Christmas lunch

[whitesklyer]

Oh wise Style and Beauties,

What does one wear to a "ladies who lunch" charity Christmas lunch.? Have been invited to one in 3 weeks time and am clueless.....Dress?, skirt? . Im 43, 5'4" size 12 have a wobbly belly which can be disguised with re-enforced undergarments. Budget is £100 but would go higher if it was something I could wear again and again. Any pointers/ ideas please?

A dress - shift? to cover the areas you don't like, and a long line cardigan/ coat the same length(ish) as the dress? The cardi/ coat would need to be the same length or longer to work. I have a lovely one from Jaeger with a shawl collar and no buttons and it drapes really well and goes with lots of things - Boden also have a nice one. You can pick a dress in a sort of festive colour - green or red if you want to, with a more neutral cardi/ coat such as charcoal or a dark brown, depending on what colours suit you.

Here's some ideas from ASOS -

www.asos.com/asos/asos-tie-side-midi-bodycon-dress/prd/6696387?iid=6696387&clr=Navy&SearchQuery=&cid=12899&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=297&gridsize=3&gridrow=2&gridcolumn=2

www.asos.com/asos/asos-pencil-dress-with-crop-top-layer-and-lace-detail/prd/6944091?iid=6944091&clr=Red&cid=12899&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=36&gridsize=3&gridrow=3&gridcolumn=1

www.asos.com/closet-london/closet-kimono-sleeve-midi-dress-with-tie-back-detail-and-split-front/prd/5797594?iid=5797594&clr=Red&cid=12899&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=36&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=1

www.asos.com/closet-london/closet-3-4-midi-dress-with-wrap-front/prd/6634320?iid=6634320&clr=Red&cid=12899&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=36&gridsize=3&gridrow=10&gridcolumn=3

My favourites are the last 2

Think ladies who lunch 'uniform' and comfort. Print/patterned jersey/crepe dress with a bit of drape ( Boden/ Sunday Best (on line)/ Ted Baker if you're feeling adventurous as they have fab prints or that place Nigella gets her frocks) to disguise any wobbles, neutral jacket to tone with dress- easily shed if it gets warm(not cardigan - too casual) falling nearer to mid thigh rather than waist, shoes or bag as your possible standout accessory if you feel the need- neither have to be 'designer' just choose something you love and inject & some colour/ pattern/texture according to how adventurous you are. Be practical with your bag & go for a clutch/wrist strap one that you can tuck under your arm or a neat shoulder strap. Go for heels they don't have to be skyscrapers. Get a good blow dry and your nails done. You'll feel 'dressed'. Nothing worse than struggling with hair/nails and feeling like you've rushed out without time to get properly ready. Enjoy and relax.

I've been recommending this left right and centre.

Playsuit designed to look like a dress, skims across a wobbly belly while also showing your silhouette, really comfortable, looks good bare legs or tights, heels or flats. I've worn it to a wedding, christening and various nights out.

I wore it with this and pointed patent black flats.

Would look great with some sort of statement jacket or blazer like:

this

or

this

Sorry only back on-line now. So a dress is the way to go (hate my legs) but Im liking the looks of these dresses from Asos. The red ones are lovely and seasonal Peach, going to take a look through Boden now Kit, Jamie Vardy like the black dress/playsuit but might lean towards red. Would a fake fur coat and red dress be a little Liz McDonald? I have a black fur thats years old.

I think a fake fur coat is fine as long as you have more neutral makeup (no red lips or smoky eyes), and maybe nude tights and heels so that the rest of your look is very understated.