My 40th birthday, please help me to not look rubbish

[Idk01]

Hello,

I'm celebrating my 40th birthday next month and I'd like a strong outfit for the evening.

I'm a size 16, have found cocoon style dresses from Whistles really flattering lately, such as the Sonia frill sleeve dresses, or the Enora.

I'm 5'8", I've an hour glass physique, with an ample bust (36HH ) and a large tummy. So not the easiest of shapes to work with.

I wear the following looks for work and I'm regularly complimented on my 'look':

High waisted, wide leg trousers.
With v kneck cashmere jumpers or the Aimee tshirts by Hobbs - both with 3/4 length sleeves

Or

Cocoon dresses, with 3/4 length sleeves, v kneck, mini/mid thigh length with tights and lace up ankle boots.

Both of these looks really flatter my terrible body shape. I feel that I look smart, polished, modern and well put together in these outfits.

I really hoped that the Whistles, Lina Dobby would work for my 49th party, but the sleeve length looked awful on me, plus I think there was something off with the kneck line too.

I'm not trying to look flashy, drop dead, bombshell. I'm aiming for smart, sophisticated, not too try-hard. I'll pair my eventual outfit with simple understated earrings and polished low heels (these will be purchased once I have the main outfit).

Key criteria:

V neck
3/4 length sleeves
If skirt or dress, must be well above the knee
If trousers, must be high waisted

I love the look of jumpsuits but always nervous about being stuck in the loo not being able to undo/do-up the thing.

I'd love to get sorted for less than £200 - really annoyed that most of the sales end this weekend (19/Jan/20).

Any ideas?

Hush shirt dress link
Red phase 8 link
Monsoon black sequin link
Velvet phase 8 link

Or tux trousers and satin blouse tucked in?

I am so impressed with how well you dress your shape and the Whistles Enora dress and Hobbs Aimee top are going on my wishlist. As a 5’10 busty apple shape I thank you.

Will keep my eyes peeled.

Thanks @fauxfox

These are great!

The Hush dress looks good, right length, right neck line.

The red phase eight also looks interesting

The monsoon sleeves are too short, they'll accentuate the wrong part of my body

The neckline on the velvet phase eight unlikely to work with my bust size.

@fauxfox are you a JL personal stylist??

Thank you so much for these recommendations, they're fab! I love the tux trousers!

I really appreciate your insight and thoughtful contributions

Thank you so much for these recommendations, they're fab! I love the tux trousers!

I really appreciate your insight and thoughtful contributions

@Lucked

Thank you. I had some help with understanding what worked for me and am trying to build on this knowledge.

At the end of last year I decided to take a Marie Kondo approach to all aspects of my life, including my wardrobe. At the beginning of the month I reduced my wardrobe down to only things which really suited my shape and made me feel really positive about myself. I'd love to be two or three dress sizes smaller, however, I realised I couldn't keep waiting for that to happen before buying clothes which sparked joy!

Thanks One day I would love to do that... normally I just lurk in here and pick a good department store type website to trawl through for suggestions... JL and HofF both have decent search facilities so I can find things more easily.

I hope you find something you love - agree that those tux trousers are fab!

Any more ideas I should definitely consider?

I am a tall hourglass with round tummy too, and I’d urge you to overcome your jumpsuit fear - I never thought I’d wear one but have found the LK Bennett jumpsuits so flattering that I now own three. My favourite is a silk one in leopard print for evenings, though it’s last season so I don’t think available anymore... it even has pockets.

I'm on the tall side (5'9") and I've never found jumpsuits to be long enough. Am I just looking in all the wrong places? I really love how they look on other people, and would love to wear them!

@Love51 I’ve only found the LK Bennett ones to be long enough - am 5’11”. I think LKB clothes come up longer so recommend trying theirs - they are pricey but usually half price in the sales and seem to do them every season now.

@DukeOfEarlGrey

I do love the look of jumpsuits, I'll take a look at LK Bennett this weekend. Thank you for the recommendation!

Jumpsuits are super flattering!!! (I have been VERY curvy and am short arse 5ft1. Have lost 60kg, so have had to dress for every shape between potato and where I’m at now.) I love the idea of high-waisted tux trousers (Zara had Some lovely ones, but their sizing is so bloody inconsistent!!! In theory they should accommodate you.) What I would like to see with that is a schmexy push up bra (black satin, peeking out) with either a white silk shirt crossed over and tucked in, or hot pink or red. Black or sparkly heels. Really hot look, emphasizes the waist and the legs, and your girls. Very classically stylish. Wear with either fab earrings or necklace, but not both.

These are more casual, but the idea is there. Obviously need high-waisted trousers and fitted shirt. (More open at the neckline)

Thank you everyone for all of the different ideas and suggestions, they've all been very much appreciated .

My figure is seeking to thwart me on this task however as all of the suggested dresses that I've tried on are clinging to either my bust or my belly - not a good look, at all

So, I think I'll change tack and concentrate on a two piece or a jumpsuit.

I will report back!

@justilou1

Thank you for these suggestions, I'll be looking st shirts and tops this weekend. Are you aware of any flattering brands, other than Bravissimo for those of us who are very well endowed?

Invest in a trip to a Rigby and Peller OP . It is worth every penny I promise you .

I will look into it. Satin is good, too, in a pinch, but silk is better! I know there is a fab online store - I will try and find it...

I have a couple from here... (I love in Aus) the black & white or starry one would be amazing!
www.thefable.com.au/collections/silk-shirts-1
They’re amazing!!! (Their colours change seasonally)
Sezane has some beautiful silk shirts

*I live in Aus obvs

Serious Amazon Prime is your friend, too

Please can you be my stylist, your fashion confidence sounds amazing. I’ve got a similar shape to you, the belly is thanks to mum tum which won’t do one, I’ve totally lost the plot with what to wear.

Sorry no help, but feeling inspired to update my jeans a T-shirt’s

Good luck with finding the outfit and have a fab 40th x

Oh op! Has someone mentioned London Bombshell dresses!!??

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone who has offered a suggestion, advice or a words of support - all comments have been VERY much appreciated 😊

As promised this was just a quick update on where I got to after my search....So, I popped into Whistles off of Oxford St London, explained my situation to one of the sales assistants in there and she quickly sorted me out with a variety of options. I settled on the Whistles Animal Print Shirt Dress, paired with opaque tights and a pair of killer boots from Aquatalia - Ruby Dry, the most comfortable ----expensive footwear I've ever owned.

As an aside, the sales assistant gently encouraged me to try on the Tailored Jersey Jumpsuit, this looked great on. So, for anyone with similar proportions to me who is nervous about a jumpsuit I would happily recommend this one. Thanks again @DukeOfEarlGrey and @justilou1 for sharing your enthusiasm for jumpsuits!

I'm now feeling very happy that I won't look rubbish at my own birthday party 😂 Wishing you all a fab Feb! 🎉