Company conference evening event - formal wear help

[AugustRose]

I'm 5ft 2, size 12-14 and we've been told the evening event is formal wear. I don't wear dresses or heels and I hate restrictive clothing so have nothing to wear. My job is mainly outdoor based so my every day clothes are walking boots/trousers/t-shirts, etc. I also don't want to spend a lot of something I might not wear again. Please help.

What colours do you like, sleeves or not?

If you aren’t going to wear the outfit again you could rent something?

https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g29187954/rent-dress/

I usually wear dark or muted colours, I prefer sleeves - I'm quite pale so yellow/orange doesn't suit me.

I don't really want to rent and there aren't many shops near me to look at - I live in Cumbria so very few options.

I'm just really awkward and resent being forced into something I won't enjoy 😂

It's a bit hard to tell what formal wear might mean here. Could you go for some dark trousers and a more evening top: silky blouse/top type thing with bit of jewellery? Pair of formal flat shoes or brogues.

That way you've got things you might wear again.

Evening events at company conferences aren’t usually all that formal (not full black tie) and often have a wide range of interpretations. Black trousers and a sparkly top will be fine unless you specifically know different.

I wouldn’t worry too much! If your day to day work clothes are informal it’s likely your male colleagues will each wear the only suit they own, regardless of its state.

You don’t give a budget but it shouldn’t be difficult to find a smart pair of trousers, a silk shirt and some elegant flat shoes from the limitless stores available online.

For shoes, look at the Penelope Chilvers sale, here:

https://penelopechilvers.com/sale/sale-all-shoes?click=pod3

For clothes, Massimo Dutti has what looks like a useful sale:

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/flowing-crushed-velvet-trousers-l05075890?pelement=43510151

Yes I think you're correct about my male colleagues. Thank you for the suggestions, I think trousers and a nice blouse are the way to go.

So if you, say, wear combat style trousers, t shirt, fleece, and maybe waterproof jacket in your working day, and your resent being forced into something you won't enjoy - then maybe try and replicate that outfit (baggy silhouette and layers) with softer/sparklier materials, that could then be separates that you use again when you have to be semi smart?

'Formal wear' doesn't sound too restrictive, so I think you've got room to play around with it. If you wear your walking boots though, I'd give them a decent clean first - you don't want the event closed down because of ash dieback.

These trousers with a glitzy https://www.monsoon.co.uk/ava-tuxedo-wide-leg-trousers-black-20001570001.html

Something like this?

Have you considered vinted and eBay. You should be able to get a dress fairly inexpensively.

Vinted is a good option, I'll have a look around. I did see some nice jumpsuits but I might be a bit short to make one work.

Discussing it with colleagues today and one of the guys is insisting he's going in his normal clothes because he doesn't have a suit and isn't buying one.

Thanks again.

Gosh - he sounds fun!

How about a jumpsuit? This is velvet so perfect for an evening do. They have it in a 14

www.fatface.com/style/su080737/559720#559720

But seriously - how has the UK got itself to a place where a grown man doesn’t own, and refuses to own, a suit? (Or the equivalent for any other nationality.)

Are adults so very intimidated by tailored clothes that imply a serious outlook on life? Guess we’ll all just roll around in giant toddler wear while AI gets on with running the country?

@springbulbssoon has nailed it

Add big sparkly earrings, clip on if you don't have your ears pierced. Maybe a sparkly bangle. Slick of bright lippy. Borrow a small sparkly bag if you don't already have one.

Oh @MsWintertowne don't be such a snob.

Plenty of men don't own suits because they wear workwear or business casual for work, and out of work a shirt and pants is usually smart enough for most occasions.

My DH has one suit that he's had since 2012 that has been worn for every funeral, wedding, christening and day at the races since.

But as you say - that one suit has been a vital part of his life, and attendance at significant events, over a long period of time.

There’s nothing at all ‘snobbish’ in holding the opinion that adults should as far as possible equip themselves with the accoutrements of adult life - at least in terms of basic clothing.

A man who refuses to own a suit is essentially saying he never wants to be involved in any formal event (either because he’s intimidated by them or believes himself to be outwith the normal culture). I wouldn’t find that terribly attractive in a man.

I doubt you're the woman of his dreams @MsWintertowne so you can both rest easy.

Back to the OP. I think a wide legged jumpsuit would be great here @AugustRose I'm your height and buy them in petite, so as long as you haven't got incredibly long arms and legs the petite version would look great. Search for wide leg jumpsuit petite on Vinted and you'll get lots to choose from - I've got a few from that site and only spent a small amount.

That all sounds doable and I can probably use some of my daughter's collection 😄 felling better about it now.

I've had a quick look and think I'll be more comfortable in a jumpsuit, thank you.

https://www.mandco.com/petite-blk-angel-slv-jumpsuit-p?utmid=20711529728&gclsrc=aw.ds&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAp1VPST0niMhFGi-5h5pBKPbe4TYX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwpLu2D-igMVAqyDBx2PUi3NEAQYAyABEgLxAAD_BwE

www.roman.co.uk/petite-embellished-overlay-stretch-jumpsuit-14443008

www.roman.co.uk/petite-hotfix-shoulder-jumpsuit-14629108

www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-trumpet-sleeve-wide-leg-crepe-jumpsuit_byy14168?colour=navy

www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-lace-ruffle-sleeve-jumpsuit_byy11930?colour=black

www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-occasion-hotfix-overlay-jumpsuit_byy12816?colour=black

Some other ideas

Hope you enjoy your evening @AugustRose 😊

Thank you, it's not until the end of February and the hotel is nice. Once I find an outfit I'll feel better.

If you like a jumpsuit, maybe have a look at Sweaty Betty, I know it's gym gear but they're well made and can be dressed up really easily, I've currently had one on all day as I've been to yoga this morning, but I could pop a pair of heels or nice flats on with it and some bling jewellery and it would dress up really nice and I think you'd wear it lots!