Posh hotel trip outfit help!

[sunsu]

Hello! Can anyone please help me find an outfit for a fancy date night in a posh hotel?? I am also looking for some nice daytime outfits for the same place if anyone has any recommendations.

I’ve put on weight recently and I just don’t know what suits me or how to dress my shape. I’m 5’5, size 12 with big hips and bum. I have an average sized chest. My waist is smaller but I do have a little tummy that I didn’t used to have. I was a size 8 for years and years and knew what worked for me but now, I have no idea. I’d like to look nice but also feel nice!

I tend to wear layers and cover myself up. I have lots of clothes but just nothing that feel nice enough for the location. Most of my clothes are well worn and just a bit sad! So my wardrobe needs a wee update.

thank you fashion gurus!

All the guests with obvious pots of cash (you can tell by the cars and the luggage) were dressed right down in comfy clothes. Jeans, trousers, cozy jumpers, blouses, trainers or flat shoes.

I have the money. I have zero interest in spending it on flashy cars and expensive luggage.

What about a jumpsuit.
something like this?
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su969089/au7230?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23100068351&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWwSRF3rGsWNRYcuUKsRGtZm&gclid=Cj0KCQjws83OBhD4ARIsACblj1_woujXj5lwco9SXvE_Vi6JH1P_l2JFRQdibpzACjTlCZeS4p2lL9waArK3EALw_wcB

That Zara blouse is cute - though I'm a sucker for broderie anglaise!

A cardigan rabbit-hole sounds like a lovely thing to fall down - all soft & fluffy ... Not so keen on the first & third (nice enough but I think there are some similar but better versions out there) - but love the John Lewis one in dark red & am going to buy that, so thank you!

But why would she want to "amp up the Scottish vibes" - she's going to an expensive country hotel, not cosplaying for a remake of Brigadoon or Braveheart ...?!!!

I'm also perplexed by the recommendations for House of Bruar (which are frequent on MN!). The place is basically just a big shopping centre, & a complete style vacuum ...

Well fabulous.
I did say ''obvious''. You're obviously not one of the obvious ones!

OP you haven’t mentioned which restaurant you are going to as evening attire will change depending on which one.

We servers there last year and ate in the Birnam which is more relaxed in dress wear.

The American bar is very glam but as with all of Gleneagles it’s glam in an understated way. I did see a couple of women who were beautifully dressed in a very blingy way and they did stand out.

All I’d say is avoid linen. Always looks scruffy in evening for more formal events.

Oh god no absolutely not! Please don't wear a kilt to Gleneagles OP 😂

But why would she want to "amp up the Scottish vibes" - she's going to an expensive country hotel, not cosplaying for a remake of Brigadoon or Braveheart ...?!!!

😂

This is perfect! I think I will go for nice black trousers and order this top. Thank you!!

thank you all for your kind responses, I am reading through them all and they have been very helpful. I think I’m probably overthinking as I feel so uncomfortable in my own body at the moment, so I have really appreciated everyone’s kind words and advice!

I think what's interesting about House of Bruar is how little Scottish products, particularly knitwear, they stock. They have Eribé but I'm not sure how much Eribé is made in the UK.

They don't have the big names, Johnstons of Elgin, Harley of Scotland, Jamiesons of Shetland, Bosie, &Daughter.

I appreciate &Daughter and Johnstons of Elgin are very pricey but the others are midmarket. I suspect there are various reasons why these brands aren't stocked

Honestly if anyone is looking for good quality, real Scottish, and last but not least, stylish knitwear the tiny shops Chandlers of North Berwick (no online sales) and Dicks of Edinburgh beat House of Bruar hands down.

Your post led me to have a look at House of Bruar online - to see if I was maligning it & all its MN fans unfairly. I'm not ...

I have never really looked at the website before - having been dragged there in person several times was quite enough to put me off ... It's still 90% awful. Most of the women's clothing (certainly their own line) looks like the stuff featured in the ads at the back of The Mail on Sunday (no, I am not a reader, but cannot wean my mum off the damn thing!!).

Eribé is made in Scotland in the main, I believe, with some of the wool spun in Yorkshire (I think a few other Scottish brands use Yorkshire mills too). But some of the other brands like Munrospun, which sound Scottish, are just a scam - it's trading on the old Edinburgh brand but is all from China. Which I don't object to per se - but there are so many brands they could be selling that ARE properly Scottish!!

They do actually stock a good selection of Harley of Scotland knitwear - but don't list it under their brands??? Maybe it's an error on the website. And I too would rather shop at Dicks* or Chandlers or a smaller independent (the latter does now do mail order, but I'd rather visit the shop because all those wool colours make me happy!).

Anyway, I will attach a few images to support my case for never shopping for clothes at House of Bruar ... (I just asked my 80-year-old mother what she thought of these & she was very unimpressed!). These make Woolovers look like high fashion. Such a wasted opportunity.

*Almost £900 for a cotton & linen duster coat at Dicks though. Eeek.

Chandlers is beautiful. I could only see a small selection online but their Instagram has loads more. The owner has her own designs which are made up for her by William Lockie in Hawick.

I didn't know that - you are a font of knowledge!

Alternative opinion - These silky tops linked to look like you’ve forgotten to put your top on and are out in your camisole / underwear. Sorry. Fine for teens going to club - not great in mature women unless under something else.

What a beautiful suggestion. So beautiful I think I'm going to dive in and buy it for myself!!!

Well I think they are beautiful.

Day time, good quality silk or cashmere top, with whatever jeans you are most comfortable in.

Evening, a black tux worn over the previously mentioned silky cami top would look great.

Have a lovely time

I love this top

Editing, since I’d missed you know Gleneagles well. I’d still go with smart trousers, shirt, blazer and fab accessories though, plus nice shoes. I always pack super light and this is my go to smart outfit for nights out.

Ok, so Gleneagles will be full of golfers, country folk, people up from Edinburgh plus some casually dressed Americans. You won’t want to go OTT on the outfits. Black trousers, silk shirt and fabulous accessories is how I’d go, personally, with a blazer.

Are you staying there? The outside hot tub at night is brilliant (though imho not hot enough, partly because they let children in).

Current jeans that fit well and are comfortable, ankle boots with pointed toe, tweed blazer, belt to match boots, fitted jumper or t-shirt in a colour that works with the blazer, nice earrings and the best leather bag you can afford. Add sunglasses for more glam. Same outfit with wide leg trousers instead of jeans would be more dressy.