You're going out for drinks tomorrow....

[flibbertigibbert]

...what are you wearing?

I'm in need of inspiration. I'm stuck in a rut. I feel so self conscious at the moment because I'm so overweight. I'm 5'4 and size 16 on the bottom and 12/14 on top. I have very flabby arms so don't like wearing anything sleeveless.

Anyway, a friend is having birthday drinks tomorrow evening, not at a particularly swanky bar, but I still need to dress up a bit. What would you wear for something like this?

Long tunic top and either leggins or 3/4 length trousers?

I've never worn a pair of leggings in my life. Never even tried a pair on. I'm very bottom heavy so not sure about the idea of showing off the shape of my legs with a pair of leggings. It may be worth me trying a pair on though.

What shoes would you wear with that outfit?

Long tunic tops hide a multitude of sins

Low heels or Birkenstock style sandals or gladiator sandals,maybe.

this sort of tunic
although it is sleeveless

I love that tunic, it's the sort of thing I see on other people and think it looks great but assume it'll be rubbish on me. I have a pair of black gladiator sandals which could work too.

a diiferent look
but these cardigans look good too

different*

I definitely can't do waterfall type cardigans. I've tried them on before and they don't look good. Despite being a heffer I have a decent-ish waist so anything that's shapeless round the waist makes me look bigger than I am

Stick with something drawn in at the waist then...I am bigger up top than lower half so will do anything to hide my waist!

If your waist is good then why not a fifties style dress (channel Kirsty Allsop) with a shruggy cardi to cover tops of arms

Empire line is great for pear shapes (I'm one - I just keep getting bigger - by the time you get to the knees I'm three sizes bigger than on top so I know what you mean about leggings.)

I'd go for wide leg linen trousers and heels or three quarter lengths with some dressy sandals and a smart empire line top with wide waistband as that shows off your slimmest bit and hides the bulges. Or a bias cut skirt that ends at the knee and long top that ends just below the bum but skims in at the waist. And definitely heels.

Thanks for the suggestions.

willali - I love the sound of the fifties style dress - they do suit me. I always feel really dressed up in a dress though so not sure I'd be confident enough to wear something like that for a night out.

racingheart - I'm after some linen trousers anyway so will have a look round the shops tomorrow