What does a pushing 40 woman wear to a wedding evening do when she'll be the oldest 'young' guest?

[MrsMopple]

PLEASE can anyone give me some suggestions / links for what to wear to the above.
Bit of background - I'm nearly 40, my dh is 34. We've been invited to the evening do of the younger sister of a friend of his (who later married his ex dp, but that's a whole other story!). Bride is in her mid 20's. I am pretty sure I will be the oldest of the happy couple's guests, so don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb, but nor do I want to look frumpy.
I am 5'2", 10 stone, size 12 - 14 ish (heavy for me at the mo, so nothing in the wardrobe fits). Upper arms flabby, thickset legs but ok ankles and 32F bust. Not very rich at the moment, either (is anyone?!), so don't want to spend a fortune if I can avoid it.
Any suggestions, oh style queens of Mumsnet?? TIA

when is wedding? soon?

price range?

i'm thinking a missoni cardigan over some sort of dress

Wedding is December 13th, so not much time!. I have a black sparkly skirt that I have worn to work do's before, with opaque tights and stretchy boots, but I'm not sure that it's quite the thing for a wedding, somehow.

Also, unless it's something that I could wear again, I'd ideally like to spend no more than £100 in total. It's so long since I've had to shop for something like this that I've no idea whether that's realistic or not. ANd apologies for my slow typing!

Don't wear a cardigan, or sparkles. Hold on, I'll think of something more constructive to say in a minute

If an evening do, I'd go for shoes rather than boots - do you have any heels? And maybe something that shows off your cleavage, like this with your black skirt? (bit pricey though)

with a shrug

or this

Nearly 40 is not old and if your DP is younger you probably don't look your age

you have to play the part. grown up and confidently glamourous.

maybe something a bit edgy like this?

www.zara.com/#/en_GB/catalogue/woman/?id=1

That blouse is gorgeous, but you're right about it being pricey. Very christmassy too, (I could reuse it for when we go to the in-laws on Christmas day and they wear suits etc, with a pair of black trousers)

isaw - I sadly don't have the legs for short dresses anymore, especially being on the heavy side at the mo. (To be honest, I;ve always had hefty legs, even when I was a stone and a half lighter)

slim - I can't get the link to work, but will have a look at Zara

ok but please don't go too frumpy. 12-14 isn't heavy, lots of the 20 year olds will be that or bigger. I'll try again

I wonder whether something like this might work?

And in a similar vein, this, though I suspect the sleeves are too short - maybe with a shrug?

I'm liking the look of the DP dress Jackie, and a good price too! I know I'll have to brave the shops, but if I know exactly where I'm goin gand what for it'll hopefully be a less depressing outing than they have been of late.

THey've got some really nice looking dresses in DP atm - well worth a visit, imo.

MrsMopple - have a look at Marks and spencer Limited Collection too.
They had a lovely black lace dress in the Summer, which is gone now, so, alas, no good to you. But some of the currents dresses are similar in style to the dp one you liked.
Have a lovely time.

Oh yes oh yes!
Jackie's choice very good.

Must have impeccable manicure and glossy shiny hair.

Go easy on make-up: sultry eyes/simple gloss on lips.

Enjoy!