What on earth do women wear to parties these days?

[AllTomorrowsParties]

We've been invited to a party - it's at our friends' house but they're quite a glamorous couple so I'm expecting it to be a bit fancy.

What with Covid, I'm quite out of the habit of going out and I've literally no idea what to wear! For the pub etc I generally wear a fairly casual dress or jeans with blazer and boots but I'd like to be a bit dressier than that. The only time I've had to really dress up in the last couple of years was for a black tie do and my full length dress from that feels too formal.

Possibly a jumpsuit? But I've had a quick look online and cant find anything I love.

I'm also unsure on shoes. I'm generally drawn to chunky boots but I've got huge feet so with a dress etc they can look a bit clown-like. I'm not that good with heels, though I do have one pair, in navy, that I find pretty comfy, so possibly something to go with those. I'm unsure about flats as I always worry that they make dressy clothes look frumpy.

Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm 40 and a size 16. Somewhere between hourglass and pear shaped with ok arms and legs but I hate my stomach and hips. I like black, navy, dark green etc. Open to a bit of embellishment but not a fan of frills, all over sequins, etc.

Thanks!

Are there lots of undercover Hush sales reps on this thread? Their stuff is appalling quality.

I'm same age & size - maybe get something you can dress up or down for future use so you don't end up with a single-use item. How about a navy or dark green ride-along jumpsuit? You could whack on a statement necklace or a wide cuff bracelet and some bright lipstick, and still use the jumpsuit later for more casual outings with a denim jacket or similar.

Phase eight and Thought had some nice ones

Jesus the predictive text. Ride-along. WIDE-LEG

@Pigtailsandall

Are there lots of undercover Hush sales reps on this thread? Their stuff is appalling quality.

I'm same age & size - maybe get something you can dress up or down for future use so you don't end up with a single-use item. How about a navy or dark green ride-along jumpsuit? You could whack on a statement necklace or a wide cuff bracelet and some bright lipstick, and still use the jumpsuit later for more casual outings with a denim jacket or similar.

Phase eight and Thought had some nice ones

Funny that - the most recent clothes I've ordered from Hush, 2 sweatshirts and a t shirt have all been of very good quality I've found.

I have a long slinky black skirt from Arket with a split up the side… kind of a heavy knit. Sounds horrible but it’s super sexy. I’d probably wear it with a cream silk shirt and red lipstick. I’ve also bought black evening trousers from the White Company in jersey. They hang really beautifully but are not too overdone ( they were from Selfridges ). I haven’t worn them yet but would probably wear them with snake print block heeled sandals from Jigsaw or emerald green cone heeled shoes. (I sincerely hope you’re not having to take your shoes off. Nothing says glamour like a bunch of guys in their socks)

I'd go silk slip skirt with t-shirt tucked in (youtube tutorials in abundance about how to do this nicely), low heeled pointed sling backs, a leather jacket for turning up and some significant earrings or necklace. I also like your jumpsuit idea - M&S / Ghost have some good silky ones at the moment which I like.

Ooh I'm enjoying this thread! I don't have a house party in the horizon, but a friend's fairly informal bday party and then a dressier city night out later on in the year - this is handy for ideas as I have NO CLUE what to wear 😳

Re Hush - I generally find their stuff good quality, but I had a knitted jumper from there a few years back that wasn't great. Their sweaters are good, I think, and their shirt dresses wash well.

Some lovely suggestions.
Regarding Hush I find their dresses last years, I have Kensington’s I wear regularly and they still look great from 3/4 years ago. I have knew from new look that have a similar look but the fabric is washed out after a year.

I think as with most middle range brands hush stuff varies in terms of quality. I wear t shirts from there still that I got in 2015 and are absolutely fine whereas one from 2018 was rubbish. Their 100% cotton is usually good. I don't like viscose but it seems to be okay quality. I do t get any kick back sadly but they are always worth a look

I have a velvet trouser suit which I got from Jigsaw a few seasons ago. It is excellent with heels or trainers. I team it with a striped top.

I agree - Hush stuff lasts forever. Unless your husband hot washes the jumpers 🤨

Ghost have lovely bias cut skirts that would work but not in silk.

Zadig & Voltaire have some nice silk dresses and skirts.

God I wish I could consider wearing a bias cut silk skirt 😩😩😩

I like the idea of a long, silky skirt or dress. If they are a shoes off house, I'd buy some little black slippers that are like ballet shoes.

If you do want a bit of a heel, I always go for wedges as they’re far more comfortable and easier to walk in!

Me? I'd wear a simple, sleeveless, gold or bronze sparkly top and black trousers or a long skirt. Then accessorise it with 3 or 4 cheap gold bracelets and dangly earings.

Personally, I’d go for flat shoes, such as ballet pumps. Boots are far too outdoorsy for a formal-ish house party and if you have to take them off, you’ll either have to show your socks or your bare sweaty feet. I agree about the long swishy skirt or a maxi dress, and you can tuck your bare feet underneath when sitting if you need to! I’d keep the skirt in a silky glamorous fabric and team it with a very plain shortsleeved polo neck or turtle neck jumper, but add statement accessories, or a glam top with a plain skirt. A matching twinset is good if you don’t know how warm the place will get. Or a plain maxi dress with short sleeves with a little bolero cardigan on the top, then you can take off the bolero if they’ve got the heating up full whack or a wood burning stove!