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

I love the Joe Brown clothes, it's pricier than some places but very well made.

I recently discovered Roman www.roman.co.uk/ and they do a nice selection of short (non puffy) sleeve dresses which is my preference and lots of them are round neck which helps disguise my build. You can also find some discounts on their listed prices.

In fact I'm wearing one of their dresses out this evening to a Birthday party but a bit too sequin'y to recommend here 😊

🎯

A velvet jacket is extremely useful. I have a dark navy blue one I've had for about 15 years, and I've worn it for very smart work and social occasions, over dresses, shirts, and trousers, but also with jeans and a tshirt for more casual events. You might be surprised by how useful it is.

As I've just mentioned to OP, velvet jackets are extremely versatile, and I've worn, mine, bought about 15 years ago, for a wide range of events. They don't look too overdressed for work, nor too underdressed for fancy occasions; sounds perfect for OP.

What about a very plain Little Black Dress? If you put that into a Google search, you'll bring up plenty of hits. M & S has loads of that kind of thing, including this, which is very inexpensive: https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-textured-midaxi-column-dress/p/clp60638667?_gl=11ocmifv_up*MQ..&gclid=888e5ffd5a7f1a403b7038c45ebe37a8&gclsrc=3p.ds#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r8c3|prodflag_plp_ts_QP_46
If you can afford to pay more, however, it's worth getting something that's better quality as it will last you forever. It's so useful to have a plain black dress in the closet that can be dressed up with scarves and jewelry as appropropriate, and still works for funerals and other austere occasions.

I think that there are a lot of great suggestions here, and it's so nice that commentators have gone to the trouble of posting links to make it easy for you. It's clear that you find the prospect of the party very stressful, but do please try to be just a little gracious. Why are you so angry? Why not push yourself out very slightly out of your comfort zone? Buy some nice earrings (they don't need to be chandeliers) and a lipstick (it does not need to be scarlet). Or you could just not go.

I have this jacket and it’s lovely.

https://www.brandalley.co.uk/19089794.html

The brandalley link isn’t working (may need to be logged in). But it was the Mango velvet jacket which they do on a few colours. Seems to be either £49 or £65. Would recommend.

I bought this last week and wore it the other night and got lots of compliments. It has a bit of a shimmer and great for Christmas but can be worn after. It actually looks better in rl. I got a big discount with BLC so got 20% off. I wore thick dark blue tights but would be fine with any.

https://www.fatface.com/style/su347353/e22567#e22567

Link shows it better. Lots of sizes available.

I second Tu at Sainsbury's I bought a lovely deep red velvet suit from there for my Christmas dos. It has a little bit of stretch too, and I can mix and match it to wear at other times. In fact, I liked it so much, my daughter bought ne the navy one for Christmas and they also have it in green.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc144664658

Hi op would Peacocks have anything. Louise range is lovely. Velvet blazer good as goes with loads.

Try Phase Eight they have some lovely wrap dresses that are really flattering and could wear with kitten heel ankle boots if you don’t like high heels. Everything is 20% off at the moment too!

The problem with them is, the very thought brings me out into a hot flushy sweat these days. No way I could keep a jacket on in a room. I’d need somewhere safe to hang it! Bloody menopause 😫

I know exactly what you mean. I know 2 female sports staff. One does 'rock chick' and looks amazing, the other likes feminine clothes and they aren't her best look.

Okay, I would never normally recommend a dress from Zara - especially one so cheap - but I bought this on a whim, tried it on when I got home and was utterly amazed at how beautiful (yet comfortable) it was!
I think it's £39 ish and gave my rectangular body the curves it never knew it could have.... I bet it would look even better on a size 12 too!

That's definitely the best one so far! I love it!

That Zara dress is awful and looks like it's from handmaid's tale does "party wear"
You've been really dismissive of most ppls offerings.
You might not have loved every suggestion but you could have given more ideas of what you do actually like.