Evening out - plus size. Help!

[43leftfeet]

I'm going on an evening out. It's not a dress-up-to the nines type affair, nor a casual drink with mates but somewhere in between.

Kinda the smart-casual of evenings out I guess.

And I don't know where to start! My social life has been pretty much zero since lockdown except some lovely pub meetups with friends where I just wore my usual jeans and long tops.

I'm size 24, with most of my weight on my stomach so on a normal day I tend to wear oversized t-shirts / shirt dresses / jumper dresses / tunics with jeans / jeggings / tights.

I want to wear something nice, but no idea - what do people wear on a night out these days!

Definitely need some new footwear for a start, but haven't worn heals since before lockdown and no wish to get back in them! A nice pair of boots maybe?

Any help gratefully received! Thanks :)

No, you'll look like you've lost a fight with a duvet cover!

@leotardrock

Oh I really like that! Where's that from?

It's from JD Williams. They've got a 40% off sale with code FORTY. It ends in about an hour!

It's £30 (before any discount).

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/black-glitter-knit-cocoon-pocket-dress/gr278/product/details/show.action

@Stiffcondomhat

No, you'll look like you've lost a fight with a duvet cover!

It's too late! I've ordered it. But together with a few other things to try on.

It's a glittery duvet cover, so Christmassy at least!

Now to look for ankle / mid calf boots. Anyone know of any good sales on?

Oh, and a blazer/jacket.

These look amazing & go up to a 26, I have a pair and the pleated front makes room for a bit of a belly- & look like you’re embracing your curves, not hiding them
These open toed ankle boots- comfy, practical & a little bit sexy?
Wear with a Forrest green silk blouse- french tucked, hanging out at the back & voila Cinderella! You shall go to the ball!

I’ve just had this sequin blazer delivered from M&S online for a smart/casual work do, it’s great quality and I feel comfortably dressy in it!

Planning on pairing it with some black jeans, silver/grey top and black heeled boots - nice statement silvery chunky necklace too if I can find one!
Link is here www.marksandspencer.com/relaxed-sequin-blazer/p/clp60517299?color=CHARCOALMIX#intid=prodColourId-60517299.

A lot of these suggestions are typical plus sized old fashioned clothes...I'm a 20 and shop at ASOS mainly! Just because I am fat doesn't mean I can't wear clothes that are 'fashionable' 😂😂
The first dress and the last dress you posted are great op! Oversized can be very flattering.

Well a blazer will add a bit of structure :) love that m&s sequin one.

Yours has some lovely Christmassy dresses which could be teamed with opaque tights and Docs or boots. To be honest, shiny hair, nice makeup and a big confident smile will get you a long way. 👍

I’d go online at John Lewis and see what Studio 8 and Live Unlimited have to offer. Go for skimming rather than oversized as too much fabric will make you look bigger than you are. Simply Be also has some nice stuff. Have a look at M & S for ankle boots, or Clark’s or Simply Be.

[quote downtonupton]I also like Seasalt but they arent as dressy - but go up to 28 I think and do have some good tummy hiding shapes. www.seasaltcornwall.com/clothing/plus-size-clothing?size=16366[/quote]
I really like them too, their clothes suit my figure and I'm waiting for a tunic in the post at the moment!

I'd like something a little bit dressier for this though.

@MrsSchadenfreude

I’d go online at John Lewis and see what Studio 8 and Live Unlimited have to offer. Go for skimming rather than oversized as too much fabric will make you look bigger than you are. Simply Be also has some nice stuff. Have a look at M & S for ankle boots, or Clark’s or Simply Be.

Done all of those already - waaah!

I can't work out if I'm being super fussy, or if it's just I know what won't suit me, or if I'm not being adventurous enough!

Oh, it was so much easier when I was a size 10 and had whole afternoons to float around clothes shops trying stuff on and working out what I liked about 3 centuries ago

Instead of having to find stuff in a hurry for a shape that most clothes are not made for!

Actually I don't think I looked at blazers in JL, that might be worth a look..

How about this? www.roman.co.uk/curve-textured-spot-overlay-top-20074295 - with some statement earrings and a dark lipstick could look really good? Also might just be long enough for leggings to be ok with the elusive ankle boots!

Whats the rough boots budget, and what sort of heel are you after? How do these fit the bill? www.johnlewis.com/allsaints-sarris-leather-shoe-boots-black/p4799255

embassylondon.co.uk/products/hatter-gold-pollock

Well that was disappointing!

I ordered a load of stuff from JD Williams, and, probably, all but one item is going back. Mostly it just doesn't suit my round and lumpy shape but I'm not that impressed with the quality either - I've not ordered from there before.

I tried on this very loose dress - it doesn't really suit me but I may hold onto it as a back up if I really find nothing as it is at least easy to wear.

The chiffon dress - well, that's for willowy, flat chested 20-somethings, not round late 40s women! It looked ridiculous!

The top was nice, I'd keep that only it doesn't suit my shape. (Fine if I don't sit down! Then my stomach bulges and it shows this off!)

This blue top would look OK I suppose if I had a nice jacket/blazer to wear over the top like the model, but I don't and haven't been able to find one. It looks more like office-wear than evening wear, really.

I also got a darker version of this silver top. That doesn't suit my shape at all - clings to my stomach!

And, I got a pair of coated, sparkly "leggings". I like the look of the material but the cut is all wrong, it's basically a pair of trousers which, when on, look baggy on the leg and wrinkled.

Also a cardigan that looked lovely, warm and snuggly in the pictures. In real life it's thin and itchy!

And, a pair of stretch skinny jeans that aren't skinny or stretchy enough, but, they'll do for the school run I guess, so keeping them! Oh, and some masks, I'll keep them too.

All in all, very disappointing.

Hi OP,
We sound like a similar shape, I really struggle to find anything long enough.
JD Williams is pretty much always a disappointment.
I sometimes have more luck at Next online, but still quite hit and miss.
Have you tried Marks and Spencer, they seem to cut generously.

I had a mooch round asda today and they had some nice sparkly partywear bits.

@ShowerOfShite

Hi OP, We sound like a similar shape, I really struggle to find anything long enough. JD Williams is pretty much always a disappointment. I sometimes have more luck at Next online, but still quite hit and miss. Have you tried Marks and Spencer, they seem to cut generously.

Yes, it's frustrating isn't it!

Just had a look at Anthropologie and Mango and not one top long enough (and suitable for a night out) between them!

Done Next, done M&S.

ooo thanks for that - didnt know Anthropologie went up to my size - have filled a basket with things that were £90-120 and have been reduced to £36

River island?

www.riverisland.com/p/plus-brown-leopard-print-asymmetric-hem-top-775845

www.riverisland.com/p/plus-cream-asymmetrical-long-sleeve-top-788875

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but what about www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-silver-glitter-oversized-top-pthis?

@downtonupton

ooo thanks for that - didnt know Anthropologie went up to my size - have filled a basket with things that were £90-120 and have been reduced to £36

Goddamn it, I only ever see teeny tiny stuff in my size which is a good barrier on spending but now you tell me that not only do they do more sizes but the sales go that low?!