What to wear to birthday party

[Vanderlylecrybabygeek]

Going to a 60th birthday party at the weekend. No idea what to wear as I hardly ever go to parties anymore!

im small and fat (5ft2 and size 18), mid 40s and hate high heels! Could anyone give me any ideas? It’s a local social club place, so not super posh or uber trendy

Wear a dress, long or knee length, or jeans and a top?

Wear a lovely dress. Do you have one or need ideas?

I went to a 60th last year, also in a social club type setting. Majority of people were smart casual. Men had chinos/shirts, the odd suit trouser and tie (mainly older men) but mainly jeans and shirt. The odd woman had a pretty dress/skirt on. Some trousers or jeans and pretty top. I didn't see anything really formal, no sequined tight dresses, no cocktail or formal wear at all.

What do you normally feel comfortable wearing? Jeans and smart top. A blazer can make it look a bit smarter. Low wedges if you want height but not wanting to wear regular heels.

I have lost a stone so have only recently started wearing jeans again! But don’t really have going out tops. I have lots (and I mean lots) of flowery dresses and black dresses, but I don’t know, I feel a bit frumpy in them.

Congrats on the weight loss- assuming its intentional and not from ill health though?
Buy some foundation wear. M&S do some good ones to smooth things out and make you feel more comfortable. If you have a dress you could wear then go for that.

Thanks so much. It’s from cutting down on sugar and exercising thankfully. I’ve actually lost 2 stones since November. It’s been a bit slow; but it’s very gradually getting there.

i feel frumpy because of the style
of the dresses if that makes sense. Some of the dresses have been in my wardrobe since before covid. I tend to wear dresses to work which also makes me think of them not really being party wear lol

Why ever did you leave it so late, @Vanderlylecrybabygeek?! You’ve missed all the fun of weeks of browsing and ordering and trying on.

So I guess this thread is about shopping your wardrobe or traipsing through your local High St (or equivalent)?

Adding my congratulations on your weight loss. It’s entirely natural that your pre-weight loss wardrobe feels dowdy now. I’d set most of those things aside (with a view to culling when you have time) and concentrate on anything you have that might still look good oversized. Like a plain silk or cotton buttoned shirt. If you don’t have anything suitable at all you’re going to have to buy new, or borrow.

What are the best shops you have available locally? We could help you consider their stock online - and you’d be able to see if items are in your store.

I had no idea what size I’d be lol. But, I’ve got next day delivery with next! So likely to order from there

Well - I don’t love Next, but this is the sort of thing I’d be buying for a casual-ish birthday party right now. Both parts, obviously:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su467159/ah5489#ah5489

Or maybe this, with clumpy flatform sandals to keep it casual:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su426616/ab8145#ab8145

And this is wonderfully relaxed and would get lots of wear afterwards:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su473882/aj2332#aj2332

Try the Love and Roses range at Next, they have some nice stuff that’s not all glitzy

Just saw this:

https://www.next.co.uk/seasons/style/su442054/ad5099

Particularly like the buttons down the sides to alter how you wear it.

I have something similar (vastly oversized!) that I've worn and worn and worn again endlessly for years over all sorts of trousers. As long as you remember to only drink white wine or G&Ts …