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

that bow looks strategically placed

I really love that style

and it's cheap as chips too!

My favourite is the Betty Jackson empire line, which would look stunning with the boots and a nice dressy / delicate chokery sort of necklace I think

with the last one I linked to bringing up the rear

I wonder whether this would work - again, empire-ish line, so waist skimming, right colours to go with the boots?

I think the bow one is too fitted also

am withdrawing my fitted shift dress remark now I have thought about it being a dinner

you will sit there sucking your stomach in all night and feeling v uncomfortable I think, go for a drapey thing and look relaxed

the Betty Jackson one looks more comfortable than the others it must be said

plus the price means I could buy a necklace to go with

tbh I think I'd look pregnant in that one Jackie - it looks quite tight

I would prefer something plain

btw THANK YOU so much for bothering with my problem, I really feel lost, and frankly a bit stressed out at the thought of being poked with sticks by irate maitre d for being too scruffy for his establishment

It's really pretty and would suit almost anyone, I would have said

that's a thank you to both of you btw!

(I mean the B Jackson one)

You definitely need something you can feel relaxed in then.

hopelessly misguided?

yes, hopelessly

I know it's Marks and Sparks but?

omg I love this one and my hair is like that

The Principles one that Jackieno posted is really lovely irl but VERY clingy. Normally size 12 in Principles is perfect on me but that dress made me look as though I'd tried squeezing myself into a size 6 by mistake! So if you're at all worried about clinginess, I'd give that one a miss.

Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable in one of their beautiful tunics, over trousers? You'd probably get more wear out of these too, if you're not really a dress person?

I love the shape of that 1st M & S one but would want to see it irl to see what the fabric is like.

Personally I find the sweater dresses are a disaster with no waist

but you should go and try things on, really

you have a few places to look, now? I like the M+S one a lot

and I think if you usually wear jeans etc you should stick with a dress for this

you will feel special and it will be a nice treat for dh

Have to say, I really don't like the FCUK one, sorry, am definitely with Franny on that one. I like the M&S shrug one, but don't like the cashmere one - I think it looks a lot of money for something rather boring (and won't you get all overheated when you've had a glass or 2 of wine in all that cashmere?). Mind you - it's machine washable, which amazed me.

should have said I like the first M+S one a lot

I would probably get more wear out of trousers + top but then I have double the nightmare of finding right trousers and right top

Also a dress is more special and will make me feel smart

I might go and try that cashmere dress on because it's the only one I've really loved the look of at first sight tbh

OK I take your points about the cashmere one, I will try both on

I like this top

Gorgeous top - you may need a push-up bra though, to get the full effect. Good excuse to go and buy some lovely underwear too, then.