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!

Wow, great minds and all that. I just had a very similar realisation to paper and into. That there is no consensus - there is no "perfect" thing to wear as everyone has different style/preferences/dislikes. And some people may think my final choice (if I ever make one) is the right one. Others may not. But that does not matter.

So everyone here has been really helpful with all their suggestions and I have found it really, really useful. Firstly I now know that I am not going mad - it is not me being frumpy/clueless - boxy styles do not suit me.

Secondly that there are alternatives to jeans and a sparkly top

I am going to try everything (well nearly everything) on again tomorrow in the day light. Today's photos were taken under a very harsh daylight simulating lightbulb in the wardrobe - so think a good idea to check out in more normal lighting.

I think I might go for the dark red Warehouse one. It may not be the most "slimming" but it felt very comfortable - both in the feel of it, and with the fact it was forgiving on any lumps and bumps etc etc. It was not boxy and I felt good in it. I would be able to wear it and forget about it. I also think it offers me quite a lot of versatility and I will get various wears out of it. Other meals/days out etc

I love the black floral one - but it is the most expensive at £140. Yes I can afford it. But pounds per wear may be pricy as I cannot see many occasions to wear it. don't get out to parties much

I have still got the pink metallicy Next top which, again, having tried on again I may keep. At £24 it could be a nice wintery pub option.

Thank you so much for all your help. I really, really appreciate it. I would not have found the dress without you all

Oh, and for a moment about an hour ago I was toying with if I could squeeze in a personal shopping appointment with JL or Debenhams. But then I realised I just needed to make a fucking decision. It really doesn't matter that much. I will feel lovely with DH as long as I am not wearing black lace as he loves me and thinks I am beautiful.

And really, life is too short for me to angst about this any further.

Have loved this thread - my vote is for the dark red Warehouse dress, with striking silver necklace and otk boots with black tights.

Your hair is fucking gorgeous!

I've just skimmed this thread so these are very much instant reactions -
the dark red Warehouse dress.

I love the black Floral one OP, looks gorgeous on you

Black floral out of all the dresses you’ve posted. But it would help to have a full length shot with the boots.

Any chance of a link to the dark red dress? The closest I can find says 'high neck dress' and yours looks like more of a round neck.

www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/flute-sleeve-dress/030084.html Red Warehouse dress here @Mulberrysilk

I've just come across this thread.

I think the dark floral or the dark red warehouse dress are the nicest you've worn so far. None of the tops are that nice. That's down to current fashion trends, not you.

I dread going 'out out' these days, for this very same reason.

Thank you curly. My size is in stock.
Pity its polyester but there's no escaping it these days.

I think the dark red WH is lovely and possibly more flattering/elegant than the floral, and can be dressed up or down. I think you're DDs are very on the ball, there!
I only have a DS and while occasionally he says I look lovely, he usually just says things like you should get a yellow hat. The other night he said I was really pretty when I was annoyed with him so at least he is learning something about tact/relationships.

*your

Sequins like tbat give me rashes around the neck and wrists from rubbing (even if loose ) and look quite tacky i think. Have you tried Mint Velvet?

Oops didnt see there were 6 pages!!! Ignore me ...as you were ladies ..as you were.

But my two cents are that the last two dresses you posted are the nicest and the very last one is beautiful

The dark red one is the nicest on you and the most versatile. The pink the least good.

Oh boo, no that pink Oasis one isn't as nice on you as the warehouse or the last one (is that the velvet one?). The warehouse one is lovely on you and darker red really suits you maybe more than the brights (but I'd personally go for black statement earrings rather than a necklace). Will you wear it with your boots?

The Warehouse dark red is a good colour on you. Have you had your colours done? I think you'd really benefit as a lot of the colours you've gone for don't suit you imo. You might be surprised at the results. I think you'd look amazing in teal.

Bugger, bugger. There I was all decision made (Warehouse Dark Red) and then I just happened to wander onto the Hush website......and into my basket fell this www.hush-uk.com/warm-tones/tina_dress_burgundy.htm

I love it. I realised the colour was the same as the Warehouse one so thought I'd just see (despite thinking it would look awful). I feel fab in in it. DD thinks it is better than the Warehouse on. DS prefers the Warehouse one. I prefer the Hush one. Looks fab with my Vans. Looks shite with the otk boots. So I even popped to Sainsburys to get some more suitable (I think) ankle boots so I had an excuse to keep it.

I am going to keep it. Just trying to work out if it is smart enough for a London date with (scruffy) DH. (He will be wearing smartish jeans and a shirt.)

The Warehouse one feels a bit smarter. Bit more date-y. I love the Hush one. Do I keep both? Opinions on the Hush one pppllleeeaasseee? Maybe I should be talked out of it? Though not sure photos do it justice. (And excuse the bedraggled face/hair - has been a long day)

And I am sorry to be asking again. But Hush kept being mentioned, particularly by the lovely, helpful @Elledorado and @Intomyarms. And I have so much of their stuff anyway.

Hi OP. I prefer the Hush one to the Warehouse one. I prefer its shape and you are showing your enviable figure in it. Personally I'd get more wear from it and that alone would swing it for me. Don't forget some jewellery to dress it up for a night out.

This just popped up on my ad bar. What do you think? Great price if you wanted something very dressy? I love the colour. Its the type of dress I'd admire on someone else but would never be able to wear it.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/jolie-moi-crossover-front-ruched-dress/d815413.pd#272081286?cm_mmc=Criteo%20%28V2%29--Women--Dresses--Crossover+Front+Ruched+Dress&istCompanyId=17910aed-1bae-4362-9580-b523eb87a91e&istItemId=xlxmtlmmxt&istBid=tztx&$ja=tsid:45091|cid:1770655|cgid:177065530851737|crid:957485935

But the Hush one, I think, is great too

Shame about the exposed zip on the green dress which I have just noticed. Sorry I didn't spot that originally.

Keep both. The ankle boots are a great length on you, short enough to show the shape of your legs. It's hard to see how dressed up the hush dress is. It's a lovely shape and looks really well, but if you are going out out you might feel underdressed. But definitely keep it.