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Original poster

Any help with what to wear to an event appreciated - I am clueless!

27 replies

moosemama · 21/05/2018 18:28

My husband’s company has organised a weekend away at a hotel, to include a family fun-day type event and due to his position, we are expected to attend.

From the schedule, it appears children eat first in the evening, then they have babysitters for younger children and the parents will have pre-dinner drinks, followed by dinner and entertainment in a marquee.

I have never been to anything like this before and have never met anyone from my husband’s company before, so to be honest, am absolutely dreading it. I am also completely clueless as to what sort of outfit I should wear to the dinner. They haven’t suggested a dress code, but I am assuming people will all change from their ‘fun-day’ casual clothes before going to dinner. I was hoping to see some photos from last year’s event, but haven’t been able to.

I am absolutely hopeless at this. I don’t wear dresses - ever, as I have awful legs due to a physical disability. I have forced myself into a dress once or twice for weddings and felt awful the whole time. Maxi dresses just make me look pregnant (34HH chest). Fitted leg trousers are also a problem due to my twisted legs. Oh and I really hate my upper arms. I have tried on some of the florals that are around this summer and I feel like walking walpaper! I prefer plain and simple, understated clothes.

I am no spring chicken and a size 16 (well on my way to a 14) hourglass, although my waist is not as defined as it used to be now I’m touching 50. I hate clothes shopping, because nothing feels or looks right on me and it’s extremely rare to find something that actually flatters. In the summer I generally stick with slightly cropped jeans/jeggings or wide leg linen trousers with a more fitted top.

What on earth can I wear? I have trawled through countless clothing shops online, been on pinterest - even tried google images and still have no idea.

Help!

OP posts:
Fingermoose · 21/05/2018 18:34

Hmm, how about a jumpsuit? Or a nice silk blouse and wide leg trousers? Do you prefer any colours if your want to avoid patterns? Sorry for all the questions, I'll look for some ideas.

bialystockandbloom · 21/05/2018 18:40

I'd agree, a jumpsuit could work really well. Can you wear heels/wedges? What kind of budget do you have?

Fingermoose · 21/05/2018 18:41

Monsoon

John Rocha
These are all plain and dark so you could add any shoes or bag:

Phase eight

Original poster
moosemama · 21/05/2018 18:52

Oh, thank you so much for replying. I really appreciate it.

I was thinking about a jumpsuit, but remember being told they’re only for the tall and slim.

Colour wise I wear a lot of navy, but teal and turquoise both seem to suit me, as do dark purple/burgundy. I’m not a great lover of pink, but do own a few items which are darker tones. Everyone tells me red really suits me, but bluey reds, definitely not orange.

Of the three jumpsuits linked to, I prefer the last one, but can’t do high-necks because of my ridiculously large chest and am not sure about black for a summer evening. The Monsoon one is ok, but shows too much leg and the Rocha one is a bit to feminine for me.

Sorry, I really am awkward to dress. I gravitate towards hippy/boho clothes naturally, but have found as I’ve got older that I tend to steer towards a more ‘sensible’, grown-up style that really isn’t me.

OP posts:
Original poster
moosemama · 21/05/2018 18:54

Sorry, missed the question about shoes and budget. I would prefer wedges to heels, although can and do wear both.

Budget, well, I have a birthday coming up so could probably go up to £150.00 ish. Would rather it was less if possible though.

OP posts:
Summerinrome · 21/05/2018 19:03

I would aim for a long halterneck dress to cover legs and accentuate your bust - and a cashmere shawl draped over your arms to cover the top part.
Put on wedge heels for comfort, a lift spray tan and book in a blow dry close to the hotel.

A matching clutch will finish off the look perfectly as will natural make up.

Summerinrome · 21/05/2018 19:03

Light

Teenytinyvoice · 21/05/2018 19:06

Have you looked at bravissimo clothes? They are cut for a big bust, and so are really flattering. I’ll have a look and be back in a mo...

Summerinrome · 21/05/2018 19:07

You could also rock a little bit of boho chic with jewellery if you choose a simple dress

Boden have a lovely navy one and there are some beautiful dresses in ted baker

Etymology23 · 21/05/2018 19:08

www.bravissimo.com/products/kimono-jumpsuit-navy-pd744nvy/

Navy, trousers, wide legs, designed for fuller bust?

Teenytinyvoice · 21/05/2018 19:08

Navy blue jump suit... www.bravissimo.com/products/lace-detail-jumpsuit-navy-pd729nvy/
Any good?

