lunch outfit - fat, frumpy 55

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I am invited to a Big Deal Lunch which is a networking dream. It is hosted in a wealthy entrepreneur's home, catered and schmoozy.

I am middle aged, size 18, 5'5" and at the top of my career but a suit won't be right for this.

I showed my friend my outfit - A line wool sleeveless dress, tailored cardigan and knee length boots. She said I looked like a midwife. I'm not sure how many midwives she has seen, bet they'd disagree, but she meant my outfit is frumpy.

What would you wear to an event like this?

Way back in the 1990s some fool said my insanely gorgeous Jil Sander coat looked like a nurse’s coat.

It’s impossible to say how your proposed outfit works without knowing the brands, the fabrics, the shapes and proportions and how they all look on you.

Anyhow … I am almost irresistibly drawn to this Studio Nicholson dress. Knee length boots, elbows on the table, looking like you just don’t care …

You will look lovely at size 18 and 5ft 5. I would wear something floaty, mid calf with heeled boots which shape your ankle. Something with enough fit to define your shape and in lovely colours. Statement earrings.

(Sorry, careless of me - the brown is sold out. It only goes up to a 14 but many of their clothes are enormous and may well fit you.)

Oh, @CountryCousin I do have a really nice dress that is silk, it's a shirt dress with a clever hemline that makes it a bit swishy. It's fuschia pink though. Too much?

I do love it.

Fuschia? I'm very pale with very dark hair, fuchsia looks good on me. Get my brows done, not much eye make up but big pink lipstick.

My shirt dress would do that, @shiningstar2

Just need to tone down the FUSCHIA PINK?

With your colouring, fuschia sounds divine.
For balance, you'll need a strong lippy!
Have a great time.

Sounds good. ‘Specially if it suits you. And bright pink is a definite power move.

Where’s it from?

I'm not much of a fashionista but was going to suggest going for a bold colour choice from a purely networking point. Fuschia sounds amazing and you will come across as bold, confident and sure of yourself.

Fushia sounds ideal ....

Definitely the pink shirt dress and pink lipstick!

I'd definitely wear a dress.

Phew, thanks all.

It's from a posh shop in Adelaide, Miss Gladys - I was there for work.

It's quirky, the shirt collar is really well tailored but the skirt is full and swishy, it's got sort of extra panels added at the side seams. The waist is a threaded tie, so, it's loose but nips in and swishes out.

I've got black knee high boots but they are a bit well worn. Comfy though and polish up nicely. I'll maybe see if I can get comfy neat ankle boots and a black brooch.

So pleased I posted - I hadn't even thought of that dress!

I'm wondering if a caramel coloured suede ankle boot might look good, if you are buying new ones?

Gold jewellery.

Yes, I've been eyeing up some really lovely caramel leopard print, mid heel, ankle boots in John Lewis sale, @Mosaic123 . I've never bought shoes online, didn't even know Boden did shoes, so I'm a bit reluctant to take the gamble without trying them on. boden boots

However, the weather forecast is clear but cold. The dress is silk (decent, thick silk and I'll put a slip on under it to hide the lumps and bumps) and has mid upper arm, wide sleeves. So, I need something to go over the top. Blazer is too smart, didn't have a jacket that would work.

So, after a lot of panic scrolling I found a REALLY lovely long cardigan that would work...I think. It's a bit whacky but would work over a shirt dress, I think (I also really like their colourful leopard print dress they have as their "pick") Maris

It's not conventional, and it's either hugely frumpy or hugely funky. I've got little blue suede ankle boots which would match.

I'm running out of time, but if I order it today it'll arrive by courier in time...I'm not in the habit of spending 200 quid on a cardigan, but...I think I really like it.

What do you think? It's either hideous or amazing.

It’s a fab cardigan. Really fab!

Hmm …

Well … It’s not my style, and I wouldn’t pay thruppence for something that’s half acrylic. It doesn’t strike me as the sort of thing one would want to wear in elevated company (even informally) - but I don’t know the culture of your industry.

Also, with blue ankle boots it’s veering quite far from cool and authoritative. (Unless you’re the CBeebies representative.) I’d have suggested knee high boots in a very neutral colour (possibly the same colour as your hair to create a cohesive picture).

If you’re going to be inside can’t you just wear powerfully warm thermal underwear and let the frock do it’s thing?

I think so, @Doliveira!

Problem - the model is 3" taller than me. It's going to be full length. Does that make it frumpy?

I'd better land a great big promotion or contract out of this lunch! I do not usually spend days sweating about what I wear to a work thing.

Get the black boots re heeled and polished and they'll come back looking like new. Spend the money on power thermals to go underneath?

Not a fan of the cardI am a similar size and shape to you and I do try and avoid the “quirky fat lady” look (sorry)
The dress sounds gorgeous and I would go for black ankle boots and tights. If it’s at a house and busy it will probably be warm so would you need a cardI or coat after arrival?

Full length needn’t be frumpy, it could be imposing / swishy. It’s looks confident. Are you wearing a boot with a heel to give you something toward that extra 3 inches the model has? Heeled neutral boots matched with neutral nail varnish maybe.

It’s really good colours for this time of year, too.

I think the cardigan is fab. I do think full length won't work tho, sorry, but it's hard to tell unless you see it.

I hate shopping online for this reason!

GREAT idea about getting the boots smartened up and also for thermals.

Your dress sounds gorgeous!

Do not take fashion advice from @CountryCousin that dress literally looks like a sack.
The later ‘enormous’ throw away line was unnecessary too 🙄

Dress and cardigan both sound great. If you’ll get more than one wear out of the cardigan then go for it.

Agreed with @travailtotravel on the boots.