Away for Christmas, outfits for dinner

[IBlameYourMother]

Hoping for a little bit of inspiration and help if anyone can offer some advice.

DP and I are away for three nights at Christmas, staying at a nice spa hotel. UK based. Evening meals at the hotel each night, including Christmas dinner. I have a woefully empty wardrobe for occasions as we don’t go “nice” places very often. Looking for one or two nice outfits that could do duty for nice meals out in the future too.

I’m 5’9”, size 14 and fairly busty (E cup). 45, blonde. Dresses and trouser suits equally welcome, I like vintage inspired dresses and knee/mid calf length but not adverse to the drama of a full length dress! Flowing silk shirts and trousers, jumpsuits. Nancy Mac appeals but a little out of budget. Up to £150 for a dress/outfit. Nothing pastel, I’m too pale for that!

What would you wear? Daytime wear I’m planning a nice jumper dress, and nice boots/jeans/big jumper for walking with the option of throwing an oversized silky shirt on instead of the jumper for post-walk drinks.

I’ve seen this dress: https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/olive-lace-may-dress?variant=40554330652749&currency=GBP&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=559319&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=559319&awc=21908_1727977623_3def328619e748aefbae376f78d0e6e1

and this jumpsuit: https://www.johnlewis.com/hotsquash-cap-sleeve-wide-leg-jumpsuit-woodland-teal/p5585905?size=20&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgfm3BhBeEiwAFfxrG-h2PZKGQxxPC8k60id62cu1umzG4tuFurxBa0DRJiAM9b5LthP96xoCezAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Do we think they are suitable? I worry that dress is a bit sheer for perimenopausal me!

I just want to feel a bit dressy for the evenings and I’m rubbish at styling! Help!

Both of them are ideal.

I adore the jumpsuit. I wonder if the dress would work with larger boobs as the top doesn't look like it will work with any bigger than a c cup. Apart from that it's fine

I think they're both lovely but will you be warm enough? I always find hotels chilly. I'd wear long sleeves or a jacket over a cami and bias cut skirt.

Yes I also have that concern. I think that dress sort of gives waif vibes, and waif-like I am not!

I hadn’t considered this to be honest. Perhaps a long sleeved dress, or as you say a jacket.

Love the jumpsuit.

Only because I'm a sucker for velvet at Christmas would you wear this one....

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/jocelyn-velvet-tea-dress-pine/sty-d1089-grn

Boden also have some lovely velvet tops.

ooh, on the subject of velvet, this jumpsuit by Joanie is fab...
(can't do links as i'm on app on my phone but pic here)

Love a bit of velvet, and the style is lovely! Have the same slight reservations about the neckline as the dress I posted, with regards to larger boobs…

I'm not a fan of Sosandar but I saw this one and it looks very flattering https://www.sosandar.com/black-gold-chevron-print-knot-front-midi-dress

I am looking at those jumpsuits and shivering. I would take velvet palazzo trousers, silk shirts, fine knit cashmere sweaters and cardigans, evening jackets
long sleeved dresses, jeans, wool socks and walking boots and outdoor gear for walks.

And a pantechnicon to carry them all!!

Oh nice! Love velvet too, this is gorg, dressy, comfy, even a bit warmer ( suitable?) for December, love the colour !

Further suggestions:

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/burgundy-puff-sleeve-abby-midi-dress-d241973red
More boob cover and the bodice is shirred at the back.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/red-satin-jacquard-velvet-vicky-midi-dress-d242916red
Mega-Christmassy, gift-wrapped boobs 😄

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/snake-print-aine-midi-dress-d242927mlt
Safe but fashionable, good if you wear a kilo of gold jewellery.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-velvet-shirred-kylie-midi-dress-d242017grn
Charming, seasonal, will suit any shape.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-velvet-shirred-kylie-midi-dress-d242017grn
I've got this and I love it. I'm 5'8" with a broad chest & shoulders. The puffed shoulders work better on me than the model; they're really flattering.

Size notes: Nobody's Child follows the M&S sizing model, and I bought my dress a size too small to make sure the neckline wouldn't sag (my broad chest is mostly chest, not mammaries!) Your M&S size ought to work well in their dresses.

I wanted to show you more, but am only allowed 5 pictures. Have a look.

Sorry, wrong link for the dress I've got: https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/burgundy-long-sleeve-starlight-midi-dress-d241898red
Also comes in green, and a rather marvellous gold-checked navy cord.

Some nice dresses on this thread - but I think that the first dress the OP has posted is absolutely beautiful . Maybe a bit chilly - but then again if you are in a centrally heated room with a lot of people and food being served it may be quite warm.

LOVE this!

On my Xmas wish list also:

Burgundy cord long sleeve Starlight Midi
Green Velvet Shirred Kylie Midi
Blk Jade Midi T-shirt dress
@IBlameYourMother plenty choices here!

I agree with @GettingStuffed as I’m a similar build to you.

I had great fun trying to squeeze my boobs into a lovely black Oliver Bonas dress which I had to size up for, even so now I’m a bit booby in it.

mintvelvet.com/products/spot-print-ruffle-mini-dress

I've just bought this, partly for Christmas.

Some people suit some of the items on your list others don’t.

Whistles Sparkle jumpers and anything else glittery in terms of knitwear is good for chilly places.

www.whistles.com/product/annie-sparkle-crew-neck-38982.html#q=Sparkle&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=annie-sparkle-crew-neck-38982&pos=3

The navy cord Nobody's Child dress mentioned above is really very nice:
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/navy-check-long-sleeve-starlight-midi-dress-d241931blk

When DH and I went on a cruise a couple of years ago I bought some evening wear from eBay ( either BNWT or worn once type )
I have a black velvet knee length (very nice dress up /dress down) a Monsoon devore sequinned full length very dark navy (can machine wash) and a gold/black velvet jacket .
I have some smart black trousers
Don;t need to think too much about what I'm wearing as I know these work.

We're going away before Christmas so I need to look out my evening wear too .

I am also thinking about a jumpsuit but need to think about the practicalities . Velvet would be ideal .

Both are stunning 😍

I bought this recently and it’s really flattering. It comes in other colours. Sorry not to link but I am on the app!

I love both your choices op!

With the dress, you'll only know if its once you try it on. You can always return it! You might need something to go over it?

Oops forgot to post!