Glamorous London party - help me!

[andthebandmarchedon]

Hi all,
I’m going to what will be a rather glamorous party in London in mid September with old uni friends. I see them often and they are all absolutely lovely and non-judgemental. However there will be a more extended group going to the party, some of whom are extremely polished and used to moving in celeb circles so always very well dressed and flawless. The dress code is smart casual but the birthday person is wearing a very beautiful satin long evening dress.
I’m not feeling my best - tired, menopausal, and even though I have plenty of lovely dresses, most are slightly on the tight side so not working. I am a size 14, in proportion and 5’ 6” but large bust and hate feeling matronly. I’ve bought a gorgeous pair of gold platforms which should go with most things but reluctant to buy a dress as well.
Would appreciate your advice on what to wear. Dresses are always my fallback but I also have a gorgeous pleated Munthe skirt I could wear. I don’t want to look over the top but want to feel good.
I have this dress but have worn it all summer so doesn’t feel special and not sure if too bland but it fits well and is comfortable https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Shirred-Waist-V-Neck-Dress/p/A04866?swatch=Navy

All advice welcome!

Love your skirt. A black silk shirt would work well with it Ghost silk shirt

Issey Miyake stuff is absolutely gorgeous and elegant, but will accentuate every curve.

If the birthday girl is wearing a full length silk dress you need to up your game... sounds like their version of smart casual just means don't wear a ball gown! Sorry OP but the things you're looking at are all saying afternoon tea to me, certainly not party!

And if your teenagers like it... definitely not right! You're the exact height, weight and body shape as me. You need something far more glamorous than a skirt and a t-shirt. Just because it's silk or cashmere doesn't make it a good look!

If you must wear the skirt (personally I wouldn't, it's not dressy enough, I'd wear that to work!) You need something more sexy... v-neck at the very least.

Personally.. I'd wait a bit longer for the autumn clothes to hit the shops but once they're in I'd be looking for a fabulous party dress to go with your gold shoes.

Thing is that they have said that they want people to be comfortable so really anything is fine!
In a former career, I would have probably worn similar to work but these days, it’s all about not being ostentatious where I am so skirts like that would be massively OTT.
You’re right though that I do want to feel good - ‘sexy’ perhaps too….so think the black silk shirt option might work.
I don’t think my other close friends are going for a party dress. I’m usually the most dressed up of them!

I would try and look groomed. That’s far more glam than clothes in many ways. Definitely layered small gold chain necklaces. Decent gold earrings. Don’t go huge “fun” type statement necklace. Hire a statement bag or take a suede clutch. Arket have a fantastic satin maxi skirt at the moment. They style it with a jumper but a silk shirt would work. Lower heel sling backs. Perfect and easy.

I love your skirt, OP, I would definitely wear it! The birthday person probably wants to splash out and stand out a bit - no need for a full-length gown. I bet there'll be at least few people in trainers with a "smart casual" dress code anyway!

Silk top is a nice idea, and as it's September, a thin-knit black mock-neck top in merino or similar would also work. With that skirt, I would go for statement earrings if you have a simple top, and a slightly messy updo for my hair. I think you'll look lovely!

Exactly @CertainUncertain !

Honestly, the other suggestions are terrible. Your original dress with your shoes and some nice jewellery will be fine. The skirt is also lovely too. I hope you have a lovely time xx

I agree. Your original clothes are better.

OP, honestly I think whatever you wear will be fine. Most important is a good blow dry and make up. Then you’ll lookdecegt in most things.

Go with the black dress you've shown us you could match it with some nice heeled shoes.

I was thinking exactly the same. Some of these suggestions are ghastly! Those issey miyake trousers, at £385, look like oompa loopa trousers! 😝

I'm the same height and shape as you OP, large boobs, but I'm a 16. I've always found a V neck top and 3/4 length arms flatters me the best. I like your skirt option. What about a wrap top to go with it? Maybe something more cinched at the waist than the 1st one. I'd wear a longer length necklace to draw the eye up and down.

