Posh lunches and garden parties...

[Scootergrrrl]

I have been invited to three of these in the next month (DH's job) and unfortunately all will feature many of the same people (boo hiss - no outfit recycling!)
What do you wear to such things? Can anyone find me something online? Please help or I'll go in my jeans and flip-flops....

[Anna8888]

How much do you want to spend?

[snice]

Perhaps you should spend money on a really good pair of shoes and handbag that will go with all outfits-but I have no idea how you would do this as I am very unstylish

[Scootergrrrl]

I can spend up to about £100 but I'd need stuff I could wear again in order to justify it to DH...
I'm short, akinny-ish (post-two-baby-tummy included) and not blessed with bosoms so no low-necklines. Oh and I'm not terribly girly so nothing fluffy and flouncy.

PS: Snice, I'd like to go to the garden parties with YOU as am also not stylish at all

[snice]

I would be a terrible posh garden party guest as I can't hold my drink any more and so would become embarrassing and trip over my heels

[snice]

Look an expert has arrived-LL will know what to do

[Anna8888]

I think if your budget is limited that Lapin's advice is great and that you should buy a great plain dress that really suits you and the reaccessorize it for each occasion (you might be able to borrow bags/shoes/necklaces etc from family and friends?).

[snice]

I said shoes and bags [excited emotion]

[WilfSell]

don't wear heels though - only wedge heels...

[janeite]

Gap have a really lovey black cotton 50s style dress, scoop necked, fitted waist, fullish skirt, which could be worn in lots of different ways. Only £35 so then you could buy a variety of accessories to dress it up in different ways. I bought it the other day and even dd1 (13 and cynical) said it looked lovely!

[Anna8888]

That sounds gorgeous Janeite (and such a bargain) - could be worn with silver ballet flats (so comfortable and avoids the stiletto in lawn problem)

[janeite]

Yes - that sounds nice. And maybe a big silver cuff? Simple and classic.

And then for the next event, funky bright wedges and a chunky necklace could be fun.

[WilfSell]

And a bright cardie?

[Anna8888]

With a black dress/silver ballet flats you could beg/borrow/steal almost any designer handbag from a friend (just for one evening ) and it would go and make you feel special.

[janeite]

Lapin - that is amazing. Am very jealous!

[QuintessentialShadows]

Scootergrrrl, this is for your DHs job, it is in HIS best interest that you look at stylish and presentable as possible. You are possibly buying stuff you would not otherwise dream of buying. You need to renegotiate your budget. Get a trip to the hairdresser and a manicure thrown in for good measure. Can recommend Bliss in Knightsbridge, if you are London based.

[janeite]

All the more reason for me to be jealous. I also have tiny wrists and hands and most bangles just won't stay on.

[Scootergrrrl]

I'll try again with the budget but I don't think he'll stretch to a Tiffany cuff - I'd be happy to go in jeans wearing that!
Do Gap deliver? The dress sounds ideal but am out in Germany(which also puts paid to the lovely Bliss spa day )

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

[Anna8888]

Love the first one Lapin linked to at Top Shop - would look great with very simple accessories.