Help - I have no idea but posh meal out

[blimeyalldecentnamesaregone]

Ok, firstly I'll admit that this board scares me. I have never been comfortable with clothes and have no natural sense of style. I usually wear very boring black trousers and boring top for work (occasionally dress and jacket) or jeans and t shirt outside of work. Both almost like a uniform. I am a size 22 with nice boobs but an awful belly. I cannot wear heels unless they are chunky and less than 2 inches.

Ok, so I am going out to Le Gavroche for dinner soon for a meal we have saved a while for. I would like to feel special but also comfortable.

Any ideas?!?! Thanks in advance.

I'm 5'5".

Maybe a 50's style dress? They are very pretty,elegant and flattering.and they to well with chunky heels too x

It needs to be comfortable, you will be stuffed when you come out. I normally wear a black jersey type wrap dress with good jewellery and heels.

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_62035+HS011160_-1

Kind of like this

You lucky thing!

You don't say how old you are (though I'm not sure that maters), but I know that (the glorious) Dame Judy Dench advocates Hampstead Bazaar for smart wear. It's full of interesting colours, textures and drapery and looks and feels classy and elegant without being too 'dressy'.

Wear a wrap dress with a deep V neck to show off you great breasts. Get inspiration from DVF, she makes lovely jersey dresses with a pattern.

Get a blow dry and if you can stretch to it, get your make up professionally applied too. If you feel beautiful, you will automatically carry yourself more elegantly. Spanx are your friend. It will help smooth lumps and bumps under your dress.

There are lots of shoes out there with a low block heel, a pointed toe looks more elegant than a round toe.

Whatever you wear has to be comfortable. You want to be able to relax and you won't if you're fidgeting with your clothes.

I quite like these shoes.

m.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,33/2557085710?referer=carousel

The nude colour will help elongate your legs and I like the gold metallic detailing in the heel for more interest.

They also do these in black if you aren't keen on the colour.

Link fail! Here is a picture:

Asos Curve Purple

Asos Curve Black knee length

Both are relatively plain dresses, but agree hair done in salon, professional make up, good bag & shoes - you'd rock it!

I saw a blogger review this dress asos in black and it was very flattering.

I wouldn't wear a dress if you don't normally, you'll feel instantly uncomfortable. I'd stick to a dressier version of your normal version - smart dark trousers, with a beautiful top that will show off your rack. Remember your legs and feet will mostly be under the table, it's your top half that will be "on show".

YY to getting a professional blow dry, and add a lovely necklace or earrings for sparkle. But bear in mind - I've eaten in a lot of upper-end restaurants in London, and you rarely see any that dressed up in them. So I wouldn't worry if formal dressing isn't your thing.

I second the PP who said a black wrap dress but get some awesome jewellery and shoes/handbag so that its dressed up.

You'll be comfortable...also you don't want to over-dress as it may make you feel like you stand out and from a fair amount of experience people tend not to dress up in floaty party type dresses for Michelin restaurants in London.

Cross post....exactly what BeingClea said...people don't dress up massively in London restaurants. Definitely not anything you would wear to a wedding or a party.

So plain wrap dress with nice accessories or trousers and a top with a statement necklace and clutch bag.

Wow, thank you for all the responses! I like the idea of a wrap dress.
I have an appointment now at the hairdressers but will look through while my colour is on 😊

REVIEW

I am early 40s btw.

This dress would be suitable.
Personally, I love the neckline and the fact that it has sleeves (I hate exposing my arms).
It's smart enough for dinner at a high end restaurant, but not overly dressy.
Paired with the nude heels and a great handbag and some gold jewellery you'd look fabulous.

I like the black wrap dress that feckincrutches recommended but reviews are crap and put me off a bit, they also say it is sized small and sadly I really am a 22.

I love the purple asks curve dress that northumberlandlass suggested. Very sadly out of stock though. I have put the other one in my basket though 😊 I do love wine (the colour) so am ordering in both colours!

The dress that misspym suggested is available in navy and in the basket too 😊

I have also put this in my basket, what do people think?

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5693958&CTARef=Basket%20Page

If I don't like any of the dresses I will look at a nice top, I do have a drapey turquoise type coloured top that could go with a nice pair of black jersey trousers with splits at the bottom, if that makes sense?

Wrt hair, I have poker straight hair that does nothing but sit there. Even the hairdresser says there is no point in her blow drying it and it doesn't look any different. If I just let it dry then it hangs nicely and looks blow-dryed! I realise I am very lucky with that.

I am booked in for a massage and nail painting the day before. I very rarely wear makeup and would worry that it would feel over the top to me so will probably just do my standard touche eclat, powder, eye liner and mascara.

Thank you all so much for the ideas, I feel I have something to work with now 😊 I am almost excited about dressing up (which is exceedingly rare).

I will be spending the day in London with DH beforehand so don't want to do too much preparation on the day. We are booked into a swanky hotel so can bath etc before we go out.

If you do decide to get your hair done I use the blow dry bar in Topshop they are fab. Are you doing a taster menu or a la carte?

Sounds like you are going to have fantastic time Blimey - sure you'll look great.

All 4 dresses ordered for next day delivery :-)

Fingers crossed I like one of them on!

feckin, we are doing the tasting menu with accompanying wines. Have you been?

Yes it fabulous. I'm there for lunch next week, it's a lot cheaper! 😃 I did the wines last time and it was great. They are quite happy to swop something on the menu if you're not keen on it, so don't be afraid to ask. It does take a long time to get through it all as well, I was there four hours last time! And take some indigestion tablets!

Thanks Feckin, the lunch does look like a great deal. I just fancied the full shebang though.

Really good to know they will swap stuff if required, I was a bit worried about that. Looking at tripadvisor the tasting menu changes quite regularly and some are fine for me, some would have a few courses I really wouldn't be keen on.

We are booked in at 7 knowing it would be a long night. I shall pack the gaviscon !

Enjoy next week, I will too I'm sure!