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 🥺

They have more dresses in that range, but those are the two that IMO would work best & you might like best as not being too far out of your boho comfort zone.

If you want to stick with wearing separates, this blouse is also really nice. I like it with the black wide-leg trousers in the photo, but it would go with other colours (indigo denim, burgundy) or skirts too.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su877764/v16020

Btw this & the two dresses are all viscose. Reviewers have commented on the fabrics feeling good.

Also, OP - I had previously suggested satin trousers like the black M&S ones as an easy way to dress an outfit up (ie change one of your usual separates to satin/silk/lace/chiffon instead). While the taupe colour of the trousers you're wearing in the photos isn't my thing (I find it a bit of a flat shade), that shape of pleated Annie Hall-type wide-leg belted trouser looks great on you!! Especially as you've cinched them in with a belt.

The trousers that she's wearing with the blouse above are a wool-mix fabric, which should make them drape well.

And even if you're more drawn to browns/greens/burgundies etc - a decent well-cut pair of black tailored wool trousers will always stand you in good stead?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su896389/g10625

No. I disagree. " Cocktails" is virtually meaningless these days beyond that drinks consisting of mixed alcohol will be served.

MN seems to inhabit a world in the 1960s where the mention of 'cocktails" means women in short, sophisticated, fancy evening dress. As it happens the OP has done a recce and the venue isn't glamorous.

I just know I’d rather be over dressed than under particularly if it’s an important event and I don’t think any of us on here have suggested short, sophisticated evening dress. In the main it has been trousers, blouses and jackets, you have a very dim view of your fellow posters, no need for it really.

I know posters have been griping about you focussing on a coat, when you still don't have an outfit - but you did state that you want to upgrade your daily wardrobe. Hence I'd posted some suggestions like the Jigsaw sage green coat. I have got several of my Jigsaw & other pricier coats (yes, I have many coats - I love them!) by saving searches & waiting. I know that doesn't help you right now, but I would be careful not to panic buy & end up spending £80 on a coat that's just not that nice. It's a false economy.

Re the ones that you've been looking at, the first one looks really huge when you look at other photos of it (it's this one, isn't it?). There's outsize & there's five sizes too big. You're getting sucked in by the model & how it's photographed, I think.

The other two I think look scratchy & heavy. And a bit student overcoat-y. Also, if you're just going to have one smart coat, it needs to go with everything. So not just the colour but the length & style are important. All those look too short, if you ever consider a dress or skirt in your new daily wardrobe ... And you should!!!

@EleanorMc67 thanks again for all this!!

Progress - I've ordered the monsoon blouse (I really like the long cuffs and high neck - I think that shape will suit me).

I've also bought a coat (vintage Pringle, belted, pure wool)... Don't say bad things about it because I'm going to wear it anyway.

I also bought a sort of muted dark green merino jumper, fine knit, I think. Obviously not to go over the blouse, but just as another option.

I'm a bit averse to black. Not sure it suits me, plus I have cats and it really shows up the hair.

Still probably need to find some shoes. Would prefer stylish flats (not flimsy).

Glad you came back, OP!! I actually like both coat & jumper. The coat looks a bit like this one from & Other Stories, actually - don't you think?!

https://www.stories.com/en-eu/product/relaxed-belted-wool-coat-mole-1011088001/

Taupe shades aren't my thing - they don't suit me, & I hadn't thought to suggest beige/taupe/mole shades as you said you liked colour! If you don't like black though, are those shades your neutrals?

Btw, I love black, I love my cat - & I love my lint & pet hair remover!!! I would strongly recommend getting one (they're near the irons in John Lewis, when you're in there buying one 😁!!!)

So what's your planned outfit? The beige wide-legged trousers? With the green paisley blouse tucked in, & the trousers belted? Have you got a nice leather belt & if so what colour?

If the weather is decent, are you wearing the velvet jacket - which is grey? Or, if it's cold, the taupe Pringle coat?

Also - you mentioned buying stuff in store. If you want new shoes (& it sounds as if you need them for this outfit), will you be going to the shops to see & try them on? Do you have the usual suspects near you - John Lewis, M&S, Zara, Office, COS, H&M etc?

Do you need actual wide-fitting shoes, or are some makes/styles fine?

Yes that's plan a: blouse, beige trousers, long coat. I'm still evaluating the velvet jacket - it's "decrumpling" in the wardrobe. Yes that's definitely a thing.

