'going out' tops

[OMGitsnotgood]

I’ve quite a lot of nights out in the next couple of months. Some Christmas dos in December but several birthdays & general catch up events, usually involving bars & restaurants, not clubs.

I am really struggling with things to wear. I would love to be able to wear a jumpsuit but have tried on loads and not found one yet that suits - probably because I’m 5’4 with a bit of a tummy. Also not keen die toilet reasons.
Dresses I’d be ok with but would want to be able to wear them with flats (i’ve a bit of a walk to get the tram and several of the events require a walk at the other end).
I think I’d be better off with a couple of new tops but struggling to find anything I like. I have access to most high street stores, am ok with buying online if there are free returns.

I wear Autumnal colours but can get away with black.
I am curvy (size 14 with biggish boobs and a bit of a tummy).
Don’t want skin tight
Don’t want something i would have worn to work (corporate office)
I don’t mind sleeveless or sleeves (as long as material won’t make me too hot)
I can’t wear high necks, need to show a bit of skin but not too much cleavage

Would anyone like to help me look please? I'd like to see specific recommendations as sometimes other people pick out things i wouldn't have considered.
If you don't have time to look but have a recommendation for online stores i might not of heard of, that would be great too.
Thanks

I would LOVE a petrol blue silk shirt - where is yours from please?

Fable does great machine washable silk shirts in different blues https://www.thefable.com.au/collections/silk-shirts-1/products/deep-sea

Annoyingly it’s old and I bought it second hand. Brand is oasis, not sure they are around anymore?

https://www.dorothyperkins.com/product/dorothy-perkins-black-floral-long-sleeve-wrap-blouse_bqq12972?colour=black

I thought this was nice - despite being a summer top

i quite like that but don't like pockets on blouses for me. I think it might help others looking so thanks for posting

Really lovely but a bit £££ for me

I do like that, and being a summer top might be cooler in restaurants. It's a little like what I'd have worn for work, would be useful for lunches.

Thanks - I'll have a look on Vinted!

I don’t know a single person who still buys ‘going out tops’. I wear pretty much the same clothes for work, weekends and going out and just match and accessorise them differently. I spend more on them because I wear everything so much. Could you just buy a fancy belt and some nice earrings instead?

I don't work now but when I did, i wanted something different for going out.. i have work tops I wear for some occasions, with jeans. blazers & jewellery but want something a bit more special for nights bout

Following for ideas - I have the same requirements as @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie! Not sure who posted the White Company links but I did like that first blouse, looked quite versatile. I also love a silk shirt - M&S Autograph ones are usually good but worth waiting for a Sparks discount.

The dearth of not-crazy going-out tops has pushed me back towards dresses but I also feel like that's a slippery slope now - they're just getting longer, frillier, and higher-necked!

I was in M&S yesterday and was surprised how much nice stuff was there - if I'd had more time I reckon I could have found a going-out outfit or two, and that's quite rare for me.

My going-out staples are dark silk shirts, black or grey tee-style tops of some kind with a bit of interest (e.g. a slightly glittery weave or similar), black or blue mom jeans, shortish a-line patterned dresses with black tights and flat boots l, and a couple of long pleated midi skirts. Generally I can pul something together from that but I have to say, I find it harder and harder as I get older!

Me too! I absolutely hate Zara site, it’s the biggest faff. Love their clothes though! Have to dedicate half a day just to browse🙄

https://www.dancingleopard.co.uk/products/margo-pintuck-blouse-in-abstract-dot-black-on-purple

This? I love dancing leopard for tops and dresses

lovely - although too. high necked for me

You could try something like this https://www.reiss.com/style/SU051650/817600?gclid=CjwKCAjws9ipBhB1EiwAccEi1GJDHBvlkCR7D_ZHz4LDKHRsoG6yguvrDBQXosNVPacEwsO10hiffxoC2wwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#817600 with matching trousers instead of going full jump suit?

Ooh I like that @Heartbreaktuna

I love it too, but how do people hoik their boobs up?
Can you somehow gaffer tape them up for an evening?
Am late 50s.
And "see thru bra straps" kind of remove most of the impact of that nice but spendy top.

What to wear it with - trousers for one evening, skirt for another?
Dammit should have kept my noughties fake leather skirt!

so do I, it's gorgeous - but possibly a bit slim around the waist for me. I'm also very broad shouldered so tend to avoid completely bare shoulders - but definitely a gorgeous top. @Paperbagsaremine I'd wear a strapless bra under that.

This is nice.

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/endless-rose-sleeveless-shoulder-pad-sequin-top?color=011&inventoryCountry=US&countryCode=US&utm_content=&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_kxconfid=vx65edeg7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI65_I0LWOggMVlNXtCh0mSwRiEA0YDSABEgL9n_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

I’ve also got some sequin Frank Usher tops (2 are probably too big for me) and a rainbow sequin long sleeved top (Next last year).

Zara do do great tops, either last year or before got pretty frilled foil or sequin top/blouse.

https://www.riverisland.com/p/black-long-sleeve-wrap-blouse-901842?gclid=CjwKCAjw1t2pBhAFEiwA_-A-NEM_uZmWnTtQb-qYmGe7Ypevdd18ZXtN-t9Vg3sezzH5Sl0VtLwPkxoCVDEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I bought this last week, I'm a top heavy with a bit of a gut as well and this drapes beautifully. Looks great with jeans and a biker jacket or with a more fitted skirt. I've got the black but the red looks lovely as well.

Was going to suggest Wyse London, but your earlier comment suggests these might be a bit too spendy?

https://www.wyselondon.com/collections/tops?page=1

@Seaside3 This sounds nice! what kind of thing do you wear with it on the bottom half?

They are very lovely but more than I would spend on a top. Am trying to lose weight too so wouldn't make sense to buy an 'investment piece' at the moment. Lovely brand though thank you.

that's lovely, will add it to the list of things to look at

That is lovely but too high necked for me. I did. look in Zara but didn't see anything that suited .I appreciate I am going to have to just browse these stores online where there is more !