I need a smart outfit. I don't do smart. WAIL!

[Molesworth]

I am going to a posh restaurant with dp for his birthday and have nothing to wear, literally nothing - I live in jeans and baseball boots and feel like Dick Emery when I wear a skirt. Can anyone suggest an outfit for me to wear?

I have some lovely knee high boots (black), I don't do frilly, I like the idea of something tailored - a pencil skirt maybe?

I am 5 foot 9, a little thick around the middle, size 12-14, small of nork, bingo of wing (so nothing sleeveless).

I'm in London so am near all the usual places Jigsaw, Monsoon, Kew, Sisley etc

Please help style gurus

Molesworth don't panic MrsBadger and co will sort you out when they sees this

You have done very well and told us all the right sort of details

Oh except what your colouring (hair and skin etc) is like?

My first thought is that pencil skirts are better on people with waists. How about a tailored dress, would look nice with the boots?

Thanks Franny - tailored dress sounds lovely, where would I find such a thing though?

Everywhere seems to be full of swirly pucci frilly floaty things

I have dark hair and pale grey skin

Well personally being thick waisted I like either a tailored shift dress or a full skirted shape, I don't know if either would work for you.

There are tailored things out there but you won't find them looking in the windows of the chain stores ATM.

How smart is the restaurant? I am not v good at finding smart stuff, but am sure help will be along soon.

It's not at a tux level of smartness but it is jacket and tie. God I hate going to posh places and yet I want the food soooo badly

Which shops would you look in? Jigsaw?

Oh it will be fun! Don't worry, you don't have to be all frilled up, we will find you something sophisticated

Can you tell us more about the boots?

I am going to go and fetch random links and you can tell us what you think of them

Ok what do you think of this chocolate knot dress ?

oops I forgot the arms

well you could wear a little wrap thing?

anyway will keep looking...

That dress is beautiful but I feel self conscious about my bingo wings, so I can't wear anything sleeveless. Would that dress hide a bit of a rounded belly? The drapery down the front looks good. Something like that but with sleeves might be perfect!

The boots are black leather knee high with a 3 inch heel, rounded toe and a buckle on the side at the top. They're really beautiful quality ones I got in Italy and have never had the chance to wear them

I like this one

would this suit someone without much of a waist though?

Yes I thought it looked flattering

would you ever wear anything like this tunic?

I think the pleated one is really dull tbh

sorry

I've been looking at the Debenhams site too, and I agree with Franny about a tailored shift sort of shape - you could do a wide-ish neck with small norks, too - how about this sort of shape ? Also, what's your budget?

There's also this - empire line, so skims over the waist, wrap over bust makes the most of it.

this drapey jersey one?

sorry I keep going for black

ok how bad are the arms? Can you wear a short sleeve? How about a gauzy sleeve?

Ooh Jackie I like your second one

ooooooooh

Black is good - it must be fairly dark and plain or I will feel completely uncomfortable

is this hideous?

This is nice , but a bit too daytimey, I think.

Sorry, budget is around £100

Don't know about the drapey one - you'd have to try it on, I wouldn't guarantee it would look good, but it might (helpful, non?) Not convinced about lack of nork and big square neckline, I think.

I like that one Jackie and it isn't too daytime (as it is a lunch date!) - but I haven't got much of a waist, so I'm not sure I can carry a belted style off?

Norks aren't non existent (34C) - but not big enough to give hourglass shape iykwim

This is lovely too.

The grey one is nice Molesworth

I am nervous of these belts Jackie as I know they would look awful on me

plus Molesworth is looking forward to a good dinner, I think she needs drapery in the stomach region

Yes - the belt is probably too narrow on that daytimey one - a wide belt can help to give you a waist though, with any luck.

Ah yes - good point re the dinner thing too.