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!

www.next.co.uk/g7710s6#165664

You definitely need to show off your waist and avoid anything that hangs from the shoulders. Tailored or fitted. I'm not sure you need a scoop or v neck, that white top is gorgeous on you and it's not particularly low. The purple/pink slash sleeve top is nice on you too. The black lace isn't, I'm with your DH on that one. I'm not sure why - is it because it's shaped just like a v-neck jumper?

I think your arms, shoulders and collarbones could be out with a higher neck.

Just had another look and the black lace isn't going in enough at your waist so it looks straight up and down, which you aren't.

www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-tops/7ginc/marcelle-shimmer-jersey-body.htm?clr=000000 Was flicking through French Connection and noticed the 'in at the waist' tops are nearly all low stock. Tells its own story really.

www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-dresses/71ibp/wilma-devoré-short-sleeved-dress.htm

www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-dresses/71ixb/slinky-wrap-dress.htm?clr=ba3067

Not sure whether this neckline would suit you but I have something similar which is really flattering and I think the colour could work on you (and could look great with your otk boots): dress

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/sequin-fit-and-flare-30945bla

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/cowl-neck-velvet-dress-30949eme

I'm looking for dresses that would work with your boots and a longish coat over them for your walking around part of the evening. Thing is, I think for the boots your dress needs to be quite short - a biggish gap between top of boots and hem of dress, not touching or close together. Or else the dress needs to come down over the boots a good bit, but I think that won't be as dressy a dress/won't look right with chunky boots.

Any interest in exploring the world of low, chunky-heeled ankle boots?

Morning All. Have been browsing with my hangover coffee.

So far have ordered this www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/flute-sleeve-dress/030084.html I had a very similar black on that was very easy to wear either smart or casual. Only trouble is it is too big (looked great when it fitted.

Have also got a few things in a French Connection basket. Love the flowery velvet one but it may feel a bit too "seasonal" for the price iyswim.

The Oasis one I cannot quite a click "add to basket" - think it might be the lace thing again

Thank you again for all your help.

Ankle boots - I struggle with these as I have very skinny ankles and muscle-y calves.

All I know is the odd time I have tried ankle boots and a skirt I either look really fat legged - as the boot-calf join just is all wrong - or I look like I have comedy legs as the in-out-in curve of my legs looks all wrong.

I am sure there is probably a solution - I would need to get the right type/shape/etc etc. But with my hatred of shopping and crapness at styling my brain implodes.

I like that pink dress.

Personally not a fan of over the knee boots unless with opaque tights and little or no flesh on show.

Would your OTK boos work with black velvet skinnies, maybe?

It's pink not black lace though curly . In fact I think I may order the pink one for myself ...

OK! . I have ordered enough stuff I may as well order the pink one as well.

Boots more on the knee rather than over the knee and yes - would work with velvet skinnies too.

My PayPal account has taken the most enormous battering!!!

Well if the boots are lower you can get away with a longer dress.

Shoes are difficult. I had a suede mini once that looked great with knee high flattish wedge boots. I have ok thighs but I'm cankley so knee or calf boots are good for me. Chunky ankle boots are fine but I'd look dreadful in skinnies with ballet pumps for example. I need heels to push up my calves. And I don't wear heels anymore because I think they are ridiculous things.

Envious of your calves and ankles by the way!

And try not to go too 'daytime/casual/sensible/dress up or down' for your date with DH.

I know what you mean about not going too casual - but my DH is the scruffiest man alive - so if I go too dressy he will then have post-catholic guilt about not being smart enough

What about Chelsea boots with a dress? They are so wearable. Cuts out all the hassle of changing into heels and the ease of boots make wearing dresses so appealing.

Have you brought any of the clothes that are too big to an alterations place? It sounds like you really like some of your existing clothes apart from the sizing.

I love shopping g and spend hours every night browsing online. A terrible waste of time really but I find it very relaxing.

I would urge you not to discount everything with a higher neckline. I am a DD/E cup and as long as you balance your bottom half is wide legged trousers with a tighter top, it can be a good look and more flattering than showing your chest (not that I think you do!). The problem, I find, with certain tops that suit bigger chests but go in at the waist, is they can create a bag of air between your chest and waist.

I am not totally discounting the higher necks - I do have some stuff already that suits me. I think it is just all the big, boxy stuff that I look shit in. See photos above TBH I cannot work out who looks good in it.

I do know I either need more fitted or the lower neckline. Polonecks though I still think are a total no-no.

Boxy tops look super in tall slim people. I think height is the key!

When I was going through the French Connection website I was thinking the boxy stuff looked horrible on the models!

This popped up in the ad space just now, thought it might be nice with the boots - would need brightening up with jewellery.

www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?pid=000211396000&campaignid=68554&tid=gupm000010&dfa=1

That is a lovely shape Apile but I think I need to/would like to avoid black.

I returned the black lace top and as I was leaving saw this on display:www.lauraashley.com/uk/dresses/flared-sleeve-shift-dress/invt/mda083 They didn't have my size so have ordered on-line and will see what it looks like. It maybe too baggy in style but I am hoping the boobs will help a fitted look on my top half.

I also took the pink Next top back. I had ordered the 6 on line and it looks better than the 8. Still drapey but less "wearing your big sisters clothes". This may be my fall back if nothing else suits. Easy enough to return if a better option comes along. I don't "love' it so am reluctant to commit atm.

A few other Next bits turned up as well. A couple of Lipsy/Yumi Dresses and this www.next.co.uk/g7738s5#189821. Lacy next top just looks/feels cheap and nasty. The dresses www.next.co.uk/gl92232s4 too baggy. They could look OK if a smaller size. Either this is just an extension of Next's ridiculous, ridiculous sizing or I am really a size 8. Dresses were OK enough that if I do not like anything else I have ordered I may re-visit in smaller sizes. But although pretty I think the blue floral element to both just not the vibe I want for a December night out.

So, Oasis, Warehouse and French Connection hopefully arriving today. DH working from home and I have warned him (and reassured him that vast majority going back and anyway, all from my account, so even if it wasn't he doesn't need to have a panic attack . )

That Gap dress comes in red too, bit it doesn't look as nice - it puts me off if something is only nice in black. I wonder if the next top I linked to above would also be crap? That's what I hate about online, no idea of what it's really like fabric wise, and such a pain to have to bring things back.

Fingers crossed for you Curly!