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!

OK, so the results are in.....

These are all "no".

The red Laura Ashley dress is lovely - beautiful colour and material. But - too big (size 10) and too long. I know I could get a smaller and altered and will be a consideration if nothing else suits. But not sure if love it enough to be arsed with alterations iyswim

The pink and dark red are the "slinky" dresses from French Connection. Very flattering but the material has that slight hint of "cheap" about it. And shows every single bump. So the buckle on your bra, the little bit of back fat, VPL unavoidable - unless you don't wear any. Wasn't too tight - just very clingy.

So think these will go back - though I did feel very slender in the FC "slinky ones"

Opps Hold on

And here are what I think are the maybes.

1. Pink Oasis lace
2. Black florally velvet
3. Dark red Warehouse

I have also taken a photo of one of them (think it was the Warehouse one) with my riding boots on. So in essence Chelsea boots .

I am open to (maybe) getting some alternative shoes. But I just see me with ankle boots + dress and it just looks weeiirrrddd. Cuts me up. Odd shaped legs. I am off shopping with DD on Monday (don't mind shopping for her) so could potentially pick something up then. If I had the faintest clue what to get....and without a heel OK I can stomach a very low one

Bugger. Done it again. Photos. Sorry.

So please. Honest opinions please...

Oh god. I have exposed my nobbly-kneed pale, probably hairy and weedy legs to the interweb.....

The red French Connection dress is the only item you've posted a photograph of you wearing that I think looks great.

The rest are all resoundingly meh and definitely in the shapeless sack category for me.

That dress is super flattering to your figure and the colour really suits you. You look very foxy in it. Is the slinkiness of the fabric a total deal-breaker?

Have you tried Hush for dresses. I can’t remember if you said you like or avoid black? The Alexandra might be nice? It’s awful on me as my hips are too big and I look very dumpy in it but it might suit you as you are petite. I love the Mallory jumpsuit too. Again it wouldn’t suit me but it looks great.

Trying to avoid black. I love Hush stuff and have a fair bit but their dresses at the moment are all very dark/black. Particularly in the styles that would suit me.

The new Freesia dress is beautiful too.

Actually after seeing the Freesia in green, I take back my original comment.
Just read you are avoiding black.
There is a nice metallic skirt and I’m sure you could get it cheaper elsewhere as there are quite a few around. Then again you will be stuck for a top though or will end up wearing black with it.

This might be too short
m.esprit.eu/womenswear/trends-specials/we-love-velvet/velvet-stretch-dress-gathered-waist-117EE1E031_600?referrer=default

But it might be worth looking at Esprit. They have great customer service too if you need to return.

I think with your hair, you need to go more funky - a lot of the dresses/tops are too frumpy and box shaped. You have a great figure so try the Willow Wrap tie blouse in black from Boohoo - you can cinch it into the waist as tight as you like. No vanity sizing here so size 10. Wear it over some pleather PU leather style leggings or trousers to funk it up. Boohoo have them but so do Asos - the other brands you're looking at all have vanity sizing and their PU leggings will be more like trousers which won't work with a longer line top. You could look amazing but you just need the confidence to step away from the mumsy brands. If you have more money, and you seem to have!, check out All Saints for pricier versions.

Totally love the pink and burgundy dresses on you - and I’d buy that warehouse twisted knot top it’s gorgeous

I've just had a look at the WIllow top and totally the wrong colour for me. It would be a great shape - but both the pastel pink and the black make me look very washed out.

I would love to have the balls to funk it up - but I think this is the problem - I don't even know how to do that.

Oh and have already browsed All Saints - again - the colours seem to all fall into the drab. If they don't then the style is big, boxy or slightly blowsy - all of which I have to be careful of.

I love the dark red warehouse dress!

You look stunning in the French Connection dresses, particularly the pink one with your hair.

All the other dresses are hiding your enviable figure! The pink lace one is too matronly by far - I can see HMTQ wearing a longer version.
The red one with the lovely sleeves is nice but a bit day time. The floral one is also nice enough but also a bit plain I think.

Support tights and a slinky camisole under one of the FCs? Is the fabric just thin or is it cheap looking (would expect better from FC but these days I suppose everything is gone cheap).

Right. I shall go and try on the "slinky" FC dresses again. Tbh I did feel great in them. 'til I glanced at my back..iykwim.

I think I have a cami somewhere I can see if that works.

I will be honest though they seem very "classic" so I am not sure that, even though they are flattering, they feel a bit dull.

Fuck. Maybe we should go to McDonalds?

The FC slinky dresses are a no. Tried with cami (albeit that is too fucking big as well fml). It did smooth (despite being too big) some of the lumps and bumps but you could see the straps of the cami through it.

Also if you sweated even a tiny bit you'd see it. And my shoulder carry any excess weight and just all blerugh. Loved the sihouette they gave me but after that first impression it all gets very picky in my eyes. And I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

So anyway. I got my other harshest critics to give their opinions - namel 11yoDD and 9yoDS. They were:

• Black Floral Velvet - lovely. Very much a party dress.
• Dark red fluted sleeve warehouse. Initially a bit "but the arms are too short" when I explained they were supposed to be like that they thought that it was lovely as long as I put a necklace or something sparkly on.
• Pink lace Oasis dress. Much face pulling. "All wrong with the curls". "Makes you look like you are wearing something Grandma would wear." Generally a "no". Too old a style for my look. (Apparently would look lovely on a 45 year old with long straight hair but not me with my grey mop ) *Both FC slinky ones. No. Looks "plasticy". Sleeves are too long and style makes it look like you are a little girl wearing her mum's dress.

Their favourite is the dark red Warehouse one. And think it is more of an evening out with Daddy dress than the velvet one which is more a party dress.

So now what S&B gurus? Do you agree with the DC?

I honestly don't think the bright colours go well with your colouring and hair. Grey hair can look chic when paired with silver grey, charcoal, black or navy, and worn with red lipstick and silver jewellery, but I don't think the likes of fuchsia does you any favours, sorry.

Out of everything you've posted, I think the dark blue, drape front (lurex?) top way back at the start was the best.

Oops, cross posted.

I really like the pink, the red FC and the dark floral. All look lovely. How do they look with tights?

Your 3 maybes all look great on you. My favourite is the dark red warehouse dress. (I'm off to order that one for myself). I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

God your figure is gorgeous and I think you look great in all the dresses !

Red laura Ashley dress in a smaller size - don't need to take the length up.

I don't mind the pink oasis dress but less striking than the red - not sure about the colour on you.

I think you can get away with the shorter length dresses with tights and long boots. I'm not keen on any with bare legs. There's nothing wrong with your pins, it's the colour difference between dress, legs and boots.

I don't like the cross-over top ones very much. They look a little old-fashioned to me.

I am a stranger on the internet who could be sat here in a tracksuit. Do any make you feel particularly good?

Papersmile is right. We all have different styles. On the rare occasions I go out, I wear midi skirts, a top and a leather jacket or skinny jeans with a top. I rarely wear bright colours apart from the summer months. It depends on your usual style and you then could ask people who dress the same/in the same colours to suggest as they will know where to buy the colours you prefer. .