Casual outfit for work night out

[comealongdobbeh]

I’m struggling and need some help pls

I have a work night out planned in a few weeks and have no idea what to wear.

I’m 5’1 and size 18-20. I don’t like showing too much skin and prefer my legs to be covered. Would also prefer to wear flats (trainers even better!)

i don’t have a huge budget or a lot of time and wondered whether someone would be able to suggest outfits that might work that also cover a large mum-tum/apron belly

i just don’t know where to start

What kind of night out is it, OP?

Wear some lovely silly, flowing trousers and trainers. Depending on where you’re going you could wear a cowl neck top or a wrap top - both will show a bit of skin without being too revealing.

Casual night out, pub crawl type thing, possibly ending with watching a World Cup match. I’d like to be comfortable but look at least a bit put together

Would the trousers suit a dumpy body with short chunky legs 🫣

Well, you'll have to try them on to see what you think - but these do come in petite in size 18 or 20, in black or stone? Can you bear to wear a decent pair of smoothing control pants underneath?

Not sure if this fits with what you were thinking of?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60779035?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Would you consider wearing a satin camisole on top, or would you prefer more coverage ie short/long sleeves?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-lace-insert-cami-top/p/clp60746174?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

What sort of trainers do you want to wear, & do you have a lightweight jacket already?

What about this dress, which I think is rather nice, & a change from black?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/lyocell-rich-frill-v-neck-midaxi-relaxed-dress/p/clp60786701?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

If you have a denim jacket, or even a short chunky cardigan, this could work? It would be good with navy or cream, plus gold jewellery?

Do you have any decent sandals already, or just trainers?

If you'd rather not wear satin, how about this? Also in petite & with long sleeves. Ignore the hat, add some gold chain necklaces - & I would wear chunky sandals. They'll also give you height & balance.

Don't know if olive green is your thing though! What is your colouring, @comealongdobbeh - hair/eyes/skin tone - & what colours do you like & suit clothing-wise?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-v-neck-midi-smock-dress/p/clp23073319?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I’d wear balloon legged / wide legged pants, trainers or flat sandals, a camisole / vest top and get a kimono style jacket for over the top, that’s my go to.

I like kimono style jackets a lot too. They go over pretty much everything, depending on the fabric. Indigo denim styles are really useful, plus I have some silk patterned ones & a few Japanese haori jackets, for wearing over plain things.

They're good for making a plain dark midi dress (linen/jersey/whatever) look dressier, especially if you wear really nice sandals & jewellery.

This isn't a kimono jacket as such - it's a cotton cardigan with short kimono sleeves. But it's a really useful layer for a summer evening? Black or cream, in the sale & in your size (reviews say it runs big). It would work with trousers or skirts or dresses?

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cotton-blend-kimono-cardigan/black/p114597112

I’ve just ordered that. Twice. Thanks I think!

If you wanted to try @patooties 's suggestion of balloon trousers (aka a neat version of harem pants), these M&S ones come in 18/20 petite. They look really nice - I wouldn't wear them with trainers though.

They'd look good with the kimono cardi & camisole. I like wearing all black - but if I do I always make sure my toenails & lips are painted bright red! Metallic accessories (jewellery or bag or footwear) all help make things look a bit fancier.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/relaxed-balloon-trousers/p/clp61223610?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

The cardigan? I'm quite tempted myself! It looks like one of those things that you can throw on with loads!

If you want to try wide leg or balloon trousers, OP, & you're a trainer person at heart, ignore all the flip-flop/kitten heel/thong sandal pairings that are on every website. They won't be comfy. Chunky sandals will also look good (as per this pic on ASOS), they'll be as comfy as trainers - & give you a bit of a height boost. With balloon trousers, make sure your ankles are exposed. With wide legs, make sure they're covered!

Personally I'd rather spend more money on a great pair of sandals & some nice jewellery, & less on the rest of my clothing. There are some real bargains of dresses if you look for a plain A-line midi with short sleeves.

It depends on the trainers - that said I bought 2 pairs of really cheap but surprisingly comfortable leather sandals from new look - toe post with a v strap that go with everything (I got leopard and black leather) I’ll take a pic as I’m planning to wear them loads

Trainers are fine with wide-leg but I think they'd look weird with balloon pants?

Does New Look do real leather footwear? I always thought it was just faux leather/polyurethane etc. I try to avoid it as any pairs I ever had cracked/tore within months, whereas my several pairs of Whistles sandals that I got on eBay etc are on their sixth summer I think? Some maybe more.

Though I know not everyone likes buying on Vinted/eBay ... but I love them for getting expensive, high quality stuff for so much less!

This isn't super cheap - but it's in the sale in your size & petite, OP, & is a really versatile dress (if you like khaki!). Goes with cream, navy, tan, gold, black ...

https://www.boden.com/products/women-alba-smocked-jersey-midi-dress-olive-d1499grn

leather sandals - these ones

Bargain! They're nice too - though I can't do thong sandals as the bit between my toes makes me feel funny ...?!!!

My gosh I wasn’t expecting so many suggestions! Thank you. I’m working this morning but will work my way through these - thank you!

Ok @EleanorMc67 you need to stop now. Ive just bought the M&S balloon trousers & brown dress and the JL kimono trousers. Id promised myself I wasn't going to buy any more clothes this month 🙈😂

Goes to find the JL kimono and orders the M and S pants too ‘just for good luck’

Any suggestions on a decent pair of tummy control pants that actually work?