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What to wear to knock former love of my life and his wife dead?

140 replies

mrsshackleton · 27/05/2009 14:19

OK, so coming up is a friend's 4oth at which an ex of mine whom I was madly in love with and to some extent never got over, even though I dumped him.

This was 16 years ago but I still have dreams about him - probably because we never had proper "closure" to be American. Am v happily married and know if I'd married this guy it would have been a disaster but it was the big emotional watershed of my twenties and they say you never completely recover from your first heartbreak. p

I will see him and his wife for the first time in years at the party and obviously want to look incredible without looking like a desperate WAG iykwim. Sad, I know. But human. I'm 5'7, size 10,fair and in need of a new party frock anyway for all the other 40ths coming up. Any suggestions gratefully received .

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giantkatestacks · 01/06/2009 13:20

I really like it too...

mrsshackleton · 01/06/2009 14:18

Haven't spied ex for five years but last time I saw him he was looking FAT - always inclined a bit that way but now deffo a couple of stones overweight Plus, nastily I glimpsed his wife who was wearing what looked like a sweatshirt and trackie bottoms which was v incogruous as it was a really ritzy party

I wish her no ill personally, but still

So am already pretty certain I won't be overwhelmed with lust

No parcel has arrived yet ...

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elsiepiddock · 01/06/2009 14:53

Mrsshackleton - I have recently had exactly the same experience.

My ex from my early 20s (huge 5 year love affair) was going to be at a mutual friend's 40th birthday. I spend ages trying to wear something casual but gorgeous. I think (hope) I carried it off.

I hadn't seen him for years and he had got fat AND bald!

It was quite good 'closure' for me, actually.

Anyway, back to the clothes. I LOVE that blue tunic from Anusha and might have to order it!

mrsshackleton · 01/06/2009 15:56

Elsie

What did you wear???

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blackrock · 01/06/2009 22:33

www.fennwrightmanson.com/mailorder/section.php?xSec=191&xPage=2&jssCart=1147dfb1befeea526da59e4d09ea 4741

www.oasis-stores.com/fcp/categorylist/dept/ALLDresses?resetFilters=true

BibiThree · 02/06/2009 09:50

Mrss? When is the party? There are other things you can do to make yourself feel fabulous, which in turn will make you look fabulous.

If you can afford it, go out and buy lots of new (cheap) makeup colours and try out different looks, get yourself exfoliated and tanned and waxed and facialed etc. Get your hair done and of course, keep it all crossed that fabulous jumpsuit arrives in time! V V jealous of you being aboe to wear that (says she of stumpy and ridiculously short legs)

mrsshackleton · 02/06/2009 11:05

Oh no, when did this become discussion of the day

Now everyone will know how sad I am [smile}

Otoh thanks for introducing me to all these fab new websites, I didn't know Fenn Wright and Manson had one. I will never get any work done again. I still think those of you who think I can carry off the jumpsuit are being v optimistic and kind, it's by no means a given. I am getting my hair done on Friday (party is on Sat) and will do all the other beauty stuff myself - I have already spent enough money on this and - you know what?- he might not even show up.

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FlorenceAndtheWashingMachine · 02/06/2009 12:15

It has been on the front page since Friday I think.

Wanting to impress an ex is not sad - it's human nature.

tiredsville · 02/06/2009 13:52

this will definitely knock em dead although they may never recover

tiredsville · 02/06/2009 13:53

Sorry couldn't resist the warrior outfit

mrsshackleton · 02/06/2009 15:20

rofl

W"ill order it straightaway

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DarrellRivers · 03/06/2009 12:08

tirdesville, that's a great site
and a great outfit

tiredsville · 03/06/2009 13:32

Some of the outfits are so shocking, I couldn't possibly link for the daytime thread. May save them for friday night chat if I'm pissed though

mrsshackleton · 05/06/2009 12:09

Update

The stuff from Anusha has arrived, minus playsuit - which is coming in a week

I have to say I'm disappointed - I haven't tried the tunic on yet but it is a v flimsy garment, the colours don't appear as strong as in the photo and at first sight it's worth nothing like the £115 charged - unless I am transformed in front of the mirror (unlikely) it's going back. Some other odds and ends (shoes and jewellery) I ordered are also much cheaper looking in rl than online - so am returning too. Feel as if I've saved hundreds of ££s

Party is tomorrow night and no time to shop today, as I'll be in the hairdressers all afternoon, so it'll have to be old stuff and just as well, really, as we're feeling the pinch like everyone and in the words of James in the Apprentice I can't really be "spunking money up the wall".

