To wear a sheer dress….

[Alifemoreordinary123]

I’m early 40s and will be going out out with fellow early 40s, in couples, in a couple of weeks - we ditch the children and do this a couple of times a year and this is our Christmas celebration. Venue is various bars and a restaurant in our big local city.

I did a huge Zara order of all of their festive options and randomly threw a dress in at the end of the order fully expecting it not to work. But it does, and I love it. The problem is that it’s sheer - really thin velvet.

We’re not a glam bunch normally - I’d love to wear it and feel special, but also don’t want to feel silly or self conscious. It will be light when we go out (around 3). What would you do? I’m petite - size 6 top and 10 bottom so can just about pull it off size wise. Would wear with chunky silver heels.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/velvet-halter-dress-p04813841.html

It's nice- wear it! Will a jacket over it reduce the sheerness effect?

Put a full length slip under it. Like this one
https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-cool-comfort-full-slip/p/clp60606716?color=BLACK&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_lg_ch__-UK-_-_baussc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAire5BhCNARIsAM53K1iS_S_KRpUx-wpoFCRRwUNOx5s1xiEfKBsgGwqP0Wm8Sev3KdMozR0aAio-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Looking at the pictures, it’s barely sheer? It looks like you might get a mere glimpse of your very good figure through it, but nothing more? I’d wear it (I’m your age and size) with an appropriate jacket on top for when you went out earlier in the day (I’d go with faux fur!) then ditch the jacket later, you will look fabulous 🥰

Faux fur would be amazing!! Thank you. A slip is possible (I do have one and will try it, but it’s quite fitted so not sure it will work).

I'd say you'll look fabulous in it. Bring a jacket for earlier as people have already said. You sound like you have the figure to carry it off so go for it!!

It’s not completely sheer but definitely on the wrong side of ok for me.

Definitely a slip underneath then

If it’s the “wrong side of ok” for you, you won’t feel comfortable. Definitely get a slip, but a good one.

@Getamoveon2024 i think you’re right. Hoping the slip will work 🙏

It works!! Whooop. Thank you so much for the tip - I have a black slip but didn’t think it would go under such a tight dress. It’s all a bit of a balance so will need to pull the bra in with clips (the racer back is a pain). But I felt so nice in it, and really struggle to find things I like, so I’m going with it. Thank you all xx

When you said sheer …

I was out and about in daylight in London a few days ago in an irresistible printed Zara skirt - two layers and actually sheer. (Am a couple of decades older than you.)

Glad you’ve wrestled your dress into submission, @Alifemoreordinary123 - though I’d suggest looking for a racer back bra for future wearings. Skims probably does something with adjustable straps.

Thanks @BetsyRegards the dress as a bargain at £26 so I definitely feel I have a bit to play with to buy a different bra or slip. Part of my drive to wear this was to cast off the worry about being too old - I tend to be more conservative than needed