Outfit for daytime awards ceremony

[willtrent]

Good morning all, I need your help, please.

I've been nominated for an award and the ceremony is being held at the House of Lords during an afternoon ceremony next month.

My usual style could mostly be described as casual or, honestly, scruffy 😬

I'm mid-40's, short brown hair, size 16-18, 5 foot 4 tall, and need something comfortable and suitable for travelling a few hours by coach that will look good for the event, please.

Funds are tight, so I'm hoping to spend less than £50 if possible.

Any help you could give would be most appreciated. I'm thinking that maybe a jumpsuit style might be suitable, but I have no idea where to start.

I have some flat brown brogue shoes that I could wear, or some wedge navy trainers that might look ok with the right outfit.

If you have any ideas, I'd love to see them please. Many thanks.

I wear a lot of jumpsuits and just the thought of grappling in and out of one to use a coach toilet has dislocated my shoulder 🤣🤣

I agree a jumpsuit could be perfect for the awards do but I might be inclined to travel casual with a small bag and change in the ladies when I arrived. Chuck the bag in the cloakroom.

I’d probably consider separates. A satin midi or maxi skirt with a fine knit jumper in the same colour. Your brown brogues would work with navy or bottle green. There are loads of satin skirts in the sales at the moment. I have several from New Look and they’re so flattering and adaptable, even wearable with trainers or long boots.

Congratulations on the nomination, hope you win!

Sensible advice from @SoScarletItWas. Would it be impossible for you to wear ordinary clothes for the journey and change when you arrive? (And none of your friends or relatives would gift you a night at a hotel to make the whole thing easier?)

I definitely wouldn’t want to travel and then receive my award in a crumpled jumpsuit. A dress really would be the simplest and most elegant thing (assuming you’re not limited in your dressing - which you can’t be if you could wrangle a jumpsuit).

So - £50 isn’t an enormous amount but you should definitely be able to get something good in the sales on that budget. Or you could look on Vinted if you’re comfortable with that. Or you could rent a dress (retailing at much more than £50) for maybe three days.

Which would you prefer?

This is rather grand and almost being given away:

Joanie black dress

(Worth looking more widely on the site if it’s your style.)

Cos

has several dresses and some jumpsuits at around your budget on its sale pages. You may find something perfect - and their sizing is usually quite generous.

(Apologies! On a second look too many of the Cos sale dresses are only available in tiny sizes.)

This, however, is still available in a 44 (16?) and is structured rather like a jumpsuit:

Shirt dress

Vinted is your friend and a dress probably your best option. Look at something simple and classic for a daytime event, and also something you can use again. Use accessories (shoes, bag, jewellery) to glam up if you want to.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5452325467-beautiful-navy-pencil-dress?referrer=catalog

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5651968743-the-pretty-dress-company-black-hepburn-swing-dress-size-16?referrer=catalog

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5633608300-vivienne-of-holloway-navy-polka-dot-jezebel-dress?referrer=catalog

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5094299813-the-pretty-dress-company-jade-green-fit-flare-vintage-style-dress-size-uk-16?referrer=catalog

Nice frocks from @CaveMum but both Vivian of Holloway and Pretty Dress Company use vintage sizes. I am a modern 12 but I wear a 14 and often a 16 in PDC fitted pencil frocks! I need a 16 in VoH.

I think it depends on the dress type/style. I’ve got a few PDC dresses, all a Size 10 (my regular size) and yes some are snugger than others! My ribcage tends to be where it catches me out.

@CaveMum yes, same - I’ve put a proper corset under mine before now!

I'd opt for a midi length dress, I'm your size and jumpsuits don't ever look smart. Knitted material but plain would work well eg a navy

@GhastlyGoodTaste

Thants for that tip, I've ordered in green for myself

Oh - which dress?

Thank you all so much. I've ordered one of the vinted dresses suggested by @CaveMum. Here's hoping it fits 🤞

I am also attending an awards next month there. Mine is on 6tb Feb. Wonder if it is the same......

Afraid not. Mine is later on in the month. I hope you enjoy your event.

Hope you too enjoy yours and good luck!