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? 🙏

Or this velvet one? Also in black.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-mya-ruched-velvet-midi-dress-black-beauty-d1847blk

Boden even has some petite jumpsuits, but I'd better not post more than one ...
😁!

This green velvet dress is rather nice. Not jade though, but not overly yellow-toned.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-etta-piping-velvet-dress-douglas-fir-d1832dgr?_pos=47&_fid=53e624725&_ss=c&variant=43198545756369

I love this - quite 70s, being maxi with a pussy bow neckline.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-pussybow-jersey-maxi-dress-deep-wisteria-d1809prp?_pos=140&_fid=9da127c79&_ss=c&variant=43198496702673

Where do you usually shop OP? And does it have to be long, or would you consider shorter with tights?

I think the jumpsuits all look very dated, sorry.

@EleanorMc67 It can be very aging to “dress your age” as if time has stood still and you haven’t embraced newer trends. I find very high class clothes do this is an understated way so older people (I’m one!) can look just as good as 30 somethings! It’s a case of class and style. Not dressing your age be age because you’ve clung onto something you liked 15 years ago. That was the last time I bought a jump suit which I wore to a 21st party - not my own dc.

Im very wary of Boden jersey. It’s style over substance. They do have a lot of velvets in this year but as I’ve bought a couple (and sent them back) last year I found them heavy and the waists sat very high. I’d take velvet trousers and a decent top over one of their velvet dresses any day.

I’m looking for a few things as well OP and not having any success.

this is the phase eight one I like the most but I know it’s not a new design https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-emily-burgundy-diamonte-button-jumpsuit-10012690258.html

I also like this mint velvet dress. But I’m an 18 and I know from previous dresses I have tried from there that their 18s are too tight on my bust. I’m not sure about length for you

https://mintvelvet.com/products/burgundy-draped-midi-dress

And I like this dress from Boden. Vintage style. https://www.boden.com/products/women-scoop-neck-fit-and-flare-dress-gold-jacquard-d1775gld

Nice stuff there! I am warming to burgundy I think, but will need a good try on session. I mostly find structured or flowing fabrics are kinder than jersey, but sometimes you need to see things on to get a true sense of them.

The main reason I’m considering a jumpsuit is because it feels like a way to do evening glamour that isn’t too fussy or back tie formal, whilst also not like looking like workwear 😂. It’s been useful to see what people are suggesting for the occasion, even when the outfits are not in colours I would choose. I feel like I know what vibe I need to look for.

I don't think that I said anything about "dressing your age" - tbh I'm not even really sure what that means? And I'm one of the older people on MN too, probably - I'm hurtling towards 60!

I have my own style, I don't wear anything simply because it's deemed to be "in fashion" - but (like you I think) love looking out for more current pieces with which to refresh my wardrobe every year.

I also agree that it's worth investing in higher-quality, more expensive clothing in the main, but I think it's actually better to invest in classics & go to Zara or H&M etc for more trend-driven pieces, as they are more likely to date? Though if I think that something is only going to be around for one season, I avoid it - I want my clothes to have some degree of longevity.

And I personally do not own a single jumpsuit - & never have! But this thread isn't about my clothing preferences or dislikes - or yours. It's meant to be about helping the OP find something that she likes, on the limited information we have about a stranger? If the OP really likes jumpsuits, maybe she doesn't care that much about them seeming a bit more "dated" than other options.

The couple that I posted are, IMO, nicer than most of the run-of-the mill Phase 8 jumpsuits - if that's what she's after. If not, dresses & trouser suits have been suggested too. She is free to choose ...

Re Boden - I've not bought anything from it for I don't know how long. So I'm only going by online images. That's unfortunate if you found the quality & cut not so great, as they used to be quite decent for certain things (though I'd much prefer cotton or silk-blend velvet, like the Reiss trousersuit). But perhaps Boden is worth the OP trying anyway, as she may not have an issue with the weight/cut.

I’m now looking at the green velvet dress for work! That’s a lovely winter dress. ❤️

You must have a very smart workplace! It does look rather nice - I hope it works for you!

@CluelessMOTB - re colours, it's been a bit of a pain as there's soooo much burgundy, brown & olive green out there right now! Far fewer jewel-toned clothes have cropped up while I was searching.

