What do I wear on a date????

[NoCapes]

I'm going on a date next week

I haven't been in a date since I was 18, I'm now 27 and have birthed 3 gigantic children
I spend my days crawling around the floor in baggy jumpers, jeggings and converse
If I go out then I go out out with friends and I wear a dress and heels
I need a middle ground somewhere but what?!
I think I'm too young to go down the 'jeans and a nice top' route but too old to wear a full on 'outfit' if that makes sense
If I'm going to start dating I need to find something that I'll feel comfortable in, but look nice and dare I say, a bit sexy? I don't know how to be sexy anymore

Help oh wise ones - I'm lost

Really don't see why jeans and a nice top is too old ? My dd and most of her friends wear just that going out they are 19/20 ! They all look amazing !

Oh really? When I think of 'jeans and a nice/sparkly top' I just see Colleen Nolan in my head

Totally depends on the jeans/top! Boot cuts and a plain top with a sparkly shrug: Nolan. Leather jeans and studded tee: rock n roll. Skinnies, amazing shoes plus a top that you love with good jewellery/well-jacket: you but super-hot/cool/stylish etc etc.

Well-cut jacket, I mean.

nocapes can you afford any new clothes?

Nice top can be skinny rib, cropped, bardot? Can't renember any if them going out sparkly! Have a look in top shop/miss selfridge etc, your bound to find something there, good luck with your date, just be yourself, wear what makes you confident.

Ooh Capey-this is exciting!
Could you wear a more casual dress?
Maybe something a bit short but not too dressy.
I have a sort of denim shift dress that I wear with black tights and flat boots, and it goes everywhere...you want to look cute but not too try hard..

Ah yes I clearly have no imagination
There will definitely be no crop tops (I wish!)
I feel like I've wandered into a parallel universe in miss selfridge/top shop type places, everybody seems to look like someone from TOWIE, and I look like their Mum
Thanks for all the suggestions so far
And yes mother maybe not an entire outfit including shoes/bag etc but I'm looking to get something

Ooo cape I was in the same position as you. Not been on a date in ten years. I love Colleen Nolan too but don't want to copy her style.

I went to see a personal
Shopper at debenhams. I told them my budget and said I want something to wear on a date. It was so good, they picked out a jumpsuit that I'd never would have chosen and a dungaree dress again never ever would have chosen it but both are flattering and cute too.

I know nige I'm still surprised at myself for accepting (we'll ignore the fact that I've already rescheduled twice coz I was shitting myself )
That's it, I don't want to look like a completely different person or like I'm trying too hard, it's so bloody hard though, I feel like everyone my age is still uber sexy and glamorous and j somehow skipped ahead and I'm 65
A shift dress might be a good option actually, then I won't have to suck in my belly

How about something like this?
Is it mumsy?

Wear with a choker necklace

I will watch with interest. I, too, am going on my first date in YEARS and I don't know what to wear!

Ooo a choker that's interesting, I'd never have considered that
alice it's so hard isn't it

What about this Warehouse dress with black tights and heeled ankle boots?

I found Warehouse quite good when I was dating for not too casual not too dressy dresses

I am deciding between a short tunic dress which will be warm, but maybe not dressy enough for dinner, or a lovely dress, in which I will freeze! I think I WANT to wear the tunic dress which shows off my legs, but I also worry that at 45 I am too old for that sort of get up

Actually the dress I linked might be a bit too office-wear

You're never too old to show off your legs alice that's another thing I struggle with - my legs are a bit too long for my body so things that look perfectly classy and casual on other people look too short and risqué on me, but the 'tall' sections are usually too long for my body and swamp my top half
Ooo warehouse, never thought of there! See I don't even know where to shop, just where I used to when I was 18

Oh the warehouse link won't open on my phone ...

Dark/black skinny jeans (dark look smarter while still being causal!), nice top, necklace, and at this time of year, a coat. That way you don't look like you're trying too hard but you don't look like a scruff either Nice hair and makeup.

A casual dress would work if you have one you feel comfortable in and not too dressy or officey.

Warehouse have got a nice poppy print dress for 46 quid-I've just tried to link it and failed... Might be a bit floral for some but you can punk it upwith black opaques and ankle boots.I think it's nice but I like a bold print so might not be for everyone.
Where is the date?
You will be fine Capes-time to get back on the old horse so to speak

Will you feel more confident on a first date in pants or a dress? I would feel better in pants, so would wear them, and save the dress for the next date.

N.B. I have been married for 21 years, so I may be out of touch a bit.

nige We're going for dinner & a cocktail in a restaurant/bar thing in Town
And I'm not convinced I'm 100% ready but this guy is really lovely and I think I'll kick myself if I don't at least give it 1 date - it has been 6 months since the break up though, so maybe it is time to get back out there but it's so warm and cosy in my bubble

yank I'm not even sure tbh! I think I'd feel more comfortable in pants, but everytime I've seen the guy I'm going out with I've been wearing jeans or jeggings, so that's why I'm thinking I should switch it up with a dress...or skirt? Just to show that I have made a bit of an effort

How about culottes??