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?

Please you wouldn't make me take my shoes off?

Lol. The NOST DIVISIVE TOPIC EVER RETURNS
As for clothes. Trousers/ jeans and v casual but snazzy top if I'm cooking

I wouldn't make you, but I would inwardly curse you.

I have some of these Dune black sequin fold up ballerinas , you can get them in champagne also

First, when I say slippers, I don't mean frumpy slippers but my zebra L K Bennett ballerinas, or something like the sparkly flats above.

Second, I'm with Remus on the 'no shoes in the house rule'. Wouldn't ever make anyone follow it, but would react inwardly in same way as her if they didn't. Wouldn't be at all impressed at my female guests staggering round in outdoor high heels throughout.

But how are people supposed to know you are anal prefer them to take their shoes off unless you tell them?? Some people do, some don't but don't expect me to know you want me to take them off by osmosis. No need for inward cursing just be a weirdo ask me to take them off!!

If the host/hostess are shoeless it is probably safe to assume that they would prefer guests to be shoeless too, I'd think.

I know this is an issue that massively divides MNers but I honestly just can't understand why anybody would want to wear shoes on carpet.

Must admit that I wouldn't dream of taking my shoes off, unless asked politely of course. Going shoeless would completely ruin about 80% of my outfits!

Perhaps people have been giving me the silent side eye for years

Me too. There are always shoes - a few pairs, neatly lined up - in our hall so this usually just gives the messag anyway. If it doesn't, I don't push it.

Message!

Really? People plan outfits with their shoes to visit someone's house?

Sorry but in my house you would be eating at home if you didn't take shoes off at door.

I honestly have never had anyone come over and not take shoes off. Don't you get mud/ outdoor grime/ poo over the floor?

We have dinner parties regularly. I always wear slippers ( Celtic sheepskin moccasins). I would just wear a lightweight dress as home is fairly warm, or just whatever I was wearing that day tbh. I don't spend the day in joggers so look respectable enough

Plan in as much as certain trousers/jeans require a heeled shoe or boot, likewise a number of dresses and skirts look better with specific footwear.

So yes, outfits do take 'planning', regardless of where one is going.

No I generally find I can manage not to traipse through mud and dog poo and I wipe my feet before I come in. I would also not assume just because you had your shoes lined up in the hall you expected me to take mine off too!

And if I had got dressed up and was then pattering round in holey socks or stockinged feet I would feel very silly.

I also don't understand re taking your cue from what the hostess is wearing. If your 'slippers' are ballet flat type shoes as some have mentioned, then I will think you are wearing shoes, not slippers!

My dressier shoes are generally not worn in muddy areas, usually just from a car to front door, so they are clean and I would always wipe my feet anyway. I look forward to wearing my pretty heels (that with two pre schoolers otherwise languish unworn in my closet) when I go out, which is usually to friends houses or restaurants. I feel undressed / incomplete without nice shoes on to finish off the outfit.

Sad to think I might have been offending people without realising.

Friends'. Grr.

Lol at sheepskin slippers and dress. Terrible

Normally jeans/casual top (maybe a Breton) plus funky necklace then ballet flats. Don't care if guests take their shoes of or not.

Aaand this faff and stress is why I almost never have people round for dinner noshes on chicken Kiev in nightie

I still don't get it. Night out in town , sure I will co ordinate clothes with shoes. Inside at friends the whole point of that is relaxed. I couldn't care less if people came to ours in their pjs ( as long as they take shoes off)

Whatever you do with your feet, if you wear jeans make it a nice top.

Do not be tempted to wear jeans and a shit top.

Yes I agree with that Trills.