What to wear to an event with family drama likely?

[KatPurrson]

So this is a bit of an odd one. I have to go to a family will reading. I have no idea what to wear as I’ve never had to do this kind of thing before. It’s a solicitors office and it’s followed by a tea (as there wasn’t a funeral for various reasons).

I suppose the thing is partly the occasion and partly about who else will be there.

There are some older fairly judgemental family going to be there, who disapprove of my life choices. I think my main thing really is being able to feel confident whilst also feeling like myself. Wouldn’t rule out the possibility of high drama given some of the personalities involved. So I am looking for something between armpit and a safety blanket.

I am late forties, size 16 bust, size 14 hips. Long dark hair and suit warm, bright colours or black and white at a push. Knee length or long skirts/dresses, midi looks awful on me and not a big fan of trousers.

My best thought so far is something like a bias cut dress with a nice cropped cardigan but I have no idea really.

This is very true.

Maybe a machine gun that fires custard pies a la Bugsy Malone.

Definitely the Joan Hickson version with some glasses I can peer over.

I did have a lovely fichu blouse as a teenager. Black overall and the fichu part was black with small white polka dots.

Haven’t heard that word in ages and it has tickled my fancy.

And some knitting that can be whipped out and have its stitches counted loudly at awkward moments.

?

Yes OP! What an image!

You've just reminded me I once visited the "Dynasty" house. It's near Stanford in California and is the American equivalent of a National Trust house. The guides were somewhat embarrassed about the Dynasty connection. Guess what most of the tourists were there for...

I think channelling Harriet Vane would be more in the attitude than the outfit.

Although didn't Peter get her a lovely fur coat?

That was my late grandma’s trick.

When I was very little, apparently whenever Joan Collins came on screen, I would apparently say “That’s my mum”. That outfit is very much her vibe.

Although her nickname amongst her teenage friends was apparently Sophia, because she reminded them of Sophia Loren.

Well one of apparently, a short term boyfriend and who later moved to West Berlin to be openly gay and work in a bar.

I can hear the opening music now. Da, dada, da, da dada…..

Sharp as a tack

Harriet Vane wore prison overalls??
misses point of thread

Harriet Vane wore prison overalls??

Only in prison, I think.

something subtle like this?

You might consider wearing purple, OP - the colour of power. I have a lovely purple overshirt I used to wear whenever I was going to have to deal with a couple of difficult relatives - it always made me feel able to tell them where to get off 😁

In that case, a cloche hat and a slick of red lippy.

Yes I mean really this is completely overthinking things.

I think you're overthinking things. just wear a simple pant suit and be done with it. You'll never see these people again, so I'm not sure why you're all worried about what you should wear and being judged because...who cares.

I obviously missed the book in which she went to prison.

scurries off to investigate

OP there is lots of good advice on here. Think job interview. Smart bag and shoes - maybe to add a bit of colour to a neutral dress? And well accessorised.

And please report back. I hope it goes well and has a good outcome.

Strong Poison, singswithitsfingers. It's how they meet.

Ooh pockets!

You might just as well go for it. Maybe something like this, with, of course, the addition of a veil.

I didn't think will readings ever happened now- very unusual.

Something like this maybe?

Harriet was on remand, not convicted, so would she have worn prison uniform? Also presumably wasn’t trouser overalls for women then.