In need of going out clothes

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I'm in desperate need of some going out clothes. The sort of thing I can wear out to a bar with girlfriends, dinner with DH or theatre etc No specific budget but hoping for at least 2 outfits (potential to mix & match would be good) and most of my wardrobe is from Vinted a mix of Albaray, Mint Velvet, Saint+ Sofia, Reiss, Hush, Nobody's Child, All Saints with Uniqlo for basics.

5ft 6 size 12 top 14 bottom classic pear shaped. I have a good waist/décolletage but not keen on my legs (specifically thighs/knees) or upper arms. I generally prefer dresses & skirts over trousers must cover my knees! I've got this Nobody's Child black dress that I love & dress up or down but can't wear it every time I go out! I'd say I'm classic day to day but quite like the edge of somewhere like All Saints - floaty floral dresses or Boden stripes definitely not for me!

Any suggestions either separates with suggestions how to style or whole outfits would be amazing as I'm not great at putting everything together.

Check out Me + Em

https://www.meandem.com/travel-tailoring-seam-detail-midi-dress-intense-orange

https://www.meandem.com/lace-stitch-evening-maxi-dress-black

https://www.meandem.com/sheer-panelled-evening-knit-maxi-dress-black
(This looked amazing on a personal stylist I follow)

Thanks @RingofBrodgar love that top & already very similar earrings

@SoScarletItWas & @WillaDeWord thanks for the skirt suggestions will see what I can find. Leather trousers are not going over these thighs even if I like the look on others😆

@Runingoncaffeine yes it would if you have any recommendations? I love of isthistooyoungforme although some slightly curvier inspiration would be useful as not everything she wear translates well to my shape (& some is silly expensive!)

I'm a similar size and find this dress really flattering - https://www.hush-uk.com/trinny-jersey-midi-dress-midnight-navy/011587-1659.html

The tie detail at the front means it skims over lumps and bumps. Can be dressed up with boots and a statement necklace or worn casually with trainers

@RingofBrodgar is it this season the M&S top? I can't find it online

I don't think most people get very dressed up now, though it is very relaxed generally and you see groups out with one friend in a little black dress, someone else in a more casual dress, someone in a skirt, jumper and boots, someone else in jeans and a top- it's quite hard to get it wrong, if that's any comfort to you. Whereas at one time we used to phone one another "Are you wearing a dress?" "Claire- Karen is wearing A DRESS."

My fall back is probably what I was wearing 30 years ago - bootcut jeans/wide leg trousers and a skinny t-shirt with smart trainers or boots, or a top, skirt and boots, but it has all come round again and I feel quite comfortable in the 1990s zone! I don't wear so many combats/cargo pants these days though.

Talk to me about this nobody’s child dress! Is it comfortable? Does it need ironed? Where does it come to on you? (I’m only 5ft 1) can you wear a bra or is the back too low? Does it come up large or small?

hold on.. I’ll just check out some ideas for what you actually asked and be back

https://mintvelvet.com/products/navy-side-stripe-trouser

https://mintvelvet.com/products/navy-silk-front-shirt

How about these? Could be dressed up or down with footwear choice and jewellery.

I see the green is reduced too!

Not sure if this link will post but this came across my feed today and I thought of this thread!

it’s ‘going out looks’ formula outfit ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1264563357989861?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V

You might like clarewatkins_stylist on instagram. She looked fabulous in that Me+Em dress I’ve just linked. She’s curvier too :)
www.instagram.com/clarewatkins_stylist?igsh=MXg3YWhlNXY3cmdkNg==

Here’s the top OP:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/broderie-high-neck-puff-sleeve-top/p/clp60715835?color=BLACK&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-bau_smec_counterfactual&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bQmRm0CcDWEypuzZBHY7qj2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIst7kteHmiwMVUptQBh3N1yK3EAQYASABEgIRGfD_BwE

Agree that clothes have generally become more casual. I like to wear mostly casual with one stand out piece.

Joseph Ribkoff is a brand to look out for. Look like nothing much in the hanger but just a bit more, more than the other brands like mint Velvet.

Look out for a smaller independent boutique which stocks them and away you go.

The run up to Christmas followed by sales of you are lucky tend to be the best time to find these kind of things.

Good luck.

I could have written your post, pretty much word for word (in terms of your shape, size and likes/dislikes, so I'm excited to see the suggestions!). I've got several pairs of jeans now from American Eagle as their "curvy" jeans are designed not to gap at the waist while allowing more room in the thighs. So I wear those with a nice top (I like black, embellished stuff). I'm also a fan of an A line skirt (just above knee length) and boots, or skater dresses. I've got a dress from Little Lies (the crushed velvet, scoop neck one) in two colours - that's flattering if you've got a nice waist / decolletage and drapes nicely over the thighs (and long sleeved so hides my. fat arms).

This is so true.

There are a few long midi length parachute or ‘bubble’ bottomed skirts in the shops just now. If combined with a boat necked or deep scoop long sleeved T-shirt, the silhouette would be similar to the Nobody’s Child dress you have.

I recently acquired a taupey gold coloured one from River Island of all places. I went up two sizes to get it to sit right with the pockets flat. With an M & S v neck thin merino jumper and my knee high suede boots, it looks surprisingly great and feels fun and lovely to wear.

Given post has been taken down she was right though?

Found them on instagram and it looks like they work in website design & social media management so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an AI response. They’re not a stylist or anything.