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.

I am not very good at Xmas dresses, but if you are new to lipstick, try MAC Mehr or Velvet Teddy for day wear. Both suit nearly everybody. Your lips but better.
I am about your age and wear very little makeup, and have switched to these. For red lipstick, Revlon's Red Rules The World is great and not expensive.

I’ve just checked these out and think they look great! Also very dress up or down-able. I think the double layer would mean they don’t cling but skim?

in terms of makeup, op. I’d go really simple with a tiny bit of tinted moisturiser, mascara and cream blush rubbed in. Maybe a lipstain. I really like these: https://eu.wonderskin.com/products/wonder-blading-lip-stain-masque?variant=40509990731935

it doesn’t feel like lipstick at all. You apply and it goes on dark blue but then let it dry and wipe off with a wet flannel and it leaves a stain behind. You do need lip balm over as they make my lips feel a tiny bit dry. You could get a red and just apply a thin layer and wipe off quite quick for a gentle stain.

That's so funny @Needmoresleep
I was in Richmond on Friday night (for a quick Pizza Express before the Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens- highly recommend) and in the little parade was a lovely clothes shop with a beautiful window dressing, when I looked up to see what shop it was, it was the Mary Portas Living & Giving charity shop, there were some beautiful things in there.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/mela-london-mela-sequin-smock-dress/p109710492?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_bmV0LndoYXRzYXBwLldoYXRzQXBwLlNoYXJlRXh0ZW5zaW9u

I love that !

I saw the description ‘smock’ and was prepared for some monstrosity. It’s lovely, though. And sequins would definitely push me outside my comfort zone.

This top with a pair of wide trousers would look fab. The top is so dramatic you'd just need a bit of lippie and maybe some earrings and you'd be done.

I think the idea of wide-legged trouser, a v-necked top and a kimono jacket over would be a good choice too. You said you wear White Stuff and like velvet, OP, and I spotted this. Your cup of tea or not?

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/2980/ayra-velvet-dress/DK_PLUM

A V-neck should make the most of your décolletage, there's an elasticated waist and it says it's machine washable. Can you see yourself in it? You could wear it with flat boots during the day and John Lewis's on-trend Mary Janes in the evening.
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-abbigaile-suede-toe-cap-mary-jane-block-heel-court-shoes-black/p110549823

I bought this a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely
love it:

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/penrose-v-neck-velvet-maxi-dress

That Jigsaw co-ord is great @Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies, get that.

And stop wanging on about lipstick. You've got lips yes? That's what lipstick's for. It's not 'mutton dressed as lamb', it's just a woman enjoying herself.

@Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies I've had a lovely 15 minutes reading through this post and coming along on a virtual shop with you all 😊
I am a similar age to you and your description could read "curvy, with great legs and I know what suits me & what I like!"
Have a splurge and buy yourself a few outfits to suit the occasions you've mentioned. New clothes always make us feel better.
I don't think make up has been mentioned much, so I would say to have a look at the Trinny London (BF) sale: https://trinnylondon.com/uk/collections/lips

If you have FB/Insta or YouTube, Trinny is worth a follow. The make up can be subtle, it is really easy to apply & if you are not quite ready for a red lip ( as below), she has lots of options to stop us feeling/looking drained. Depending upon your colouring, a sheer coral or dusky pink could look nice.

Yes, as pp said, you should stop putting yourself down so much. It becomes a habit. Nothing wrong with being middle aged.

I've got a couple of dresses from Onjenu and they're really comfortable and surprisingly flattering... this sort of thing:

I know right ?!! 😂
I thought that was conservative!

I suppose "conservative" in the sense of not having a huge split and showing a lot of leg but it's certainly "conservative" as a style of dress.

I was the same-ish size as you not so long ago. 16 with big boobs, 5' 4". I'd generally wear size 16 The White Company skinny Symons jeans, with a loose silky tunic-y top and ankle boots with heels. You don't need to spend £200 for that if you have the time to search on ebay and Vinted.

dress Velvet dress + boots + bling

or

Jacket and trousers combo + this top or this one + shoes

Marking for ideas thanks all

@Godefroy
Love the silver top but the link doesn't work for me... cd you pls repost? Thx!

If you don't like velvet or sequins or shiny fabrics- I don't-Xmas dressing is so challenging, isn't it? I am out of the country over Xmas, so I have just avoided this!

This jumpsuit has promise.

Gabor are worth a look for a wide fit shoe.

Hey OP - I’m going to go against the grain re the lippy and say not all people suit reds. I certainly dont! The biggest hurdle, I think, around new make up is getting used to seeing yourself with it on. Try a free session at a make up counter in Boots or local chemist with beauty counter but be clear you’re not for buying all they use. I would also try and book with someone your own age who is wearing minimal make up; a younger, heavier made up girl just wont appreciate that you dont want lips that look huge or the plain eyed, heavy browed look of today! That said, tidy brows, a bit of tanned moisturiser and etc before the event always help too.

I am also a frumpy size 16/18 borders and am OBSESSED with Joanie. They have a big sale on right now and also a lot of lovely velvet dresses for the holiday season, but the also do some very exciting patterns, and cut dresses very beautifully to accommodate the lumpier lady :)

Last month I bought this one and I FUCKING LOVE IT, makes me so shapely-looking and very much has the wow factor: https://joanieclothing.com/freyja-mushroom-print-midaxi-dress.html

But for more low-key styilings, the Juno dress is meant to be a very swishy but safe option, comes in three colours: https://joanieclothing.com/juno-long-sleeve-velvet-midi-dress-cabernet.html

Also I can't afford this but look how nice it is!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/forestry-printed-calf-length-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=37496&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHiVAizH7D_o57NxTeX_mjQff79gGnDw5J282454YT60k_FNjqHCFsFRoC0r4QAvD_BwE

@BeFrankforonce silver top

There seems to be something about turning 50 that brings on the style heebie-jeebies.
Quite a few friends have asked me to help them figure out what clothes will work for them at this age. So many in fact that I've turned it into a little style consulting sideline. There's a free quiz and stuff that you could play around with and see what would look Wow! DM me and I'll give you the details.

I love helping people with this. It makes me and them very happy.
And there is no reason why you can't be more stylish now than ever before. Truly.