Burgundy is a funny one though - I think you do need to see it in person. I have what I'd call a dark reddish-burgundy silk skirt, & the colour is great on me. But anything too blue-toned & cold, or too brown & dried-blood sludgy, is horrid on me. I also think that it works better in silks & velvets as the lustre lifts what can be quite a flat dead colour?

I agree burgundy is one of my top favourite colours but I don’t suit navy at all. I never have. So if it’s burgundy going into the bluish shades it looks as bad on me as navy. The problem with online shopping is the colour and the feel of the material which would make me discount things instantly you can’t tell the same. I never bought much in there apart from work wear but I do miss the local Debenhams for that reason.

I suppose you can often get a decent idea of how something will feel from the fabric composition? I don't get bothered by itchiness from wool etc as some do - but I do love the feel of lots of fabrics - almost all silk, cotton or silk-mix velvet, & the fluffier types of cashmere/angora/mohair etc. I love the slight stiffness of cotton poplin & the silkiness of mercerised cotton.

A tonal shift in a colour can mean it goes from making you look great & complementing your hair & complexion, to making you look washed-out & ill! Even just a slight change can make a big difference - & I do fall foul of that occasionally when I'm buying on eBay/Vinted etc & can't return.

Green, for instance, is probably my favourite colour, & I get the most compliments about my outfit when I wear green. And quite a range of shades work on me (warm reddish-blonde, pale, blue-grey eyes, some freckles). But if I veer towards the very yellow end (chartreuse), very blue end (pine green, bright turquoise), or very brown end (poo-ey sludge!!!), none of those works.

I actually find the whole colour theory thing really fascinating. I don't strictly follow "rules" (I will never give up black!!!), but it's really interesting how much of a difference it can make, & I think that a good colour analyst is probably very useful to people who are a bit hesitant about what shades they suit?

I find necklines make a difference too. Although burgundy isn’t a go to shade for me, I can sometimes get away with something that isn’t too high necked with the right scarf or jewellery. It’s definitely worth looking at.

Probably. I used to paint for a hobby and there’s so many shades of one colour.

I am ND so certain textures I cannot cope with at all either the feel of it or the noise of the fabric, not necessarily noticeable until wearing (if you ask my DP not noticeable to anyone apart from me as with the lights in the lounge or the noise of electrical appliances which mean I can’t walk in a room). Even though I know this I have made some terrible decisions over the years.

I’m retrying a fatface coat this autumn (not a stylish choice a practical buy). I bought a couple of years ago. I wear an old gilet in the garden and on short walks this will sound bizarre but the gilet rustling noise doesn’t bother me at all, I can hear it yes but not an issue.The fatface coat made such a noise on its first proper wear that I shoved it in the back of the wardrobe for two years in a vacuum packed bag. It’s out again as I’ve told myself the noise can’t really have been that bad and if it is wear it in the garden to peg the washing out.

and yes the problem with vinted or charity shop buys are get them in the light and you see the actual shade of blue or so on.

Definitely very occasionally I can wear navish shades as long as away from my face. Navy is always popular so rules out so many nice dresses and work suits if you can’t wear it.

Yes, absolutely. That's the fun bit! I love playing around with colours - & I have many (too many!) accessories.

My partner & stepson are too. The former is fine with most things, but my stepson is very drawn to fluffy soft textures. He loves teddy bear-type fleeces & so on.

I have a slightly stiff, silky seersucker matching top & skirt outfit that would probably drive you mad, as it rustles lots! But I really like the whispery noise it makes.

What about love and roses at next?I like some of the quirkier designs here and there.

there are a few petite dresses https://www.next.co.uk/shop/womens/clothing/dresses/f/brand-loveroses-sizetype-petite

It’s so strange tbh. Some of my clothes make a noise and I like it lol other times it’s just awful. I end up wearing older tattier wearing out clothes as the material doesn’t bother me or the noise…not necessarily the reasons I should be buying clothes.

From upstairs inside my house I notice peoples shoes outside on the pavement due to noise.

I’m definitely getting worse over the years as when I had a huge wardrobe clear out and got rid of nearly everything the reasons were dig in, makes a noise, material. These are all clothes I have worn many times but got to my 50s and couldn’t tolerate them anymore.

https://thisisunfolded.com/products/unfolded-shelly-v-neck-lurex-jumpsuit-teal-gold