Help me not feel like a dick in NE London…

[wheresmymojo]

Hi all,

I’m going out for dinner and then to a gig in Stoke Newington in a couple of weeks on my own.

On my own because I’m separated from STBXDH, most of my friends are married / with kids and I don’t want to sit watching shit TV while life passes me by just because the alternative is going solo sometimes.

However, I don’t know NE London but believe it to be land of hipsters?

I’m more of a 43 year old corporate type. I’d rather not be extra awkward by feeling like I stick out like a sore thumb.

So what can an hourglass size 16-18 wear?

I can’t do round necks / high necks as I have 38H boobs and it just forms one large boob unishelf.

I can’t do boxy, androgynous or oversized styles as I look like a sack of spuds.

I prefer dresses over jeans/trousers but would consider if needed.

I’m just looking for inspo more than anything so budget no issue as I’ll take the inspo and find things in my budget.

I tend to currently wear Mint Velvet, LK Bennett (more for work), Baukjen, and similar.

Thanks in advance for helping me blend in (a bit)…

If relevant - I’m dark hair, marginally warm toned skin - basically an Autumn on the “colours” wheel

Ok, but only because you’ve asked:

I would probably wear something like this:

Loulou de Saison dress (Any colour you like.)

Possibly with vaguely co-ordinating light trousers beneath (maybe from the same brand) and a bomber jacket that worked with my proportions and the weather. (I’d expect to tie the jacket around my waist for the gig.)

And I do know that isn’t what you meant by preferring ‘dresses over trousers’ - it’s just a look I’m fond of.

I am a fair bit older than you though, so possibly not what you’d choose.

Roughly the same age as you, have lived in Dalston/Stokey half my life and it’s one of the few places where you can genuinely (hand on heart) wear what you like. The dress suggested above is VERY cute, but I honestly wouldn’t spend that on a dress for a gig where you will get something spilled on you (I assume you’re going to EartH).

I suspect this isn’t very helpful, so I apologise. 😆

But the OP said budget was no issue as she’d adapt ideas to suit her pocket.

I however am ancient and august and no one would dare to spill anything on my beautiful clothes …

Stoke Newington was full of yummy mummies last time I went tbh, but I've only ever been there on a week day. The only hipster I saw served me a coffee.

What kind of gig is it? And I'd want to know the weather forecast a bit closer to the night before I made my mind up, if it was me.

Generally though, I'd favour a band t-shirt, a longish skirt (denim or floaty) and boots or Converse.

A quick look at Mint Velvet :https://mintvelvet.com/products/animal-print-slip-skirt
This would work with a black top or with a vest and a denim or linen shirt over, or with a graphic t-shirt, band or otherwise. A denim shirt worn open over a scoop neck vest maybe? https://www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-denim-western-shirt-blue/p113332408

Denim midi bargain https://www.johnlewis.com/nudie-jeans-anna-denim-skirt-light-blue/p113145486

Smarter Whistles denim bargain https://www.johnlewis.com/whistles-straight-denim-midi-skirt-washed-black/p110975030

I'm struggling to find any nice tops that aren't high necked though - this has been so annoying for so long, and is why I have hardly any tops in my wardrobe, annoyingly!

I go to gigs two or three times a week in N/NE London and the previous comment is right. You can wear anything. Beware that some venues have had ferocious air conditioning going to the point where I have had to wear a woolly hat (and I am notorious for not feeling the cold) or have been boiling and sweaty - so layers are a good idea. I often wear a black t-shirt dress and overshirt // vest top, over shirt and jeans/trousers // band t-shirt and shorts. All usually with my DMs or a pair of basic trainers. I tend to keep to muted colours of khaki, black; denim.
What gig are you going to? There is a community of solo gig goers where you can have meet ups if that's your thing.

And if you're going to EartH and sitting upstairs, it's very basic wooden steps to sit on with the risk of someone tripping over a pint. I wouldn't bother wearing anything new.

I like the idea of leopard print skirt or dress, with either a denim or suede jacket on top. Loose and comfy, just don't go too long in case people step on the hem or it gets caught in chair legs or on transit. Can you wear a mini?

Stick your own 'look' ish ... dress over trousers etc. You'll be more in your comfort zone.
Cliche - ' be yourself'.
You are more important than your clothing choices.
Apart from - DO NOT wear animal print ANYTHING ... tacky, tacky, tacky.

Stokey is hipster but quite middle aged grown up hipster, the kids can't afford to live there anymore.

And yes if it's Earth do hold in mind that you'll basically be sitting on the floor!

Ooh I love a gig. Who are you seeing? I might fancy it.

I'm a similar age and go to a lot of gigs. Literally anything goes. I've worn jeans, vest and trainers, jeans, band t shirt and dms, casual dresses, straight-from-office wear. I really wouldn't buy anything new.

What kind of music? I used to live in Stokie and I don’t think it’s hipster. The hipsters that are around these days all look a bit shit to me. They all seem to dress like 80s children TV presenters and the men all have awful moustaches.

Don’t be so ridiculous

It’s NE London. You can where whatever you like (including animal print so ignore the earlier poster). Literally no-one cares what you’re wearing.

If you want to look more ‘local’ then ideally a mix of vintage and/or obscure labels (even better if they’re samples or one-offs made by a talented friend) and a bit of recycled charity shop and make sure nothing matches. But seriously, it really doesn’t matter. The only person who will notice and/or care is you OP. Go and enjoy yourself! (And if for some reason you’re there before 5pm, grab some tacos from Sonora on the High St - best tacos in London and they broke many foodies’ hearts when they relocated from Hackney to Stokey).

The gig is in The Waiting Room (basement beneath the Three Crowns pub).

Ah, yes…the guy playing is exactly like that. He’s like a character from Stranger Things - 80s curly mullet, shit mustache, wife beater vest and Jon Bon Jovi style earring.

Definitely not trying to blend in that much!

Sorry - forgot type of music…

Irish singer songwriter, Indie pop I guess. He’s called CODYY.

What is a dress over trousers? Like a tunic?

I think by “dress over trousers” the OP means she prefers a dress to trousers.

I’d probably go in jeans.

Love the silk dress that MsAlignment linked to. Wish it wasn't so expensive, I'd buy that in pretty much every colour!
Id usually wear a similar dress to that or jeans/wide leg trousers & fitted top with DMs/trainers. Hope you have a brilliant time OP

You can literally wear whatever you want and absolutely nobody will take notice 😊

Yes, this. I live in Stokey and the crowd at the pubs are mostly 30s/40s/50s. All the hip young things are down the road in Dalston. (And the even younger ones are at the Spoons because it's cheap.) You'll fit right in – people are friendly.

If it were me at the gig, I'd wear a rock-type T-shirt, jeans, boots and lipstick.

How did you find your way to the Style & Beauty board, @CleanShirt? 😂😂😂