Would this work as an alternative to a frock?

[DreamingOfADifferentMe]

I have to go to a black tie event next week with a client. I have a couple of dresses I could wear but I feel dreadful in them - lumpy, bumpy and frumpy.

It's a night where I need to be my shiny best, and so I want to dress in a way that makes me feel good. I'm a size 16-18, and I know what I feel best in, and, I think, suits me.

So, instead of a formal dress, I'd like to try something different. Would slimline black trousers, a sequin vest top (I was thinking silver) and a black evening jacket, with high silver sandals and silver clutch cut it at a formal black-tie event where every other woman is in a little black number?

I have the trousers and the silver accessories, but toying with buying this:
www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/joanna-hope-sequin-vest/mt724/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=3402#colour:Silver,size:

and then something along these lines for on the top:
www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/clothing-265973/jackets-blazers-2181084/black-sequin-trim-jacket-4606967?bi=20&ps=20
or if that's too much bling, something plainer, perhaps like this:
www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=20635054&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20&categoryId=425532&parent_categoryId=209166&refinements=category~[219990%7C425532]&noOfRefinements=1&intcmpid=DressipiProduct

What do you all reckon? Am I going to just feel completely out of place? Or, have any of you got any fab other suggestions?

Thanks in advance...

Black tie can mean long dress, or cocktail, or anything in between. Is this more at the cocktail dress end?

I think very smart trousers can definitely work for that, but I'm not sure I'd do the bling on the jacket as well as the top.

It can be quite difficult to get exactly the same shade of black when buying separately. Are the trousers and the jacket an exact match?

I've had a look at the plain jacket and it feels a little more casual, I think because it's not very structured. Maybe too casual.

What's your budget?

For this do, the women are usually in cocktail dresses more than floor-length formal dresses.

I know what you mean about the black, so I'll go and have a try on session tomorrow and see how they look though of course it'll be dimly lit in there, so would anyone really be able to see that they're weren't exactly right?

I think something like this with this might be better.

Hmmm, budget is flexible I guess, though as I'm actively losing weight I don't really want to spend too much as with any luck, it won't fit for a while. I'd say I'd prefer to spend less than £120 if I can help it, for the jacket that is.

For me it would need to be a match or very deliberately not a match, but you're absolutely right that the lighting at those sort of events makes it less of an issue. Matters not at all if you are working with different textures - just where it looks like you bought a suit and then dry cleaned one and not the other....

I like that Tethers.

Tether, they're gorgeous but I can't see me squeezing myself into a silky jumpsuit - I'd worry I looked like a teletubby. Definitely love the sequins though!

I'd go for cigarette trousers and a tux jacket, with a pale grey or white silk cami, or maybe hot pink. No to sequins.

If you love the sequins, how about that jacket over black trousers and black vest/cami?

I like your suggestion OP with the more blingy jacket of the two you posted and some nice trousers. Some great shoes can also take it up a notch.

Thanks all, this is such a help as I tear my hair out trying to work out what will look half decent.

Remus, my only worry with a pale grey/white cami is that I'd feel like I was just dressed in workwear, and hadn't made much effort for a big function. I thought the sequins remedied that, while still keeping me in my comfort zone. To be clear, I've haven't donned a sequin since I was in a dance show in my teens.

Emily, definitely get your meaning about the match/not a match situation - will be mindful tomorrow when I have a closer look.

I'mnot, thanks for your thoughts and yes I too thought the shoes and bag being seriously blingy - silver and sparkly and really quite fabulous - would also lift the whole outfit.

Really do appreciate you all taking time out to advise me. I've got more of these damned things to go to later in the year so hoping I can nail it sooner rather than later.

Love tethers suggestions. The jumpsuit would elongate you and be very slimming.

OK, just had a quick peruse elsewhere. As I said, I'm an hourglass 16 on a good day and wondered about this with some slimline silkyish trousers:
www.very.co.uk/so-fabulous-lace-bardot-top/1458047526.prd

Or this frock, similar style cheap as chips but hey, clutching at straws here: www.very.co.uk/so-fabulous-lace-bardot-skater-dress/1459709294.prd

What do you reckon?

I love the Wallis jacket and I think you'd look great. In my opinion there's no point in wearing a dress if you'll feel uncomfortable. Instead of sequins how about a metallic camisole like this www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/silver-metallic-foil-square-neck-cami_356343392?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_3563459_CR_39215882914_DV_c&tmcampid=155&tmad=c&tmplaceref=UK_PPC_PLA_3563459_CR_39215882914_DV_c&gclid=CLLqguCrgcgCFcsJwwodvncJWw

Links not working.

I think lux fabric and fantastic shoes, plus makeup, would avoid it looking workwear-ish.

Honestly not keen on Bardot tops/dresses, but that's just me.
I adore Shebas foil top from Newlook! That would look fab with some black cigarette trousers.

I dont know anything about black tie but NO to that jumpsuit. I think its awful.

I don't normally, but I love the silver/sequin/bling - although I'd wear with a long non-patterned skirt.

i think the jumpsuit is amazing and you will be surprised when you try on the right size as js really create a long smooth outline =very slimming.

Thank you all for your thoughts, you definitely inspired me and Saturday's shopping trip resulted in a black jumpsuit (who'd have thought), a long-line black jacket and some silver jewellery to go with the silver shoes and bag I already have. I felt fantastic in it and completely in my comfort zone. Thanks so much all of you - I'd never have even considered a jumpsuit before now, but I love it!

This one:
www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/clothing-265973/jumpsuits-2776334/black-obi-belted-jumpsuit-4578977?bi=0&ps=20

With this:
www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/clothing-265973/jackets-blazers-2181084/black-jackets-2247768/black-longline-blazer-jacket-4749807?bi=0&ps=20

Happy days!

Lovely, well done Dreaming, glad to hear you are sorted. Enjoy your event!