Size 18 Work BBQ outfit

[Ijustpopped]

I'm a very short size 18. 5ft3, heavy around the tummy. I have been invited to a very posh bbq at work, and have no idea what to wear. The vibe is casual elegance. Please help!

Jumpsuit?

Sounds fun!

If you have a reasonably flexible budget I would look at Marina Rinaldi and maybe consider something like this co-ord set:

https://gb.marinarinaldi.com/p-7111016206013-mrnpoggio-cocoa

(Obviously this sort of thing can be replicated at any price point, but the MR things are specifically cut for the proportions of larger sizes.)

So, alternatively this, but with a co ordinating dress or skirt:

https://www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-denim-cutwork-co-ord-in-chocolate/grp/211097531#colourWayId-210125368&productId-210125364

Not a jump suit! A bit dated and a faff in the loo! I’d go for a floaty midi dress - will be longer on you and that’s great. Lots in summer fabrics and wearable all summer. There are some good cotton dresses around too. Would a flared shirt dress suit you? Boden has loads of dresses and M&S.

Floral Midi dress and wedges. Really flattering and looks quite dressy with nice sandals, heels or wedges.

Thank you all. I have an image in my head of some.cropped ecru jeans and a top....but the dress sounds good too. If anyone has any suggestions on.where to buy...?

Also what to wear on top in the evening? Thank you!

I like the idea of the ecru jeans actually! Maybe with a white shirt? Some nice jewellery!

Jeans and blouse or a dress works, I’d opt for the latter. What’s your budget? Huge difference in recommendations depending on whether you have £50, £100 or £500! Do check out charity shops though, we have lovely dresses in currently where I volunteer including many size 18’s

Some great ideas here
https://www.thecharlotteedit.co.uk/blog/how-to-style-ecru-or-dirty-white-jeans

And btw, to most of us co ord sets look like pyjamas, really not elegant at all and look odd. Only yesterday we saw a group who liked like they were in silk pj’s in the pub, it’s an odd fashion

@IjustpoppedWhy cropped? They will make you look shorter. They don’t elongate legs. A midi dress does that better. A good shirt dress is never a mistake!

That’s what I was last summer. I’d definitely look at the jeans/trousers (and some good control pants) with a nice top. If you’re anything like me, a dress will drown you and either show up every bump or look like a tent.

@GU24Mum I’m not suggesting a body con dress or a tiered “tent”. There’s many options in between!

Indeed @MeetMeOnTheCorner- was just sharing my experiece having seen a photo of a dress I wore twice last summer where the photo was somewhat less flattering then the image I had in my head of how I looked in it!!! I was pretty much spot on the same size and height.

Ijustpopped I was also going to suggest a Shirt dress, rather than jeans (but if you'd feel more comfortable in jeans then go for those)

What sort of colours suit you?

I'd go for a cropped cardigan with a bit of sparkle, for the evening.

Depends on whether elegance covers jeans. I love jeans but I wouldn’t be sure it does.

@luckylavenderJeans are never very posh! Great for standard bbq but not one with an elevated dress code. A trouser suit in a pale blue or a mix of pale yellow and white is great for this summer. I think wide trousers in a pale camel and a white top looks good - make the top interesting though. Not a work top. I think what is worn should be coordinated and interesting.

What makes it a posh bbq? They’re normally messy types of food eaten in quite an informal way!
I think the white or off white jeans would be nice, although I’m clumsy and common so would have ketchup spilt down them immediately 😂

Thank you all for the lovely helpful suggestions!

What have you gone for Op?

I got a pair of these neutral crop jeans recently OP. I am 5 foot 4 and also at my biggest around the middle these days and I was really pleased with them. You could definitely dress them up or down. I wore them to an event with a black short sleeve top I already had and a leopard print denim jacket also listed below. I felt I'd made more effort than my usual jeans. Hope you have a great time.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su943560/w05559

www.next.co.uk/style/sv078580/y56493