Mrs - I'm 32 and a tight size 16 although that's changing at the moment so aiming for comfortable 14 the dinner is in late sept
Hells -£150 it's been a while since I've been anywhere nice

OP posts:

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 14:28

I am a 14 and find that Coast dresses are very nicely fitted and seem to have the best cuts too. They've probably got a sale on too at the mo.

they do this dress was 80 and is now 35...have a look round!

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 14:30

Do you like colour? What are your best bits? What bits do you like to hide?

Bohemond · 12/08/2014 14:32

Make sure you have something to cover up with - it is not always warm in halls. Alternatively, stock up on sherry beforehand and port afterwards

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 14:33

But not a pashmina!

Original poster

Springhasspung · 12/08/2014 16:00

My rear is vast I have good calves, and boobs aren't bad but def want to cover bingo wings (when did they appear?) coast dress looks lovely I want wow,y hubby without looking like mutton dressed as lamb

OP posts:

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 16:03

I think this looks very lovely. Would be good to minimize rear and keep upper arms covered.

GranitaMargarita · 12/08/2014 16:14

Just an ordinary high table dinner? If so, I don't think it matters very much, so long as you look reasonably clean and smart. I think that a lot of the dresses people have suggested are over the top, if it's for a fairly standard high table do.

I'd wear whatever you'd wear to go out to a nice restaurant - I've got a plain blue navy knee-length dress which is suitable for pretty much all occasions, for example.

itsnormalforbridgwater · 12/08/2014 16:15

Hobbs is really good, but a bit expensive x

GranitaMargarita · 12/08/2014 16:19

Don't forget that most of the time you're all sitting down, so no-one can see what your lower half looks like!

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 16:32

Granita in a lot of the pics I've seen, females are in quite "nice" dresses. I think it's personal taste really. What you call an ordinary high table dinner is more of an event for some people...especially if the OP hasn't been out for a while!

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 16:33

Plus the dress I linked to is something I'd wear out to dinner in the evening...event or no event!

katienana · 12/08/2014 16:45

You can't go wrong in a black dress IMO, get a statement necklace to jazz it up, heels to show off your legs, a sheer cardi to cover your shoulders while revealing your cleavage.

Original poster

Springhasspung · 12/08/2014 16:59

Mrs w we have a winner that's gorgeous. I'm just ordering it online
I know I might be blowing it up but frankly I've worked it out it has been 5 years since I have been to anything grown up (special)

I intend to take advantage and spoil myself dress hair underwear - not from m&m basics range lol

Thankyou for the help I've forgotten what fun the prep is, hubby won't know what's hit him x

OP posts:

GranitaMargarita · 12/08/2014 17:05

Yes, but I wouldn't want the OP to feel she has to spend money that she doesn't need to, or to arrive and then feel that she's a bit overdressed and out of place! I think people tend to take pics when they've dressed up, not when they've dragged on their standard 'out to formal hall' clothes and rushed out.

On the other hand, I think the one that you picked out is really lovely, and will be very much admired by all those at the table. A great choice!

I agree that a cardi might come in handy - these halls can be absolutely grim, even in autumn.

KoalaDownUnder · 12/08/2014 17:10

That Coast dress is absolutely gorgeous; you will look amazing!!

Original poster

Springhasspung · 12/08/2014 17:29

Cardi is a definite, I think my last pashmina got used as a nappy changing mat!
Granita thanks for the reassurance I haven't booked the limo lol
Think I might push to detox and feel über sexy.

OP posts:

GranitaMargarita · 12/08/2014 17:46

I'll just warn you that - depending on where you're eating - the food can be decidedly odd, and the company odder! However, it's always great fun as an experience, fabulous architecture to gaze around at, and potentially some fascinating people to talk to. You may find out more about astrophysics, early medieval cookery or Chinese Jesuits than you've ever imagined knowing!

MrsWinnibago · 12/08/2014 17:51

Spring which one did you order? The black or the blue? I like the blue for myself...but then the black was such a nice shape.x

Droflove · 12/08/2014 19:58

A respectable dress is fine. Nothing too booby, leggy or loud colours. Just something smart. And I'd have your shoulders covered. Even a card is fine. Do not show up in formal dress (ie ballgown)!

Droflove · 12/08/2014 19:58

Card = cardi

Original poster

Springhasspung · 12/08/2014 21:07

Mrs w - I went for the blue, figured I could wear it to pretty much anything just have to wait and see how it looks,
Dro - I thought a ball gown would be to much, what do the men wear ?
Granita, that's really what I'm looking forward to I never went to uni but I love everything about it, quite honestly I'm more excited about the company just hoping I don't embarrass myself lol

OP posts:

Droflove · 13/08/2014 11:29

OP you won't embarrass yourself. I've always found everyone to be really nice at these things. Everyone is an achiever so they don't bother to compete if you know what I mean. I'm trying to remember what hubby used to wear but he was always in the gown. I think a normal suit? But part of me thinks it was even more casual than that except for very special occasions (is yours a special occasion or a regular formal?). Maybe a shirt and trousers? God I can't remember. Just one hint. Go to the loo before dinner. Its not permitted to get up from your seat (some do but it either looks bad or a server will make them go back and sit which is embarrassing). Also I think there is some rule about removing your jacket as I vaguely recall it being a rule I couldn't take off my cardigan once seated. Just follow everyone else's lead. Enjoy the food, wine, and hopefully port and cheese. Oxbridge is a wonderful experience and nobody is interested in snobbery in my experience.

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