Need your sartorial services! Night out 45+ style

[Shmoigel]

Hi everyone, I need your help with a style conundrum!
I’m almost 50, and over the last two years I’ve lost seven stone, which is amazing. I’d always imagined that once I’d lost the weight I’d feel confident enough to wear anything, but the reality is my confidence hasn’t quite caught up.
This weekend we’re heading into a big city for cocktails and drinks at some lovely, smart bars. I haven’t done anything like this in years, and I have no idea what to wear!

Here is my issues!
• I’m 5’1”.
• I have red hair, so orange is definitely out.
• I’m now a size 8 to 10.
• My least confident areas are my legs, which now look a bit like melted candles, and my upper arms. That doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t show them, but I’d rather not make them the focus if I can help it.

i have spent the last 2 years in leggings and hoodies and occasionally a cheeky barrel Jean!

I don’t mind taking risks occasionally.

Hit me with your ideas x

That's impressive - well done! But I can completely understand feeling at a bit of a loss ...

What kind of style do you (think) you like? Have you got a budget & is it for everything (ie jacket, footwear)? What clothes shops do you like - or do you know? What colours do you like wearing? Do you want a dress or separates?

My dream outfits for going out in my mid 40s now are swishy wide leg trousers, strappy heeled sandals, either a silk shirt or a crisp white tshirt with some minamlist jewellery and a beautiful clutch. I'm 5.6 though.

I quite like Nobody's Child for dresses. How about this one?

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/niamh-midaxi-dress-2614159006

At 5ft 1, that Nobody’s child dress will swamp you although it’s a good colour.
What sort of shape are you? At size 8-10, I’d go for a quite figure hugging body con dress, knee length. A classic shape with elbow length sleeves. Green looks amazing with red hair or brown.

Oooh I like this thanks for the suggestion x I like the colour too. I tend to fall back on black and burgandy a lot so colour is good to push my comfort zone

I have gone from having a butt you could park a pint on to having quite a flat bum and a small chest.

I do have endo and some days I still get a bit swollen in the stomach area

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/strappy-tailored-dress-2615054001

If you want something shorter and more fitted, this might work.

It comes in petite though?