Outfit for new partner's 50th

[eewwdavid]

I am having a panic attack just typing this....i jest..but I am crapping myself.
Big meal booked for significant other's birthday...first time meeting a lot of his friends. I am slightly older than him, and therefore than them. Especially so the "wives" who are a bit younger than his friends. They are quite stylish, i am not. DP is lovely and thinks I look lovely...i am in a state of abject fear.
What can I wear?!
Early 50s, slim 8/10ish zero cleavage. Not as toned as I used to be so would like to keep arms under wraps. Meal is in city restaurant will be hipster rather than formal i fear. I am clueless and would appreciate any suggestions.

Pointy ballet flats or Mary Janes or something like these

https://dicks-edinburgh.co.uk/products/moonstar-lite-ballet-canvas-shoes-in-natural

https://dicks-edinburgh.co.uk/products/moonstar-lite-prim-canvas-shoes-in-natural
(Yes those are pricey but I'm sure cheaper versions are available)

No, it doesn't matter in the slightest. But when the OP is genuinely someone who hasn't got a single item of clothing that might work as a starting point, then it would be a shame for such a gorgeous dress to get worn out rather quickly ...

I will be wheeling out my very distinctive Bernat Klein kaftan dress - for the umpteenth time - for the very fancy 60th I'm going to next month. As it's in the Borders, & his house & studio are just a stone's throw away, I will feel even more fabulous in it than ever ...

That's a great compliment btw!!

@thedevilinablackdressyou're absolutely right...and I'm trying to tick too many boxes with one outfit! I want it to be stylish, flattering, understated, affordable and comfortable all at the same time!

Agree totally!

@eewwdavid - I've just realised the first Nobody's Child dress is actually hot pink not red. And the second pink one is patterned - are you open to patterns after all? Is a short dress your actual preference? As I was already wondering about pale, freckle bare legs (my own!) ... And are you the type of redhead who can do pink? (Yes, I know this is subjective!)

I used to work alongside another redhead - she had lots of fabulous, long & wavy, bright auburn hair, combined with dark brown/hazel eyes & creamy skin with freckles. She was a graphic designer & had an innate sense of colour. She would wear hot pinks/strong mustards/bright reds/royal blues easily, sometimes several together - & looked wonderful in them because she had intense colouring that matched/clashed with those colours as they were of a similar intensity.

In contrast, I've got blue-grey eyes & strawberry blonde hair, & can wear & suit quite strong but not scaldingly bright colours - crimson red, inky blue, soft mustard, rich greens that are neither too acid/lime or sludgy silage. Pastels are sickly & wishy-washy on me. Hot or fuchsia pinks are just about the worst colour that I could wear - whereas coral-reds are good.

I know some people gravitate towards shape first in clothing, & colour second (if at all). I don't - both are equally important. And to feel great in an outfit, it would be one of my favourite colours next to my face - & the fit & cut would help me to feel both stylish & relaxed in it - & then I would not give my outfit another thought after I'd dressed!

This is why something like the River Island dress would work. Long enough to have bare legs (fake tan of needed) and shoes like maybe these, or a similar chunky sandal

On no account wear the flat ballet things above

Aim high! All of those are do-able in one outfit, if you choose & buy wisely - not in a panic!! How long do you have to get things sorted? Time to go try things on in shops/order online/trawl through eBay & Vinted?

What I would say, regarding understated & comfortable, is that I don't think bright pink mini dresses fit those requirements. Especially not if you're also concerned about what to wear on your legs & feet. Let alone thinking about what jacket to wear over long balloon sleeves & a big bow at the back of your neck ...*

And out of your £100 max budget, you'll have exactly £1 left for those optional extras like shoes ...!!!

*I hadn't spotted the bow first time. So it's hot pink, mini, has big balloon sleeves - AND a big bow at the back. It's cute, yes - but there's too much going on & all those things together make it too ... girlish??

Or something like an asos blazer and trousers Very fashionable

Ditto re mixing more expensive/designer finds (secondhand/vintage) with cheaper pieces. I've never tried any supermarket clothing though, & am a bit wary ...

Though I am tall, & do think it's easier to get away with cheaper items if you're petite - as the skimping on arm & leg lengths etc, which is often the case with cheaper clothing brands, isn't then an issue.

