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!

Are leather look skinny jeans not very dated? I haven't been to London in a long time so could be way off the mark but I'm surprised to hear them suggested.

I love the Resis jumpsuit! Did you order it op? Report back!xx

I haven't been out in London for quite a while, so feel free to completely ignore this, but I don't think anything on this thread so far is quite right.

I think I'd wear a nice top and skirt with low block heel sandals, rather than a dress. Maybe a bias cut skirt with a fitted ribbed top that has an interesting cut out or is asymmetric.

"Evening" jumpsuits just make me think of that woman who won the X factor several years back

I bought the Reiss jumpsuit as a result of this thread but gave sent it back as it was really creased when it arrived, the top was huge on me and as a result the side zip stuck out rigidly so it looked as if I had a hump!! Not really the look I was going for. I was really disappointed as it looked great in the pictures and wanted to love it.

I think there is a reason why it's so heavily reduced!

Ah no that’s such a shame about the Reiss jumpsuit! I hate it when that happens, looks fab in the pics

I do hate this “London is low-key and understated, don’t get dressed up” thing. The beauty about London is you can wear whatever you want and no one will give a damn. So if you don’t want to wear skinnies, cami and blazer (which quite frankly is pretty dated), don’t! Just wear whatever you want and if you want to get dressed up, get dressed up.

Though to be fair - I wouldn’t ever go for sequins!

Hmmmm, the last time DH & I went to Dinner at the MO; there was an awful lot of ‘nieces’ being taken out by their ‘uncles’. A lot of dresses not designed for sitting / eating...

Wear what you’re comfortable in.

Ps - the bar prices were extortionate.

I’d go for a “daytime” print midi dress from an on trend brand which you can wear the hell out of for the rest of the year. Pair with your best heels for this evening and trainers for the summer.
Or this one from & Other Stories

I wouldn't put too much emphasis on what everyone else is wearing or on what the current London look is, what really matters is what you like !

I think I'd wear this. With big hoop earrings, or maybe even trainers.

www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/corin-one-shoulder-jumpsuit-in-navy_xs/

Have a great time! I have stayed in MO in the middle east and it's scrumptious.

@AuntyFungal same the last time we went

The orange dress is lovely!

That orange dress is fabulous. I came on to say: leather look skinny jeans, strappy heels, cami, black blazer and a clutch is such a dated uniform and the OP is only 30! I think a funky dress is far more uptodate and stylish.

I think I'd wear a nice top and skirt with low block heel sandals, rather than a dress. Maybe a bias cut skirt with a fitted ribbed top that has an interesting cut out or is asymmetric.

I love this look & was going to suggest it but it's actually hard to pull off & very dependent on body shape.

@doomonic I agree but thought it was worth suggesting as the OP is size 8-10 and would look great in it! :)

Well I think shape as opposed to size is more important but I take your point.

@MoltonSilver

Are leather look skinny jeans not very dated? I haven't been to London in a long time so could be way off the mark but I'm surprised to hear them suggested.

I live in north London and lots of people wear them. But it depends which part of London you think is trendy.

I think leather trousers are a classic really but I would say the leather skinny's, cami, blazer etc is kind of the going out uniform of older women & pretty safe as opposed to trendy.

The kids round here are very very casual. Really big jeans and crop tops and quite an androgenous look.

Yes the kids are fully embracing the 90s revival!

I wear leather leggings, heels etc on a regular night out. I’m 52 (51 when last went out). I think the OP could wear something more special, not because it’s a London night out but because it’s her big birthday.