Fashion advice for me too please.

Well, I'd go down the indian 'shawar kamiz' (spelling?) route myself; a bit dressy, layered so you could add or detract according to temperature, and most of all comfortable and can be worn with flat shoes!

That sounds brilliant! What a marvellous idea!

Yes, you definitely need comfy shoes as there'll probably be a lot of standing about. I wouldn't rule out trousers though, lightweight and flattering, with a gorgeous top and casual jacket....

kitty
Your outfit with the pink silk jacket and shoes sounds beautiful.
As does the outfit for your son's wedding. ( Jaeger ?)

For a Hotel Barbecue maybe you could consider a linen outfit. Trouser suit, dress, what ever.
And I would go for black. That colour works very well in linen.
Definitely no pastels.
Also very easy to accessorize with some very stunning stuff.

Oh, I disagree, johanna! I think black would be too stark for an informal barbecue (and it does tend to show the slightest stain so easily!). Is it in the day or the evening, kitty?

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Linen is a very informal material, even black linen, especially on a dull day. And to answer your question yes it will take you from day to evening.
It also depends on the style of the outfit, do you not think?

Of course, johanna

I would opt for trousers and top and a jacket for when the evening cools down but not linen. There are so many pretty colours this year it would be a shame to wear just black.

Thank you all. Gally I love your idea but I doubt I have the oomph to carry it off.

I had thought linen trousers but am completely flummoxed about colour and what to wear on my top half. I wear loads of black so thought I might opt out of my comfort zone. The BBQ is in the evening. The daughter whose party it is usually advises me on 'fashion' - she makes me braver - so I don't feel I can ask her this time. Could you all please come shopping with me?

Kitty - if I have the oomph, anyone can have it

Do you know which colours give you a boost kittylester ?
How about a really flattering tunic length top over trousers, dressed up with a really nice necklace and a pashina in case it is a cool evening.
I want to take you shopping!!!! Come to MK and I will do just that.

Maybe just for this occasion stay off black, easy for me to say as I rarely wear it, it drains all the colour from me. Can you wear strong colour, I think jess is right about the tunic, in a good colour for you over neutral linen trousers with a wedge heel. not thinking the Aintree sky scraper, but just to give a little height, don't know how tall you are.

Kitty it may be an idea not to wear a top in a very pale colour, BBQs have a way of depositing little greasy spots on your clothing. Plain trousers with a patterned tunic top would look elegant. I find that I can wear higher heels when they are strappy sandals, seem to keep on better.

kitty I would tend to go for same coloured top and bottom or one of the longer style coat dresses that are available this year and have a very bright shawl/wrap to keep the evening chill at bay match up your bag and shoes to the shawl/wrap and away you go and enjoy,if you don't feel good in a dress go for same colour separates but again break the colour with the shawl/wrap,you can afford to go for really vibrant colours with this choice.

glamma very good advice

Quite a few Maxi dresses about this year.....with a short cardigan on top?
Or East are doing some slightly exotic looking things this year, kaftans and kutas. My trick for finding an outfit was to trawl through John Lewis website to see what was about that would suit me...then to go to that particular manufacturer's website. The great thing nowadays is that fashion is so broad no one thing is 'in'. Good luck.

HildaW I enjoy wearing long skirts [slim over hip and flippy around the hem] with boxy tops.

lol SOOP......in my world the words hip and slim have never really been linked!

Thank you all for your input - you are alll brilliant. Thank you greatnan for posting and giving me the idea!

I maybe should have mentioned that I am 5'5'' tall, a size 18/20 but have a well defined waist. My hair is mousy brown with blonde highlights which hopefully mask the great bits. I have the most appalling feet and legs but,apparently look young for my age (at least facially!) See, it's no wonder I always get it wrong - I forget the important bits. I feel best in hot pinks and deep purples.

I hope your highlights don't mask the 'great' bits, kittylester! That's not the idea at all...

I'm sure you'll look great, whatever you decide, as long as you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing!

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Good figure then Kitty! so steer clear of the afore mentioned kaftans! my younger daughter has a similar figure and wears slightly flared A line skirts with a nipped in waist then a bolero style cardigan on top of whatever top she is wearing. If she wants something special she goes to 'Pepperberry' which is related to the big boob 'Bravissimo' company.

I have lots of East! I love them, I'm wearing the red dress in their artisan range at the moment.

I have been enjoying all your comments, but don't feel knowledgeable enough to offer advice. Keep 'em coming!