Help needed for an inveterate scruff who needs to look presentable for cocktails and a meal out with dh's new boss.

[LongTermLurker]

I'm 50, size 10-12, 5'6". Usually wear kinda frumpy cords and woolly jumpers. Was thinking of the same sort of garments but fancier....like a fancy jumper and, erm...nice cords? Also always wear sensible wide toe shoes like hobibear, and I'm unwilling to wear any heels. So maybe some nice looking comfy shoes?

Would prefer to get stuff on vinted if possible.

Pleeeaaase help 🥺

That coat is also on eBay in brown for less than £100 ... It's a Small but that's what you should go for anyway - it's oversized & I went down a size.

https://ebay.us/m/QqYgaT

Cheaper - but I prefer the lovely olive green ...!!!

If you did buy this, don't pair it with green, or you'll look like one of Robin Hood's merry men - or a chocolate lime boiled sweet 😁!! (Burgundy or navy maybe. But the green is more special IMO ... worth the extra £50. Goes with more colours too.)

Just not cords, they are frumpy and aging in my opinion.

Next, the trousers. I'm not sure what ones the model is wearing, & whether they're black trousers or black denim. But they look like these ones, which are full price.

Lovely, but the least distinctive part of the outfit. As long as you get a well-cut pair of black wide-leg trousers - crepe or satin would be best - that are slightly longer than you would normally wear (but not stupidly so!), so that they sit on the top of your shoe. Not flared/bootcut style - more palazzo pant wide-cut style iyswim - you want that Lauren Hutton in 70s New York look ...!!!

Indigo denim wide legs would also be good.

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/modern-crepe-wide-leg-trouser-black

Have a look at the Paloma Wool website. I have two pairs of nice cords and one fluffy jumper from this brand (all bought at Liberty, but they have relatively few items from the brand).

I could wear a tight slinky dress from Zara for a night out and feel great, but if I was going to wear relatively casual clothes for an occasion when others would be ‘done up’ then I would feel tatty unless the clothes were slightly fancier.

These indigo wide-leg jeans are down to £62 from £125. They may be a bit too wide, but worth checking them out?

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/myrtle-pressed-crease-jean-indigo

And then something on top!

Your Monsoon blouse is in stock in small (which I think you'd probably be?) or medium here: https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/wd240

I really like it. But not with that skirt - that's a hippie step too far!! Either loose over the trousers or jeans, or tucked in if the trousers have loops & worn with a belt.

It would also go well with the lovely olive coat!!

Would you wear a long skirt? You could wear that with a jumper and maybe your boots.

This is the lovely teal jumper that the olive coat is worn with - still £179 in the sake though. I really like the muted contrast in yellow-green & blue-green of the coat & jumper.

It looks quite long though, & if you're not 5' 10" like the model, it might shorten you a bit?

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/halo-cashmere-oversized-jumper-green

There's also this, £84: https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/cloud-cashmere-holden-polo-green

Or this, £119: https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/cloud-cashmere-eldon-jumper-khaki

I also think this is gorgeous, £68: https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/satin-drape-neckline-blouse

And I love it with the skirt & knee-high boots, if that was an option to trousers & flats, OP? That's if the colour suits - it's not everyone's cup of poison green!

This one is also very pretty, & maybe a more wearable green, plus only £38: https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/recycled-satin-pleated-blouse-green

I have these trainers in a couple of colours from past seasons.

They are instantaneously comfy! Barely a need to break them in - which is good if you're going to get new shoes, as you won't have much time to do that!!

I know I said to avoid brown & green - but these are very dark chocolate - & they're velvet ...

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/portland-velvet-trainer-chocolate

Pic this time.

Another brand whose footwear I swear by for instant no-breaking-in comfort is Whistles.

These are unfortunately still full price at £115, but would give a bit of an edge to your outfit, in black: https://www.whistles.com/product/karina-suede-stud-ballet-pump-40754.html

Their plain black pumps are £75 in the sale. Someone above suggested fishnet pop socks ...
https://www.whistles.com/product/clean-ballet-pump-40758.html

There will be loads of good cheaper options - but maybe not as comfy! I've steered away from recommending any pointy flats. But there are some reduced on Jigsaw.

Whistles also has these pintuck waist satin trousers in the sake for £55.

https://www.whistles.com/product/textured-satin-pintuck-trouser-40374.html

And these denim wide-legs are £45 & also look good?

https://www.whistles.com/product/cotton-wide-leg-pleat-trouser-40390.html

Do you need/want a bag, OP? Or are you a carry-everything-you-need-in-your-coat-pocket sort??!!

In case you might entertain a dress, this one looks as if it would tone with the Jigsaw olive coat ...? A size 8 or 10 sounds right, as the reviews say it's very big in fit.

Quite boho but the coat would keep it simple. You'd need black knee high boots - worth looking for Jigsaw or Whistles ones in your size on eBay/Vinted? I got my last, really comfy Jigsaw ones, new on eBay for &80!

https://www.johnlewis.com/albaray-paisley-tie-neck-maxi-dress-green/p113818485

I have the dress version of this Jigsaw linen top, if you wanted to wear something a bit lighter looking? Would be good with the wide-leg jeans.

Very cheap too!

https://ebay.us/m/ZJY0lu

So you CAN wear heels! I thought you meant nothing unless absolutely flat. Your feet look a normal width too ...!! (Since the Hobibear mention I keep imagining a cross between teddy bear & Hobbit feet!)

The boots are ok, OP - but a bit worn- & dated-looking IMO (sorry!). Fine for dashing to the shops or meeting a friend - but I don't think they really cut it for cocktails & dinner ...?

What foot size are you?

Another slightly boho option which is really pretty, & a bargain.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5285156082-green-satin-shirt

And another one that I have as a dress! It's really lovely.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7025870304-green-jigsaw-top

Another option rather than a coat with the green Albaray dress is this NRBY jacket? Smarter than a normal denim jeans jacket, & warmer.

https://nrbyclothing.com/products/elodie-cotton-quilted-jacket-denim

Or this? https://nrbyclothing.com/products/jay-cotton-velvet-jacket-forest-green

Get your hair done, a nice blow wave. Always makes you feel good.

@LongTermLurker - long thread, little progress …

I don’t understand why you are determined to look (using your word) frumpy? Have you thought about the combined effect of the velvet jacket and clumpy red bootlets? Do you actively want to arrive at a cocktail bar in the guise of Puss in Boots?

5’6 and size 10-12? Nothing ‘wrong’ with your legs or feet, so you’re free to wear whatever you like. No actual budgetary restriction. 146 posts and no closer to looking presentable for drinks and dinner?

Goodness …

@Faineante you’re wasted on here, have you thought about becoming Prime Minister? 😂

PS I do always say start with the shoes, get them right and yhe outfit will follow, then you can do anything!