Posh Do Dilema

[KeepCalm]

Where would one get an outfit for a posh do (evening awards ceremony) if one was a certain size & age (41yrs).

I am not remotely comfortable in clothing other than trainers/boots/work clothes (casual) and an evening out is normally jeans & a top Am usually found in a kitchen/ wrangling with kids or outdoors walking/cycling.

I ALWAYS get outfits wrong. Always. MyWedding dress, outfits when we are wedding guests, previous posh events.... I normally hate it, leave it to last minute and either panic bug or drag something out the wardrobe.

I’d really like NOT to get it wrong this time and whilst I’m aware no outfit is going to turn me into Nigella I’d like to at least scrub up well.

I am shaped like a barrel with decent enough legs. Size 22 up top 😳, 18 - 20 ‘waist’ and 16- 18 hips.

Frills/lace/ froth/ fancypantsness fills me with cold sweats/horror & dread.

Please help

Am resurrecting this thread for some help from you brilliant lot again please as have another sodding posh do rapidly approaching.

Dress Code says 'fabulous' and it's an evening thing. No meal.

I remain a similar shape but another year older.

I can't use the dress I got for the last one as I was photographed in it several times and those photos exist in a context that is linked to this event. Apologies for being cryptic but to say what would be rather outing.

And before anyone asks I'm not a sleb

Can you find a similar dress in a different colour?

Do you like this ?

Or this ?

I missed the chat last time so not sure which was the dress that fitted the bill then.

Hi Locked. It was a bargain I grabbed off the sale rail in TKMaxx in a last minute panic due to work commitments. V neck fit and flare job. But rather distinguishable and would definitely be recognised if I wore it again to this event.

I'm away to look at your links now thank you but what do you think of this in the meantime?

here

The first phase8 is almost identical to the one I wore to the previous event and the second one is already in my basket as a contender

is this one too dull

Really really like the blue dress from John Lewis and think you would wear it again (even though your usual preferred style is less formal).

The Coast one doesn't seem to show on your link.

Will try again coast

Do you have time for a personal shopping appointment? Do you have a large Debenhams near you? DMIL did this for our wedding, she's about a size 16 but very short and apple shaped. She got a lovely dress and all the accessories.

Whereabouts are you? Ish.

How about a really simple black dress and striking shoes?

dress shop.mango.com/gb/plus-size/dresses-and-jumpsuits-short/hoop-detail-dress_33023703.html?c=99&n=1&s=weddings_parties_violeta.familia;432,460

shoes www.zalando.co.uk/tamaris-classic-heels-platinum-glam-ta111b0z4-f11.html

Unfortunately I don't have Time to head of one of the cities near me. Am equidistant to 3 but where I stay locally doesn't have that service.

Will have to be an online job.

I forgot about mango, thank you. That dress is nice too!

You can shop TK Maxx online?

Scarlet and Jo is also great (with plus size models so you can actually visualise what it looks like)

No to the Coast outfit from me anyway!

If you are big of boobage the Coast jumpsuit will not be flattering.

Have just remembered I have another black tie event in Oct, one in Nov and one in March too

This really isn't my comfort zone at all!

I am same age and shape as you and loved the dress I got from here www.gatsbylady.com/. They have a stretchy layer then mesh with beading and so have room where you need it, skim in the right places and don’t just hang from the boobs making you look bigger than you are. She used to sell on eBay but nothing there just now and just the shop.

@nancybelle these look fab. The events in Oct & next year are evening dress attire so they'd be perfect for that.

This on is a fancy pants thing for 2hours early evening and sequins might be a step too far for this one. Even though dress code is 'fabulous' I have to go alone and would prefer to blend.....

This *one

How about something like this?
I have purchased a lovely dress from them as a wedding guest a few years back.

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/cocktail-dresses/products/navy-blue-vintage-slinky-wrap-cocktail-dress

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/stunning-navy-lace-embroidered-dress-2?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=9337959619&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlK7cBRCnARIsAJiE3MjOAgDbWNneRrCzoMV0nO34uHpQ9QwMPRmveVnBtrEuTbRJWWkzGM8aAgxREALw_wcB

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/navy-lace-embroidered-swing-dress?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=24916369795&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlK7cBRCnARIsAJiE3MiYJC-kNAvsHjcc_CdChxZJxBV5VwAe1oNWdJLMETG--p7v1hBJ6s4aAg3tEALw_wcB

Hope that helps. Sounds like a very glamourous line of work!