Right, I have one pair of trousers, two tops and all jumpers are darned. I've a 40th birthday party to go to in London tomorrow in a bar and 3 hours to shop. HELP!

[neolara]

I don't know where to start. What do people who have a social life that involves going out to bars on a Saturday night wear these days? I hate shopping with a passion and now I literally have nothing to wear.

I'm size 12, broad shoulders, small bust, chunky calves, good waist - hip ratio. Don't do skirts or fussy frills. Also need shoes as all mine have holes in them.

Anyone fancy helping me out?

What kind of outfit do you think you want? ( I am kind of bumping for you as tbh I am usually on this topic begging for advice rather than giving it.)

I don't really know, that's the problem. Trousers with a top? Then at least I could wear my holey boots and get away with not buying shoes. I don't have pretty shoes of any description so that rules out skits I guess.

Skits = skirts??

I have just bought fab below the knee boots to wear with slightly above knee skirts and funky tights.

If you really want to play it safe how about ankle boots with boot cut trousers and then be a little more adventurous with a top?

Smart jeans and top with wedges/boots

like this ?

bit smarter

top

with trousers

That's a rather nice top TSM.

Thanks. I like the jeans / top idea. Like the smarter top Tilly, but not sure I could get away with it. Mutton / lamb etc. Also, would it not be a bit chilly? See, this is probably at the heart of much of my current "bag lady" look - I like clothes to be comfortable (and warm) and usually this is mutually exclusive with any kind of glamour. But am trying to find my inner glamour girl tonight and need a kick up the bum about trying new things.

What other kinds of tops do you think might work?

The coast one ?? Its lovely isn't it. I have been coveting it but am waiting until I get down to a size 12 first

Ohh, like the coast trousers Tilly. Like the top too, but think because my boobs are really small it might not give me a good shape.

Have you got a coat neolara ? Tbh, its usually boiling in pubs ime so you only really something to keep you warm outside. Not sure how old you are (assuming similarish age to the birthday girl/boy ?). I really don't think either the next or coast one would be muttony

Will have a look for something warmer though

jumper

with coast trousers or jeans ?

or dressy cardy to go over next combo ?

Yes the coast one.

might not pass the "frilly" test but I think it'd look lovely with the coast black trousers

Hmm, not too sure about the jumpers / cardys. I can see that objectively they are pretty but I think maybe a bit too decorative for me. I do have a (duffle) coat - (I know, I know, the shame) so could get away without a jumper I guess.

neolara for many years I played it safe with everything plain. If you are going to have fairly plain/conservative trousers/jeans and boots, then you should have a more interesting top, particularly for evening. Make some small changes and gradually your confidence will grow.

Btw - no duffle coats for evening (imho)

Yeah - just take the coat off as soon as you get there (ideally before anyone sees it ). No point having something that isn't very "you"

What sort of style do you think you'd feel comfortable in ? Something more Boho maybe ?

quite sparkly but good with trousers or jeans

You are right. Playing safe is how I got into this no clothes mess in the first place. Will be brave and take a risk.

Am definitely going to head down to Coast tomorrow and check out those trousers and the top. Looking through the Monsoon website you linked to there seemed to be some interesting tops that I could try as well.

Thank you both for your help. You have given me some good ideas I can work with tomorrow.

Good luck - coast and monsoon are good places to start - just take stacks into the changing room and keep an open mind Principles and Warehouse are worth a look as well

Sorry but no time to look for things for you - need to go to bed - but just wanted to suggest that it might be worth trying to get a last minute appointment with a personal shopper at John Lewis/House of Fraser/Debenhams and get them to find something glam for you. Much easier than having to trawl round lots of shops in a mad rush.
Take your boots in with you to try on with various outfits...