Help!! Xmas work 'do' - what to wear?

[stringbean]

I'm going out in December with a load of work colleagues to a restaurant for our Christmas outing (it's an evening do). I'm fairly new to the company, so haven't been on a social outing before. Trouble is, I don't really have 'going out' clothes. I have work clothes and mum-style jeans/casual stuff, and that's about it. Dh and I don't go out often, and it's usually somewhere I can wear jeans anyway. Is this acceptable? Or should I wear smarter trousers, and if so, what? If I can wear jeans, please ccan I have some advice on tops? I'm pretty clueless.

I'm 5'8 and size 10/12 and tend to dress in a mixture of Gap/Hobbs/Levis/M&S, a lot of which is rather ancient as I don't go shopping too often. If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful!!

Well, every year I buy something dressy for my work christmas do and never wear it again! So this year I've bought a pair of black jeans, boot cut and (I think) look smartish. They are soft material and not denim looking/feeling iykwim. Anyway, plan is to wear with heels and a dressy top out at christmas then can wear with boots and jumpers afterwards. Haven't looked for a top yet though... Or shoes...

at 5'8 and 10/12

Stringbean - what bits would you feel comfortable showing? shoulders? arms? Do you need to wear a bra? What sorts of colours do you like/wear?

If you don't have enormous norks, you could wear something like this with smart dark jeans/trousers and heels, imo. As it's dinner, once you're sitting down, all they'll see is your top half anyway. Though if it's a really posh restaurant, you'd be better going for trousers rather than jeans, imo.

New Look often has some good stuff which is pretty reasonably priced

Some good tops here from New Look

Thanks for all your suggestions. I did think black trousers/jeans might be the way to go (the restaurant is smart but not posh); I can't see the point of buying a special dressy outfit as, like bobs, I'll never wear it again. I liked the Principles top JackieNo, and someone else has since suggested I try looking there, so feel a shopping trip coming on!