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Fabulous outfit for a BBQ??

98 replies

BetterLuckTomorrow · 15/04/2024 19:58

I’m looking for an outfit, probably a midi dress, that I can wear to a bbq and feel, if not a million dollars, then just really confident in. I’m dreading going due to one of the other guests, who I’ve not seen in a long time and have a difficult relationship with, so I really want to look my best!

I’m five foot seven, size 12. I’ve got large boobs and still a fairly hourglass shape (less so these days after two children!). My arms aren’t particularly toned, I’ve got fairly large thighs and cankles. My calves aren’t too bad. No I’ve got pale skin and mid brown hair. I don’t feel comfortable wearing anything particularly low cut.

I don’t have any sense of style whatsoever and don’t really know where to begin. I buy most clothes from H&M, M&S, with the odd item from Hush thrown in. I’d like a dress under £150 if possible but could spend more if needed. It’s for a BBQ but other attendees are likely to be dressed smartly so I’d rather be over dressed than under dressed. They all spend a lot on clothes and are very well groomed.

I would be so grateful for any suggestions, I don’t know where to begin!

OP posts:
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NonPlayerCharacter · 16/04/2024 19:55

You don't always have to go for "wow". I'm quite plain and I don't think there are many "wow" dresses that would suit me; I don't have the look that can carry off something high fashion, artistic, wow, whatever you want to call it. I wear stuff that I think suits me and that I like. "Wow" is subjective anyway, as evidenced by the huge diversity of opinions on this board about what constitutes good taste and style.

As OP isn't really a "style" person by her own admission, she'd probably do better going for something that she just feels great in and likes, rather than seeking some indefinable, completely subjective, high fashion concept of "wow", whatever that is.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 16/04/2024 20:00

Lj8893 · 16/04/2024 19:54

No, it’s not a wow dress, but it’s much more flattering and age appropriate than some of the others on this thread.

phase 8 for example is not appropriate for someone under 40!!

I don't wear Phase Eight because I don't like their stuff. I wouldn't wear that orange dress or the Dancing Leopard dress for the same reason. It's got nothing to do with being "age appropriate"

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 16/04/2024 20:03

NonPlayerCharacter · 16/04/2024 19:55

You don't always have to go for "wow". I'm quite plain and I don't think there are many "wow" dresses that would suit me; I don't have the look that can carry off something high fashion, artistic, wow, whatever you want to call it. I wear stuff that I think suits me and that I like. "Wow" is subjective anyway, as evidenced by the huge diversity of opinions on this board about what constitutes good taste and style.

As OP isn't really a "style" person by her own admission, she'd probably do better going for something that she just feels great in and likes, rather than seeking some indefinable, completely subjective, high fashion concept of "wow", whatever that is.

I agree to the extent that I'm not sure the OP would get much out of the advice about blow drying, manicures, grooming etc.

Lj8893 · 16/04/2024 20:11

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 16/04/2024 20:00

I don't wear Phase Eight because I don't like their stuff. I wouldn't wear that orange dress or the Dancing Leopard dress for the same reason. It's got nothing to do with being "age appropriate"

I think it’s both. We do all have different tastes etc (thank god!) but I stand by that a lot of these suggestions are really aging and not what I would wear as a similar aged woman, because they are aging and not to my age related taste! I’m sure my taste will change as I get older and some of these suggestions will be more appealing.

Somepeoplearesnippy · 16/04/2024 20:56

At the moment I'd opt for waterproof boots, jeans with thermal underwear, layers of cashmere and a raincoat and hat. And gloves.

stayathomegardener · 16/04/2024 21:29

Me and Em did this last year in a similar print, under £150 on Vinted now.
Beautifully made, lined skirt and pockets.
Dress it up or down from weddings to casual lunches.

stayathomegardener · 16/04/2024 21:29

Photo might help!