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EHR · 05/06/2009 14:30

Hi there

This is Elizabeth from Anusha. Great to see all the comments/feedback.

The jumpsuit is fab, by the way. I?ve got one ? LOVE it! I know I?m biased, but I don?t think it?s just for the young and slim.

Mrsshackleton: After seeing your post I was going to contact you, but I can?t find a record of all those items being ordered by anyone. Obviously don't like to hear that someone is disappointed with Anusha!

Anyway, whatever you end up wearing, good luck and I hope it all goes well tomorrow night!

DarrellRivers · 05/06/2009 14:53
Hmm
mrsshackleton · 07/06/2009 17:59

Been to party

It went well

Thanks everyone

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DarrellRivers · 07/06/2009 20:40

More than that please.....
Was he there?
Did he look fat?
What did you wear and did it look good?
[drums fingers expectantly]

Kitsilano · 07/06/2009 21:33

Spill!

mrsshackleton · 08/06/2009 10:08

Just wanted to see if anyone was still interested before launching into it ...

He was there. He looked so fat, he resembled a cube. He'd sort of gelled his hair flat which looked most odd and oily and was wearing a Hawaiian shirt .

Most gratifyingly, I was looking right at him and didn't recognise him. He had to come right up to me and say hello before I twigged.

Anyway, I was surprisingly unnervous and we had a short chat, then later when I thought he'd left he sidled up to me and asked to take my "details" and said he'd love to see me one day [hmmm]

I'm not sure his wife was there, he appeared to be alone and he said he was living in his old flat which is a total bachelor pad, so I am wondering if he is now divorced and full of regrets.

Anyway, happily I was not remotely tempted. I said he could get my number from the hostess (was too embarrassed/surprised to refuse altogether) but when he calls I will say it was all a long time ago and I don't think it's worth reviving our "friendship" now.

And I wore .. skinny jeans over stiletto boots and a sort of silvery grey floaty top over it - much in the vein as discussed. Hair was done and for some reason (nerves) my skin was looking super glowy and radiant, I have to say I scrubbed up reasonably well.

The party was really fun anyway, saw loads of people I hadn't seen for ages. Came home reasonably merry (i remembered the don't get drunk warning) at about 1am and then was up at 6am when thunderstorm woke the dcs

Anyway, thanks everyone again for your input, I could not have had better closure if I'd tried [smile}

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DarrellRivers · 08/06/2009 12:33

I love the fact you didn't recognise him until he came up to say 'hello'
All in all , a very satisfactory outcome
I bet he's regretting that he let you slip through his fingers

giantkatestacks · 08/06/2009 12:35

Love the fact that he resembled a cube...

mrsshackleton · 08/06/2009 14:23

He is a screw up so I am sure he is back on the market and chasing up exes - as one does.

It could not have been more satisfactory if I'd scripted it.

Darrell let me know how the playsuit looks

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DarrellRivers · 08/06/2009 14:41

Cancelled the playsuit
just thought it best as your description of poorer quality fabric than imagined was probably worth bearing in mind.
Am frequently disappointed on this front when shopping on-line apart from net-a-porter
Am on the look out though for a suitable one when I go shopping, otherwise I have remembered rather lovely Armani dress in my wardrobe which doesn't get taken out much.

mrsshackleton · 08/06/2009 15:40

Crikey, Darrell, that is a glamorous vision

Well, my playsuit is still en route so if it is transforming I'll alert you

Otherwise, Elizabeth will hunt us both down and beat us to death with a silk camisole

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