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Help! Dress needed for NY wedding and engagement party and I feel like a drag queen in everything.

71 replies

BabCNesbitt · 24/11/2015 21:22

Sorry, I'm all about the stupid questions today. SAHM for nearly 5 years and I can count on one hand the number of occasions I've "dressed up" (ie not worn one of my regular rotation tops with my jeans) in that time. Now I have two events in the space of a month and I can't figure out what to buy for them as it's been so long since I wore a dress that I feel ridiculous when I think of wearing anything other than jeans and a boring top. (Used to wear dresses and heels every day in the old days... )

Event 1: engagement party in a trendy pub in SE London. Lots of people that I haven't seen for ages. Drinks in afternoon, possible club afterwards if I'm not too much of a knackered old lady.

Event 2: family wedding in frozen plains of the Midwest. Anticipating lots of white teeth and helmet hair. 500 (!) people going, apparently, so no-one's going to give a fuck what I'm wearing except me. Something with sleeves preferred so I don't get hypothermia going from church to reception.

Would prefer to get something that would cover both these events but could go for two outfits if not too expensive. Budget probably only about £75 or so, £100 absolute maximum. I'm 5'5"ish, 14-16 (got really flabby in the last year), very late thirties. Thick-waisted and look terrible in anything flared, so skater or a-line dresses are out. Nothing too femme. HoC Autumn, apparently, and definitely can't wear black as it makes me look dead.

Um... Help? Thanks

OP posts:
herecomesthsun · 01/12/2015 22:48

marks

herecomesthsun · 01/12/2015 23:10

phase eight

LeaLeander · 01/12/2015 23:22

How about a maxi skirt in black, red, green or tartan with a crisp white blouse of some sort? (or trousers if you prefer.) Sort of a classic man-tailored yet feminine style for winter -- think Lauren Bacall and the like. And from an economy standpoint, they would be pieces you could use again. A poet's blouse or collared white blouse. For winter add some relatively heavy gold bracelets and a locket or gold chain at your neck and you're all set.

Here's a google search of images to describe what I mean: www.google.com/search?q=poet+blouse&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwihgf-P5rvJAhWCeSYKHXgbAogQ_AUICCgC&biw=1366&bih=604#tbm=isch&q=white+blouse+long+black+skirt

BabCNesbitt · 01/12/2015 23:29

Lea, that looks great on the skinny models, but I suspect I'd look like an Edwardian maiden aunt after a couple of sherries :/

Herecomes and rage, I like these suggestions shape-wise (apart from the open back ones, because nobody needs to see my back rolls and 3" wide bra strap).

OP posts:
rageagainsttheBIL · 02/12/2015 07:10

m.topshop.com/h5/product?productId=21234939

This jumpsuit looks quite autumnal (is that how it works??)

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:26

fuck knows why people always recommend Debenhams on here
its such a shit shop

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:27

OP

I am going to try too wades in

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:30

is black a total no nO?

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:33

what is wrong with this

www.coast-stores.com/p/curve-jersey-dress/1530868?locale=en

BabCNesbitt · 02/12/2015 07:34

I always forget about Topshop - I guess I think I'm too old now?

Brenda, yep, black is out. I LOVE being difficult.

OP posts:
BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:35

agree re skater dresses.
NO ONE, over a size 10 should do them for fear of looking like this

Help! Dress needed for NY wedding and engagement party and I feel like a drag queen in everything.
BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:35

Pity - this is kind of a bit weird and nice
www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/dresses/gail-woven-knit-dress/203095050

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:35

topshop often way too short imo

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:36

GREY!!
nice and plain. Cool earrings, cool shoes

result - COOL

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/silk-top-layered-dress/J27530_GY000

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:38

i hate dresses too

FUCK the dress - do a sparkly suit
www.jigsaw-online.com/product/glimmer-basket-weave-jacket-/J28879_BK000

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:39

you would actually wear the jacket again too,
Spikey heels 7/8 trousers

STRONG red lipstick

I almost fancy you

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:40

ooh ooh with this top underneath for Midwest extravaganza

youd look SO YOORPEAN www.jigsaw-online.com/product/silk-front-batwing-top/J24185_RE014

BrendaandEddie · 02/12/2015 07:42

COME BACK OP

Help! Dress needed for NY wedding and engagement party and I feel like a drag queen in everything.
BabCNesbitt · 02/12/2015 08:14

SORRY SORRY SORRY, breakfast time required my presence. I'm liking the Jigsaw stuff but most of it too £££ for me, sadly. Surprised by the Phase Eight stuff - I always thought of them as mumsy but there have been a couple of decent suggestions on this thread.

I have tea-stained teeth that look like a row of old gravestones. I will look Yoorpean whatever I wear.

OP posts:
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