Is it these jeans you mean, as they do look pretty decent? They are also in your size, @eewwdavid

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147006204

Those jeans look worth a try too @EleanorMc67. The black ones I have are
F&F Tesco and genuinely look far more expensive on. It’s worth having a look in store at the fabric and stitching etc as there are some great finds.

No, TK Maxx still does "Gold Label" designer pieces - both in their bigger/more prestigious stores, & online. And there are still a few gems but, as always, luck & timing play a part.

Oops! Getting my supermarkets mixed up ... I really should go & have a look at clothing in the flesh more often ...!

Wow so exciting. Do not let nerves spoil it fir you.

Who cares if you are a fraction older the him.

Maybe book a personal shopper session to get a good look.

Personally, I would go for something nice, slightly informal, like fun trousers suit.

https://www.roman.co.uk/print-pleated-jumpsuit-14890914

Or a dotty dress...

www.zara.com/uk/en/polka-dot-knit-dress-p09598020.html?v1=506065197&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11260393417&gbraid=0AAAAADqbk7a6DWCLbPg_oU9zLKjS6ia7O&gclid=CjwKCAjwwdbPBhBgEiwAxBRA4VC0UGiboJhpId_IO6MX7FHfrHaVef6kXxg0Uplq1B6niW2zh-xbtRoCnvAQAvD_BwE

Or a plain pink jumpsuit...

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/mariposa-pale-pink-lace-jumpsuit-222102785.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&is=true&cgid=jumpsuits&prefn1=color&prefv1=Pink&pid=222102785&pos=16

Maybe with a pop up bra! No, boob's do not matter to me, mine are tiny, but if this would give you more confidence, I'd try it just as a one off....

You can get a little jacket to cover your arms.

@EleanorMc67i genuinely do not know what colours suit me! I think if I tried something on I'd know yes or no, but couldn't give a list like you just did. I'm finding it fascinating how little I know to be honest.
I don't have long, it's all been a bit last minute.
I do have the F&F jeans in my basket for another occasion though so thank you for that!
@Ophirthe shoes weren't for me either...i saw nice m&s sort of nude/ taupe slingbacks that I thought might be handy?

Do you mean the navy Zara one you posted a pic of earlier? I agree that it hits the right spot, to me anyway.

Can't seem to see a River Island one (don't generally think much of the quality of their clothes, though I do like the stuff they've just done with Cabbages & Roses).

Pointy ballet flats or Mary Janes - yes.

But Japanese schoolgirl plimsolls ... I think you might be going a bit too far for MN, @PhaedraTwo !!

(Though they're very much part of the Dick's aesthetic, which has become quite a bit bolder, & much of which I like. Especially that gorgeous red taffeta summer coat ...)

Ok, as you need to sort it quite quickly, I'm going to fire across some things I've spotted on Vinted & online stores etc, keeping in mind your budget - & what I personally think would suit most pale auburn-haired women colour-wise!!!

But you have an unusual & striking colouring, OP - it's a USP! So when you have more time, I think you should look into what colours you think suit you, & that you like wearing. It doesn't have to be done professionally - you can work it out yourself with a bit of care!

I have the plimsolls in black. They're very comfortable. I wore them today with black opaque tights and this dress.

I genuinely do not know what colours suit me

I wouldn't get hung up about that. Do you like the colour or do you not like the colour?

Do not wear those jumpsuits, especially the pink Phase Eight one. The Zara dress is OK.

Another gorgeous Klements dress ...

I would stick to something quite simple, nothing too out there as you don’t know the people and their vibe

And yes, thanks @EleanorMc67 I meant Zara

i do think sling backs would work, @eewwdavid and there are lots around just now

I spotted these Clarks black leather kitten heels down to half-price, which is much better value than buying a pair that's £30 full-price. I like the tiny studs - gives a bit of edge. Though maybe the OP wants something a bit higher?

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/pisa-stud/26188081-p

Oh, I like those, they’d be just the thing

I liked the Zara dress too, and I love those shoes thank you! The m&s ones were called taupe, I had hoped a flexible/ neutral type of colour? Very similar shape though.