What do I wear to this???

[Howmanysleepsnow]

Randomly, I’m invited to a “VIP” opening night of an art exhibition and the after party. Semi famous artist, street art.
I’m 2 stone overweight, size 12-14, mid forties, not cool, probably won’t stay long, not had a night out since 2017 when I was 2 stone slimmer.
Help!!!!

Wide leg trousers, knee length floaty jacket thing over a class plain top and big chunky jewellery/ bangles etc.

I don’t own any of that! And I’m not sure it’s cool/ current enough either: I don’t want to buy especially unless I’m likely to wear again and it’ll fit in… the artist is very much jeans/ leather jacket.

Do you have any jackets or blazers? Why not tell us some of the things you do have and we'll try and build up around those.

Any cool boots or trainers?

Look up WearsMyMoney on Instagram- she puts together really cool outfits. See what you have that's similar and create an outfit that looks cool and smart casual.

I'd wear smart trainers with wide leg jeans and a smart blouse and blazer & my best gold jewellery.

It's all subjective, but WearsMyMoney to my eyes is just someone trying to make commission out of her followers buying stuff, the vast majority of which is pretty uninteresting.

OP - are you looking to wear what you've already got? Or buy something new? [

And what do you like? If the latter, more importantly, what's your budget? [edit just seen you don't want to buy anything new- so what have you got?]

If I were going to this I would not wear "smart trainers with wide leg jeans and a smart blouse and blazer" or "Wide leg trousers, knee length floaty jacket thing over a class plain top and big chunky jewellery/ bangles etc" as like you I don't own any such things. And I wouldn't be buying them either.

I think we can only tell you what we'd wear and you're either inspired or you're not!

I'd wear black sock boots, grey satin midi, fine knit jumper and a leather jacket

Or

Faux leather wide leg crops, floaty patterned blouse, sock boots or platform trainers

Or

Black wide leg trousers, black silk t shirt and camel tailored jacket with trainers

What do you have? Jeans, a shirt and a Jacket? Or some trousers with a long top and add a bit of bling or a scarf. In all honesty, it doesn’t matter what you wear so just be comfortable.

What makes you feel comfortable ?Trousers ?,dresses?..bright colours patterns plain .
Don't focus too much on your weight .People are not that critical and are mainly more interested in themselves .

Once you have narrowed down what you like ,have a look on Vinted .

And a 12 -14 is hardly overweight.

I would pop to Cos and get something in a bold block colour, something oversized - not coz you are two stone overweight but because it is comfy. Blokes boots and good socks and I would be done. Depends on your style though surely. Plan to stay and have a good time - sounds like you deserve a night out!

I started picking things out on Cos but almost everything is so tailor made for this, it's almost a cliché. Here are the first 3, followed by everything else in Cos.

Cos 1
Cos 2
Cos 3
All Cos

What I would wear
What I would wear 1
What I would wear 2

None of which is probably helpful if OP doesn't want to buy anything new and hasn't been out in 7 years.

Hire a stunning outfit? There are lots of online hire places.

I’d go for black wet look leggings, black vest top, oversized blazer, ankle boots and chunky jewellery

Way OTT.

I like that klements dress but yeah those Cos ones could be the uniform for the night😂Still gotta love them

I can’t spend a fortune, and it’s soon so no time to hire or vinted. I’ve time to get to a couple of high street stores, that’s it. Shoes are readily available because my 16yo has the same size feet.
I like the suggestions by @Rina66 (except the wide leg crops which I imagine few can carry off!) but have neither a camel coat (bit spendy last minute) nor a grey satin midi (probably hard to source in time).

Good luck! Got to ask, how come you've not been on a night out for 7 years or is that just an exaggeration? Hope you have a great night, I'd love to get an invite to an art gallery 😊

Leather (pleather) a-line midi skirt and a fitted black top/jumper. Interesting earrings. I also like Rina's suggestions.

Would you rather wear a dress or trousers? Are you happy wearing jeans? What kind of jacket do you like?

Be comfortable because people are there to see the art not to judge you. Under rather than overdress but add a contrast of one luxury piece or jewellery

Quite honestly I would wear whatever I liked and felt comfortable in. Those arty things attract people of all kinds and who will be wearing a huge mix of clothes. It's more important to be you rather than trying to make yourself fit who you think you should be. I have a good friend who is a film maker and attends many creative type events. He always wears film related t shirts, skinny ankle grazers jeans and trainers. He looks cool and absolutely himself. Just be yourself.

I agree with this.

Exactly as @ApolloandDaphne says. An art exhibition is the perfect opportunity to be your best version of yourself.

So rather than worrying about ‘sourcing’ any specific thing someone else would wear, (and given you don’t have much time) take yourself off to the best shopping locality you can get to and wander about until you find something you fall in love with. Could be a pair of boots, or a scarf, or a plain dress, or a printed t shirt, or a simple piece of knitwear. Something that makes you smile in the mirror and that you’d like to wear for the next couple of years.

If you can afford to buy something to complement it, great. If not, go home, try it on with everything you (and your daughter?) have - build an outfit. Have fun.

I also would like to know why you haven’t been out for years - and how you might be able to alter that.

Just to give you some hope @Howmanysleepsnow all my suggestions were high street (Next leather crops, New Look grey satin skirt and M & S wide leg trousers)

I definitely agree with pp about going shopping and seeing if anything is calling you! You definitely deserve something new after 7 years of not going out.

The reasons I’ve not been out for so long are pretty simple: no one to go out with!
DH is a homebody really, so generally prefers not to, plus a run of bad health means he’s not been well enough for about 6 of the last 7 years. My friends have moved away so visiting them would be an overnight stay with the kids type thing (and no babysitter).

Thanks for all the suggestions!