Posh lunch at a very posh place. What do I wear?

[allwineismine]

My inlaws are taking us for a very posh lunch to a very posh restaurant next week. What the hell should I wear? I know what I would wear for an evening meal, but for lunch? Sounds pathetic but my inlaws can be quite scary and I don't go out much, so completely out of touch.
I can't be too dressy, I have a hospital appointment just before.
I'm prepared to buy something new, I am size 18 possibly 20 big boobs, apple shape, good legs, budget-as low as possible.
TIA

Sounds perfect OP - I'd not wear jeans in that scenario.

When I was a teen my then BF's parents took us out for a posh lunch (they were loaded) and I knocked my chair over. Went to stand up and instead of it sliding back it just tipped over.

Mortified. Don't do that!

You can wear whatever you want to, OP.

Since it's the inlaw's treat, I'd be inclined to put a dress on - whatever you're comfortable in.

Really, don't worry abs enjoy!!

We went for lunch at The Ivy last month, which I guess is 'posh'?

No-one looked scruffy, but lots of diners, including me, wore jeans. We also went to Tom Kerridge's place, (can't remember the name) with our dcs - that was very casual and again, lots of jeans.

I (and this is just my opinion) would be wary of looking too dressed up for fear of looking like you don't belong.

I'm with DickDewy - we had lunch at Manoir Quatre Saisons a couple of years ago , and it was totally across the board as to what people were wearing, mostly not jeans tbh, but just nicely dressed. So find something you feel good in, is comfortable and enjoy yourself. :)

Wear something that makes you feel good and enjoy the occasion.

Hope you have a lovely time.

I live in the Central belt & over the years I have been lucky enough to eat in a lot of high end restaurants in Glasgow & Edinburgh, I would say that any of the suggestions above would be fine in any of them, where I think a dress & heels are more likely to be definetly required are in the big hotels like Gleneagles or the Caledonian in their fine dining establishments. Hope you have a lovely time.

At the risk of outing myself, it is Gleneagles (yay). I am super excited

Sounds like the issue is really the in-laws dress code expectations than the restaurants, which unless they specify on their website if they are a really old fashioned place, won't have one. You really can wear anything to most places, you're paying them to be there,not the other way round. People with real money don't give a stuff about labels and dress codes and the more you try and dress up, the more you'll look like you've made an obvious effort.

Also you're a grown up, you don't have to please the in laws in what you wear, just be grateful and polite about the nice gesture they are obviously making by taking you out for a treat. Be a more confident version of yourself!

Telling off over, have a lovely time, I'd love to go to a meal like that.

Are you going to the Michelin starred restaurant in Gleneagles? Or the more traditional restaurant? I've eaten in both.

Oh I love Gleneagles! Are you going to Andrew Fairley (fab, I've been) or the main one?

I also live in the central belt and I've also eaten in many of the fine dining and Micheli star restaurants and I say be smart but keep it simple.. Most people there will be like that and often people do wear jeans but as part of a smart outfit.. Simple dress also good.. Or trousers and a nice blouse.. Too OTT and I agree with a previous poster that it will look out of place..

I also frequent the bar area in Gleneagles as we live close by and smart casual is def the way to go just relax and enjoy!

We're going to the Andrew Fairlie one. I cannot wait. I've got a lovely simple dress that I feel really comfortable in and I'm now just looking forward to the fabulous food and lots of wine

Fabulous! Enjoy and a simple dress will be just perfect!

glad you've sorted your outfit from your closet, op; now give a thought to mil's agenda. From her really -ve assumption re your [non] role in dp's divorce , i'd expect that she is hoping to get off on that topic in a setting where you are trapped in politeness. So be it- make it work for you. Take the initiative and start chatting about how the 2 of you met while op was in such a stressful change in his life , but how you connected and supported him thru it. Maybe rehearse this with dp so he can chime in . Then having got that settled enjoy the food and [not too much] wine as she may not be too happy about getting the wind taken out of her sails and try to stir up something else e.g. your past relationship.It's an opportunity for you to set the agenda as well as settle the misinfo she has chosen to 'beleive'. Take charge and she will pull in horns.