Evening bar drinks

[MiniMumMax]

Hello,

Confidence crisis here! Please help. New place of work. Want to impress, well not impress… just look vaguely nice! We’re all going for drinks at an up market bar with outdoor garden. I bought a pink and white maxi skirt from Boden but I’m usually an 8/10 and the 10 chopped me in half like a knife with rolls of fat spilling over the top so I’ve abandoned it.

I was pinning all my hopes on it and now I’m at a loss!

Please help!

@BuffyTheCat

nooooo way too dressy!
OP is going to a country pub. She’d stand out like a sore thumb!

Buy the bigger size in the skirt you like from Boden?

hard relate
Like a thread I tried to hide the other day about a 10k income and mortgage I was following along until I realized she meant 10k pcm not annually. and as for whoever said we're all different" that's a way of saying "I'm rich you're poor too bad" 🥺

Ooh upmarket Somerset...Bruton? Wedmore or somewhere else??

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st442374/d52477#d52477

I have a hot squash dress in teal in this style and it is so flattering and gotta love the pockets!

But what’s the point of wading into an S&B thread and talking about the cost of your food shop?

People are here to discuss fashion on a variety of budgets which incudes budgets that may be bigger than yours.

There was a Chanel chat thread a while ago where some posters’ handbag collections were worth than the equity in my flat. But did I interject and say this? No, because I accept that not every single thread has to relate to me and my financial circumstances.

These are definitely way too formal for what OP describes!

I think some of the Nobody’s Child dresses people have shared would be lovely :) I’d go for something not too fitted so it keeps you nice and cool as this weather is so hot!

Sizing is bonkers and random. If you love the boden skirt but sizing is off I'd just buy in a bigger size. I have clothes in my wardrobe that I love and that fit from a 12 to an 18 and a M to an XXXL.

https://www.roman.co.uk/cowl-neck-ruched-stretch-jumpsuit-14111560

just bought this - I’m 5’2 and 10. Fits perfectly just pulls on and looks way more expensive than it is.

If you're going to the pub, wear jeans and a white or black top. A white shirt is classy, or a broderie style black top is pretty. You probably have these things. Some bright nail varnish and a smile.

If I was going to the pub id wear jeans and a top. Probably birkenstocks on my feet. Maybe a nice bright jumper or cardigan if it gets colder.
Good luck!

If you need budget brands, new look actually has some really nice things this year.
Vinted does second hand clothing but it can be new. You can filter for that!
Mango do some really lovely dresses.
I usually search by fabric instead of brand.

There is nothing worse than feeling overdressed at the pub. And usually you can tone everything down to blend in like wear all black but then really poppy nail varnish. :)

I'd go for classic, a nice pair of well fitting pale blue jeans in whatever style suits your figure best - ankle grazers/high waist. Team it with a fitted white vest and white linen shirt which can be as fitted or as loose as you like, open or done up, tucked in or not. Some classic jewellery - maybe some statement earrings and some make up, statement lip if that appeals. Shoes whatever is comfortable, Birkenstocks or espadrille wedges. Being confident and comfortable will look better than any outfit. Enjoy!

LuckySantangelo and ActDottie Thanks for responding to me, but you do realise that the OP provided further information after I’d made those suggestions? Still, it can be useful to have a starting point, even if it’s ‘anything but that’!

I’ve noticed sizes vary wildly online now, and so I recently bought a tape measure, measured bust, waist, hips and now when I buy online I check size charts and use the bust/waist/hip measurements instead of sizes because that’s a lot more accurate (and means less exchanges/returns). Hope that helps someone.

There’s a lot of truth in this. I can’t say I really remember what people wear. More how they carry themselves, if they’re good fun, or interesting. When in doubt, wear a plain dress and then if you have some nice bangles or other jewellery, get the proportions right, add something cool (like an unusual bag or ring, or bright lipstick if you suit that - I don’t!). So op do you have any pre existing dress or plain trousers and a top that you can jazz up? Hate that feeling of tight clothes atm too! But a cool bar… don’t try to hard, keep it neutral with interesting accessories? Plus a smile. Or a scowl if it’s really cool 😁

I don't think you can go wrong with this one. It would be a good choice when you don't want to be over-dressed.

Next do lovely jumpsuits with pockets. Polkadot ones. U could dress up or down! Good luck x

If you like the outfit you have and it's not til next week maybe you could do some crunches daily to reduce the rolls being an issue? I wouldn't throw the towel in with a week to go it might fit you better next week :)

How flipping ridiculous! She's a 10, so already very slim and healthy. How anyone could recommend someone do crunches all week instead of simply buying, shock horror, a size 12(!!) is beyond me. Why do so many women have such a hang up with sizes? Everyone knows every shop's sizes are different, every cut is different, everyone's shape is different and that sizes are pretty irrelevant.

If she's got time to do crunches all week, she's got time to exchange her dress for something that fits more comfortably.

OP personally, I'd suggest either exchanging the skirt for a size up, or wear something you already have and feel comfy in. Your go to outfit. It doesn't need to be new. Confidence is key, so wearing something you're happy in is more important than splashing out on a new outfit.

Exactly, op is 8/10 can't have that many rolls! Weight can fluctuate in a week depending on cycle/ water intake/exercise etc.

I would go for a nice little Jump Suit from Joe Browns!

agree totally. Dressing isn’t like years ago, it’s not so rigid like decades ago.

What about a nice tailored skirt / smart shorts and jacket, or Chino style trousers, that could work?

Thanks lovelies! So helpful. I have a bit of a waist to hip ratio issue so I think a 12 would make me look massive as my hips are quite small when my waist is bigger if that makes sense - and the pouffy nature of the skirt wouldn’t help with that in a bigger size!
i’ve bought a slinky number from the Hush sale. It’s really nice and I can wear it with a vest top and feel dressed up and down all in one. A nice smoosh of all of your excellent suggestions. Many thanks ladies!
I’m off to paint my toes! 🥰

OP that hush dress you liked is on the John Lewis Sales at half price and they have a 12 if you are still interested