However I'm still browsing for good quality woollen trousers (like eg walker slater). I've only got three belts -that target naff green one in the photos above, a black metal studded one, and a sort of fabric one... None of them any good really. I might see if I can borrow one from an adult child.

I'm also thinking of getting a nice little silk neckerchief, in case I wear the jumper.

I do have weirdly wide feet. But they're squishy, do I can cram them into normal shoes if need be.

By the way, this dress is incredibly similar to my wedding dress, which I still have and occasionally wear... But I save it for fancier events than this (like proper parties).

Well, I think I'd suggested that one before I knew it wasn't a fancy cocktail bar that you were going to! And as a dress shape, it can be dressed down with knee-high boots with a stack heel (70s-ish). Plus I was aiming for a khaki/olive/burgundy palette plus black!

Footwear is something I don't ever impulse buy for a night out/special occasion, especially from cheaper places like New Look or even M&S. (All my eBay/Vinted purchases of footwear are from moderately expensive brands that I know fit me & that I like, & that are leather/suede.)

But if you only have a few days - so have to buy from the shops this week - & don't want to spend much, I might have to go out of my comfort zone!

Do you have any particular preference for a style with the trousers/outfit? Loafers, trainers, flats? Your trousers are worn with loafers (the beige colourway) or trainers (the blue ones) on the M&S website.

I like these satin ballet-meets-Mary-Jane flats from M&S, & the olive colourway would be great with the colours of your outfit. There's also ballet pink. (And another version that comes in rust-red & chocolate too.) I would wear fishnets (socks!) with them below your trousers. But I think they might be a bit delicate/dainty? Flats with wide-leg trousers are currently worn a bit more pointy/less girly than these. But worth trying?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-flat-mary-jane-ballet-pump/p/clp60774610
https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-striped-flat-ballet-pumps/p/clp60775444

Theres also this pair - of which the brown would match, but I prefer the dark red & wonder if they would work?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/lace-up-flat-ballet-pumps/p/clp60777719

Just looked at wide-fit shoes on JL - & these glossy chocolate loafers look really nice & also reasonably priced at £85?

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-pennie-wide-fit-leather-loafers-chocolate/p114415195

Or possibly these?

https://www.johnlewis.com/dune-london-gracelyn-leather-loafers-burgundy/p113844943

The JL wide-fit ones also come in burgundy - see here worn with wide trousers, but most sizes are out of stock currently.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-pennie-wide-fit-patent-leather-loafers-burgundy/p113842825

Velvet trainers are a good way to make your look a bit dressier. I have these in other colours, & if they're in your size I think the dusky pink would look good with beige & olive/khaki. They are very comfy from day one.

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

None of these shout cocktails with the new boss. They look boring and dowdy.

You might be interested in keeping an eye out for these on Vinted/eBay, btw - fancy flat vegan footwear! A bit pricey otherwise. Really nice green pointed flats.

https://www.joinourturf.com/product-page/womens-pointed-toe-flat-green

OP I think you’re almost there either way the monsoon blouse and wide trousers and the coat. I’d be way more dressier 😂 but I think what you’re suggesting fits in your style. I would not wear the jumper. I get that you like wool but I think you are verging into Shetland wear here.

A big statement necklace can dress up the outfit a lot. Nothing expensive but having one wow peice can make difference.

I think a lot of us would be dressier - but as the cocktail venue is just a regular bar & it sounds like evening is actually going to be fairly low-key, I think she'll be ok ...!!

These are from the Forever Comfort range at Next, come in a wide ft, & are bronze, which would work with your outfit colours?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su888339/g06742

@LongTermLurker Is this the jacket that you were really after? It looks lovely.

https://ebay.us/m/ylo9L3

I hope the creases in your jacket come out - but if velvet has been bundled up & packaged tightly, they may not without steaming/dry-cleaning. I'd suggest hanging it in the bathroom?

Also, have you thought about jewellery, OP? I was going to suggest a vintage brooch at the neck of your blouse (as per pic) - but I don't think it'll be seen against the print. I think maybe a cluster on your coat collar, which will lift what is a wintery coat? Vintage brooches are easily picked up in charity shops if you don't have any.

I'd probably add earrings, but simple ones like these Anthropologie ones on Vinted.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8410522091-anthropologie-earrings