HRoosevelt · 21/05/2018 19:10

Have you thought of using personal shopper service, one just came up to me once in John Lewis and picked a dress for me to try on for an event, which turned out to be real winner.
I would never have thought I was the type to use one, but she was brilliant.

margaritasbythesea · 21/05/2018 19:23

Perhaps too narrow in the leg but this Wallis jumpsuit ticks lots of your boxes.

Original poster
moosemama · 21/05/2018 19:45

Summer Unfortunately I look awful in halternecks. They make my bust look comical.

The only dress I have ever felt comfortable in was a Monsoon maxi dress, years and years ago. It was quite boho, but dressy enough for a wedding. Fitted to the waist, v neck, little capped sleeves and not voluminous like some maxis can be.

I like the first Bravissimo jumpsuit linked to, but the second one would mean a strapless bra, which is a pain at my size.

HRoosevelt I don’t think I would be brave enough. Blush

margaritas I’m not sure about the Wallis one. Think it’s the clasp.

I like this one but it’s black. Not sure how to make black a bit more summery.

OP posts:
eurochick · 21/05/2018 19:53

For the family fun day I'd go for naice jeans. Something like a Breton on top, not a scruffy t.

For the evening, I think a jump suit is a really good idea. I think the black would be fine dressed up with a bit of bling.

margaritasbythesea · 21/05/2018 20:06

I think the Studio 8 one you just linked to is ideal.

madvixen · 21/05/2018 20:13

I love the black one! Dress it up with some gorgeously coloured wedges and a matching pashmina.

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 21/05/2018 20:17

If you can’t find a jumpsuit, how about wide legged cropped trousers like these? With a wedge or heel and a slightly longer top it would be very flattering.

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/navy-wide-leg-cropped-trousers/p/583689541?comp=Browse

Chewbecca · 21/05/2018 20:21

If you don't manage the jumpsuit, you could wear some navy trousers, a simple top & a jacket like this from monsoon which leans to your boho style. Wedges would be fine too.

For the day, can you just wear chinos or jeans with a nice t shirt, mint velvet maybe?

Original poster
moosemama · 21/05/2018 20:35

Dh has just arrived home and he likes the black Studio 8 jumpsuit.

eurochick that’s pretty much my standard daytime style. Crops from bumbling about at home, but decent jeans or linen trousers and a breton for school events and going out and about generally.

madvixen I hadn’t thought of bright coloured wedges. Are you supposed to match shoes and bag? (Again with the clueless here Blush)

Ladypenelope I quite like those shaped trousers with some wedges, but wouldn’t know what top to wear.

cissyfuss I like some of the shapes of those dresses, but prefer plain to patterned.

Chewbecca I would love a funky jacket like that for the music festivals I go to, where I can be anonymous among people far more outrageously dressed, but not sure I’d be brave enough to carry it off in a room full of people I don’t know.

OP posts:
madvixen · 22/05/2018 04:54

If you went with something like this, you would have loads of colour choices to accessorise with.

Any help with what to wear to an event appreciated - I am clueless!
KTD27 · 22/05/2018 05:25

What about other bravissimo dresses? I’m a 34j so with you on the comical boobs and also have an upper arm hatred. I’d wear any of these and something to cover up, up top like a wrap or a kimono thingy
teal is lovely
nice back not sure how you’d feel about the slit though
this which I love though I’m not sure how formal you need to be? May not be smart enough.
Jessica rabbit
and this

TamarindTapir · 22/05/2018 05:36

I think you've found some great options already through this thread, but I just wanted to echo HRoosevelt and say that if you're anywhere near a John Lewis, the Personal Shopper service is great and really not intimidating. You make an appointment and they ask your size, what sort of event you're shopping for and any preferences/dislikes and budget, and they're so helpful. I've used it a couple of times for events when I've been clueless and was so impressed by the advice I was given. Good luck with your choice and I hope you enjoy the weekend away.

Original poster
moosemama · 22/05/2018 07:20

madvixen I love those shoes. Haven’t seen anything similar for sale though.

KTD I have had a look at Bravissimo, but think a long dress might feel a bit to weddingy, iyswim. I assume most women will be in cocktail length dresses in summer colours - although again, I honestly have no idea, so could be way off the mark.

Tamarind my husband said the same thing last night. We do have a John Lewis, finding time to get there might be a problem though.

OP posts: