Smart autumn 50th bday

[tostaky]

Hi all,
i am invited to a very posh, think old money, birthday party in the italian countryside. There will be wine tasting, truffle hunting and a stay in a fantastic house.
sounds fab? Yes but I am the only one working class and i also do not have a lot of dispoable income meaning that im always looking very cheap compared to my friend and her friends….
can you help me put together some outfits for that weekend that would look classy enough so i dont stick out like a sore thumb but that i could also re-use in my day to day life (a lot less posh!)
I am UK size 14, almost 50, small boobs, bigger thighs, blondeI will need shoes as well! I only have trainers (adidas and that japanese brand cant remember the name) and two pairs of black chelsea boots (i am ashamed!!) it will also be an occasion for me to smarten up my wardrobe!
i do have a green whistle dress that would be appropriate - can i wear it with my chelsea boots? I bought it and it has been sitting in my watdrobe for a few years unused…
TIA

Try Vinted and type in Me+Em or other nice brand. Loads of stuff.

Old money won't care what you wear by the way. Spending vast sums on new clothes with flashy labels is not something people are bothered about. The Whistles dress sounds great.You could always get it tweaked at a seamstress like Kate Middleton if needed. Maybe not with the boots though? Hard to say without a picture.

Im not asking for flashy labels as i wouldnt have the money anyway!
just some ides to improve my wardrobe with some smarter/a bit more posh items that i could re-use for a more smart casual look

I do have this jacket https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/joules-field-coat-lined-wool-mix-blue-size-10/product/HD_302854735?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&pscid=ps_ggl_OOS+-+Performance+Max+-+ROAS+-+Lower+priority_&crm_event_code=20REUWWS08&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22422538442&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qHEBhCDARIsALYKFNPvb9AgDn25pKLHBbrffYujoXtB4otj8DJd5NeHQkMZhMmuADjOpA8aAr0dEALw_wcB&sku=HD_302854735 and a pair of Barbour wellies/chelsea boots.
i suppose i would need a nice white top (please help) with a beige cardigan (from where) to wear with jeans for the truffle hunting part.

My whistle dress looks very similar to this one but from 4-5 seasons ago… https://www.whistles.com/product/192467.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22797692313&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22797692313&utm_content=188306982451&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gbraid=0AAAAADtW8dvMs1YmYtfC1-l9Ss-2VKXKx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qHEBhCDARIsALYKFNMAOxxr-k_pCYgEa02tklLnS6qY14oPuqmHBhYxucQvZlAGw7G3ejsaAhEEEALw_wcB

Vinted is great for this, you can kit yourself out for very little.

You don’t give a budget, @tostaky. How much do you feel able to spend, and will you be buying new from shops or pre-owned?

Either way, you might find it fun to focus on Italian brands to replenish your wardrobe. Google can provide countless lists of these to suit your budget.

I would concentrate on plain colours, simple shapes, natural fabrics, and tonal dressing - tops and skirts / trousers / jeans in the same colour. Also a variety of fabrics - not just cotton. If you can get hold of lovely, plain items in silk, suede, leather, mohair, tweed, crochet, velvet, corduroy, your wardrobe will automatically take on an elevated look.

Frankly, if it’s just a few days I would borrow or rent as much as you can - especially a jacket, coat, party dress, bag - and spend your money on decent walking shoes / boots.

That would be perfect for truffle hunting. If the Italian countryside is like the UKs and also if its autumn winter then wear that. If they are British smart in the countryside they won't wear anything black or brightly coloured outside. Natural colours. Maybe wear some trousers (not jeans) that you can tuck into boots if it's wet. If you're walking around in woods you might need some sturdier boots. You don't need to go nuts...leather walking boots from vinted? Thick wool socks, trousers that won't rip on brambles. Maybe a cool hat (not a bright bobble hat, maybe a suede fedora like Kate Middleton wore on Vogue. Actuallyher outdoor style would be good as its a bit.more stylish). I've not done truffle hunting in Italy so no idea what they would wear but that's what British people would wear.

In the evening people would change into maybe a cocktail type dress so the Whistles dress would be lovely. Classic jewellery. The most important thing if you are feeling slightly unconfident is to get pissed wear one thing that you really love that you know makes you feel great.

Have a look in the sales in Reiss and Whistles, it's a good time to buy.

Knock yourself out.

https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/special-offers/womenswear-offers/all-womenswear-offers/reiss/whistles/size%3D14/size%3Dm/_/N-nu7pZ1z13vmdZ1z13tcgZodsjZoe5z?chunk=3

If it's cool a classic cut pair of jeans and a simple navy jumper (M and S navy menswear), take all the labels out and style it slouchy, don't wear a blouse or shirt underneath.

Thanks a lot for these suggestions- i think the late middleton look will be spot on actually. Im going to google her outfits. I wouldnt want to dress like her on a daily basis but to mix some garments with my usual (plain) wardrobe might be nice.
i love the idea of a wooly hat too, very cosy
i will have to use vinted as my budget is the size of my overdraft… 😫

Yes good idea. Or cashmere if you can get it on Vinted and don't worry about any small holes. Maybe a scarf.

Like this with jeans?

@Quirkswork thats really nice but it is not something i will wear again i think. Just too classic…
This is my problem because when my friend invite me to her parties (not very often because our lives are quite different!) her friends eye me up with near disgust… i do try my best but i probably look mismatched/cheap… like i have a nice top but the shoes dont go well or the trousers are not coordinated enough… Im just glad i have a pretty face and good conversation to rescue my appalling dress sense! 😅

@spoonbillstretfordthanks for the JL link. I have added Gerard Darel and Brora to the mix. I had not thought about Reiss but they do have a lot of things!

i would like to wear some suede ankle cowboy boots as it will be a good alternative to my black chelsea boots and they will look good with jeans. Any mid-range recommendations (£100-150)?

also where do i find nice chunky wooly socks to spill over my barbour ankle boots? i wont buy walking boots as they would be lost on me…

i like the idea of a woolly hat but end of sept in italy is not that cold! I found a lovely whistle navy chunky knit for very cheap on JL 😃
I have ordered some beige cord trousers for the day and i think i would be able to wear them in the office too. I do have a Chloe slightly see-through shirt (bought many moons ago, still unworn) i could wear with them but lets see i fit in it or if the moths have not eaten it all!
i have ordered a couple of the cheaper Brora knits as they are gorgeous but lets see how they look on me and can i justify their extortionate price!

Yes good thinking OP. Don't buy anything you wouldn't wear again. I agree..if you are younger you can totally get away with being pretty and fun. F*ck her friends who look at you in disgust as they sound horrible so we don't care what they think. Plus they sound like they have no manners so they won't be real old money.

I was thinking more of the hat Kate has like this for September..you can get reasonable ones on Amazon actually or a farm outlet. That's where you can also find thick green or brown walking socks. Or I bet Vinted or Etsy would be good if you wanted knitted ones.

I think a good rule would be not too many synthetic materials, maybe try tonal dressing/one colour only so you look more put together, no bright colours/black/white on the truffle hunt (if it's like a shoot, you don't want to stand out so all the wildlife run away). Do layers so if it's boiling you're not bright red. I'd pack a sundress just in case.

https://www.houseofbruar.com/felt-fedora-brown-te31514camel/

House of Bruar is a very acceptable outlet for the Scottish country posh so cannot be scoffed at.

That hat is a real bargain and really nice! Thanks a lot 😊

Surely it will be far too warm in September for cashmere, coats and woolly hats?

I’d start with a pair of good quality, really well fitting dark denim jeans and a pair of stylish leather trainers.

Well fitting tops and a blouse that goes with the jeans.

A couple of midi dresses that work with the trainers or with your boots. Similar vibe to your Whistles one.

A light but waterproof jacket because when it rains, it really rains.

Yes definitely allowances to be made for warm weather. Linen blouse to go with your trousers in camel or beige or something like that when you are truffling. Nothing worse than being too hot. I think a camel blouse your trousers, walking boots and that fedora for the sun and also rain would look great! You could bring some linen trousers just in case (uniqlo do good ones)

Linen Wrap Front Top | Beige – Jigsaw https://share.google/OJgDAjbIav2QDIu0w

Cowboy boots and slouchy boots are definitely in.

These have been mentioned in Vogue.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1291729001.html

Sorry but this is Not Nice imo - unless you want to aim for Bedlam Chic, perhaps.

I think it's really lovely and good for going in woods if it's hot.

But sweet of you to judge it in such a kind way.

Well, you are, of course, very welcome to wear it to leap around woods whenever you might wish to. Personally, I think it’s horrid. I’m sure you might hate some of my clothes too - and that’s fine. I’m not judging - just expressing an opinion that is different to yours.

There might be a more appropriate way of putting your point across like: “not my cup of tea” or “id prefer this top to that one”…. Words like “horrid” do sound extremely negative.
@Quirkswork has been very generous with her advice 😊

Oh fgs. I’m being negative because I don’t like it. That doesn’t mean I’m criticising somebody’s character and she and you are perfectly welcome to wear the horrid top if you want to.