Fabulous outfit for a BBQ??
GettingStuffed · 16/04/2024 22:23

I really like this but I can't wear minis. www.na-kd.com/en/products/structure-flowy-mini-dress-blue-flower-print-1812-000436-4329

MintyFurball · 16/04/2024 23:21

I have cankles. The one length I absolutely steer clear of as a result is midi, unless you’re going for something with a flamboyant colour or pattern then is very easy to look massively frumpy. The shirt and maxi skirt combo above is lovely, am not sure about the sequins in at a BBQ but I think something along those lines would be perfect.

MintyFurball · 16/04/2024 23:22

I did notice that Me & Em dress when leafing through the catalogue the other day and thought it was very pretty.

JoniBlue · 16/04/2024 23:39

We must be hicks around here. Bbq clothing is usually shorts, or casual summer dress if hot.

Icehockeyflowers · 17/04/2024 00:35

The dresses above aren’t stylish. They are safe and pretty unflattering tbh.

Where is the bbq on? Would you consider wide leg cream trousers and a cream waistcoat? Obviously if you are going to be sitting on hay bales etc this wouldn’t work.

Or a co-ord would look more current?

Motherofpearlxoxo · 17/04/2024 04:44

Smokedsausagesupper · 15/04/2024 20:19

White company
I'vebeen lusting after this, I reckon it would suit your figure and not look too try hard.

This is so nice. If I wasn’t currently on SMP only this would be going straight in the basket!

Curtainsforus · 17/04/2024 06:31

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 16/04/2024 13:00

Don’t forget that lots of dresses including the wide Greek key type need a belt to show off your waist or not if you have no waist or have a small one, eg hourglass.

Belts have been my new best friend in recent years.

I’m an hourglass - belted dresses really do not work for me - rather than make my waist look tiny - they make my chest and hips look huge. Never got the whole Gok belt thing.
Dresses with a waist always sit too high. Flowery is a tough gig to pull off, it should feel delicate and flowy but it overwhelms and it’s hard to pull off as fabulous. There is no substitute for trying on loads of dresses - John Lewis will help with your dilemma - our local store has very limited stock.

NonPlayerCharacter · 17/04/2024 07:38

Curtainsforus · 17/04/2024 06:31

I’m an hourglass - belted dresses really do not work for me - rather than make my waist look tiny - they make my chest and hips look huge. Never got the whole Gok belt thing.
Dresses with a waist always sit too high. Flowery is a tough gig to pull off, it should feel delicate and flowy but it overwhelms and it’s hard to pull off as fabulous. There is no substitute for trying on loads of dresses - John Lewis will help with your dilemma - our local store has very limited stock.

I expect you're short waisted...many hourglasses are.

I noticed crop tops are in...I can actually wear those and lived in them back in the day, but I wonder if it's still a good idea. I reckon there must be ways it can still work. After all, Indian women look fabulous in saris and lehengas with cropped cholis at any age.

Curtainsforus · 17/04/2024 08:19

NonPlayerCharacter · 17/04/2024 07:38

I expect you're short waisted...many hourglasses are.

I noticed crop tops are in...I can actually wear those and lived in them back in the day, but I wonder if it's still a good idea. I reckon there must be ways it can still work. After all, Indian women look fabulous in saris and lehengas with cropped cholis at any age.

No I’m not short waisted - the waist of dresses sits at the bottom of my rib cage. More likely it’s being taller than average at 5ft 8. My arms are also longer - dresses are a difficult item for me - getting every to fit in one garment is very challenging. Add to that I don’t like overtly sexy clothing and I don’t like the Stepford wife look (which many of the florals feel like) - it’s not often a dress makes its way into my wardrobe.

Smokedsausagesupper · 17/04/2024 09:13

Hush outlet
Found you another option on hush outlet.
Totally invested now 😁

Chloe Midi Dress | Bright Blue | hush

https://www.hush-uk.com/chloe-midi-dress-bright-blue/007835-0148.html

myusernamewastakenbyme · 18/04/2024 02:13

Motherofpearlxoxo · 17/04/2024 04:44

This is so nice. If I wasn’t currently on SMP only this would be going straight in the basket!

Really??? I think it looks like a shapeless sack.

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