The Ivy london...what to wear?!

[RoryGillmoresEvilTwin]

I'm going to the Ivy in a couple of weeks and I have no idea what to wear!
Is there a dress code?

Help!

Not sure if this will be helpful but I went to The Ivy in Manchester this weekend (just the brasserie) and people were pretty dressed up and quite glamorous.

I think the dress code is smart casual - my friend and I felt a bit underdressed but the staff were very friendly and welcoming.

Not sure if it’s the same in London.

London is anything from people in their jeans with their shopping bags to more dressed up. Anything goes

The Ivy proper - the original, not the spin off brasseries, is quite smart but not in a stuffy way

It's nothing special - wear decent clothes. I go in work gear

Thank you!
We're going to the london ivy. To be honest I'd rather go elsewhere but hey-ho.
I really didn't want to be ultra dressed up and look out of place or vice versa.

I’ve been to The Ivy for lunch. I wore a grey dress, navy tights and navy boots. Luke Evans was there in jeans and an earring. There are so many creative luvvie types that anything goes. I’d wear something newish, clean and smart casual. Don’t be too overdressed!

You wear whatever you like! I've recently had lunch at The Ivy (the 'proper' one in London) and people were wearing anything from jeans to work suits. No need to be glamorous if you don't want to - but if you do, go ahead!

Thanks Vanilla

I was thinking nice trousers, top and my Polley dms 😂
I think my friends will have kittens if I wear my Polleys though, they're all much more glam than me unfortunately.

Are you going for lunch or dinner and which day of the week?

Thanks everyone.
BiWI that's excellent advice. I will attempt something in the middle...what ever that is.

Honestly - just wear what you feel most comfortable in. You will fit right in and nobody will be judging you.

Dinner on a sunday.
Unfortunately I think I'll be leaving the dms at home. Heels it is, it'll be fine, as long as I dont have to walk anywhere!

You will be fine with the DMs! Honestly!

Sorry about providing information about the not ‘proper Ivy in London’ - was only trying to help

I find people are a little more casual at lunch or early evening but if you go on a Fri or Sat night, people are generally quite glam. And yes, there is a dress code (smart casual). I was last there a few weeks ago (on a Sat night) and Graham Norton was at the next table (he had a suit and tie on as you'd expect). I wore a silver silk shirt dress from Burberry with a super-sparkly choker from Christopher Kane and diamond studs, but then I dressed it down with knee high black leather boots (mainly because it was pouring down with rain when I left home!). I didn't feel under-dressed or over-dressed. Not sure if that helps or not but people do tend to be much more dressed up there at the weekends, especially in the evening. I wouldn't have got so blinged up if it had been Sunday lunch.

I was really dressed up as it was a Friday night but then staff were so lovely, it was so relaxed and they wouldn't have cared had I been wearing something more casual.

One of the best "famous" restaurants I've been to in London I must say, the staff were just brilliant. We did get invited to the private lounge before and after though and I suspect we wouldn't have been if we'd been in our scruffs. But the restaurant itself wasn't prim and proper at all.

Unlike Gilbert Scott. You couldn't pay me to to back there.

Fizzy What kind of things were people wearing? We're going there in Jan. I had a look on insta but still not sure. I know we like to get dressed up in the North but there's different kinds of dressed up I suppose.

Fizzywinegum don't be sorry!
I've been to a 'spin-off' and everyone was very glam (except me obvs 😂).

I think in the not proper ones people feel more of a need to dress up for some reason.

From experience don’t go in jogging gear after doing a few early morning laps at Battersea Park. They will refuse to seat you.

Ive been there a couple of times and the advice everyone has given is pretty much spot on.

I remember years and years ago (at least 20, possibly 30), a family friend went to the The Ivy and we were all as it seemed so posh, esp as it was frequented by celebs, as it still is. But she said the staff treat "ordinary" people like celebs, and celebs like "ordinary" people, which is a lovely way of describing it.

Get the shepards pie. It's divine!

Look smart. Don't over bling. Have a nice time.

sushi I'm debating the shepherds pie or ivy burger...you may have swayed me.

I think the shepherd's pie is disappointing, personally! Last time we were there I had the liver and it was fantastic. (But I admit it's a niche taste)

But whatever you choose, or wear, hope you enjoy it!

@Fizzywinegum I don't think BIWI meant to be derogative but there are so many spin off Ivy cafes/brasseries/grills in London and around the country now and they are not the same, the cafes are more casual.

Londoners don't really dress up to go out for dinner unless it is a very special occasion eg a big birthday/Christmas party. Just where what you are comfortable in, dress up if you enjoy dressing up, don't if you don't. The dress code is exactly what it says - smart casual. As PPs have said there will be people in jeans, people in lbds.