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!

This would suit your colouring:
www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/red-frill-blouse-7042006?bi=0&ps=20

I'm not a fan of sequins.

Or this - both colours would suit you:

www.zara.com/uk/en/short-sleeve-crossed-front-blouse-p04437251.html?v1=4786504&v2=733890

The Zara ones are lovely Chocdog

So, the JL order arrived. For some reason the bright bue sequined top was not there - either must have not ordered it as thought or out of stock.

Anyway. The velvet ones from White Stuff are lovely but the velvet creases to buggery and they just "sit" in a very square way. Looks lovely from the back to be honest but shite (in very crap-at-style) opinion. They are also EEnormous! I tried the red one on but was so blurgh about it I didn't even bother to try the blue one on. Though the blue one was a gorgeous colour. I would never feel right wearing them so didn't bother.

The red sequin one was hilarious. I felt a bit Pat Butcher meets something large, square and glittery.

The blue knot one was surprisingly OK. I am not sure if that was just because, compared to the other two, I did not feel like a box!

Have attached pics for your amusement. Please excuse hair (just out of shower) and other general rubbish appearancy/selfie stuff.

Opinions on tops very welcome - as I may be seeing 'boxes" where other, more knowledgeable/up-to-date folk will see the latest style.

I have the monsoon one coming tomorrow.

I looked at the Zara ones - I have had sleeves like that before and they just did awful things to my shoulders/top of my arms. That was when I was a stone and a half heavier - but am wary still of the drapey/flounce cap sleeve thing.

I was in Sainsbury’s just now and saw one that might work. It might be a bit pale though.
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Foil-Panel-Detail-Top/132638612-Cream

ooo, lovely shape but yep cream and me are not a good mix. Since I let the greys come in I definitely need colour and to avoid "warmth" iyswim.

Dye it? It’s cheap enough that if it didn’t look great then you wouldn’t have lost out that much!

What are you going to wear on the bottom half?

If you are sticking with jeans, I would wear a much tighter and low necklined top with a jacket.

These are all 'cover up' tops which can be nice with tighter trousers (e.g. leggings or jeggings) but can look frumpy if not with the right bottom half, they also don't sit so well under a jacket.

You need to try them on with the rest of the outfit, to see the overall 'look'. At the moment, these aren't working with the jeans IMO.

Bottom half probably skinnier than these^ blue or black jeans. Or I have some GAP cigarette pants type things. Did take a photo of the red ones in skinnier trousers and still looked very boxy.

Oh god. I hate having to dress up

And leather jacket only to get to venue. Probably would not keep it on once there iyswim.

Oh and liked the idea of the dye for the TU top and looked into it - think polyester doesn't take colour very well. May be in Sainsburys later so may have a look and try on for shape - as, as you say, it is not a big outlay.

This is just my opinion, and I'm sure that those that are into their 'colours' would disagree, but I honestly think silhouette is more important than colour. Go to TU and try on 10 tops to see which shape is best on you. You have a good slim figure but at the moment it is swamped by shapeless tops, you'd be better with a crisp tightish white or black t-shirt with a deep V! I often find Christmas party type tops awful anyway, as they are made with horrid fabric. If the cream top looks good shape-wise, I really don't think it will do anything terrible to your face- as you'll presumably put a bit of colour through make-up anyway.

That said, I live in nice black jackets, quite boring tops, and add bling through jewelry, high heels and nice bags. It's a different approach to dressing up, I guess.

I think you are right about shape. I have an initally "easy to dress" figure - but actually the broad shoulders can cause real problems - particularly with the current trends for big and baggy up top.

I may well check that top out. Certainly the JL red ones are going back. They really do nothing for me. The blue one is OK actually - but to be honest if I prefer the Tu one then that may be a winner

I am slightly hopeful for the monsoon one - just because I think it is really pretty. But as above, patterns and curls can look too much in my opinion. Everything too busy.

If you have the time try an in store stylist. I used Debenhams to get a ball dress earlier this year. Was great. Found a lovely dress and all the rest. Whereas John Lewis was fecking awful.

You have a great figure and i don't think you are making anything of it. Those tops look very ordinary too. Though they might look better with dressier trousers/a skirt and some accessories.

Hope you get something nice soon and have a great few nights out!

I keep look at the red sequin pic (bottom right) and laughing. A lot. How silly do I look?

Ah....just realised what I am reminded of - a sequinned American Footballer!

From the pics the blue one is the best by miles. The others make you look boxy, which you aren't.

I would go back to the drawing board CurlyPJ, none of those tops does anything for you. You have a great figure but they all swamp you. The blue one is the best of the bunch but I wouldn't call it an "out out" top - you wouldn't look overdone wearing it to the shops imo.

My local Sainsbury's didn't have any of those tops. Didn't fancy anything else (again, lots of boxy stuff..well and Christmas jumpers and PJs)

Think I may take DD off to the shop tomorrow. Probably only got time for a few stores but maybe get some other options.

You're so lovely and slim have you thought of fitted dress with V neck.
Strappy heels and fine black tights. Good value as youve got three nights out.

Been looking online and LBD is the way to go. Plus always handy to have/ doesn't go out of fashion. Go for it! If you don't Go out out very often, why not feel fabulous instead of just you with a new top. Boooorrrring!!!!!

A v neck peplum top will balance you out OP.
Here.

Ok, so the Monsoon one has arrived. It is very pretty but just not right. Again, maybe a bit too boxy for me. DD (11yo and quite good at what looks good/doesn't) says it is lovely but just not right.

I am desparate to avoid hitting the shops (hate shopping with a passion. And have had a dig thorugh my wardrobe for some stuff. Trouble is a fair few things are too big - so again not looking great. So we have what I think are "nos"

Purple on white background. Think is too baggy. OK for relaxed summer
Orangy on cream background. As above
Monsoon velvet top - too dark and boxy. Though pretty
Red 50's style shirt. Lovely neckline. Too big.

And then these ancients have been dug out. I actually think these are the best so far. Though not as glam/"out-out" as I wanted:

Coral tie-dye (I know!) cowl nect (I know) top. I have owned this since 1999ish. I met DH whilst wearing it. Suits me, but not sure if looks 18 years old style-wise. Or maybe it is so old it is back on trend....(See, told you I was crap at this)

Cheap but pretty white flowers. Has a bit of a sixties feel to it. But is not very glam. Cotton. Summery?

If you can't be bothered /save money. You could get away with the white flowery top. Bit Summery! But who cares, at least it fits better than others.
If not, get down to Primani and but something.