Hot date next month and I want to knock him dead. Help me, please?!

[MrsDesperado]

Hello lovely MNetters

I have an important date next month and want to look my best. The plan is to meet for a drink or two in central London, then go to a restaurant for a romantic dinner, and then, all being well, go back to my hotel

I'm naturally scruffy, but want to look polished. I'm not very good at doing formal as I feel uncomfortable, that it's 'not me', so struggle with what's appropriate.I think I look ok in a dress though I often feel over dressed.

I'm a size 10, not a great waist and 32E boobs, and lack confidence.

Can anyone suggest me an outift to wear, please?

Is there anything else I can do in the next month to make myself look tip top? I'm a bit tired and washed out with kids so a big priority will be to limit alcohol and sleep more. Is there anything else effective I could do? What about eyelash extensions? Drinking loads of water a day??

Sorry this is so long and thanks in advance!

I quite like the shape of this navy dress - figure hugging but a classy length

With something like the dress I linked to above, I'd dress it down with a black biker jacket.

Out of all the dresses posted I think the one the OP chose initially was the nicest, smart but not too dressy.

Like the blue monsoon one just posted. Beautiful.

Depending on your budget I'd say wear a dress that makes you feel a million dollars.. If you already have one so the better.. Be comfortable with what your wearing.
Good lingerie very important.. You could try bravissimo as you are small back big cups.
Or if you like a vintage / Corsetry look.. I love what katie did... (so does my dp :))
Stockings and Suspenders a must to make you feel sexy and feminine... Tights are not attractive...
Seamed stockings even better and available at ann summers or what katie did or stockingsHQ online.
Debahams also good for lingerie.. Reger brand often has Suspenders.
Now a gel mani and pedi... Matching colour. Maybe a darkish red, I pay 20quid each at local nail bar.
Waxing... Legs and bikini.. At least 5 days before so any redness gone.
Blow dry... I go often... To the one in top shop at Oxford circus (henshey I think), also blow Ltd.. Covent garden.. They are about £30.. So worth it. They do make up too if you can afford that.
I recently had a hot date (OK with my dp but wZ special as had been apart for 6 weeks)... I got dressed at hotel then went to get hair and make up done the hour before date, went straight there feeling fantastic.

Oh and heels... Don't have to be high.. My current fave are the mid height m and s patent black. Cost 19.95

But the most sexy attractive thing is confidence and a lovely smile...

This was posted on a different thread, but is lovely.

www.silkfred.com/boutiques/never-fully-dressed/clothing/josephine-frock

Op... You would not look like a berk... Really don't listen to people saying wear nice jeans...
I used to have dates like yours with dp when we were in a delicate and complicated situation... I loved choosing a dress and dressing up and people wear all sorts in London.
I presume your date is taking you somewhere nice so go for it...

No-one’s told her to wear jeans they just suggested she doesn’t wear a dress that makes her look like bridesmaid.

Eg that Monsoon dress - nice for the right occasion, totally inappropriate for a London restaurant.

I like the bodycon styles linked and generally more casual dresses than many people have linked. London style is edgy rather chichi.

Hmm Tatiana, there is no right way to dress for a London restaurant. I live there too, and regularly see people dress up, down, and inside out. London is a big city where most people don't give two hoots what other people are wearing, so if the op wants to dress up for what she sees as a special occasion, well why not?

"London style" - what a depressing concept for a city that has always been known for its anything-goes attitude. And bodycons are far from edgy...

Who said there was a ‘right way’?

If you read the OP she said she often feels overdressed in dresses. In which case I’d advise against wearing a bridesmaid dress to a restaurant.

Edgy can’t be linked to one particular cut of dress or another, I wasn’t saying bodycons we’re edgy.

Agree with tatiana. Noone's suggesting OP wears jeans and of course she can wear what she likes but just personally I wouldn't want to feel I was in something inappropriate for a London restaurant - as some of these very bridesmaidy/ dressed up options woul be, I MO. Would make me feel less relaxed.

Simpler, more understated is more sophisticated and can still be sexy and stylish.
Can you say what restaurant you're going to, OP?

Might try that navy and delicate asos dress you linked to bloomed - not sure how the high neck will look with my boobs though.

What do you all think of this stories dress? (I know it's black but the blue might offset it a bit). Too casual? Not sexy enough?

I don't know what restaurant I'm going to.

Quick scoot around ted baker. Thoughts?

boring?

too xmas party?

cute

provincial

provincial mkII

cute but it might be too boxy on me

quirky

cute

Sorry that last link is this - cute

Of all the dresses from Ted Baker I like the assymetric one best. Like Blooms options as well. But your original suggestion is really nice as well. Don't over think it, your date will love whatever you wear. Everyone has different ideas about what is date appropriate, go with the dress you like best.

I like the Reiss dress you linked to. Classy and will look perfect in any nice restaurant. Above anything else though make sure you feel good in it - whatever you choose to wear, wear it with confidence!

Hi OP - the thread's moved on a bit, but just to say you can unbutton the Whistles shirt dress as low as you like

I like the original dress you posted.. And don't think any other suggestions looked like bridesmaids dresses.

It also depends how old you are... I am early 50's so may well have different tastes to you..but choose a dress that makes you feel fabulous and you will be fabulous.
It is all down to confidence and if you feel a bit nervous on the night just plaster on a smile and fake the confidence.

My dp says... He just got knocked out when I walked through the door of the restaurant and looked at him and broke into a huge warm smile... He said there was nothing sexier. I asked him what else worked... He said he thinks it's an overall thing.. He wouldn't have cared if I had worn a bin liner frankly as long as I was happy to be there with him he says that's what makes women irresistible. I pressed him about it and he says while little details like clean swishy hair and nicely done nails are good it is probably because they present an overall picture of 'confidence and you value yourself'. He also said that nice underwear and stockings and heels... He is such a cliché. He does apologise to you op but says all men are suckers for these... :)

As far as dresses he reiterated what I said.. If a woman knows she looks good, feels comfortable this reflects in her confidence which is ultimate attractive feature. Nothing worse than sitting through dinner with a woman anxiously tugging at her dress or looking awkward.

Hope that helps

Thanks everyone. Maybe I am overthinking it!

I ordered the whistles one Toss but they only had it in an 8 so it probably won't fit. Worth a shot though!

I also ordered the spotty Stories one as I like it anyway, and I will order the Reiss one to try too.

Thank your dp for his input redjelly! He's right!

I think the Ted Baker ones are more in the right line - less cocktail.

I quite like the scallop one and the Kyotos.

How about this one OP?

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/knee-length_cod367268775782483.html#dept=INTL_Dresses_CLOTHING

Can’t comment on dresses as I never wear them!

Eyebrows threaded a week before would be good. My dad had them done once, just a shaping rather than anything drastic but I’d did make a difference.

Hair: buy a cheap bottle of Hyaluronic Acid. After you wash your hair, comb while wet then work a few drops through the wet hair. Gives more volume, shine and smoothness! Some ppl like a few drops of Squalene oil on ends of hair, especially if it tends to frizzy.

Good luck, hope you find a nice dress and have a wonderful evening!

** Not my dad, my DD!

Bagel, I was starting to imagine my dad getting his bushy eyebrows threaded!

eyelash extensions always make me look wide awake and make my eyes look bigger and also don't have to faff about taking mascara off or worrying that it's smeared all over me the morning after