Do you need to be dressed up to go 'out out' up north?

[Jenjii]

Hi all. I live in south east and have noticed since the pandemic dress has become much more casual. In London even trendy cocktail bars and restaurants most women are wearing dress and trainers combo. I have a couple of weekends away booked in Northern cities - Liverpool and Newcastle where I'm likely to want to go out for cocktails and to trendy restaurants etc. I know the north has traditionally required more dressing up. Is it still the case that most women would wear e.g. high heels and a cocktail dress to go 'out out'? I'm early forties and size 14 if that makes a difference. Thanks

I moved down south in the early 2000s so not recent experience but I would say yes! I kept turning up overdressed everywhere when I moved

@IHeartKingThistle I am originally from Glasgow and had the same issue when I moved south! It is nearly 20 years now though so I'm culturally assimilated.

I'm from Newcastle - there's literally no rule. Some people are lashes, tans and 6 inch heels. Others are 'jeans and a nice top'

Where are you going in Newcastle?

It’s really variable I think. Like @Workyticket says, there will be very very glammed up people but I am a firm advocate for wearing what you feel comfortable in

@Workyticket we are staying right in the centre in grainger town. Not sure where we will be going out to yet. One recommendation was 6 Baltic so that's the sort of spots we might end up in.

OK- so Pitcher and Piano area. I'd go wedges and a floral or leopard print wrap dress. Ticks all the boxes up here!

generally it's anything goes, much as in London. Apart from Liverpool which is ultra-glam.

Newcastle here- you can go dressed up to the nines or casual as you like, anything goes.

If I go out in town I tend to wear a midi or maxi dress. It's nice to get the opportunity to dress up a bit and you will never feel over dressed in Newcastle. I live on the coast (Tynemouth) and tend fo go a bit more casual for local nights out.

Wait what!? Really?

I'm from the NW and certainly the photos I see of old school friends on nights out suggest that they get very dressed up on a night out.
I don't think it's a north / south thing though, maybe a London / other places thing. I've got family in Essex and they get massively glammed up on a night out

(I live in London now btw, trainers / DM's all the way!)

Dress and heels for Liverpool.

I’m travelling from the SE to Liverpool for a weekend out later in the year….I will have to give it some thought since I’m more a flats / trainers person now. ( having spent 10 years overdressing down here) I’ll certainly be wearing a coat or jacket if the weather warrants it.

The north has traditionally required more dressing up - am I the only one who hasn't come across this idea?