This dress for a date night with hubs...

[cantwaitforlanza2019]

Hi :)

It is my birthday weekend this weekend , me and my Husband are off out to Stratford upon Avon for a meal at Bella Italia, and then off for some cocktails .

Is this dress too much ? ( pic included ) I am in love with it, just not sure if it is too much for just a meal and cocktails?

All opinions welcome... (p.s, dress already purchased, but backup outfit not planned yet )

Love the dress! I saw it before and wanted to get it but never heard of silkfred.

@cantwaitforlanza2019 have you purchased from silkfred before? Do you recommend them?

Way too much for a Bella Italia, especially if your DH is wearing jeans. I think the dress warrants a serious upgrade of restaurant.

Bella isn't very posh, especially in Stratford... but there will be other overdressed people out for cocktails in Stratford so if you'll love it, wear it.

It'll be far too dressy for Bella Italia and cocktails BUT if you don't care just wear it,it's a lovely dress.

I think it's beautiful. As for too much? Idk the place you're talking about, but if you feel good in it, why not? It's not a ball gown and plenty of people have dress up occasions and go grab dinner after without changing into more informal wear, so I don't think it would be COMPLETELY out of place. I mean theres no glitter, sequins, poofy skirts. I think its ok.

@helloyou123 I’ve got loads of stuff from silk Fred and it’s wonderful. The only thing is that you need to check the sellers cos it comes from all different sellers and so you have to pay for returns back to all if you need to

I think the dancing leopard stuff is lovely and they have their own site

But beware the return postage costs!

I agree it's a lovely dress though!

Its gorgeous OP

Maybe you could look for a more small independent restaurant, there are plenty in Stratford and you don't need to spend lots.

Bella italia is a really big chain at the lower end of the spectrum, with kids and cheap breakfasts, Its not really somewhere you get dressed up in occasion wear for. But there are plenty of small intimate alternates you could try.

Probably a bit over dressed for Bella but it is lovely and if you love it go for it! There will be plenty of people in the bars in Stratford dresses similar op so don't worry about it. Wouldn't it be lovely if most people made more of an effort when they went out to eat in the evenings anyway!

P.S. I'd much rather someone said 'hubs' than dear/darling husband 🤮

The dress is lovely. But way too much for Bella Italia and probably a bit too dressy for cocktails tbh. Your DH will need to upgrade his outfit tbh to at least smart trousers and a nice shirt. However if you can cope with that, have a fabulous time

It’s a lovely dress but I’d feel a bit of a tit wearing that to a Bella Italia, Pizza Hut or similar. It’s great for cocktails though and there’s some really nice cocktail places Stratford.

It's a beautiful dress, but not for Bella Italia. That dress is wedding guest level smart. I've just searched for the Stratford Bella Italia on Instagram and the diners look super casual (jeans and hoodies level)

If you are super confident and don't care, go for it, but I don't think its unkind of people to disagree. I'm just imagining how I'd feel if I made such an effort only to feel overdressed and out of place, and I don't want the OP to feel that on her special weekend.

Can you go to Bella Italia early or a different night, then make the cocktails a bigger deal, and wear the dress then?

Nice dress but it's Bella Italia. Only half a notch up from Nando's. Everybody is always very casual

Wear it and be happy! Who cares if you are the glammest in the room, it's not a bad thing!

Agree bella italia odd choice for romantic dinner for 2 once you're over about 19. I mean if you love it there, great, otherwise bet you could find a similar price alternate that is a bit less chain / family restaurant vibe.

Lovely dress

Is there another independent Italian place you can go to?

Bella Italia is not so bella

What everyone else said! The dress is lovely, Bella Italia is not!

I wore a very nice dress for our anniversary, we went to pretty much the only local really nice restaurant, which is in a new Hilton. Went for cocktails on their roof bar, felt fine.

Went down to the restaurant and I was way over dressed compared to everyone else.

I would not wear this to Bella Italia, so I’d have to go somewhere nicer for dinner ;)

It's a beautiful dress and can always be dressed down with low shoes and less fancy handbag. Go out and wear it and feel gorgeous and have a wonderful birthday. It's about how you feel, not what other people think.

Wow, I love love love that dress. I hope you have a fabulous time wherever you end up.

Dress is lovely but I'd personally feel very silly wearing it in Bella Italia. The last time I was there it was full of high chairs and kids drawing on the menu.

I'd keep it for something special though.

That's the thing though, it's not unkind to be honest. Because as much as some people are super confident and can go to a place like Bella italia, Pizza Hut or something in formal occasion wear and not care, many people would also feel really uncomfortable to be really over dressed.

As said though there are plenty of lovely restaurants in Stratford, independents where you don't have to spend a lot of money, but you'd feel less uncomfortable being in this sort of attire.

I think that dress is lovely but I'll have to agree with it might be a little over dressy for Bella Italia. If it were me going there and then for cocktails after I'd be in jeans, a nice top and heels but I suppose that's my personal preference and if you want to wear the dress then just go for it! Have a lovely birthday

I love your dress,it's very glamorous,and I would wear it to the places that you have mentioned. It's your birthday,and you will feel great wearing this dress. Your husband will obviously like it too !!

It's a lovely dress, but can you not manage somewhere a bit nicer than Bella Italia for a birthday dinner?!