Birthday dinner dress help pls! Mandarin Oriental!

[Yumchips]

My husband is taking us to the Mandarin Oriental for my 30th birthday dinner. It's been a while since we've been out child-free due to lockdown etc so I'd really like to make the most of the opportunity to look good. Really not sure where to start and hoping for some recommendations if possible! Budget is up to £175, I'm a size 8-10 and a winter (if you follow 'colours'). Any suggestion really will be appreciated!

This one, you could really accessorise it. www.johnlewis.com/l-k-bennett-juliet-midi-dress-royal-blue/p4977461

What's your usual style?

Is this too glamorous - I love it but I'm a bit of a magpie

www.theprettydresscompany.com/shop-c1/dresses-c2/the-pretty-dress-company-tilly-sequin-off-the-shoulder-pencil-dress-p365

Or

www.bombshellhq.com/products/copy-of-the-ultimate-black-sequin-bombshell-cocktail-dress

Or

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/vintage-green-velour-cap-sleeve-crossover-top-bardot-wiggle-dress

@trunumber I love sequins too :)

I think the sequins will be too much in the MO. Definitely understated chic is the thing to go for. I know it’s a very glam venue but trust me, sparkly dresses will not be the thing. The velvet would be work ok, but I’d be tempted not to wear a dress, and go for an elegant jumpsuit or similar- possibly something like this www.reiss.com/p/drape-detail-jumpsuit-womens-harley-in-black-pink/?_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMI-bSs4rWQ8AIVCtTtCh3plgdeEAQYCiABEgJvefD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-bSs4rWQ8AIVCtTtCh3plgdeEAQYCiABEgJvefD_BwE

I agree with understated chic. I like the Reiss.

I went on a special birthday too, have a fab time!

leather look skinny jeans, strappy heels, cami, black blazer and a clutch. The dresses aren't really the right thing

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]I think the sequins will be too much in the MO. Definitely understated chic is the thing to go for. I know it’s a very glam venue but trust me, sparkly dresses will not be the thing. The velvet would be work ok, but I’d be tempted not to wear a dress, and go for an elegant jumpsuit or similar- possibly something like this www.reiss.com/p/drape-detail-jumpsuit-womens-harley-in-black-pink/?_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMI-bSs4rWQ8AIVCtTtCh3plgdeEAQYCiABEgJvefD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-bSs4rWQ8AIVCtTtCh3plgdeEAQYCiABEgJvefD_BwE[/quote]
Love that jumpsuit, and they've got it in my size 😁

@Yumchips

My husband is taking us to the Mandarin Oriental for my 30th birthday dinner. It's been a while since we've been out child-free due to lockdown etc so I'd really like to make the most of the opportunity to look good. Really not sure where to start and hoping for some recommendations if possible! Budget is up to £175, I'm a size 8-10 and a winter (if you follow 'colours'). Any suggestion really will be appreciated!

I don't think you can go wrong with a LBD and some heels and glam jewellery - Soandsar are a fab brand. Slightly more unique to high st brands and good quality. This leather look panelled dress would be fab for MO oriental... cocktail time 🍾✅ - enjoy!

www.sosandar.com/black-leather-look-panelled-shift-dress
Xxx

That jumpsuit is beautiful! They had some gorgeous jumpsuits on the Outnet the other day, think they were the BA&SH ones

A beautiful black dress: www.uterque.com/gb/collection/dresses-and-jumpsuits/black-linen-dress-with-belt-c1862512p9131478.html?colorId=800&stylism=02&xmset=2

Thanks everyone for input, I really do appreciate it! I wil take a look at the outnet and see what I see on there. The Reiss jumpsuit is very chic so I will order and see how it fits on! Will report back. On a slightly separate note - I found this jumpsuit in the back of my closet which I had forgotten about. Do you think it would be out of place in the mandarin Oriental? Particularly as it will be an August evening and it's velvet.

That’s a really nice jumpsuit but I’d veto it for the time of year. Velvet is for winter.

If money was no issue then I would have loved to buy this dress. I must admit it is quite different from my usual style but the material is really gorgeous in real life.

@Nataliafalka

leather look skinny jeans, strappy heels, cami, black blazer and a clutch. The dresses aren't really the right thing

That's exactly what I'd wear.

@Nataliafalka

leather look skinny jeans, strappy heels, cami, black blazer and a clutch. The dresses aren't really the right thing

Agree. Agree. Agree with this!

London is very understated but smart and chic is the look you are going for. Dresses are a bit OTT and weddingy in my mind.

A good pair of skinny jeans, nice top, good glam shoes and a clutch with a white tailored jacket and great jewellery or neck scarf will look fab. Look at old pics of celebs coming out of restaurants. All dressed like this. Rarely a frock!

Oh thanks @Malin52 that's a very good way to phrase it. I never thought about dresses as being weddingy but now you've said it, I see your point. Looks like a nice top, jeans and heels it is then! Now just need to find a nice top and heels!! I keep reading about skinny jeans having gone out of fashion - will I need to get a pair of wider leg jeans? I always thought a silky cami style top would look better with skinnies...

You can absolutely wear a dress but it's how you style it.

Rixo are good

A jumpsuit is a good option (personally I think the skinny's & cami is a uniform now & you are only 30) or a tux

I’d go for the Reiss jumpsuit.
The skinny jeans, strappy sandals etc is a good look but you can wear that on any night out.

I really wouldn’t go over the top, haven’t been to the London MO but to several overseas and didn’t get overly glammed up.

You absolutely can not wear jeans!!!! I've been and I think your lovely velvet dress is great! So go along the lines of black tie: cocktail dress 😀

Also jumpsuits are an absolute pain to arse have a wee
You have to take the whole thing off !

If you're going dress I'd do something like this, and you can accessorise easily
www.reiss.com/p/linen-midi-dress-with-tie-detail-womens-kay-in-navy-blue/?category_id=1121&gaEeList=W%20-%20Dresses

Or a jumpsuit.

I think skinny jeans still work when they are black or leather look but it's not very summery....

The Rekas jumpsuit gets my vote. You're young - don't dress older than you are. I'm sorry many of the dresses suggested look fuddy duddy and don't look particularly classy London 😬

Will you post a pic in the jumpsuit when you get it?

The Reiss jumpsuit is perfect. I'm tempted to order one but have nowhere to go