What TO wear?????

[HoHoHorsewoman]

DH has landed himself in a fairly high profile position, and suddenly I appear to be getting a social life! Haven't had one for such a long time, and my wardbrobe is in pretty poor shape. I have at least 5 invitations looming for events as varied as 'staff christmas party' to 'Drinks at the Manor' and have naff-all to wear. I need to do 'style on a shoestring' (flat broke at the mo, money should start rolling later!) but need stuff now. Where do I go? Need to be quite smart, but still want to be trendy. Need eve and day stuff.

Jeans are something I do have a few pairs of. However, would like to branch out a bit more with lower-half wear. I have 2 skirts (both for winter) and 1 pair of smart trousers which I have had for about 5 years. Being short, I don't know what to go for, and feel far more comfortable in trousers than skirts. The trouble with having trousers taken up is that they often lose their original shape, and just don't look right. Wide legged styles make me look like a rectangle, and I feel too curvy for skinny styles. Are there any stores in particular that cater to the 'vertically challenged'?

Principles have a very good petite range.

M&S and Next also do petite.