Knockout outfit ; important/ impressive, casual and rock chick,

[Catchytune]

I am having a surprise party for my new husband. Will be the first time I meet his old friends. They are all loaded and work in a pretty cool industry. It’s in a garden venue in a big tent with a rock band. I am early 50’s, ok on top, veins over the legs, bit of a tummy. Size 12/14.

How the bloody hell do I dress for this? I want to dance , be a hot wife, look expensive, look like a I haven’t over dressed and yet be “on trend“ all In the middle of winter.

Appatentlyyou need to start with shoes? I was thinking patent boots of do e description?

Don't do too far out of your comfort zone, if it's outside I would make sure I wore flats or chunky heels/wedges.
I am very much a vintage dress lover so I would go down that route with a fur for me.
Or maybe dressed down in skinny jeans/jeggings and a long jumper/jumper dress with funky shoes. I wear irregular choice.
Why do you need to be the hot wife/expensive? I doubt all the other 50 year olds are on trend with hot wives unless they all married someone 30 years their junior. I doubt you want to be on trend fashion is awful at the moment imo.

Thanks raspberryk. I like an irregular choice and s vintage dress too.

My usual look is a bit old now. I want to look good as his new wife meeting his friends. His ex looks amazing - very classy. I am not classy, more quirky. But that looks a mess on dressy occasions I find.
Possibly true about being on trend atm

Would you try one of the John lewis fashion consultantions? They may be able to help.

Good leather boots is where I’d start. Comfy but smart.

Then tights and a dress (midi) or black jeans and a mint velvet style top?

Get a blow dry, and perhaps a makeup appointment beforehand?

One of your vintage dresses, some funky ankle boots ( top shop have good ones). Then team with a leather/faux leather jacket. Team with big rings and some lovely earrings. Enjoy it and own what you wear.

OR faux leather trousers with a flouncy blouse, make sure tho that the trousers sit above the ankle, need a gap between boot and trousers. I am 49 same size 5,6" and wear both looks.

How tall are you/what body shape?

You want a The Vampire’s Wife dress. Or a more budget friendly alternative. Very on trend and much less of a cliche than the traditional ‘rock chick’ leather and denim look.

A midi dress in a pattern/colour you love plus chunky leather ankle boots. Don’t go too far out of your comfort zone or you’ll feel even more uncomfortable on the day

I'd go with a boho-style maxi dress (from somewhere lie Anthropologie or Fix (which are bloody gorgeous if you want to look a bit quirky) with sleeves in a colour and shape that really suits you with high heeled boots and maybe a cropped biker-style jacket or crushed velvet jacket (M&S have a gorgeous olive one right now.)

Do you have a bit of inner rock chic in you? Otherwise you'll feel uncomfortable.... If it was me I'd go with these www.hush-uk.com/footwear-2/footwear/boots/cliveden-boots-metallic-blue.htm and some existing cool jeans or dark grey/black trousers then a sheer ruffly blouse and one of those teddy bear jackets that are everywhere at the moment. I like the other stories one but it's rather spendy www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/jackets-coats/fauxfur/product.short-faux-fur-coat-purple.0643568002.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7DtBRCLARIsAGCJWBrJgyfkp_PPKyILCJm2MEGMHwFguKlWyWVgJeQ6i-9Tir5O7d37jN4aAs4jEALw_wcB

Sorry - one of those links didn't work. Trying again to link to Lux Fix which has vintage-style silk and velvet dresses in all colours, shapes and lengths.

Vintage dresses never really say rock chick to me, and if the 'cool industry ' is something like film/tv/radio, especially if you're anywhere near soho/noho, I would go with maybe the faux leather trousers as pp said plus something sparkly/sequin on top, if short sleeves, a cool jacket, and some great heels but obviously ones you know you can dance in.

Google 'glam rock chick style' for more idea.

Oh my god! I looked up The Vampires Wife - I'm a bit of a rock chick deep down so thought it sounded interesting but those dresses are charity shop meets great-grandma. I must not be trendy enough.

Fab boots hettie.

My usual look is a bit old now. I want to look good as his new wife meeting his friends. His ex looks amazing - very classy. I am not classy, more quirky.

Then be quirky! I know what you mean about it looking possibly 'messy' but you are you and his ex is his ex for a reason.

I have the same problem, I am so far from the MN 'expensive and classy' look and yes I guess for more formal events its harder to do, but then again I don't want to look boring! What I tend to do in those situations is just have one 'quirky' (I don't really like that word but there it is!) thing and tone down the other things - so a pair of bright boots or shoes on an otherwise plain black outfit or something like that? But then again sometimes, especially the older I get, I am just like fuck it and will wear what I want!

Or wear one of your vintage dresses and just own it! If you get your hair and makeup done nicely and are just yourself then I don't think you will look like a crazy dishevelled bag lady or anything, you will just look like a woman who is confident with her wardrobe choices and I think that's actually really attractive.

Sorry that could be the most unhelpful post ever!

I know I'm so lusting after them.... But sadly I no longer work on the TV industry in Soho/noho so they are wildly impractical for my current life. I don't miss the industry but I do miss the parties/clothes

Oh I quite like those Vampire's Wife dresses. But Lux Fix has some similar, as does Anthropologie, for about 1/10th the price!

milliefiori, thank you for that link some interesting items on that site..........

backouch Did you see the photo of Courtney Love in one of their frocks? I am in every detail the exact opposite of Ms Love in looks and build - but I’d kill for just one moment looking as grown-up-ly fabulous as that.

How about this jumpsuit with heeled ankleboots?

So it'll be cold, then re. garden venue?

@Whatsitlike - I covet pretty much every single thing on that site.

Yes I think a jumpsuit (long sleeved and wide legged) would be ideal in this scenario actually.

I want to dance , be a hot wife, look expensive, look like a I haven’t over dressed and yet be “on trend“ all In the middle of winter.

Just reminding myself of the brief ...

Surely if you are holding the party then you set the level of formality in dress? You wear what you want; your guests turn up and judge their own wardrobe choices in relation to you!

Have you looked here?

One of the simpler shapes of dress, or a top and trousers making a sort of mismatched jumpsuit might be rather distinguished.

Oooh. Thank you for all the advice. I love the Lux Fix website.

sclough that’s the sort of trend advice I need. I have nice faux leather jeans and you’re right about “ the gap”. I flicked on the Huush blue boots the other day. I have these boots that aren’t too high and comfortable...are they “ right”?
Might see if I can find a great blouse.