pleather one doing the job at the moment) with a silky/floaty blouse (tucked in). Bought this recently which I love:
blouse.

I'm also a SAHM, and find that one decent pencil skirt, one pair of really well-fitting dressy skinnies that I feel fab in, and a couple of slouchy knits or silky blouses (usually with some interesting detail) cover me for most nights out.

Usually skinnies or pencil skirt on bottom, silk shirt....something with a semi tuck. Biker jacket. Tapered trousers work for me too. Dresses are tricky - I find them hard to fit - they feel too frumpy or formal for a night out and I would love a cardigan but I've never found a shape that works.

Skinny jeans, top and a blazer or a skater style dress with opaques and shoe boots.

And a fitted cardigan!

i agree with lux about dresses - the styles that suit me are usually too formal for a night out (or i feel like a frump).

and cardigans always make me feel frumpy

Thank you everyone! I've got some high waisted skinnies I like to wear with knee boots, but I struggle to find tops to wear that aren't 'everyday'

I went to Primark today and came back with a lacy kimono, I thought maybe with a vest top and statement necklace that might look ok?

I do prefer skirts because I have nice legs (shame about the rest of me ) but quite often I feel they're wasted because they're tucked under a table! So I look for nice tops instead and get frustrated because most things aren't tailored for bigger boobs/smalker waist!