Fat, frumpy and fifty - outfit needed

[Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies]

I am, as the heading suggests, not stylish. Nor do I have any pretensions to good looks (I am a 5 on a good day)*. I wear Fat Face and Joules, just to show my completely boring middle class, middle aged vibe. I want a nice outfit for Christmas dinners, afternoon tea somewhere posh, Christmas Day, etc. And I want it to be a little bit wow.

I am 16 bottom half, but have large boobs, so sometimes need an 18 top if very fitted. 41+ shoes (wide). Budget around £200 for clothes and footwear.

No, I won’t attach photos.

I would be grateful for any help S&B can give me.

*I don’t care about this - I have a very nice life, and am actually very happy. My gifts just don’t include looks.

Oh we're all 5s really - lower on bad days and higher on deluded days 😂

How about a velvet wrap dress - midi length.
Wear with chunky sole boots for day events and then switch it up to heels for night time?

Trouble with wraps is they tend to gape. Any suggestions for dresses which don’t.

I wear chunky boots all the time, but should have said I can’t wear heels, without appearing very, very drunk. I can just about manage wedges, but am aware these are lacking style.

Not sure of your colouring but I always think green velvet is beautiful for Christmas.
Something like this Silk Fred would be gorgeous and the split would give the wow factor. 120 opaque black velvet tights with big stompy boots and maybe a black leather jacket would look lovely.
https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/long-sleeve-dresses/angeleye/velvet-wrap-long-sleeve-midi-dress-in-green?locale=en-GB&srsltid=AfmBOopLU3hjzwiXo5QVCxcBBfr6k0RRds1tF5gtSsTPBSQjsxhrIIQ9Nyk

Are you tall/short/medium and what is your body shape roughly?

I ask as I'm similar size/age but short and do find it a bit tricky to dress.

Prefer trousers or skirts or dresses or not bothered?

A tiny pin at the top stops the gape.

I am 5’5”, with longish legs, freakishly long arms, and now that I’m peri-menopausal very little waist. And big boobs, as previously mentioned. I have dark brown hair, with very little grey, and sallow skin.

I like the look of the silkfred dress, but I guess I want a slightly more conservative outfit.

I’m not bothered re. trousers/dress/skirt.

This?

www.roman.co.uk/velvet-button-detail-fit-flare-dress-14181395

You could do a red lip with it.

I like that Roman one. I have never worn much make up, so suggestions on that front are useful too. I don’t want to look mutton dressed as lamb.

Could wear dressy flats with it or a flat long suede boot.

https://www.dorothyperkins.com/product/dorothy-perkins-karlee-knee-high-flat-bootsbqq14855?utmmmedium=cpc&utmsource=google&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAABeX1o4SsW9l67NzZWtMDveKyuhF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwreoxrDhggMVaY9QBh37LAxCEAQYAyABEgIYBvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&colour=natural+black&size=5

People wear red lipstick at almost any age. I happily wear red in my 50s. Can sheer it out with lip balm.

That a bit of blush and a minimal eye makeup looks lovely and not overdone.

I am a bit of a snob about footwear. I don’t mind really cheap shoes (New Look, etc.) for a one off night out, but will normally only tolerably expensive high street brands (Fly, R & B in the sales). I’d go well over budget for the right footwear.

Just giving an idea didn't know your budget. But I'm sure you could find a version at several price points. 😉

I am appreciating all suggestions, btw.

I have this:

https://www.roman.co.uk/cowl-neck-bardot-jumpsuit-14111508

I’m a similar age and height and not slender. This is very flattering, easy to get on and off, and can easily be dressed up or down. They also have it in navy as well as sparkly versions.

That jumpsuit is nice. Any suggestions for jacket to go over it?

Just the one? That’d be quite the look.

I'm an outrageous snob about high street shops but those boots were very (surprisingly) nice. It's good to consider things you might not otherwise look at. Faux suede is a good choice for a dressy boot.

Since you shop there anyway, I think White Stuff has some gorgeous Christmas wear this year. I covet that blue velvet duster coat. They have lovely wide-leg velvet trousers too, which you can wear with comfortable boots and still look dressed up. And lovely velvet tunic dresses which look like they'd be kind to a well-upholstered midriff . Do you like velvet?

I do quite like velvet, though haven’t worn it for a couple of decades. Blue generally makes me look sallow, but the deep green/red velvet suits my colouring.

I'm a similar age and size and have this https://www.marksandspencer.com/animal-print-round-neck-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp60642592?intid=mobileappppdpshare I'm planning to wear it on Christmas Day with flat boots.

Red lipstick doesn't make you mutton dressed as lamb.

I think that when you’ve never worn lipstick it’s a bit scary!

I’m just eyeing up a White Stuff velvet blazer. I could put that over lots of things to dress them up, I guess?

https://direct.asda.com/george/collections/womens-partywear-occasionwear/D28M11G1C1,default,sc.html?cm_sp=e-mobile_p-womens-uk_t-tier04_b-block01_d-231124_l-link01_c-womenspartywear_s-AW_tp-moduleA

Asda seems to have a wearable Christmas party collection this year.

I just got these trousers -

www.peacocks.co.uk/4504384-black-plain.html

They look really good and the waist is ELASTICATED!