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Original poster

Help- posh dinner- nothing to wear

29 replies

lilmissmummy · 14/12/2007 12:48

I am really really stuck as have posh dinner on 22nd December with a personal invitation from DH's bosses bosses boss to go to dinner at his house. Only the directors of the company and their partners are going except DH and me.

DH is wearing a tux.

What on earth should I wear?????

I have put on 3 stone in the last year and none of my clothes fit me and I now have no idea of what suits me! As the mother of a DS 7 and a DD 2, then I tend to live in jeans and tracksuit bottoms with big baggy jumpers to cover up my size but I cant get away with that.

I have tried to talk DH out of making me go but he would like me there for support as he has never been before and apparently it is a big thing in his company to be invited!

Help!!!!

Any ideas? I dont even know where to start!

OP posts:
Kathyate6mincepies · 14/12/2007 12:50

Ooh, you will need a lovely new dress!

Why not go to the Littlewoods Online website and do the thing where it tells you your body shape and advises on clothes to suit it. The stuff on the site seems to be mostly out of stock, but then you can print out some pics to give you ideas and find something similar in another shop.

camillathechicken · 14/12/2007 13:03

go to the sales

i just got a fab dress from emma somerset sale, reduced to £30 !! i am on the plump side , so i know how you feel !! make the most of your assets.. e.g if you have a great cleavage,then show it off, or good legs ...

claricebeansmumhasnomincepies · 14/12/2007 13:11

Why is DH wearing a tux?
Has it specified black tie?

M& S have lots of evening wear

Original poster
lilmissmummy · 14/12/2007 13:17

Aparently it is black tie even though it is being held in his house!!

I will have a look at littlewoods and emma somerset and M&S.

Should I be going for long or short do you think? I am big busted and big thighed so I always think that I look even shorter in long things!

Whats weird is that until I put this weight on I was always really confident in what I wore and now I just feel uncomfortable in everything and totally clueless!!

OP posts:
Kathyate6mincepies · 14/12/2007 13:27

Is it a massive house?

I think once it used to be normal to wear long dresses in the evening but it is a lot more relaxed now. Wear whatever you feel best in.

Original poster
lilmissmummy · 14/12/2007 13:32

Does that mean I can wear DH tracksuit bottoms?????

I think it must be a massive house! i think there is about 20 of us for dinner.

OP posts:
camillathechicken · 14/12/2007 13:33

erm, not quite !! maybe a shift dress over opaque tights, lots of good accesories, good hair and make up...maybe a trouser suit?

Maidamess · 14/12/2007 13:35

Buy a really plain dress, but get a fabulous beaded pashmina thingy or gorgeous necklace. Don't spend much on shoes, they'll be tucked under the table. Gorgeousness from the chest up!

Original poster
lilmissmummy · 14/12/2007 14:19

They sound like really good ideas thanks everyone- I'll let you know if I get anything and how it goes!

If you think of any other tips then please let me know I am still stressing!

OP posts:
inSanityClaus · 15/12/2007 18:36

This may be a big deal career-wise - they must have invited him out of all the others for a reason ..

So I think you can justify a BIG spend and a personal shopper. John Lewis have them I think.

But Mrs Badger will know.

pukkapatch · 15/12/2007 18:39

if you are worried about being a larger size, then make sure you are weraing really good underwear, and magicwear type stuff if you want as well.

FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:43

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:43

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:46

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:47

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MrsBadger · 15/12/2007 18:47

insanityclaus is right - if this is a big deal careerwise (maybe a preamble to him making partner) the outfit is an investment

a personal shopper is a really good idea - JL, Debenhams, HoF all offer the service free

wideleg evening trous are v elegant (whilst still understated) on almost everyone.
and remember as it's a dinner you will moslty be seen from the waist up so do not fret re leg size

(and when you are all glamourpussed up have a good ol' look in the mirror at the fox you can still be, and put your tracksuit bottoms and jumpers out for the charity shop)

MrsBadger · 15/12/2007 18:48

cod beat me re trous and sitting

FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:48

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MrsBadger · 15/12/2007 18:49

oh yes, book cut and blow dry for that afternoon immediately

FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:49

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:50

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/12/2007 18:51

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Original poster
lilmissmummy · 17/12/2007 12:05

I am a size 16-18, my legs are not too bad from the knee down so I could get away with a dress/ skirt but I am very large busted so I have to be careful that I dont end up looking like a tent!

If it is black tie can I wear trousers or would I have to wear a dress? Do you think I would be better off with a skirt and top?

What does a personal shopper do?? I think it is quite a big career do for him and I really dont want to let him down by wearing the wrong thing whether it be over the top or not enough!!!

I hadnt even thought about hair and nails- aggggghhhhhhh!!

Thank you so much for your help guys I really really really appreciate it!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
lilmissmummy · 17/12/2007 12:09

Oh with regards to colours- I am fairly olive skinned with dark brown hair although I do have gold highlights and purple black low lights... [shocked] wow that sounds awful!!! I have green eyes. So I tend to wear black, chocolate brown, emerald green, I can wear certain reds, I look pretty dire in pinks and light blues and light purple.

Is that any help? x

OP posts:
PatsyCline · 17/12/2007 16:57

I am curvy and (until recently) a 16/18 and I have to say that IMO every woman with low self confidence and curves needs a dress like this www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/95200724 It'll cinch you in and it's boned so you'll have a great shape. Also, you'll feel very feminine and sexy. I bought one like it last year when I was at a very low ebb physically and emotionally, but it worked its magic on me.

Have your hair done, treat yourself to some new makeup and remind yourself that there is much, much more to you than having a bum that is bigger than it used to be. I hope that you have a lovely night.