What do I wear to supper party with friends?

[Riversiderunner]

I just bought some coated jeans and thought they looked quite nice but DH and my friend said maybe they were a bit tight so now I've lost my nerve. (NB DH is LOVELY and nearly ALWAYS says I look amazing, so I sort of believe him. Ditto the friend!)

I'm very early 40s, size 12, 5ft 6in, and have decent legs. But my middle is a bit tree trunk and I have broad shoulders.

What on earth shall I wear? Am prepared to buy something as it's a really special party in that I'm seeing lots of people I love and haven't seen for ages. But it will be a relaxed kitchen supper in a friend's house. I expect some will come in dresses and heels and others in jeans and a glitzy top.

What on earth do I buy to A) look nice and B) look vaguely in touch with fashions?

I feel very tragic to be asking this but have trawled the internet to no avail.

TIA!

[Riversiderunner]

*fashion not 'fashions'.

I'm not that old!

[burnishedsilver]

I think you should stick with the coated jeans idea but find a pair that suit you better.

[polyhymnia]

I agree. With a nice long top.

[Riversiderunner]

Thanks both! My husband says maybe he was wrong and they were nice after all. I'm in my nightie now but will try them on again tomorrow when I'm feeling brave, and will go to Zara tomorrow to see what they've got.

Am thinking black coated jeans, some sort of dressed down top (black polo neck?), and killer heels, which obviously I shall BUY!

Thanks v much for echoing my thoughts and sparing the time!

x

[Lucked]

I was reading the doesmybumlook40 blog the other nut and she was wearing black coated jeans so might be worth a look. She was wearing them with slouchy jumpers which I liked. I wouldn't wear all black personally I would go grey or a pale colour.

[Riversiderunner]

Funnily enough it was her blog post about coated jeans that made me buy them! And thy are really nice.

Gonna try them on again tonight after work as I think they might be nice and DH was feeling momentarily out of sorts.

(Or am I mutton and kidding myself? Aargh!)

[BoboChic]

Personally, I wouldn't wear black to a supper party. People just sort of "disappear" when they wear black in the evening unless it is very dressy black with lots of diamonds and it doesn't sound like that sort of party!

All white is very fetching in the winter - white cable sweater, white palazzo pants?

[Fabellini]

I recently bought this from H&M and it's lovely. I got it in black, but the green is gorgeous too - will be wearing it at the weekend when I'm going for dinner with friends....wth coated skinnies and heels

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I like that, Fab. I also like all black - wouldn't be seen dead in all white!

I'd wear really well fitting black skinnies (not coated) and a silk shirt, either black, grey or a print. I'd also wear warm socks or take slippers - I don't wear shoes indoors and think it would be rude to wear them in somebody else's house (opens up MN can of worms and runs away!).

[grisclair]

I second the idea of rethinking the "killer heels" as they might damage your friend's floor.

[ChinUpChestOut]

I agree with wearing the black coated jeans, but wear a really fabulous blouse on top like this or this leopard print or this fun mango blouse.

Casual, but you've made an effort.

[Riversiderunner]

Thanks all! Didn't get a chance to reply yday as so busy at work.

Glad to have approval on the coated jeans. Have decided DH is a teeny bit old fashioned and prob would just like me in a dress but tough!

Heels are okay as she has tiled floors. But I went to Russell & Bromley yday in my lunch break and they were all v matronly and not the red or jolly colours I was hoping for. Is R&B now only aiming for loaded matrons? A year or two ago if have wanted everything in the shop!

Still no idea about what I'll wear on top and haven't had a chance to address this but you have all been super helpful.

And thank you for the idea of white but I am extremely clumsy so can only wear white to eg a drinks party where I am standing up and not spooning food into my mouth.

Nice on someone else tho!

[Riversiderunner]

And thanks for the top suggestions too. They're lovely. Might nip out tomorrow and scoot thro the shops with those in mind! X

[Mrswinkler]

What are coated jeans?

[Artandco]

If you came to mine for dinner I would expect everyone to remove their shoes so I say wear any shoes and have decent tights/ socks on!

[LynetteScavo]

No one is going to care what you wear. Make sure you've done your hair and make up, have a slight waft of perfume, job done.

Coated jeans will be fine. They go with everything. Like a gold ballet pump.

Don't quote me on that.

[BackforGood]

I'm glad you asked, MrsWinkler - I have no idea what we're talking about either.

Personally, I'd avoid wearing jeans to a dinner party, as baggy jeans don't really look smart, and 'smart jeans' tend (IME) to be tight, so there's no 'expanding room' with all the yummy food. I'd wear something much more forgiving.

[polyhymnia]

I don't think killer heels are a great idea for an informal dinner party for lots of reasons - in fact, think they wouldn't look very modern if that matters.

I still find there are lots of shoes I like in R and B and, though I may be old, don't think I'm matronly. There are plenty of gorgeous flats - which are very on trend, in fact.

My own definition of 'not matronly' doesn't mean bright red though. But I do like a bit of animal print which I think has become a classic/ neutral and,if flat, would be fine with coated trousers.

[Riversiderunner]

Coated jeans are jeans with a sort of Barbour like coating on them. So they look almost like leather jeans.

And Poly you such much more on trend than me!

[Riversiderunner]

But I do have some nice leopard print shoes which might go well (tho I'm in the mood for something new). Good idea, thank you

[Buttwing]

I have coated jeans from zara that I love. Would stay away from animal print with them I think you ended to go a bit "classy"with the rest of your outfit (this is coming from someone who loves leopard print!) I wear a silk blouse, blazer and black (very) pointy high courts.

[BoboChic]

I agree with Polyhymnia. There are lots of killer flats about which can dress up coated trousers.

[Kennington]

Coated jeans are the best invention if you have kids. Or are not an elegant eater. Either way they are wipe clean.

[nooddsocksforme]

www.warehouse.co.uk/large-scale-paisley-shirt/tops/warehouse/fcp-product/02466999 or this one which someone suggested to me a few posts back www.mintvelvet.co.uk/granite-sequin-sleeve-tee/tops/mint-v/fcp-product/5770

[bishboschone]

If it's in someone's house won't they expect you to take your shoes off? I think there have been many threads over the years on mumsnet about this. Just saying maybe you should consider the possibility that you may be barefoot .