First night out in 4 years - help!

[JustAMum35]

I’m in major need of help to find a nice, stylish outfit for a girls night out 😬 cocktail bars/pubs/ maybe some food rather than nightclubs.

I’m 35, size 22, 5’6”ish, medium brown hair, fair skinned.
It’s been 4 years since I last went on a night out and in that time I’ve had kids, and developed a health condition which has caused me to gain a significant amount of weight so I’m really not feeling my most confident. None of my dressier clothes fit me now so I’m starting completely from scratch and I feel like I’ve changed so much as a person that I don’t even know what my style is now 🫠😬

No set budget really.
No purple.
I need things to disguise a larger belly - no cropped tops, nothing tucked in, nothing clingy.

Please help 😳

I feel this is becoming my stock answer for many situations but for size 22- Joannie. They don't specialise in "plus sizes" as their clothes run from 8 -26. I'm a 14 and there's loads of stuff I like. The Celia Birtwell collaboration is particularly nice.

Joannie

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle Thank you. I have had a look at Joanie and they have some lovely things but not sure that they’re really me. A bit too vintage I think!

You'll need to give some indication of what is "really you" "I’m 35, size 22, 5’6”ish, medium brown hair, fair skinned" tells readers nothing.

Have a look at this site.
https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/collections/sale-dresses-jumpsuits?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21919176470&gbraid=0AAAAACsrG-I2Nc-dRFJ89vnKLKB-uZjiQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhO3DBhDkARIsANxrhTpSAPd5K_Sp09s-ZED5V6-liEaUjhViOdBAxQvSW7XJ67DEEXcEwigaAl4WEALw_wcB

I suspect you have yet to adjust your ideas of what a ‘girls’ night out’ might entail by way of clothes. Assuming your friends are roughly of your own generation I doubt there’ll be a huge amount of ‘out out’ dressiness for a casual evening of pub / bar / food. I’d look for things you’re likely to wear again often over the rest of the summer.

You could look at everything The Reformation has in its Extended Sizes offering:

https://www.thereformation.com/clothing/extended-sizes?page=11

I’d probably start with a linen top (a blouse or waistcoat) and go from there. Trousers or a skirt, as you prefer.

Hi, op I hope you have a great time on your night out.

I'm your age and until recently was a size 20-22. What is would say is 'going out' clothes seem to be far more casual than they used to be, e.g. heels and sparkles would be very dated.

How about some wide leg trousers and a simple top with a blazer or bomber jacket. Or a floaty dress if that feels too casual - loads of inspo on Instagram if you look for plus size influencers, try Laura Adlington or Curvy Romer.

I’ve linked a few things from the asos plus range to give you some ideas. I’m a couple of years younger than you and I’d say these fit the general vibe of a lot of women in our sort of age group.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5
Link 6

Curious to know how ASOS are making plus sized clothes so cheaply - given that they’re really nicely designed.

Do they last, @manicpixieschemegirl, or do buyers have to keep replacing stuff after three washes?

I’m not plus size so I couldn’t tell you about that range specifically @ANagsHead, but I imagine the quality is much like everything else in fast fashion or on the high street.

I wear a lot of Zara, H&M, M&S and some Asos and tend to find if you take care to wash them per the label they can last years.

I'm a different shape but same age, and it's definitely very different going out now to pre-covid. If you've previously been slim and have gained weight I think unfortunately you're going to feel big in anything, and you can't really hide size. You can however embrace it. Is there a part of your body you prefer to show, like do you like your legs (mini or maxi dress), arms (sleeves or no sleeves), etc?

What about something like https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/zt975?optionSize=22 The model is very slim so it's hard to say how it would look on you, but I think it could work. 100% cotton. Style with flattish sandals, not trainers to avoid the 'midi dress and white trainers' look.

I think @manicpixieschemegirl has got it spot on. That asymmetric waistcoat in particular is lovely. You’d get loads of wear out of that I reckon.

Plus-size people deserve well-designed, affordable clothing too. Sadly, we often don’t have the luxury of choosing ethical fashion, the options simply aren’t as available to us as they are for standard sizes.

Absolutely the best ideas so far.
I'd want them all. I'm going to buy a couple of pieces.

Thank you so much everyone - I’m going to sit and have a proper look tonight.

@manicpixieschemegirl I love these options and know others would look fab in them but honestly I feel like I’d look just like a giant lump 😔
I just don’t feel comfortable at all. I’ve never been slim but was previously a few sizes smaller and I just struggle to think anything looks decent on me to be honest.

Tu clothing (Sainsbury's) have some lovely clothes and lots in size 22. Great quality, price and range.

I’m sure you wouldn’t look anything of the sort @JustAMum35 but I appreciate you need to feel comfortable.

Just remember that being in a bigger body doesn’t mean that you’re exiled to frumpsville. There are loads of plus sized women who look fabulous and so will you, whatever you end up wearing.