Evening wear - Toast/Monty Don/loose style

[FajitasMajitas]

Hopefully the title makes some kind of sense!

I have a few evening events coming up and have no idea what to wear so am hoping the S&B board can help me.

I'm a tall (5' 10"), size 14 hourglass/slim pear shape and 30J. I don't like strappy/sleeveless dresses, or anything above ballerina length (but I also don't want anything trailing on the floor). I look awful in black and pink (I'm probably an autumn or spring colouring) and so would prefer something blue/green/brown/orange. I also don't wear heels. If possible I'd prefer natural fibres etc but I'm aware that evening stuff tends to be polyester central! I am probably happiest in wide leg trousers, but will wear a dress/skirt and top.

My 'style' is of the Monty Don/Toast/Japanese persuasion and finding something that's evening wear is completely defeating me. Everything is either neon bright/heavily patterned (stripes/gingham is my pattern limit!) or really short/strappy.

I already have a pair of flat gold slingbacks which I'd like to wear if possible (if only because finding flat evening shoes is also a nightmare!).

I just want to be comfortable and not feel like I'm trussed up and on display!

Either chocolate or navy vest top and wider leg trousers to match and a open silk kaftan/robe picking up the colour.... a really lovely investment piece that you will wear for years with different 'base' top and trousers picking out the colours.
You sound like you have a lovely figure.
Use you height, you will look amazing!

Watching as I like the sound of your style.
What about a balloon shaped linen dress, accessorised? or would that be too sack-like? I don't know how to describe what I have in mind.

a bit like this.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/919646572/linen-oversize-dress-linen-balloon-dress
or as PP said wide leg trous (linen again?) with a minimalist short kimono?

Thank you both so much!

Palazzo trousers with a kimono sounds ideal - I'm definitely going to have a hunt for something that would fit that.

The ballon dress linked is gorgeous, I'm sorely tempted to buy that for normal wear as the colour selection looks brilliant. I'm slightly wary that linen might look a bit crumpled for an evening event, but that style is definitely very me!

I am a very similar size and colouring to you OP, a little bit shorter and a size smaller. A 12 with a 28HH/ 30H bra , As a J cup you aren’t pear shaped !
How formal are the events ?

Eg Cos jumpsuit could you wear a jumpsuit like this ?

I started this thread years ago when i had a different username: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4281220-If-Monty-Don-was-a-woman

Some great links, but try not to get bogged down by the the ego's on parade, this topic always attracts the self professed 'experts'

According to my measurements I'm definitely not a pear, but I see my sizeable hips as my widest point visually so I feel disingenuous saying I'm 'only' a pear.

The events are technically black tie but two of the three are for creatives and so the interpretation of black tie will be rather fluid!

Thanks SirVix! I really like the jumpsuit, especially in navy. Unfortunately though, the 19" leg length wouldn't work with my 34" pins.

I went to look for something like Toast’s falling leaves dress from a few seasons ago which probably met all your criteria. And is decently long.

This current dress would be lovely , well I like it, and it’s a natural material. Bit spendy though.
https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-dresses/products/dip-dye-silk-dress-bright-tangerine

I was a lurker on that thread! I found some super websites through it, I should definitely go back through and see what evening stuff I can find - thank you for for the reminder.

I know what you mean about egos. There were definitely points where it all seemed a bit costume like, rather than just a style and if woe betide you if you weren't doing it right!

Thank you, that's a good shout - I love Toast for unusual colours. I think the high neckline would probably veer into frumpy with my chest, and Toast dresses are never long enough for me - Toast seem to be convinced everyone is about 5'5".

Sorry, I realise I probably sound like the pickiest person about!

https://kirakuclothing.com/ might be of interest? They have good sales!

Something like this OP?

https://www.meandem.com/open-collar-tiered-maxi-dress-clover-leaf

Toast did a beautiful silk velvet jumpsuit. It may pop up in their sales again. Or this one
https://www.plumo.com/products/Nancy-jumpsuit.html

I think that just means that the inside leg measurement doesn’t come all the way up, if you see what I mean. A 19” inside leg would be far too short for almost anyone.

Inside leg measurements aren’t an accurate guide on trousers with a loose crotch and longer rise, you need outside leg measurements for that, which you hardly ever get. This won’t fit like normal trousers with. 19” leg, that would be Bermuda shorts length . I think these probably have about a 36 to 38” outside leg, so on you, with an outside leg of about 44”, they will be lower calf (ish) .