Please suggest something for me to wear.......??

[blossomsmine]

Just need some suggestions really! Over the last few years i started having panic attacks and stopped going out in the evenings unless i was with very close friends, don't know what happened but i have been abit weird about evenings out every since! Anyway, i have also put on quite abit of weight aswell, i am wondering if it is a hormone/age thing, i now am about a size 14/16 and 5ft 2ish, quite big boobs aswell!
I need an outfit to wear out (being brave!) just before Christmas to a night out where i will be watching my dd sing at a kind of variety evening at a well known venue. There will be alot of people i know there, most of them younger (and slimmer!) than me, i am 41 (i like to think a young 41 though!!) I NEED something to wear, but i feel bad about myself as abit fat. What should i wear?? What is good for someone like me to wear, i don't want to look past it! Can anyone help at all

sorry no good suggestions

but just wanted to tell you that 41 is young and size 14/16 is average NOT FAT

what bits of yourself do you and like and woudl feel ok showing off? legs? boobs? arms and shoulders?

spot on KM
what is your fave colour?

Thank you KM and gwitch Well......i probably only like black cos it is supposed to be slimming.......i like most colours just not orange/rusty sort of colours......
I don't really mind my legs, although they are abit chunky i suppose I am not at all happy being bigger and as you can probably tell not at all confident. If i had my way i wouldn't go at all, save all the hastle of finding something to wear, but my dd is performing, its a professional thing so want to look good (ish!) Don't mind my boobs, although they are quite big so don't want them all out on show lol!! Oh, i don't know........maybe a black bin bag?????

what's your style - dresses, trousers and tops, floaty or fitted?

Well, really i am a trousers kind of person, would love to do fitted but not comfortable cos of the extra weight, although i wonder if i go wrong by wearing loose stuff as it probably makes me look bigger...???
I have often fancied a wrap dress but not sure if it is 'me'..... I wouldn't mind something i could wear again, rather than just an evening kind of thing that will get stuck in the back of the wardrobe

grey dress
navy classic
lovely top for with black trousers

give me a clue what your direction is...

hadn't seen your post when i posted that lot sorry
Good on ya for the 'fitted' idea, i do agree that floaty things can make you look larger unless they're cleverly done

is this a nice twist on the wrap idea?

hit the shops and try some on?

Very true KM. Something simple and classic like this maybe here, yes will be seen as boring black by some but then you won't have the worry of trying to look in fashion with the latest trends and colours and also with the pleating it will disguise your body shape and the v neck will show off your bust. You can brighten it up with a brooch or corsage, or a statement necklace and nice shoes and bag.

woudl you feel ok in shortish dress or skirt with opaques, if you like your legs?

or would you rather show a bit of cleavage? not too much if you are trying to look classy / elegant rather than sexy

lots of bright colours in the shops now, esp bright blue and reds. woudl you be ok with a bright top and black trousers? i know trinny and susannah say no but if you are used to black.......

also you always get the wear out of a good pair of black trousers

do you have shoes already or are you starting from scratch?

no sleeves
long sleeves
or something in between?

if you are needing a boost to your confidence, how about getting a new hair style too?

and also a makeover from one of the beauty counters on boots or a department store

and did i mention spanx?

sorry gigglewitch, black top and top look very office-y to me

purple very pretty and not too dressy so you woudl wear again

love the idea of hairdo and a bit of pampering. do it.

lovely top for ladies with boobs

what about bravissimo? this comes in red and purple as well

Oooh!! Some lovely ideas thanks everyone! I really like the navy asos dress, not sure as not really worn anything like that for a while....could wear with boots maybe...???
I am happy to start from scratch really, i had been thinking about spanx Its funny because i am usually a trousers person but like the idea of a dress like the asos one with boots now that i have seen the dress! Not sure though, cos the wrap top and trousers could be good, apart from showing my bum off
Like you say, big and floaty stuff might not be a good direction to go in even though i feel it covers me up it probably doesn't really do me any favours!!
Going to go to bed and sleep on it, but would welcome any other suggestions and thank you for the ones already given!
I could probably do with a bit of advice on tights with dresses.....! So long since i have worn tights, not sure if i do opaques or sheer (are they abit passed it now!!?) I can't do coloured tights i don't think, don't mind my legs but don't think they need showing off too much lol!

Just before i go to bed!! I LOVE the bravissimo dress! That MUST be flattering as they are designed for people like me i think

yes i also liked that navy asos dress, but it doesnt come in under the boobs enough for me so woudl hang straight down and make me look pg

...............aaah!! hadn't thought of that KatieMorag.....thats that one out then!! This is where i go wrong, i haven't got a clue really!!