Outfit for drinks in the city

[Snowdrop90]

Hi all. I’m meeting some of my partners friends (and wives / girlfriends) for the first time in a couple of weeks in the city for a few drinks at a bar followed by a semi fancy restaurant. I haven’t been out out in a few years and have the added pressure of wanting to look my best for first impressions whilst also stylish. I’m also aware we are in party season so the crowd might be a little more dressy. Please help!

Medium height, size 8, slightly pear shaped. Early 30s.

Thank you!!!

Skirt, opaque tights, boots, blouse ... works for both casual and smarter

Which city and which part of that city? You're right that in a couple of weeks time office parties will have started so might be dressier.

That sounds fun, @Snowdrop90.

I guess it depends on your normal style. You could start with the outerwear piece and work from there -

Glam
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-jackets-leather-l1589.html?v1=2417766

Romantic feminine
https://www.shopdoen.com/en-gb/products/casper-blazer-wainwright-houndstooth-check

Quirky
https://www.cawleystudio.com/product/suede-back-curly-hair-patchwork-check-ella-vest-rts-3/

I wouldn’t bother to second guess and try to ‘fit in’ with people who are strangers to you - because obviously if you’re going to be seeing more of them going forward you’ll want to appear as yourself.

What day is it? Are you going from work? Presume you mean The City as London, in the square mile? Where are you going?

if it’s a weekday in the city almost everyone will be wearing what they wore to work, although some may have chosen a nicer work outfit that normal if going somewhere nice.

I was hoping the OP’s night out would be at the weekend! ‘Going straight from work’ leaves almost nothing to discuss.

(For the Zara link above I meant everything on that page, not necessarily the first jacket - more the styling of all those pieces. Doen styling is very different. As is Cawley. Have a look through all to see what (if anything) seems most like you. Then you can replicate to suit your own budget.)

Could be a weekend outing but most people don’t go out in The City at the weekend…. Then again, she might mean ‘a city’ not The City!

Pink shell suit, fag on the go, good chains and some kappa trainers

What day is it? Are you going from work? Presume you mean The City as London, in the square mile? Where are you going?

OP says I haven’t been out out in a few years.

It's hard to imagine that if she's working she hasn't been on some work related night out.

So many people say that having started WFH during Covid they now never see colleagues and have pretty much forgotten how to get dressed.

Apologies for the late reply, it’s a Saturday night out. Love the check blazer, that’s definitely more my style. I love the classic styles that have been around for a while (tweed, check etc button jackets, boots) but as I wear this a lot I don’t know if this is special enough. I’m probably over thinking!

Depending on the city and how glam/comfy you want to be (walking to the tube etc) I would go for something like:

-coated black jeans, silky cami top, blazer (maybe something sparkly if the rest of the outfit was all black) and black flat trainers/pumps

-a black sparkly tweed mini skirt, roll neck top, tights and boots

ultimately just wear what you are comfortable in, you don’t have to go full sequins but a bit of shimmer would look nice while not being too dressy. Do your hair, nails and makeup nice and I’m sure you’ll make a great impression