So, in a month or so my DP and I are going out for a nice dinner. Nowhere overly smart, but smarter than normal. And romance and stuff. We don't go out a lot, and frankly I just want to take the opportunity to pretty myself up a bit for a change. I live in vest tops and jeans outside of work and skater style casual dresses when it's hot. Frankly, I'd like to look nice, and, ahem, attempt for a bit glam, though not too OTT. I tend to automatically pick up anything that comes in black, but I'm not wedded to it as a colour choice.
I'm not keen on my upper arms. I've lost 5 stone in the last year, and still have a way to go, so they are still kinda flabby. I tend towards lower cut tops, not super low cut, but I have reasonable boobage that I think means anything too high cut makes me look, um, matronly.
Can't see my legs in the photo, but they are probably my best feature. I carry most of my weight around my middle, so I avoid things that are tight around the waist. I'm a size 18/20 depending on fit and 5'8" when not slouching.
I'm 40, but probably don't act it.
I tried to be useful and look online and give examples of what I liked and ask if they would work, but frankly, I have no idea what I am doing which is why I need help.
By the way, I feel quite shaky even asking this question, I've not got a very positive relationship with my body, and I feel nervous about asking people's opinions. But I need to start to get better at living with myself, and I think making an effort to look nice for a nice evening out might do me some good.
I know this seems a small thing, but it's a huge thing for me to start seeing myself as something other than someone who should be hidden away for the sake of other people not being forced to look at me. So any advice would be so appreciated.