‘Smart casual’ evening wear for fat frumpy 55 year old

[Fishrepeating]

Slight curve ball for a work related ‘do’ I’ve been to before where everyone wore variations on evening party wear… now the venue has changed and the dress code is smart casual. I was going to wear an a line Hobbs dress (vinted purchase) but now it seems too bright, too short, too much a party
dress.

Could you throw me some suggestions for an outfit as a fat, frumpy 55 year old? All
weight carried on stomach, 5ft 4, slim legs and bum. I am 14 Next or M&S, 16’Hobbs. Too uncomfortable nowadays to wear no sleeves though I do have a Roman dress and jacket that I would wear but I am pretty sure I can’t get into. Don’t want to spend hundreds so high street or Vinted unless it is something I can wear again.

If you look at Jigsaw and pick an item eg smart trousers, it offers ideas on how to style them.

That lamb motif cardi is an abomination. Oversized jackets are difficult to find and not really fashionable. They are merely available.

It's been all the rage for a while ...!!!

Don't worry, I don't think that's what op is doing at all. It's all about body type, where you carry your weight, and self perception. So if op has put some weight on in areas she hadn't previously had it, it might just make her feel 'fat', even though it's highly unlikely she would look fat to anyone else. My mum is the same height and a size12/14, and looks very slim.
OP is only talking about the way she sees herself. She probably knows loads of people a similar height and size, and wouldn't ever perceive them as fat. It's just insecurity. I use derogatory words about myself sometimes when I'm having an insecure moment, but wouldnt see other people that way who look similar to me.

Whatever you choose - look at your overall silhouette in the mirror as well as the individual items; be comfy (wear the clothes and don't let them wear you, no tweaking and pulling at bits); add a couple of pieces of jewellery that lift the outfit - take time choosing these accessories as they'll make you look more glam without feeling overdressed.

This is an adorable, very wearable outfit, and much more pleasing to my eye personally than a button up "crisp" blouse, black or tan or navy trousers and a blazer. But then I haven't liked the look of a blazer in over a decade, for a jacket I would go more "chore".

@dudsville There are some good jackets available but quite a few are cropped right now or tailored and a bit longer. Net-a-Porter has all sorts but many are straight or cinched. Fabric is important but just wearing work styles is very boring.

It's very nice. You may need a short, bolero-style, black knitted-linen cardigan to put on as a top if it's a bit chilly, if you need to make it look even smarter?

the skirt is nice. the top is awful. could you find a lovely white blouse to pair with the skirt, since white blouses seem to be 'in'.

Plus, perhaps, some non-glittery but a bit chunky/verging-on-folksy jewellery?
Ideally, with some wedge espadrilles.

The top looks lovely on me - are you always so rude when people say they have bought something - a "lovely white blouse" sounds a bit prim to me and prim works on a 30 year old but not so well on a busty 50 something.

Yes, thanks @Somethingsnapped you sum this up wells

Reality is that quite apart from the fact that I can call MYSELF whatever I like, I did say that I am size 14 M&S/next (which I think vanity size a bit) and size 16 Hobbs. I didn’t say my weight but on BMI I am at the high end of overweight. And that weight isn’t the finely honed muscle of an athlete, it is fat. What I also said in my original post is that I carry my weight on my (apron, post c-section) stomach. My legs are slim, I have no bum. I am not humble bragging. I don’t have negative body dysmorphia, in fact possibly the reverse as my mind sees myself still as age 18. I presented the facts, have got some good advice and enjoyed seeing the range of opinions. As regards weight, size etc, etc, this thread was about ME, not a friend, not a woman at work, and definitely not about random anonymous posters.

Linen trousers & a smartish blouse or top with nice sandals, bag & jewellery.

I always feel I have various bits of other peoples' bodies. Small frame, narrow shoulders, short limbs. big bust, small waist, big back side. Size 14ish.

No I don'r want a wrap dress to emphaisze my waist , thanks.

Think the suggestion of linen trousers, good top ,bag and shoes is ideal.