London party outfit

[mamaduckbone]

I've been invited to a party in July - it's a joint 50th birthday bash for 4 of dh's old
Uni friends. They were all very Hoxton and trendy when we lived down in London, but I never was really part of that set and we've lived elsewhere for 20 odd years now so am completely out of touch.

Although we're now all middle aged with kids I know the London lot will still be super stylish. Please help, oh wise mumsnet stylistas - I don't want to look like a small town primary school teacher (even though that's what I am!)
Size 10-12, 5'5", most comfortable in a stripy t-shirt, jeans and converse.

I'd go classic...little black dress and scrappy sandals, red lipstick and statement earrings.

Or the ‘poorly briefed escort’ look?

(Though I guess the OP’s husband’s friends will know who she is!)

I'd go for a well cut jumpsuit in either black or midnight blue, some v.cool trainers and gold hoop earrings Maybe some interesting bangles. Understated and comfy. Nobody in London will be in heels and LBDs.

Just been out in London this week.. used to go out all the time.. now its v rare!
What I saw..
Lots of floral dresses with trainers or simple sandals
Animal print tops with smart trousers
Bias cut satin/silk skirts with a good structured T shirt again with flatties and trainers
Sleeveless waistcoat and wide leg trousers with a heel.. the lady I saw looked amazing.. smart, sexy, sassy could fit in anywhere.
Hope that helps, I've always found being comfortable with my outfit more important than on trend
FWIW I wore a baggy beige silky jumpsuit with sturdy ankle boots and biker jacket, it seemed to work 🙏

In 1985…

"Poorly briefed escort"😂

OMG, please don't do this. You will look out of place and nobody else will be wearing anything remotely like that (unless they are a poorly briefed escort).

I too adore the orange top and wide legged trousers and that type of thing is exactly what I would wear to something like this.

FYI Ro & Zo are 20percent off on their website til tomorrow so you might get this cheaper

I’m going to a 50th birthday party soon and would love this!

If you have nice arms and shoulders (and I would self-tan), a silky tie halter top with wide legged pants and either trainers or flat strappy sandals.

I'm lusting after a Lilysilk polka dot one but they're expensive so will probably have to settle for a satin copy from somewhere!

It may be a bit 'shouty' but how about this with an Arket white tshirt (not tucked in) and white trainers? or with a white shirt, sleeves folded up and tied at the waist, if you get me?

https://www.whistles.com/product/sequin-column-skirt-35665.html#cgid=Skirts_Clothing_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=sequin-column-skirt-35665&pos=22

Not sure about your colouring, but this dress is fab on (turn it back to front to get an open neck), and would work with with chunky sandals or trainers.

https://www.whistles.com/product/aubrey-tiered-dress-36956.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=57&cgid=Dresses_Clothing_WW&isSecondPage=false&pid=aubrey-tiered-dress-36956&pos=69

@mamaduckbone Sorry, I'm new to this and hadn't read on. See that you've got some great ideas from MN I hope you feel really good in what you chose and have a great evening.

The jumpsuits is fine for if you like and suit jumpsuits. I don’t really, got an old Top Shop palm print one and a black short sleeved one which I’ve hardly worn.

I like the dress @GarlicGrace linked to and the Peacock dress too. For me you either suit Arket and Cos or you don’t. Other places which do nice going out clothes are Oliver Bonas, &otherstories, All Saints.

I was in Zara recently, tried on 2 bodysuits (both seemed tiny but I do have boobs!) and a striped T-shirt, everything else I wasn’t keen on but it’s not a great Zara (Croydon).

I see you’ve narrowed it down to jumpsuit and trainers and I think that’s a good call. What I’d say might be trendier than trainers is espadrille wedges. Shops are full of them, I think I’ve got some pink ones and some other low heeled Office ones but need to get some others. Zara only had denim wedge ones.

Omg this rocks my world! Totally the right thing.

I was on the verge of ordering but then realised it was a little too Guantanamo...

Just to echo what some others have said, I go out in london with fellow 50+ boho types (makes us sound like wankers, maybe we are) and the code is very much not 'dressing up'. Was out this weekend at an all-day party and it was mostly loose jeans and casual tops with flat sandals or trainers. A couple of plain dresses and printed trousers.

I'd use your budget to just buy a nice version of whatever you already like to wear and will wear again (comfortable jeans, nice top you could wear at work/down the pub) - if your main concern is fitting in. (You don't have to fit in!)

Similar to what @PacificState says. My friends aren’t boho but are a mix of casual, casual trendy etc. various sizes.

Agreed as to style mostly being nice jeans and nice top with dresses and jumpsuits in the mix. Definitely not super dressed up.

A few friends have embraced the wedge espadrille as I mentioned before.

I love the Ro and Zo linked to from John Lewis and the bright orange Coz jumpsuit. Both look fabulous.

Each to their own but that's one of the ugliest things I've seen on here for a while. The polyester black one with the fussy, fluttery, cape top runs it a close second

So I could get away with my wide leg jeans, a nice top, some jewellery and trainers? Then I really would feel comfortable.
I like the idea of the jumpsuit thing but proportionally I might look a bit, we'll, squat. They look great on willowy models, not so much on me I suspect.

I don't know if Me&Em has been mentioned - very easy to wear, low-key but fabulous clothes (I'm a Londoner working in media, I get a lot of compliments when I wear anything by them). They have a discounted selection page:
https://www.meandem.com/sale

And for context, it was my birthday on Saturday and I went out wearing a Me&Em jumpsuit and trainers. I looked great

Anthropologie is completely different from what I thought it was. Thanks for posting.

Off topic: but does anyone else just not suit the massive tent dresses everywhere at the moment?

They’re fine if you’re a larger lady, but if you’re not they make you look as if you are.

(A propos of the Anthropologie link)

@mamaduckbone I would say 100%, yes. When I was out this weekend I wore loose black denim dungarees (about three years old) and a plain white tee, and ancient Birkenstocks! And did not feel remotely out of place. I mean, I'll feel terrible if you take this advice and then everyone else is in bodycon and power heels, but I doubt that will be the case.