Help me, I'm the fat friend :(

[longdiling]

I have a big night out on Saturday with a bunch of lovely but very slim and attractive ladies. I'm a frumpy size 14 with zero style and not a lot of money to spend on clothes. They are all talking about the new tiny little dresses they've bought and are obviously going all out. I have tried on my usual clothes and feel like crying. I look like shit. I want to make an excuse and not go.

Before I do that though, does anyone have any suggestions of any clothes I can buy in the supermarket/on the high street that would be OK for a city night out?

Oh, scrap those. Sorry. I didn;t see you say New Look was easy to get to. They have a few good jumpsuits too and I think you can order into store too.

comfy green velvet again but a slimmer cut

As a size 14 myself jumpsuits are awful on me, I somehow get an enormous mum-tum in them

Seperates are best for me

See, most trousers are awful on me. Always a real faff to find. Jumpsuits much better . We're all different eh

I am groomed in general but you can be too!

Do your eyebrows, paint your nails (or get them done if you cant do it), slap some tan on (cocoa brown 1hr mousse if you're in a rush) and ta-da!

If you arent confident with make up ask a friend to get ready with you and help? Have a glass of wine together and get done up?

Watch a basic makeup tutorial on YouTube

Definitely get your hair done

Get some Spanx on and you usually can't go wrong with a black dress.. tights too? I'm the fat one too!

You don't say where you're actually going so a bit difficult to know how dressed up would be appropriate.
Yes to blow dry and nails painted but go easy on the tan, specially at this time of year, unless you want a TOWIE effect.
I'd also steer clear of jumpsuits and of cold shoulder tops - which have been done to death IMO.

Thank you all! I'm going to head to new look and try all of the suggestions to see what works. I'll give the hairdressers a call too. I really do need to steer clear of fake tan though, I can't emphasise enough how badly wrong I have gone with it before - I'm pretty pale so it's unforgiving on me.

I do have some spanx but by God they're uncomfortable. I will try and find something a bit flattering to wear so I can avoid them. I don't have a great deal of options shoe wise but I have some plain black heels that go with everything.

I'm not even the friend with the biggest books as one of them has had a boob job! They don't go on about how tiny they are Ethelb, they don't need to, they just are. We all met doing the kind of activity that lends itself to being slim. I'm just much better at eating than they are - see I do have my own talents

Ha to biggest books - I probably am the friend with the biggest books but that's not much help on a night out.

OP, you could also book a make up session at Boots or a department store. They usually cost £10 but it's redeemable against any purchases so, if you buy the lipstick they use on you, the makeover is free. I am crap at makeup so always book one for an event and feel much better as a result.

Catgirl, I'm going to look into that thank you! I had a big try on session at New Look this evening and came back with a couple of Bardot tops that I can pair with some black trousers I already have. They were quite flattering and I felt good in them. I'm feeling a bit less dramatic about it all now. Thanks again everyone

what about some pu trousers / leggings and a nice top?

If you like vintage style 50s dresses, Lindy Bop have some truly stunning dresses in right now x

I was going to suggest black cigarette trousers and a tuxedo jacket with a striking camisole / bustier / top in velvet, sparkly, lace or a bright colour. A bit different to the small mini dress look but very sexy.