Frumpy 44 first work Xmas party please help?

[Ladyofc42]

44, just got back to work( my baby is 6years!), invited to Xmas party,bar\restaurant. Have nothing to wear. Colleagues all young but lovely. Hate my legs,unbelievable chunky calves.any suggestions for outfit???? Please, don't want to look like oldest granny out for the night , need help 😁

Is there a dress code?

No just a city centre bar/restaurant

If there's no dress code I'd go for smart jeans and a nice top

Or you could suggest that everyone wears a Christmas jumper

Fuck no

Op. What do you look nice in?

Jeans would be too casual I think, I think they'll be in little black Christmas dresses, definitely no Christmas jumpers!

Nothing, fat frumpy middle aged here

If you want to cover your legs how about one of those glamorous (?) jump suit style things, in black. Are you happy revealing arms?? or a bit of cleavage???
I think heels really dress up an outfit- even if they're not super high.
(Off to google something for you....)

Yes a jumpsuit with wide legs

Lady's tuxedo - le smoking?

I m open to all ideas 😁 just with links cos when I'm in a shop I get v pissed off and give up

Can't do links on my phone but this sort of thing from John Lewis

Jacket is lovely ,I just need the whole outfit!

Concentrate on your ‘look’ from the waist up. You’ll be milling in a crowd or sitting down, right? So if you have the money, opt for hair and nails done, nice jewellery.

The rest needn’t be fancy or new, just clean and fairly neutral. Things that fit well, and emphasise the bits of you that you like of yourself.

These ‘young, lovely’ colleagues, they’re at a different life stage it sounds like. They may not have run households or made humans. No need to compete, just enjoy yourself and surprise yourself a bit!

Thanks I'll keep looking online x

I'm late 40s a good 16 sometimes 18. I'm short as well so I look petty muchnlike a cartoon charxter thats been bit over the head with a mallet.
I had to venture out of my invisible frumpy wardrobe earlier this year and had a bit of success (well I had compliments) with jumpsuits. I now own 3!!
I don't like my tummy or legs and use my cleavage as a distraction. My arms aren't too bad but you can always add a chiffon or lightweight shrug or something over the top if that helps.
I started off in Debenhams taking in 20 outfits into the fitting room in 1 go. Just to see what could work on me. I did buy an outfit there bit then had a better idea of what o felt ok in to lo ok elsewhere. Debenhams or a big department store is good for quantity of choice if you are like I was, totally lost on where to start. I picked up stuff to try I thought I would look awful in and was pleasantly surprised. I would suggest you make a day to just accept you will be trying loads of stuff on. Wear easy to change cclothes and shoes to make it less painful.

What size and height are you OP? That would help us advise on an outfit more easily.

RIGHT rolls up sleeves

1. QUIT YO WHINGING. Either accept your body for the wonderful powerful thing it is or lose some weight. Stop apologising for it.
2. We are not going to make you look like you have tried too hard here. That will make you look like Jayne McDonald and no one wants that
3. Book a hair appointment and also a make up thing on a beauty counter. Tell them you have got out of the habit and just want updating. I do this every 6 months. Bobbi Brown give you the charge of it of anything you buy
4. Get your BROWS done. Jeez I see some brow shockers. Shaped and tinted please. You will need a patch test first so get on with it.
5. Get your nails at least painted professionally. Nothing whacky or ' crazy mum' please

1. How are you with skirts. I like this - you could wear with opaques to slim your ' horrific' calves and some really cool spikey ankle boots.

Huge hair. Plain black top. Cool earrings www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/animal-jacquard-pencil-skirt/18288

SImilar here. A really plain black t shirt - no detail or anything. The skirt will look amazing so everything else super plain
www.marksandspencer.com/embellished-pencil-midi-skirt/p/p60201949?image=SD_01_T59_4763_F4_X_EC_90&color=NAVYMIX&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

These with heels and a nice top and biker jacket. It is one of my favourite looks.

www.hush-uk.com/m/womenswear/daywear/trousers_jumpsuits/long_harem_trousers_1.htm

What do you want to show off? What are your favourite bits of yourself? Knowing this will help with an outfit.

Agree with Fairie. That’s a great idea. Next had velvet ones and sequin too. Again. Plain top

Those trousers are easy to casual for a "black dress" type of evening (I have three pairs) especially when in your 40's (as am I)