Oh style Queens help me turn 40 looking naice

[Queenofknickers]

I'm going to the Canaries for 4 days with DH to posh hotel and I am clueless about what to wear. Hotel says "resort formal" is dress code in evenings WTF and I've got a little black dress to wear on my birthday evening but otherwise I own the mummy uniform of jeans and jumpers. I'm petite, hour glass and serious illness has left me a size 8/10 but looking drained and dreadful. All tips and outfit suggestions welcome!

Oh yes, I've got bandy legs and hideous upper arms plus scarring round my neck - gosh I'm lovely....

I don't know what resort formal means! - and it sounds like something I would be very bad at... but I'll kick off by suggesting a hair cut and colour (not a drastic change, stay in your comfort zone but just to feel more polished and "done") and going to a friendly, non-OTT make-up counter such as bobbi brown for a consultation, explaining about your illness etc. and see what they can suggest. I think a pale pink blusher is one place to start.

Actually MAC, though more associated with OTT glam, can also have great assistants who are very good at listening to your needs.

Make sure you pack lots of lovely make up if you are wearing black and not feeling 100%. Do you have a bright lipstick you love?

This dress looks divine, and is a dark green silk www.stories.com/gb/Ready-to-wear/Dresses/Tailored_Dress/582938-10083977.1 and I also love the black version of the shoes they have styled it with. It doesn't cover your neck, but perhaps you can use a little concealing make up?

How about this with either the black or leopard heels shown with the dress above, and some leather / pleather leggings? www.stories.com/gb/Sale/Ready-to-wear/Ruffled_Blouse/590747-6150128.1

Here is a link to the shoes, which I really fancy buying myself www.stories.com/gb/Shoes/Heeled_sandals/Suede_Sandalettes/9958390-9544041.1

And if you have skinny pleather / leather trousers, this shirt is also available in cream or black and is on sale tablet.hm.com/gb/product/23317?article=23317-A

I don't know how hot the Canaries will be, so am suggesting silk or cotton or viscose tops so you don't sweat.

We went somewhere with a similar dress code & it meant no jeans or trainers for men & jacket required for evenings (& tie in one of the restaurants so pack one in case) & ladies tended to be in what I would describe as cocktail wear in the evenings although some if the older clientele were in very formal evening wear. I wore long maxi dresses & flats, a LBD & heels plus Capri type trousers with wedges and fitted in fine.
Get yourself gel nails done to last the holiday plus a good haircut & light spray tan and you'll instantly feel better.

Would a statement necklace hide your scars enough for you to feel comfortable with a lower neckline? I've got lots of broken veins on my neck & chest so always wear high neck but have a couple of very chunky necklaces that do a great job of disguising the redness & adding some colour to plain dresses/tops.

Loving the suggestions, everyone, thank you! Especially loving the sandals!! I think I can cobble evening together but what on earth during the day?? I'm not bothered about covering up my surgery scars on my neck - they are my battle scars!!

Nice, smart jeans with a floaty top/blouse and a cardie? With nice shoes so ankle boots or sandals rather than trainers.

Or a pretty maxi dress and sandals - I think you need to check what the weather is likely to be actually, so you know you'll be comfortable.

plain maxi (obviously depends on which colours are "you")

Sorry that link actually takes you to a v garish colourful one which is a bit more beachy, but I was meaning the jade green option (or possibly the black? - I love a black maxi on holiday, goes with any footwear/jewellery and v easy to wear)

Ooh the green is lovely! Will try and find out weather - I'm not v good at translating numbers to what it feels like..