What to wear when having friends for dinner?

[hpickup]

DH and I are having friends in next weekend for dinner - I am cooking.

Apart from us ther will be two other couples.

Not sure what to wear?

Thinks of a wool dress or jumper and smart trouser.

Also, should I wear shoes, slippers or nothing?

How posh? I'd normally just wear jeans, a 'nice' top and slippers. Absolutely hate wearing shoes in the house.

Surely that depends on how you are cooking them? If it's in a messy sauce I'd go for something dark with a toweling front, if you are going to julienne them and cook them 'dry', then you could probably get away with regular clothing.

I'd do exactly the same as Remus.
Possible alternative of knit dress but nothing too hot when slaving over the stove.

Agree. Casual. But not slippers. I would find that very weird.

I have 'pretty' slippers for just such an occasion. :) Little silk Japanese ones.

Yes I normally wear nice top and trousers or a dress. Don't do shoes in the house so wear either tights or trouser socks. I only do jeans if they're coming over during the day (which is our norm now with 2 young dcs!).

@ ChillingGrin

Lol! Touch of the Hannibal here eh?

I would wear something like this.

Well, when I say slippers I actually been some nice L K Bennett flats in 'zebra' pony skin which I save to wear as 'best' slippers for entertaining at home. Though by the end of the evening am often in bare feet/opaques with no shoes at all.

Its your house you can wear what you like. Me, I would wear a dress or a top and skirt and always shoes. I would feel vulnerable if everyone around me had shoes on and I didn't, but I might be odd.

I have some lovely Aspinall mule slippers which I would wear. Lovely soft leather.

Have even taken them to change into when at friend's dinner parties.

I wear something cool, that I can move easily in, and ballet pumps. I also hav zebra print slipper/ballet pump things that work well.

I always tie my hair back as I'm always worried about hair falling in food...

Probably socked or stockinged feet or maybe slippers - hard to cook /serve food in heels!!

I usually wear my Ugg slippers. I clearly need 'guests to dinner slippers'. Links? (Sorry to derail thread OP.)

What about these, lurking?

thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/pict/281221519673_2.jpg

I usually wear ballet flats when I have people over.
Don't wear wool. You'll roast.

Perctect! And they match the Angel Delight dessert!!

I'd expect guests to take their shoes off too, tbh. Shoes in the house = wrong.

I always feel when I'm round someone's house and have had to take my shoes off and so have cold feet but they're wearing toasty slippers. I wouldn't take a pair of slippers to someone's house for dinner though.

My going out outfits are always set off with a pair of heels so I would be a bit disappointed to end up flat footed. I've done it though.

I would treat a dinner party like a night out in a restaurant so wouldn't entertain in slippers but would wear what I expected my guests to turn up in.

Chicaguapa... I so agree!

There I am in my bare feet on their cold kitchen floor whilst they wear "house shoes" or fluffy socks.

I now pack "house shoes" for people like that

I would never wear slippers. I find it odd and mumsy when I see hosts in slippers. Make an effort for gods sake! I wear jeans, an elegant jersey top and ballet flats. Maybe some nice jewellery. I like to look casual chic. No slippers

How on earth is putting a pair of shoes on more effort than putting a pair of slippers on, if the rest of you is dressed nicely?

If somebody kept their shoes on in my house, I wouldn't make them take them off, but I would judge them and think they were rather rude tbh.

I don't wear shoes in the house either, but would for 20 minutes of this until I have a drink or two and kick them off.