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Original poster

Anyone fancy a hunt?

29 replies

margaritasbythesea · 26/04/2015 15:02

I have a one-off super smart conference type thing. The Queen and other royals will be there. I will be taking a delegation of our volunteers and be the only one employed by the charity there so need to look the part. Will probably not meet the Queen. I have done an assessment of my wardrobe and I do not own anything super smart.

I don't want to spend money. I'd like to spend about 20p. I have been trawling ebay, but nothing grabbing me right now so am thinking I may have to spend a bit of actual money and was wondering if you had any ideas? Most people will be in jacket and dress or skirt.

I am a redhead and look dreadful in black or a too dark blue. Also look awful in strong contrasts of colours. I definitely need something with a waist. I need my arms covered (it will be that sort of thing). I am a 32e so high necklines make me look matronly and 5' 6". I have a longish white blazer, a sand coloured cotton sateen blazer and this jacket.

I would love a bit of help!

OP posts:
IDismyname · 26/04/2015 15:06

Not sure of your age (or if it really matters!!), but I came across this site a few weeks ago. It covers a whole heap of clothing brands, and the stuff is very reasonable.

I think you can search by size.

Just Last Season

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 26/04/2015 15:27

Thanks. I am just being dragged out in the sunshine by my children. Will have a look after.

I am 41.

OP posts:
PerspicaciaTick · 26/04/2015 15:34

Would this work? perhaps with the jacket you linked to?

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 26/04/2015 20:02

It might do. Maybe too everyday? Thanks for link.

no luck on that other website, though thanks for that link too.

OP posts:
PerspicaciaTick · 26/04/2015 20:36

This is more occasiony, but maybe too wedding and not enough work?? but it might be worth looking at the rest of their sale section

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 26/04/2015 22:14

Thank you. I have had child and computer troubles all night. I will get back to serious dress hunting tomorrow. You are good at finding dresses with sleeves! I think that one is too dressy though. I will have a look at their sale though. It is a bargain!

OP posts:
tethersend · 26/04/2015 22:16

What size are you?

Pumpkinette · 26/04/2015 22:29

No sure you will get much for £0.20!

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 26/04/2015 22:54

12 is the safest bet.

I know. Nothing at all for 20p. Gah.

OP posts:
hettie · 26/04/2015 22:58

Oxfam online could be your friend, especially if you know your size on certain brands...

MoustacheofRonSwanson · 27/04/2015 01:10

In similar circumstances (working for a charity) I went to Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Philip with the charity's CEO. I wore a black boat neck (with little sweetheart-esque notch mid neckline) linen mix shift dress with 3/4 length sleeves that my mum found for me in charity shop for £4 (not found for for the occassion, she got it a little bit before) and a Burberry coffee/lavender shot taffeta trench coat I got on ebay for about £15 (again, not bought to order, just part of a general trawl a while before). I bought some decent black grosgrain pointy toe slingbacks at a department store in a sale for about £40 reduced from a hundred or so- but I needed new shoes for work anyway. Worn my hair up in chignon.

So what you are trying to do isn't too far off what is possible. But I would stop looking for "something suitable", just think about what you need for work wardrobe wise anyway, and just maybe shift the smartness of that up a notch, but not too much, so you will get more wear out of it, still look like yourself. That way you will probably be able to loosen the purse strings a little budget wise- not breaking the bank, but stuff you will get use out of in the future, especially if the items you acquire look smart together but can be worn with more casual stuff in your existing wardrobe and thus be toned down a bit.

In terms of specific items, a shift dress (with or without sleeves) never goes wrong, and at this time of year you might be able to pick up a cashmere cardigan on ebay pretty cheaply (and cashmere is always suitable for these things). Similarly, a lightweight trench can look pretty good over a shift dress.

Pantsalive · 27/04/2015 03:10

Max Mara

Laura Ashley

L K Bennett

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 27/04/2015 08:20

I was thinking of something like this though i forgot to bid on it. I am not sure what sort of jacket to wear with that sort of thing though.
Will look at links in a mo. Thanks.

OP posts:
Pantsalive · 27/04/2015 08:32

Minimal sleeveage - that'll be easier to find.

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 27/04/2015 12:52

No! sleeves are good! That's why I'd need a jacket with that one! It could be a dress with a capped sleeve but only with a jacket. Bare arms would be severely frowned upon.

Thanks for advice on what to wear. If only I could wear shift dresses and black!

OP posts:
Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 27/04/2015 12:53

Oh, and no luck on Oxfam online. Thanks for that though.

OP posts:
Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 27/04/2015 23:01

Pants thanks for the links. Although i am a redhead, brown does not look great on me. I wear mid blue, charcoal grey, white, dusty pinks mainly.

moustache i didnt mean that tonsound catty. Ireally do wish those things!

OP posts:
Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 10:44

No prob. I was thinking of things that would go with the jacket you linked to. I'll have another look if I get an chance, unless you've managed to find something.

How much is the budget if it's a bit higher than 20p? Do you mind ebay bargains? I know someone that has that LK Bennett dress and it's amazing on.

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 28/04/2015 11:06

Thanks. I have no problem with ebay at all. I wouldnt spend a great deal on there as i find the fit can be tricky. I usualy stop bidding at around £15 plus p&p. Maybe £45 for a shop dress?

OP posts:
Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 12:05

If not too frumpy, this is rather nice.

Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 12:12

This could look smart with your jacket.

Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 12:22

A bit of a curveball ...

Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 12:39

Too pale?

Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 13:36

I've stopped really but I just spotted this one. With your white blazer?

Pantsalive · 28/04/2015 13:48

Bargain M&S.
I really have stopped now.