Outfit for smart party at a private members’ club in London

[CruCru]

I have been invited to a smart party and told that the dress code is cocktail dresses for the women. I do have dresses but they are all the sort of thing you can buy at Seasalt. I will probably need smart shoes too - I cannot wear “proper” heels as my feet are extremely short and wide (I was once told that they are a size 4 length and an 8 width).

Please could someone suggest somewhere I could look? I am a fairly dumpy size 18/20 (depending on the shop). I don’t mind spending some money - have realised that I am a scruff in real life and, from time to time, will need something that isn’t jeans and walking sandals.

I won’t suggest an outfit, but these two articles provide very useful reviews of stylish plus sized brands.

(The MN AI will sequester one of them until I beg for its return.)

https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

Second one:

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

Which colours do you look your best in, OP?

What kind of party is it?

Thank you! Colours - probably dark red, dark purple, maybe teal.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv317481/353988

I know it says cocktail dresses but IMO trousers are acceptable for events like this in the right fabrics and styles, so you may not be too constrained.

(Unless there's actually an enforced dress code, which you could check!)

Crumbs, good point - will check.

Which club OP? Some are much less formal and restrictive than others

OP have you tried Sole Bliss shoes? They do some specifically for wide feet. I think we need to know what shoes you can wear so that we can choose you an outfit to go with them.

This is expensive but it could work for many occasions and only requires black dressy trousers.

https://www.shibumistyle.com/collections/short-nehru-jackets/products/short-nehru-jacket-in-moss-rose

https://www.roman.co.uk/curve-sweetheart-neck-velvet-dress-14176960

This comes in a few colours. I'd say it's a midway point between dressy and more casual which might help if you're unsure of how smart you are expected to be.

@CruCru

What is the party about, OP? Is it for an individual or an organisation?

How tall are you, by the way?

Do you prefer sleeves?

I’d probably go black dressy wide trousers too, altered if necessary so that they’re just above the floor in your chosen shoes - use the camouflage of the wide long trousers to ensure that the shoes are basically hidden, and then you can make sure they’re chosen for comfort rather than style if needed. Maybe some glittery ankle boots?

Sparkly top and some nice jewellery, you’ll be grand.

Love the Nehru jacket, but Shibumi cater for tall in my experience, so proportions might be out?

Shift dress? Places like Asos allow you to have lots delivered, try on at your pleasure and return what doesn’t work. Don't forget to have fun!

It is a birthday party.

I am 165 cm tall (so definitely dumpy rather than willowy). I do prefer sleeves.

I’m sorry, I can’t remember. It’s a friend of my husband’s.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv048639/w02684