I just can't do smart/grown up (clothes) - help!

[CheeseandMarmiteToastie]

I'm having my annual struggle to find a Xmas party outfit, everyone else goes quite full-on in sparkly dresses and heels but they just dont suit me (my DD who is lovely but honest said I tend towards toddler dressing up 😳 ) so I choose something more understated and then just feel frumpy.

Same with dressing for smart occasions like work meetings - I can never get it right and feel so out of place, like a student instead of a fairly high-level professional.

I'm fine with casual clothes but I just dont think my shape and style suit looking smarter - I'm short, size 18 with big boobs and I think that can really easily look frumpy/mumsy/mutton/all the other horrible cliches which I hate but are unfortunately true.

Please can anyone suggest any accounts to follow or shops to try and anything else to help me feel comfortable and 'me' for once.

It's a good point about cheap velvet - there's a lot in the shops at the moment but some is very shiny and doesnt feel as luxurious.

Since you like jewellery how about your chosen neutral colours in velvet or silk or both and then spend more money and time choosing jewellery to make it look more grown up?

Idk if you have cool or warm tones, but if cool I always think what is often termed midnight blue is a good slightly more sophisticated colour

That might work but if you’re size 18 and 5ft tall I think you’d need some serious platform shoes/heels. I’m not being critical but in my experience wide legged trousers don’t suit me… I’m size 8-10 and 5’2” they make me look dumpy. I’d go and try lots of styles on.

I think you’d suit straight legged trousers better. I still think a velvet trouser suit or tuxedo would look good… you could put a lovely silk shirt with it, some jewellery and some gorgeous shoes. I think platform shoes would be good. I find that the platform takes up some of the height of the heel making them very comfortable.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/luna-velvet-straight-trouser/0224-8637-1936L00-RIVERSIDE-BLUE.html#cgid=occasion-partywear&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0224-8637-1936L00-RIVERSIDE-BLUE&pos=3

something like this from Hobbs. I like Hobbs as they have petite ranges.

I do love a platform and can usually walk in them for a reasonable amount of time!

I love the idea of midnight blue too, jewel colours suit me quite well as long as they’re not too dark - it’s a good alternative to my usual black.

Wow! What a stunning suit. Gorgeous colour!