Clothing emergency!

[thesootherfairy]

I have a proper clothing emergency and very little time to sort it. I'm literally desperate.

Next week I have an event. It's evening drinks but v posh.

Problem is that any suitable "nice" posh suitable outfits no longer fit.

I changed career after DC came along and new work so way more casual so not needed anything like this for 15 years.

I obv have dresses etc but they're too much for this event.

Event is branded smart casual but it's incredibly upmarket

I could cry as I am now too fat for everything suitable that I own.

I'm 5' 10" and a size 14 😢 I was a size 10/12 until recently so I don't know how to dress myself any more.

I've literally only got tomorrow to hit shops. I already tried to order something off Biden but I looked terrible. Like a fat sack of spuds. Wasn't suitable for my shape (extra weight seems to have gone on tummy and thighs just make it all worse).

What do I do and where to I go?
I had an idea of wide leg linen trousers (not white) but with what?
Happy to spend whatever is necessary to avoid turning up in jeans

All suggestions appreciated

Try phase 8. They have nice dresses and they are lined. I find them very flattering

Mint velvet, they have relaxed/dressy clothes. I'm the same size as you, I find their clothes flattering

Was hoping to avoid dresses. I only tend to wear a dress on holiday with DH.

Also worried a dress is too smart.

😫 as you can probably tell I don't go out often!!

I'll look at phase 8 now

Do you have a Next account? You can order loads of different outfits to try on at home and collect/get delivered next day. They do lots of different brands which is useful, including Phase Eight as pp suggested.

How about a jumpsuit? Can dress up or down and outfit sorted, no trying to find a matching top and bottoms. Slightly less dressy than a dress maybe?

www.phase-eight.com/product/lissia-jumpsuit-221031014.html#cgid=jumpsuits&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221031014&pos=25

Would this work or is it too dressy and not casual enough??

@Rainraingoaway21 snap.
Jumpsuit idea is interesting but worried about how large tummy vs jumpsuit will work out?

Firstly being a size 14 at 5'10 isn't huge so give yourself a break.
Marks & Spencer have a lot of summer dresses these days. Have you looked at Monsoon?
I think a dress is easier. If you find trousers or a top you like it can be difficult to find something to go with it.

That is lovely OP! Gorgeous summery colour and model is similar height to you so the length would work.

Is the event indoors?

@Rainraingoaway21 event is outdoors. Might not be warm enough. Hence thinking trousers.

@Psychicpineapple I'll look at monsoon now. Not looked at M&S

Can you get to a John Lewis? They've got lots of brands, plus their own stuff, I always manage to get something in there for posh do's! My tip would be decide what you want to wear on your feet and build your outfit around that. What's the weather going to be like too?

I'm a 14 and I've just bought this dress in the S/M for an event - I'm going to wear it with bright pink Zara heels and bright pink bag.

manamou.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/koko-midi-dress-leopard-print

www.pocketsforwomen.co.uk/product/8305/collectif-mainline-gael-houndstooth-pinafore-jumpsuit
How about this one? No idea of your style preferences, but at least you dont need to find a matching top?

Can't do next or monsoon. Those types of dresses don't work for me. I'll look pregnant.

Also very pale so can't pull off patterns.
Cool Nordic colours grey blonde hair. Look best in strong pinks mauve grey khaki green or blue but not too dark and no patterns.

Would something like this work with plain linen trousers? www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/v-neck-linen-top-multi-ikat-charm/sty-t0960-red?cat=C1_S2_G18

Sorry, cross posted before you said no you don't like patterns!

How about a skirt of some sort with a top? Can dress up or down the top with a plain top

I find the pleated skirts quite good at hiding tummy. Something like this - can make it casual
with the type of shoes.

@Rina66
I'm limited to flat shoes thanks to arthritis.

I have fantastic shoe collection which thankfully still fits.

I really don't want to go to this event but it's sort of not optional (hard to explain without outing).

Before I put weight on I could have just ordered off the internet and it would have been fine and I knew what suited me. It's like noting works for my new shape.

Two weeks ago we went to a birthday party and I wore what I thought was a nice outfit however two people congratulated me on being pregnant. Some achievement considering I'm 50 😂😵‍💫

Size 14 isn't worthy of a crying face OP! It's smaller than average and you're tall. I bet you look great.

What I've noticed is that since the pandemic the more casual end of smart casual has definitely been embraced. It's summer, which tends to be even more forgiving in terms of more relaxed clothing. Basically you'll be fine!

@Iveonlygoneanddoneit
Skirts won't work. It seems to be my lower tummy that bulges below the waistband
Makes everything hang off me really strangely. Like there's a big lump stuck to my front below the waistline.

oh, you sound stressed! You have one day, you can do it!

id reconsider dresses, honestly SO easy, I’ve started living in them

im a nz er and we invented the dress over pants look :) I love it if you get the proportions right

And the leopard dress above is fab! Understand not for you, but looks fun, flattering and affordable!

Okay, no patterns, what about a trouser suit in khaki, with this cream cami underneath? I have it and it covers/skims over everything! Also comes in pink which you could wear under a pale grey trouser suit? I have it in all the colours, great under jackets, cardigans, kimonos and shackets, it makes lots of things in my wardrobe wearable over my tummy...

www.phase-eight.com/product/hallie-pleated-wide-leg-jumpsuit-220513857.html
I bet this colour would look beautiful on you OP

Dresses are the way forward. Try lots of different shapes and you will find something to hide all the bits that you are worried about.

I am similar height to you OP and I also am bigger now that before my kids, I would be as stressed as you are.
I would wear a structured denim dress. I think this would look good.

https://www.johnlewis.com/sosandar-denim-shirt-dress-ecru/p6204893?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I know you said no to skirts but I have a few in this style and even with a tummy they are more flattering than you might think.

I'd wear with a shell top in a plain colour that comes just below the waistband, some fab shoes and take a little cardigan in case it's cold.

Roman has lots of skirts and dresses at the moment so worth a look.