can anyone help me? out of my depth style wise!

[Missanneshirley]

I have nights out with 2 different sets of friends coming up and I am the poor relation in both! I like nice clothes and think I have a decent eye for putting stuff together but since having kids and changing job I just don't have a budget for clothes buying anymore. I look for sale things and charity shop bargains but even that's not very often. I have a decent enough range of casual gear but my going out stuff is woeful.

both these nights out will be a small group of well dressed ladies going out for dinner - late 30s early 40s, all bang on trend and wearing lovely stylish clothes. sophisticated rather than blingy. I have one going out outfit which is more suited to the pub (nice trousers, sparkly top kind of thing). it's also very wintery.
so how can I cobble together a suitable outfit, and in fact what would that be?!
I've trawled eBay for dresses in my size from gap, white stuff and Boden- any other brands I should try? and what would be good going out spring /summer footwear styles?
I feel like a child who has been invited out with the grown ups

What size, shape, colouring are you? What sort of thing do you like wearing?

What's your budget?
I'm sure the combined power of S&B can come up with something.

Is there a Sainsbury near you which sells clothes. They have gorgeous dresses really good quality for less than £30.

Happy to help Cinderella!

My suggestion on Spring/summer footwear styles would be cork wedge sandals in a neutral colour - maybe a metallic neutral to make them evening appropriate. Hopefully you could wear them subsequently as part of your more casual usual look. Would these be any good?
m.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/gold-glitter-strappy-cork-wedges-_333338293

m.zara.com/ie/en/woman/shoes/wedges/buckled-ankle-strap-wedges-c358013p2450057.html

For clothes you could try Zara or warehouse. I don't normally think that their quality is fantastic but that matters less if it's evening wear as it doesn't need to be hard wearing.

Could you give us more clues as to your build, colouring etc and what you would like (top, jeans or skirt or dress) ?

thank you so much !
my budget is basically zero hence the problem...
I was looking at dresses on ebay as I thought it would be more cost effective to just buy one thing, rather than skirt /trousers and top? but it does then raise the issue of shoes and legs.
I am a size 10, fairly slim and flat chested so probably quite easy to dress. I am a short arse tho. also very very pale skin which does make me nervous of a dress or skirt!
I vaguely thought nice dress, worn with my smart-ish denim jacket, but was lost on shoes. I think jeans and nice top might be too casual?
off to click on links!

Agreed on dress being the most cost effective.

You have an amazing figure so shouldn't be too hard!

H&M have some lovely dresses at the moment. if you don't have much money to spend, I'd stick with a neutral colour like black, as this could look really sophisticated.
m.hm.com/gb/product/84103?article=84103-B

Then a statement necklace would make it more evening appropriate. Primark have some amazing ones
m.primark.com/en/product/3-row-necklace,R1788961520150107

Do you have any shoes that you could reuse to keep costs down?

thank you again! shoes are actually my worst area as I normally get away with just wearing my boots, but even up here it's firmly past boot weather! Are wedges the thing then? and should I bare my legs

lbd - i think this shape would suit your figure
and
basic sandals, with pretty toenail polish
colourful scarf or jewellery from primark to change the look.