Help with outfit to go to club and restaurant

[SprinkleOfSunak]

I’m in my late 30’s and a size 16 and will be going out with a group of friends to a club and for a light meal and cocktails beforehand.

I want to buy a new outfit, or at least 1 piece that I can wear with something I have already but cannot find anything online and have only looked in a few shops so far.

I ideally don’t want to spend any more than £100 for a single item.

In terms of aesthetic, think Carrie from SATC, 80’s party dressing, Siobhan Murphy (Interior Curve), Pat Butcher, Zoe de Pass (Dress Like a Mum).

Some brands/styles I love: Rixo, Dancing Leopard, Never Fully Dressed, River Island, vintage 80’s clothes.

Love:
Dresses - mesh or wrap - midi
Skirts - bias cut or leather or sequin - midi
Bold and bright colours, patterns (including clashing ones), leopard print, sequins, glitter, faux fur, metallics, slogans.
Batwing/ dolman/ kimono sleeves
Showing cleavage
Blouses

Hate:
Neutral colours
Pastels
Monochrome
Anything too plain
My stomach and thighs

Not keen on:
Jeans
trousers
high heels

Have you looked at Oliver Bonas? They have some fun pieces at the moment,

This reminds me a lot of Siobhan Murphy
Not midi, but….

You sound fun, OP!

It's a bit of wide-ranging brief, so I'm just chucking out five assorted dresses.

Floral maxi wrap dress, Roman, £60
https://www.roman.co.uk/floral-print-halterneck-maxi-dress-14535517

Royal blue sequin wrap dress, Next, £95
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su516591/at6472#at6472

Bronze faux leather pencil dress, Next, £79
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su154116/q76384

Purple foil plisse wrap dress, Roman, £42
https://www.roman.co.uk/foil-plisse-wrap-dress-14618376

Sequin lace dress with fringe hem, Coast, £111
https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-v-neck-maxi-dress-in-sequin-lace-with-embellishment-trim_bcc10959
Neutral colour, sorry, but it's stunning!

Sounds like a fun evening!

Have you looked at Joanie? https://joanieclothing.com/clothing/dresses/occasion-dresses.html

Would you consider a tulle skirt (carrie vibes) perhaps with a top you already have? a bit over budget and it's navy (they used to do it in red, but have sold out) but perhaps with a bright top and footwear that you have? https://elevenloves.co.uk/products/iris-tulle-maxi-skirt-navy?variant=47670013886770&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzba9BhBhEiwA7glbapkj3BflY9rb9pei0O0YSUa_NYFRY08siObjLh5zRiraUXS5kOr17hoCnwUQAvD_BwE

here's a very bright blue patent skirt https://www.hush-uk.com/crackled-patent-skirt-blue/012200-4742.html

I hope you have a fab time.

@TaggieO

Thank you for these.

I love the print and style of the rainbow dress, but dislike the whiteness/paleness with the colours.

I love the metallic threads and colours of the second one, but not the length.

I would definitely try both on if I saw them though when out to consider them.

@Garlicworth

Thank you for that, I hope my friends think the same!

Thank you for sharing such a wide selection.

I really like the purple metallic one, and have the tab open for it as I am considering it.

I also like the faux leather one, and I could wear a bright patterned shirt under it as I forgot to mention I don’t like my arms out. I think I’d prefer it if the colour was a bit bolder though.

@measureofmydreams

Oh my word! That bright blue skirt is absolutely stunning! It is so, so me!!! Thank you for sharing that with me. I’ve noticed that 16’s are no longer available, and have no idea how the sizes run, so I think I will order one and see. I’ll definitely have a look on the Hush website too, as I didn’t realise they sold things like this.

I’m not keen on Joanie’s clothing, there’s something about the aesthetic that’s not quite me, although I would love the harlequin style black and white dress if it was multicoloured instead of monochrome!

I’m not keen on tulle skirts anymore, but did wear them when I was younger, but I completely get where you were going with this.

I was going to suggest a skirt from Disko Kids but the stock seems low at the moment with only S left in some styles. Worth a look though to see if you like them and then some vinted stalking.

Example

@SprinkleOfSunak Hush sizes tend to run big, though more so on tops than bottoms. I would say it's worth you trying a 14 but be aware that they charge for returns. You could see if John Lewis or Next have it (they stock Hush) so you can get free returns and maybe try a 16.

What sort of club are you going to?

If I wore any of what has been suggested to the clubs I go to (mainly in London) it would look so out of place. Last time I went clubbing I wore jeans, trainers and a vest with lace at the front.

Obviously different clubs mean different things but I would never wear a midi dress to a club.

@evilharpy

I love the colour but not the pleating. Thanks anyway!

@JustLikeThatBluebird

Thank you so much for the information. I shall be searching now!

@XxSideshowAuntSallyx

It’s a cocktail bar/mini club attached in an area of Greater London where most people who go out dress like those from The Only Way Is Essex. That’s not meant in a bad way but it isn’t my taste nor that of my friends.

When I was younger I used to go to all the top clubs in London so I know what you mean about the difference in dress code etc, but thanks for mentioning this as it can vary so much!

Thanks for your lovely reply, @SprinkleOfSunak. I did wonder about arm coverage - and was thinking of suggesting a sequinned cape, a fur/feather stole/wrap or a tulle bolero.

The most spectacular shiny capes are from Rosa Bloom and quite expensive at £130 give or take. Very worth it if you wear dressy outfits more than once a year, though.

You can get other varieties, including mesh with sequins, for £20 or less. The internet's heaving with faux fur wraps from about £30. A little voile bolero's about £20: Roman has them in neutrals and black, other outlets have all sorts of colours.

While I'm rambling about your enjoyable shopping challenge, I was astonished at Coast's massive offering in sequins! Made me wish I go Out Out 😁 I was particularly taken by a blue-sequinned denim shirt but they've sold out in size 16 (just as well, I might have bought it just to look at it).

Have fun, whatever you choose!

@Garlicworth

That’s ok. I’ve loved the support I’ve been receiving on this thread, as I do find elsewhere on here things can be far from supportive! I keep thinking any moment now there will be a poster arrive to ridicule my clothing tastes.

That’s a great suggestion about the sequin or fur cape or bolero, and I used to wear a lot of these in my 20’s - I still have some in fact, and a couple still fit, including a fabulous multicoloured sequin one with a neon ribbon tie from River Island (I think it’s in the loft).

Those Rosa Bloom ones are gorgeous, thank you for sharing. I’ve never heard of this brand before and I will certainly keep this in mind. At least I have some lovely pieces saved now, as the other day I was completely stuck as I simply could not find one thing I liked - now I might be spoilt for choice!

Coast! I’d forgotten about them!!! I used to love wandering around Coast, and bought a few pieces in my twenties and early thirties I think. I’ll be off to have a look now. That sequinned denim shirt sounds fabulous. I also have clothes I just gaze at - usually as they’re too small too!