Help - I have no idea but posh meal out

[blimeyalldecentnamesaregone]

Ok, firstly I'll admit that this board scares me. I have never been comfortable with clothes and have no natural sense of style. I usually wear very boring black trousers and boring top for work (occasionally dress and jacket) or jeans and t shirt outside of work. Both almost like a uniform. I am a size 22 with nice boobs but an awful belly. I cannot wear heels unless they are chunky and less than 2 inches.

Ok, so I am going out to Le Gavroche for dinner soon for a meal we have saved a while for. I would like to feel special but also comfortable.

Any ideas?!?! Thanks in advance.

Thanks again all. I am going to nip to Debenhams and John Lewis and see if anything can inspire me either tomorrow or Thursday. I think the thing is i quite like all the dresses but none of them make me feel amazing.

Having done a scientific count up of opinions, it seems the 2nd maroon is top but it is closely followed by my stripy one (ignoring the navy as I'm discounting it due to it looking awful from the side). My turquoise and trousers options are not far off either.

I have a lovely pair of black trousers which do make me feel good as they hang beautifully and have a split on the outside of each ankle so swing a bit (not the ones in the pic, I couldn't find them when I took the pic so slung on work trousers!). I am veering towards trying to find a top that is not tent-like which will be difficult as tent-like is my default and makes me feel good.

I agree too about it being about the food, and DH would rather not wear a jacket, but it's a special occasion and I'd like to feel fab. I haven't felt fab in a long while so wanted to push a bit outside of my comfort zone in hope of finding it. The mission is still ongoing

Thanks again to all of you

Cross posted Remus!

2nd maroon is no longer in stock so unable to try a size down. Time is running tight for internet orders now so will try in person.

2nd maroon is my favourite along with your long black n white dress x

My second choice is navy wrap dress , navy looks quietly classy.

If you're going to John Lewis I think this looks nice:

m.johnlewis.com/jacques-vert-block-stripe-tunic-dress-black/p/2793477

This would look lovely with nice trousers and lovely jewellery.

m.johnlewis.com/celuu-georgia-roll-sleeve-blouse-grey/p/2199661

Navy jumpsuit?

m.johnlewis.com/jacques-vert-jersey-jumpsuit-navy/p/2793751

There's potential for tent like with this but I reckon if you size down it'll look lovely with your smarter trousers and jewellery.
m.johnlewis.com/studio-8-beth-batwing-jumper-pale-pink/p/2793357

Have you looked at Boden at all? They go up to 22 and mostly are better quality than most of the dresses and tops posted here and, as someone large myself, think it's quality that makes the difference. I get lots of stuff from there. They have 30% off dresses at moment and you can avoid their patterns and choose plain colours.

Having suggested Boden, I just had a look at the dresses they currently have in a 22 and they are almost all very summer holidayish and casual. This wrap dress in black or navy could be good, though - and almost certainly better quality than Asos
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/wh982-blk/womens-black-wrap-dress
(though I still think the nice top with trousers solution would be best).

Ok items from asos are about to be returned. Below are items from my local department store.
Dress is a size 18 after I took your advice and sized down (the 20 was plentiful) £60 down from £99 (Windsmoor (Colebrooke collection) blush)
The dress by far makes me feel better than any of the others. I have the wrong underwear on as I was on my way back from a meeting but a nice plunge bra and proper pants would make it better. Dress is floor length and the shoes I would wear would be similar height to the work shoes I had on.

Second is the top which also feels fab (also Windsmoor (Colebrooke collection) blush, £69). It ironically is a size small 😂, only because that was the only size and the vest top inside is Lycra so it was fine and comfortable.
Question is that as is navy, could I wear with black trousers??? (Black trousers in pic but not the ones I would be wearing)

There was nothing nice in Jacques Vert or Phase 8 that looked good on. And I did actually try on a jumpsuit following an earlier post, which o would never normally have done, but at 5'5" I was just a bit too short for it.

Both feel far better quality than the other dresses I tried on. I have bought both and can return.

I know I keep yoyo-ing here but having you all to ask is really really helpful so thank you all yet again

Sorry, I think the dress is nice but not at all appropriate for the occasion - too 'evening dressy', specially with that cleavage.

The top also looks nice but a bit 'unstructured'/ flappy in that photo - of course the photo may be distorting it. I think a lovely simple long silky blouse in a plain colour would be better but, having said that, I know all too well how hard it is to get nice simple, stylish good quality things in a 22 without paying an arm and a leg (eg, Marina Rinaldi).

I personally think navy and black are fine - in fact I often like them - but am not sure that particular top is great with 'structured'/ conventional black trousers, particularly as top introduces white touches.
Sorry not to be more positive.

Can you wear jeans to the restaurant? I think I'd wear the top with dark skinnies.

I agree that the dress, although lovely, is more suited to a formal evening event than your meal out.

I like that top, but I think you'd need to wear it with structured/slim trousers (white skinnies?) otherwise the overall look will be too floaty and you might end up looking bigger than you are.

I agree - can you find some white or cream cigarette pants?

I think the top is really lovely and flattering.

Yey, people like the top

I can wear jeans to the restaurant as long as they are 'smart jeans'. I don't have any skinnies (I am fat so skinny does not suit ) but you lot have already make me try on things I wouldn't usually wear so I promise I will endeavour to try some on tomorrow! Just started my period so a little reluctant to get white ones though.

Not the dress, top is lovely especially with dark jeans.

Try a straight leg if you don't feel comfortable in skinnier.

If you're looking for a plunge bra, bravissimo do a lovely plunge one - think it's called Panache from memory.

Also, Jaeger are having a sale on at the moment, and their clothes go up to a 20 and are on the generous side. They have some nice dresses - I got a cashmere one a few months ago reduced to £49 from £250. They don't look that good on the site as they put v-necked dresses on to stick-like models with no boobs.

Yes, well cut, usually dark ( though I think white would be good with the too) jeans are 'smart jeans'. Could be skinny ( my preference, specially with a floaty top) or straight. Lots of advice on here about good brands.

The 'flappiness' of the sleeves would drive me mad - but that's very personal, I just don't like hugely flappy sleeves. Also can't help wondering if they'd trail into any of the delicious sauces. But you know best how comfortable you are with them.

PS - I'm fat and skinnies really suit me, so don't assume they won't. I'm tall, but you're not short.

That top with the white edging is by far the most flattering of all of the pictures you have put up.

Top is lovely!