Dress code - smart

[dancemom]

Have been invited to an awards ceremony next Friday and today received the invitation saying dress code - smart.

I'm a jeans and converse type person and have very few "smart" items much less outfits! To make it worse I'm doing Slimming World and have dropped a dress size so most items in my wardrobe are too big. However I don't want to shell out on an item that (hopefully) won't fit me in another month.

So can I get away with a grey tunic and black leggings and heels as smart?

If not any suggestions of a cheap "smart" dress? I'm size 14, don't like bright colours, prefer v neck due to large bust and still need drapy rather than fitted!

Congrats on your weight-loss!

For a smart work event I’d expect men to be in lounge suits and women to wear equivalent smart things. I’d put on a silk blouse tucked in to a pencil skirt with tights and low block heels, but I think that slim fit trousers with a smart top and a jacket/blazer would also be suitable, or a jersey dress “dressed up” with tights (not leggings), heels and maybe a pendant necklace.

I’d feel conspicuously underdressed in the outfit you describe at an awards event. You know your industry best though – is it a casual one in general? It also depends on your role in the ceremony – will you be sitting down in the audience or is there a chance you’ll be presenting or collecting an award?

If you need a new outfit then a dress is probably your cheapest option as there’s only one item to buy. Jigsaw have some nice dresses in muted colours in their sale, which might work for you: www.jigsaw-online.com/category/sale/womens-dresses . I like the confetti fit-and-flare dress, or the silk-tencel in petrol, but there are a few to choose from that are various degrees of drapey. Monsoon might be worth a look for dresses with a v-neckline – like this one: uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/9520986114 .

If the tunic and leggings are good quality and pristine new looking I think you could get away with it as long as you have great hair (prof blow dry?) nails, makeup, jewellery and shoes.

If there is any hint of fading/bobbling/wear then I would get something new. Opaque tights would be smarter than leggings if the tunic is not too short...

I don't think the leggings really sound quite smart enough.
How about something like this?

Or, if you're used to jeans, would you feel happy in trousers and a top or shirt?

This dress is a fantastic bargain at Jaeger Outlet and sounds as if it would suit your shape. You could possibly eBay it once you'd had your time with it.