Help required to dress me for holidays!

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Could I ask please for some help with a capsule wardrobe to take with me for a long weekend away with close friends- lots of nice dinners out, drinks, day tripping etc. I am mid 30's, on the short side of 5ft4, 12-14. Small boobs, big tummy (although ever reducing!) nice legs, not hugely keen on upper arms.

I thought maybe a couple of nice dresses, maybe 2 nice tops and shoes/boots... Obviously I have jeans, jackets etc!

I don't go out much, this is a HUGE treat of a holiday, haven't been away with friends since before the dc (so seven years!)

Budget is... Probably £4-500 but I could go either way as its such a once off treat!

Any ideas? Thanks so much!

Oh dear- perhaps my brief is too broad... Not too worry- I will keep reading other threads for ideas!

When is it, and where are you going? For temperature/general weather reasons, I mean.

I would go for-

Tube pencil skirt
Skinny black peg trousers
Sparkly top
Silky Blouse
Good heels
2 chunky necklaces
2 plain is cotton tops
1 jumper
1 cardi/kimono type thing.

It should all work together.

Search capsule wardrobe on Pinterest.

Do you live near a John Lewis, their personal shopping service is free and very good.

How many nights are you away for? You say a long weekend but also that there will be lots of dinners, are these informal or formal?
Cottage or cruise ship?\

Boston, February. So quite chilly I should imagine!! I have coats and woollies aplenty but hoping to go glam underneath! Thanks so much for your help- I'll get onto Pinterest too

Staying in an apartment with friends- just going out for dinner, going to bars etc. Nothing formal (but my friends are all slim and glamorous, naturally! )

Sorry heels I didn't read your message properly before replying. Do you know, I never thought of a personal shopper- I have the day before I leave off as annual leave... I could risk it and do a last minute blitz?! Thanks for a great idea, will look into it at our local one

Don't leave it till day before! They do it in weekends too!
I have done it a few times and it has always been very good they run out getting different sizes etc so you can get way more stuff tried on, they know all the stock really well, what goes with what etc. you dint have to keep getting dressed to get more stuff. Also you can take with you anything you want things to go with eg your jeans, shoes etc

That sounds great. I've just checked and my local (1hr away) store does it. I will ring and see about getting an appointment. You're right, the day before would be a bit bonkers I suppose...!

Check out the White Company final discounts in the sale. They have sequin tops and silky blousey things which are all lovely quality and would work for your brief. Plus knitwear if you need any more. You'd be a medium I think, similar size to me. Look online or in store as they have racks of stuff. Think sale will end next week though.
Boden Chelsea or Bistro trousers in black are utterly fantastic too (check the promotions thread for
Discount and free returns code). They would work well and make you feel smart. Don forget to save a bit of cash for spending in the US!

Thanks Oly, will take a look. And yes definitely must keep some cash for the trip itself!

My nearest JL doesn't have any slots available until after I go!! Not even on the day before I go still, it's a great idea and I might do it some other time/somewhere else

Ooh I just found a 1hour style express (rather than the 2 hour experience) that I can make the week after next... How exciting!!

Oh good! Take your jeans and any other bits with you to make sure anything you get goes with it. Enjoy!

I just needed to write to tell you how nice they've been at JL- I had an appointment for next week but only an hour. They asked for a description of what I was looking for and based on my 2 sentences, rang me today, said they were worried I wouldn't get sorted in such a short time so close to trip so they've found me a longer slot for this week!

I know I will be spending money there so it's worth their while but I did think that it was a really nice touch! Looking forward to it now, will try not to blow the budget!

Lovely, can't fault JL customer service - let us know how it went, id love to do something like this