Engagement party outfit.

[CluelessMOTB]

I’m an excited but clueless MOTB to be, can I ask for advice on what to wear to the engagement party?

I’m not sure where to start, It’s a reasonably casual hired venue and an evening event, so whilst I want to look like I’ve made an effort, I don’t want to be over-the-top, and I’m struggling to know what sort of vibe to go for. I’m 5”2 with a short torso, so usually try to wear all one colour to try to look taller, and my go to would usually be a maxi-dress, jumpsuit or matching trousers and top. A quick browse of websites is leading to woolly autumn core or Christmas sparkle, which isn’t quite the look I’m after, but I don’t know what is.

Can I ask for some ideas please? 🙏

Phase Eight petite jumpsuits might work for you? The navy one or the black with top stitching could be dressed up or down and look dressy without OTT
https://www.phase-eight.com/clothing/jumpsuits/?start=0&sz=60&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=Special%20Note%203&prefv1=Petite

if you’re happy with sleeveless , there are more evening-y options

Me &Em also have some nice, sophisticated dresses https://www.meandem.com/dresses/midi-dresses

Dress size, budget, colouring, what colours you suit/like? Plain rather than any pattern if you said block colours I assume?

Green Reiss dress in petite.

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv226157/b76782

Or this, if sleeveless works for you?

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv045908/y46554

In the sale, also petite.

https://www.whistles.com/product/220470.html?clickref=1101lDVAdPZ6&app_clickref=1101lDVAdPZ6&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=laurenlyst

Black or navy jacquard, also petite.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/nicolette-midi-dress-2617023002?_gl=11f59yi1_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwoOjVBhArEiwAUwDak2xgZk4ZWEBxRHVsuTdVvUsnyGQctghnpWE3-FfikQzwTVGSN1RHqxoCQeUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIXDofYuDkTe_AkCL6Byblsrg

I'm not really a jumpsuit person, but I do like this one, which is a version of the Whistles dress above.

https://www.whistles.com/product/220494.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Whistles_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22797692313&utm_content=agid_198867881643-ad_820656024130&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=g&device=t&placement=&targetid=pla-320693175506&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gclid=CjwKCAjwoOjVBhArEiwAUwDak9ipHsEh5fBvBCq6CEY70TEaT6LC4dDscBBBngxY0pDZWiEHYm_WUBoCI3QQAvD_BwE

Some petite options at Rixo, though pricier. I like the silk leopard-print - & the mules!

https://rixolondon.com/collections/dresses?fit=petite

I’d swerve a jump suit. There’s not many around now and torso length can be such a problem. You might find the body too long and the appearance will be compromised.

I quite like the velvet pants in brown or black that M&S have and a satin shirt to go with them. Several options available. I have seen very little sparkle yet! Or you could channel the Melania Trump big bow and cigarette trousers she wore last week. I rather took to this combo. Just don’t let a bow overwhelm you,

But the OP likes & wears jumpsuits, & these are all petite so the cut of the torso has been tailored to suit. They're not my thing, but they might be hers - & that's the point of suggestions, isn't it?

Not seen Melanie's outfit, but off to look ...!

@EleanorMc67Melania’s outfit has been commented on a lot. The bow is huge, but the idea is great. I just cannot recommend jump suits in 2016. Just outdated and few top fashion houses go near them. Mine have gone to charity shops so I guess op could save money by shopping in one.

I like the drama of the blouse & cigarette pants on her. However, Melania is a 5' 11" ex-model, with a long neck, so that's why she carries it off. On anyone else, there'd be a risk that, with such high-waisted trousers, they'd end up looking more like Christopher Dean in his tight ice-skating trews ...

Also, I know you dislike jumpsuits/find them dated, as you mention it a lot.

But there are still plenty of high-fashion iterations of them around - it's not the case that they've disappeared from the catwalk. VB, Burberry, Zimmermann & others have had versions - they're just more utilitarian right now.

In any case, I don't think the OP (or most people on MN) cares about being at the absolute cutting-edge of fashion. And since Nigella has been wearing her Me+Em ones non-stop (& probably has a greater influence on the average woman than Matthieu Blazy or Alessandro Michele), I'm sure they will be around for quite some time to come ...!!

Definitely like some of those jumpsuits, thank you. Would need a good try on session, as some of them have puffy sleeves, which I would usually avoid, but there is a dark blue that’s tempting me. I’m also drawn to one of the burgundy ones, even though it’s not one of my usual colours. It could also be a Christmas outfit then. Thanks.

Good point - ideally up to £200 but would consider more for something classic that I’d wear again.

Colour wise, I tend to suit brighter colours and look terrible in a lot of the muted shades that are current. I need jade green rather than sage and turquoise or cobalt blues. I also suit orange and cerise, but am thinking they might not be very sophisticated who am I trying to kid I’m not averse to pattern, but lean more towards plain colours.

Actually love this and very nearly bought a similar dress for work from Hobbs recently.

This is gorgeous, sadly the 10 is sold out, but I’m tempted to order the 8 and hope it fits 🤣

Thanks for all the suggestions. I feel a try on session coming on…

You could try the regular? It's still available in 10. Or call customer services to see if a store or concession has a petite 10 in stock?

https://www.whistles.com/product/220329.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Whistles_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22797692313&utm_content=agid_198867881643-ad_820656024130&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=g&device=t&placement=&targetid=pla-320693175506&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gclid=CjwKCAjwoOjVBhArEiwAUwDak4WQL_eAIl1HdlQv5DUx9C8-InDa36-hgz7Y7FiDDBqAHImo203YVxoCi0sQAvD_BwE

Over budget, but I do like a velvet trouser-suit ... & this one comes in petite.

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv177950/c25305

This one? It's definitely the nicest of the Phase 8 ones (some of them look very dated IMO, though their clothes tend to be like that, with the occasional really nice thing here & there). This one has a slightly 1940s vibe due to the shoulders, which I like.

Shame it's polyester though. The Whistles one is mainly Ecovero viscose, which is better.

@EleanorMc67You are probably right but the op didn’t single out Junp suits so why major on them? However there’s so many more flattering clothes around right now and nothing screams middle aged mum more than a jump suit. No one in their 20s or 30s goes near them, hence phase 8 recommendations. Frankly I would avoid if I was 5ft 2. Most models are 5 ft 9 plus. The look on them is entirely different.

I didn't - I posted links to five dresses, a suit, & one jumpsuit?

And I'm assuming, as the OP is going to be MotB, that she IS a middle-aged mum!! Why is it relevant if 20- or 30-something women don't wear them? Surely nothing screams growing old gracelessly* more than deliberately copying what 20-year-olds wear?

*They do btw (though almost certainly not Phase 8 ones!) But there are plenty of arty girls rocking boiler suits/utiltarian-style jumpsuits.

The look IS different on someone who is 5' 9", but I don't agree that someone shorter can't wear them. As long as they're properly scaled & tailored for the petite, & don't swamp, they're fine. My tiny, beautiful, Californian friend (63) has a few & looks fabulous in them.

Have you looked at Boden, @CluelessMOTB ? There are some rather nice petite options in colours that you might like? This dress is on budget with the discount code.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-cassie-lace-tea-dress-dark-cherry-d1874prp

Mostly recycled polyester, so that's something. Three nice colours?

https://www.boden.com/products/women-draped-sleeve-velvet-dress-navy-d1868nav