Party wear

[MiddleAgedDread]

been shopping tonight and I could cry!! What on earth is appropriate for a birthday party of a colleague? Milestone birthday in a function room of a slightly glitzy bar. I’m late 40’s and a size 12 but don’t really have anything to wear. Can’t wear work dresses because it’s with work people. Everything in the shops is stupidly big sleeves or a shed load of sequins which just isn’t my style! The only dress I liked was £279 so didn’t make it to the changing rooms and looking at it on the website I’m not even sure I like it that much www.johnlewis.com/lauren-ralph-lauren-kishra-floral-dress-black-multi/p112313079

Is this too much sleeve?

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/mid-wash-denim-graceland-midi-shirt-dress-d242847blu

Putting this here because I've got it and I have a massive belly 😅

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.gathered-asymmetric-midi-dress-orange.1223501003.html

Pity they only do this in black, but it's stylish and should be comfortable. You could wear something over or under it.

www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.zip-front-v-neck-midi-dress-black.1248023001.html

I like the Zara dress.

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/stine-goya/dresses/midi-dresses/dream-ruched-embossed-jacquard-midi-dress/1647597339762791 www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/stine-goya/dresses/midi-dresses/dream-ruched-embossed-jacquard-midi-dress/1647597339762791]]]]

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/ganni/dresses/midi-dresses/polka-dot-crepe-midi-wrap-dress/1647597324795199 www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/ganni/dresses/midi-dresses/polka-dot-crepe-midi-wrap-dress/1647597324795199]]]]

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/claudie-pierlot/dresses/midi-dresses/gathered-printed-georgette-midi-shirt-dress/1647597323700819 www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/claudie-pierlot/dresses/midi-dresses/gathered-printed-georgette-midi-shirt-dress/1647597323700819]]]]

Has Seasalt been mentioned yet? They tend towards florals but do have a couple of decent block colour dresses. They have their own website but Next also stock them - less colour options but run a bit cheaper.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su465923/ag9671#ag9671

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su519781/at4247

https://www.next.co.uk/search?w=seasalt%20folk%20song%20dress

@CaMcC thanks, I didn't think to check Seasalt, i always associate them with their floral frocks that my mother favours!

I have some black ankle boots from Forever Comfort for Next. They look good and are comfy too.

I got flamed on a different partywear thread for suggesting this but have you ever looked at barefoot boots or shoes? They range from very technical styles to cute everyday styles. I got into them prior to foot surgery and can't go back to other shoe types now. I want to fire whatever I am wearing into the nearest bin - my feet feel like they're in prison. I've given in to it and just go for quirky footwear with my dress up clothes. (Brightly coloured ballerina flats or converse like shoes, leather sneaker style shoes, patterned boots etc)

Most barefoot companies are based in Europe so not the easiest to access after Brexit. There's also a lot of scam sites out there. Happy little soles are a legit UK site but the tend to price high. I've gotten better prices buying directly off Be Lenka, Wildling or bLifestyle

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/

https://www.wildling.shoes

https://www.blifestyle.de

I've just got this from George, it is surprisingly nice and an absolute bargain.
direct.asda.com/george/sale/womens/black-satin-belted-button-front-wide-leg-jumpsuit/GEM1168901-23534,default,pd.html?clr=Black

@CaMcC i can't do barefoot, I have flat feet

So do I. I add insoles. They're not for everyone but I find them hard to beat in terms of comfort, especially around the toebox.

Can you link to some of the dresses you wear to wor? Not to give us party wear inspo, but an idea of what shape/length/neck/sleeve you feel comfortable in.

What shoes do you wear to work?

Are you opposed to any sort of sparkle?

I do have an idea what you mean - I've been hunting for 'something nice to wear' to a couple of dos and honestly, despite having a few hours to myself, a reasonable budget and a figure that should be easy to dress, I really struggled.
Too many sequins, too much...I don't know..just too much going on - length, sleeve, frills and what have you.

I ended up with a simple black polyester velvet jumpsuit from Tu for £25.

@mongoliandoll i don't have anything particularly recent that I wear to work but something like this (ideally with the sleeves rolled up!) Women's Florence Shirt Dress from Crew Clothing Company
Don't mind long or above the knee, I have decent legs until you get to the very top!
Not good with low cut or V necks and wrap around because I have narrow shoulders and small boobs and don't like my shoulders out (although I have decent arms, it just makes me feel naked!). Prefer short or 3/4 sleeves.
I just don't like or suit frills and ruffles and "fuss"!!
I haven't been to Sainburys yet but it's on my list!

I don't mind this on Sainsbury's website Plum Tulle Layer Midaxi Dress 12
and this is ok (even if a bit sparkly!) but might be too short Buy Black Hotfix Embellished Velvet Mini T-Shirt Dress 12 | Dresses | Tu

I'm not into flouncy either so understand the dilemma.

Last year I bought a sequin skirt (something similar to this but it was all over sequined) which I teamed with a plain black slash necked jumper for our Christmas party, instead of my usual biker boots I wore a pair of block heeled (not to dissimilar to my biker boots but higher) and I was happy and comfortable.

https://www.roman.co.uk/embellished-sequin-velvet-stretch-skirt-17024013

So what's acceptable when you don't want to wear work clothes and wear trackies around the house?

I'd suggest a satin shirt and smart trousers.

The plum coloured one is lovely.
I am quite narrow and small up top (well slim all over really) and the high neck and sleeveless top is pretty elegant I think. Don't wait though.....order it while it's in stock, my experience with online Tu is that things never come back in stock.

It's not really party wear, is it?

Can you not just wear your normal clothes then? If everything else (even lipstick or earrings) seem completely scary and a definite no?

Just wear your usual jeans and boots, or a shirt dress. It really doesnt matter.

I love these 2 dresses and think they'd strike the right note. One thing I do think is that there's less of a dress code when you're out now and people will be wearing everything from jeans and trainers to full on heels and dresses so whatever you choose, I'm sure you won't stick out.

As another suggestion, someone on here a while ago said the whistles mesh dresses are very flattering, like this one: https://www.whistles.com/product/feather-leopard-mesh-dress-37606.html#q=mesh&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=feather-leopard-mesh-dress-37606&pos=9
It seems to be quite "in", quite a skimming fabric and a nice day to night vibe - you could wear this in the day with a jacket or even a jumper over.
They've got quite a few dresses and tops in mesh depending on your style and colour preference: https://www.whistles.com/search/?q=mesh#sp=[sessionstorage]
I think it could work with some low heeled ankle or knee high boots. Something like these? I also have a version of these from a couple of years ago and they're surprisingly comfy!

https://www.diskokids.co.uk/collections/dresses-and-jumpsuits/products/black-velvet-sparkle-jumpsuit

Not tried this one but I've got the metallic rainbow jumpsuit from here and I feel glam wearing it but it's just as comfy as slipping on a pair of jamas so win win in my book!

Slip dress with a jumper? Slip dresses look great with a chunky jumper imo. I have this one from All Saints which I plan to wear with the cream jumper to a Christmas do. Easy to replicate this look from other shops. I also have a grey one which was sold with a chunky jumper, it’s from And/Or (last year).

Joe Brown's from jd williams do a lot of boho-esque green stuff with patterns on . Roman are also good for party stuff.

i got a black dress from Zara in the end. The burgundy one linked above was also a contender but the skirt bit seemed like it would crease and crumple easily. I also have a large bag of stuff to return to various shops!!

Congrats, OP. It's nice to think of you at ease and looking fine for the party 🙂 Trying things on can be a mixture of frustration and discovery, so I hope it's been more of the latter for you!