Right, I'm going to a family dinner and dance tomorrow and MIL is driving me mad about my clothes

[sandyballs]

Last week she said to me "You do realise that jeans aren't allowed don't you dear", as if I was some scruffy little scrote who didn't know how to behave or dress appropriately when required . Admittedly I do live in my lovely jeans but then I am a mummy to two 5 year olds and they are very practical .

Anyway, I had in mind to wear a lovely outfit I have from Monsoon which I have worn to a couple of weddings this year and is very smart. I have now decided not to wear it as it is too summery and I don't have a coat that would go with it. Haven't got much money at the moment so don't want to buy anything new.

So I've decided to wear my black culotte type trousers (quite smart, nice material) with long burgundy suede high heeled boots and a smart burgundy top. Quite acceptable I feel for a "family dinner and dance" at a golf club. Not according to MIL, she looked quite horrified this morning when I told her, thought she was going to cry . It is SOOO tempting to turn up in my jeans tomorrow night.

What do you all think, is that outfit too casual or is MIL a nutter.

Wear what you like and refuse to give a shit about her snobbery. I think your outfit sounds fine - bollocks to her!

She's probably just being a bitch because you're younger and better looking than her

Honestly, don't let her make you feel like this. Wear what you want to wear and enjoy it.

It's got nothing to do with her. Just make sure you have nice hair and make up and are comfy in what you are wearing. What you have described sounds lovely imo, have fun.

Wear what you want! It's only a bleeding family do! I wouldn't go at all but that's just me, however neither would I have mil dictating to me what to wear! Put your foot down now or she'll dictate to you forever.

I'm with the majority (and it sounds nice), but am aware that culottey trousers may look less than ideal to dance in...

what was the Monsoon outfit? Could you wear the skirt with a warmer top (or something)

sounds like a really nice outfit

BUT

to me dinner dance means you have to wear a skirt/dress (not that I've been to one - and then only under sufferance for ten years or more)

only if you've got one handy of course

Thank you guys, I knew you'd come up trumps and reassure me.

MrsB - I did think about that with the Monsoon outfit but don't have anything suitable. It's a lovely silk printed aqua/brown/cream skirt with an aqua bodice and cream shrug thingie. Very nice for a wedding but I think a bit OTT for this kind of occasion, plus the fact that it feels a but more snug than it did back in August .

I don't really do dancing so that's not a problem, I plan to sit and drink and give MIL the evil eye

Mary, I didn't know that. Don't want to be the only one in trousers. I really don't want to go, not my thing at all, a waste of a babysitter in my opinion. Much rather be going out for a nice meal with DH (in my jeans )

perhaps try Monsoon skirt with brown tights, brown boots and cream jumper/cardi (if you have them)?
I bet it was expensive so good to get the wear out of it - besides, how better to get back at MIL than to be the best-dressed woman there...

That sounds lovely and it would be nice to get some more wear out of it, but don't have brown boots or cream top.

tell her you're wearing a chicken suit. after that any advance will be seen as a blessing.

(what about bodicy thing with black trousers/shrug and heels?)

I always wear trousers to everything,( I don't really do skirts, hence I never go to balls) and it has never been a problem.
I would put your outfit on tonight and ask your dh what he thinks. I would say for a dance it will be fine especially if you dress it up with some nice jewellery and maybe a few sparkly hair slides.

i fear i may be being terribly old-fashioned in my adviceas it is mainly based on remembering what my mum wore to such events and margot in the good life.

wear what you feel good in.