Oh dear God help me. My first date in 18 years!

[Shuffleuplove]

I am going on a DATE. I am 50, newly single and I need help to get ready!!!

It’s next Sunday, we are going around a gallery/stately home type place. I have never met him in real life and my confidence has just ebbed away!

I’m 5’8” very too heavy size 18 and blonde. I have good hair, a nice face and then it starts to go meh the further down I go.

So far I think I’ve settled on a maxi dress with a small sleeve, bit of cleavage at the front, but not sure about footwear. Or anything else for that matter. I’ve got one good hoik-em-up bra.

Help. I really don’t want him to be horrified and leg it. I mean, I know he’s a nice person and that’s unlikely but, well, you know...

Anything with the word ‘peel’ sounds painful. You don’t need it! Treat yourself to some relaxation, a nice bath or whatever instead. Be nice to yourself!

I allocated 2 hours to a date -it ended up lasting 7 (no hanky panky! - just enjoying the activity snd the conversation)

Just wondering what time to check back in later Shuffle ? Got a busy day today but need to schedule you in 😀

@SpeckledyHen this is an evening one so will update before bed.

Am having a clothing crisis since “cuddly-gate”

And also it’s bloody freezing and pissing rain too, so the light summer option I think can be shelved for another day.

So, I am considering: good black leggings, naice black top with either white collar or contrast black satin collar (Thankyou Karen Millen) and my favourite long denim coat which is really a dress but keeps popping open. I know I’m comfortable in these, but there’s a risk I might look like an elderly goth.

I like the long coat cos it covers my tum. Or as my charming mate calls it, “yer gunt”.

Thoughts please.

@Shuffleuplove I would say go with it. If it's very 'you' and comfortable outfit, plus suited to this awful weather without being a mumsy Mac. (Am also similar age and becoming a difficult shape to dress regarding boobs & tum - not as gorgeously tall as you either, sadly)

Black trousers instead of leggings perhaps? Slightly less casual.

I’ve got good black jeans?

God they’re covered in dog hair!

Following with interest and friendly amusement. I'm in the same boat OP but I've been doing OLD for a while. I love your enthusiasm and you sound like a real catch. Any bloke would be lucky to have you, don't forget that! Focus on what you're looking for and set your sights high.

Sellotape for the dog hair?

Going to put them through the washer and dryer

@Aliceclara Thankyou! That’s a lovely thing to say!

Cheering you on OP! Met my now DH on POF. Just celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, 6 years together. You do have to just keep them moving, like a conveyer belt for frogs but you'll find the right one at some point. Thick skinned and enjoy the experience, always have a plan to escape in case they are completely grim. I met some properly creepy blokes. The amateur taxidermist was undoubtedly the worst!!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

Omg I want to meet an amateur taxidermist!!!!!!

This one tonight is soooo cute and sweet! And a massive overthinker which I really like.

You definitely have a way with words and it's been a really enjoyable thread to read after doom and gloom in the news. You sounds like a lovely well humoured person and date number 2 won't know what's hit him. Have fun 🤩

Just found this wonderful thread and I am already (over) invested!
I think going to the same place is a great idea on many levels; you'll be very comfy there, you'll be familiar to the staff should you need help - I know you said they have good CCTV, but still.😁
But obviously the biggest advantage will be when you get around to turning this fab thread into a blog, that then becomes a book that subsequently gets optioned for a mini series/film you can have a montage of you in said place meeting up with a succession of gorgeous, funny men!
But ultimately, the handsome waiter (who is actually the owner but likes to keep it real) finally approaches you and......
Yeah, sorry about that, as I said overinvested.
Seriously though, tonight's outfit sounds great and I like the sound of this guy although (and I don't think I'm the only one) I am very intrigued by ol' Kinky Kermode!
The main thing I would change about myself if I could go back in time - both for first dates and job interviews is my mindset; I wish I had gone in, evaluating whether they/it was a good fit for me and not the other way around. Yeah, that and I suffered too many fools!
I love that you are going into this excited to meet new people and I really think you sound like a catch!
Hope you have a lovely time this evening.

We’re sat hanging here @Shuffleuplove…….
Just waiting for this evening & you reporting back 😃
It’s nice that you like his overthinking & see it as a positive, rather than a negative. Enjoy yourself & do not give a 2nd thought to date number 1 & his snide comment. He’s not worth one more moment of your time.

I may be a bit weird, but I loved the bizarrely awful dates I went on, probably because I wasn't in a rush to couple up.

Two of my dates had forgotten they had children. The reasons were, "she's a baby I only see her Sundays and was just messing about when I had her we weren't dating properly..." and the second "their mum was stressed at me seeing them as she had mental health issues so I let her change their names and take them, but honestly I was the best dad ever..."

I didn't look on it as time wasters, as you live and learn. Both were professionally employed in their 40s, looked normal and until you chat you just don't know who people really are.

Je suis about to commence mon toilette! I had some edamame beans this morning in a vain attempt to lose another bit of weight but I think there may have been something in it that I’m allergic to. My face is quite red, and it was fairly red to begin with, and I have a lump under my jaw. Am going to hit the green foundation again, and take some anti histamine and hope for the best. Glad I didn’t do a glycolic peel. I’d look like I need to head to the burns unit.

Awful dates? Ugh! Worst I had was before I was married - with my friend’s boss. He had all the signs of being socially functional but it was a sham. We went for dinner, and the conversation was really awkward and clunky and so I had to reach into my training days and use some “ice breakers.”
So I (stupidly) said “if you could find out one thing about me right now what would you ask?”
He said “I’d ask if you’re going to shag me.”

I said “no. Why did you ask that?”
And he said “because I’ve washed my cock.”

OMG!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

OP, you were a lucky girl getting offered a washed cock, how could you resist? 🤣

Let’s hope it wasn’t in a beaker, because I think he might have been married too

Loving this thread @Shuffleuplove Have a good meet up with Mr Curly 🤣