Ro&Zo Satin Wrap Top, White at John Lewis & Partners

Sosandar Faux Wrap Jersey Top, Ivory at John Lewis & Partners

I saw a woman yesterday in a dull gold pleated skirt and simple black top and she looked really good… that skirt was probably in the shops a few years ago but it was really striking in a good way. My point being things don’t need to be new or over the top to be stylish. I like the sound of the pleated skirt with the gold platforms but I think everything else can be simple. A top with some drape or a bit of skin showing could pair nicely. I’m doubtful about statement necklaces unless they’re on severe dresses but thin gold chains or gold hooped earrings and a cocktail ring with a clutch bag and the shoes elevate a look ( ps I think it’s weird the dress code is smart casual and she’s wearing a full length gown)

Some of these suggestions are ghastly! Those issey miyake trousers, at £385, look like oompa loopa trousers!

Mmm … Issey Miyake died a year ago, but I’m sure, had he still been alive he would be grateful for your schooling and immediately set fire to everything he designed across a lifetime.

What's him being dead got to do with anything? Those trousers look like what Sam Smith wore to the Brits.

I would love to own some Issey Miyake but don’t really have the budget or lifestyle. I keep pondering what I would wear and I’m drawing a bit of a blank. I’d want an element of “laid back” if it’s London. I have short hair and suit menswear type outfits like evening jackets or architectural dresses from places like Cos. I’ve just remembered I’ve got some men’s vintage evening trousers ( very high waisted ) that I’d wear with a cream silk shirt and red lipstick so that’s me sorted 😂 (#awaits invitation)

Cos actually do this “Miyake-esque “ plisse fabric in a navy but their photos of the navy are not good. I think a midnight blue at night with gold would look great if everything else was pared back.

I like Issey Miyake. But those trousers would likely not be flattering on the OP. Neither would that huge Kemi skirt. Her own skirt would likely look better.

I’m not advocating that anyone must wear any particular designer! And when I made my suggestions above the OP hadn’t yet posted a photo of her perfectly fine skirt.

But this is the Style and Beauty board, so I do find some of the responses … odd, frankly.

I also find some of the responses very trendy but also very ugly because that's modern fashion for you. Huge flowery curtains.

I haven't suggested anything myself because I am having the same trouble finding anything wearable.

Style and Beauty gets weird suggestions. They can be very niche. Suits the poster but hardly anyone else. If the op posts her clothes: we know her style. So making a big leap to a Japanese designer is odd. Suits someone like Tilda Swinton but for me, and probably the OP, it’s a no. Full length Caroline Herrera isn’t “smart casual” either. Her skirts are more glam evening wear. The yellow one is pure “look at me!” Many of us don’t want that.

It’s much much easier to take a fairly plain, well cut dress in a decent fabric, and dress it up with lovely quality jewellery, good hair and make up, bag and shoes. Pattern is much more difficult to accessorize but can of course lol great. However if you are not used to party going, keep it simple and add the classy accessories. No one wants to be noticed for the wrong reasons.

hello, i used to be exactly your shape until I had a boob reduction. My tip would be to get something that you feel cool in and just accessorise and maybe some really cool trousers to go with your fantastic sounding shoes and a top in a satin or some kind of different fabric, but like a T-shirt style

oh and have your hair done

I’m sorry, but that yellow skirt would make her look like a floating giant egg yolk, and if you have a large bust, you can’t do wide waist belts

No no no. Jesus no

@andthebandmarchedon have you got any smart wide leg floppy trousers ? Or cigarette style?
you could match with your sandals, a sequin vest or tshirt (try Vinted) and a cool blazer

Would this be terrible or too worky? It would go with gold sandals. And possibly suit a large bust? I love it myself. Cirello Knitted Dress Gold - Welcome to the Fold LTD (thefoldlondon.com)