I am going "Out" out.....

[CurlyPJ]

And I need a top!

Actually I am going "out" (friend's 40th at a bar) and then "out" (out with group of us at a Prosecco and Pizza night) and then DH is taking me "out" to a very nice restaurant.

So 3 events. Wardrobe options looking dull. I am a jeans and jumper person. Want to go a bit more glam. Please will you help me?

Am size 10 (proper size 10 not vanity 10) and fairly toned. Will consider skimming/fitted stuff as not feeling muffin-topped/love-handled at the moment. I do have wide shoulders and biggish boobs though so high necks look awful - look much better with a scoop/v-neck look. Also the big boxy stuff kicking around a few months back does nothing for me.

Colour wise I have blue eyes, pale pinky skin and grey sparkly curls (see here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3083440-Ive-found-a-curly-hair-hairdresser

These days bright colours seem to suit me best - cerise, purple, red, Hush's "radiance" turquoise here

I look shit in anything with orangy/warm tones.

I cannot remember the last time I went out not wearing a jumper or t-shirt .

I have jeans (black and blue) ditto cigarette pants and my gorgeous All Saints jacket to wear...just need something to cover my bra .

Any suggestions please? (Budget - if is does me for all 3 I'd go to c£75 but I'd rather spend less.

Thank you S&B gurus!

Do you want something with sleeves?

Don't mind. Could do either. Think I'd prefer sleeves but would't discount sleeveless/shortsleeves.

Oh and some patterns I can find troublesome. I think it is the curly hair. Curls + patterns can often just seem toooo much iyswim.

Patterns are fine 😃

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/taupe-jersey-sequin-tee/13399

I was in monsoon the other day and they have some nice looking fancy party jumpers and tunic style dresses that might suit you.

I love that littlebillie but it would make me look awful - beige/taupes are a total no-no. Make me look like a grubby 1980s magnolia wall in need of a coat of paint.

I heart this:
www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections/76enl/cosmic-beam-sequin-top.htm

I'm liking crushed velvet tshirts at the mo. Nice bit of texture with my plain black jeans.
I've got a pink one and a grey/silver one.

OK, so have a couple of things in my JL basket at the moment

www.johnlewis.com/warehouse-sequin-velvet-long-sleeve-top-navy/p3373081 Have popped a red and a blue in the basket.

Also thought I'd try this out: www.johnlewis.com/warehouse-metallic-lame-knot-front-top/p3363397?colour=Midnight Not convinced as the neck/boob area may be a bit wrong and make me look like I have a couple of puppies down my top. Also the shiny/lame thing may be perfect - tipping the top into evening wear...or may just be...er...naff?

And then this www.johnlewis.com/store/phase-eight-sequin-macey-knit-top/p3367327?colour=Ruby&isClicked=true Again - sequins could be perfect or naff but thought it worth a try.

Any thoughts? Have I wandered into middle-aged frumpsville with my choices? Do I need to rethink? Any other suggestions?

(Can you tell it is a long time since I had any "Out-Out" events in the winter? )

I like that blue one.
Do you think it would work with a black cotton pencil skirt?

How do you know you're a proper size 10 and not a vanity one?

Surely if you wear a size 10 you're a size 10? Size 8 you're an 8, 12 you're a 12 etc...

Reggae because I was this size about 20years ago and a size 10 then.

But for a 5 year period c2001-2016 I was a stone and a half heavier, considerably larger and yet Sainsbury's, Next, etc had me in size 10s. Sometimes size 8s. Known as vanity sizing. I had been a similar size later 90s and was a far more realistic 12-14 then.

Sierra which blue one in particular?

reggae some manufacturers make their corner a size bigger than the label, do they "feel thinner" and go beck for more. It's the only thing that keeps people buying M&S clothes.

The first top you linked is the nicest, I reckon. That'll look lovely with black jeans & heels.

The blue warehouse top is the nicest one you've linked to by far.

Opps, these are the red/blue tops I have added : www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-posey-velvet-split-back-top/p3361130?colour=Scarlet%20Red

Any thoughts on these?

Oh God. I was feeling quite pleased about being back in a size 10 after a summer of going to the gym!

I've spent a fortune on new clothes so i suppose it definitely works!

The sequin blue

Warehoise one

The red one is nice, especially as coming up to xmas. I don’t like the other two, I’m sorry, the sequinned one looks quite old fashioned and the knnotted one looks cheap.

I ordered the JL stuff and have also just ordered this from Monsoon uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1.3/3422090108 I think I prefer this so far - but it may not be as pretty in real life and/or may take me to frumpsville.

Monsoon did have some lovely stuff in there - but sooo much of it was just all wrong for my shape (too frouffy at the shoulders etc). There was a lovely sequin top but the combination of the high neck and cutaway shoulders would have made me look a bit hulk-like.

Will update. Happily look at any other suggestions.

Don't get any of the sequinned ones. So cliche. I like all of the non glittery, non sequinned ones you've linked to.

Not too keen on any of the above Curly. You said, wearing under jacket , so obviously it has to be sleeveless. No problem if you're size 10 and toned.
Also if you're big on top a V neck is most flattering and probably a bit more fitted than the ones above.
Or something cropped would look good!