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Original poster

What to wear to a fancy restaurant when you are 50!

43 replies

shrumps · 04/07/2021 13:41

My Dh is treating us to a fancy dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant at the end of August for my 50th. I am delighted, but having spent the last 18 months in WFH mode, have absolutely no idea what to wear. Can any of you stylish people advise me on where I can look to buy something to wear that will fit the brief?? I am 5 ft 4, curvy size 12. Budget including shoes up to about £300. TIA.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 04/07/2021 14:27

A nice midaxi dress - something you can dress up with heels and wear casually another time. John Lewis really good on dresses at the moment. People don’t dress up to the nines these days even in Michelin restaurants

Something like this?

www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-andrea-animal-print-shirt-dress-cobalt/p5287901

Original poster
shrumps · 04/07/2021 14:41

That's lovely! Thank you - I could have a trip to John Lewis to try stuff on. I've been mainly in jogging bottoms and slippers for 18 months so anything else feels like dressing up!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 04/07/2021 14:49

Congrats OP Flowers I am 50 in Aug too. You have a lovely healthy budget I am sure you will get something nice to wear. I need to start thinking about it too.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/07/2021 15:21

I tried that Jessica dress on recently and didn't like it. The fabric felt really thin and cheap and it showed every lump and bump.

With that budget, I'd buy this black one

or this black one

or this if the fabric was okay

or something a similar shape

and wear with funky trainers or espadrille wedges.

Billybagpuss · 04/07/2021 15:24

Haha clicked on the first link and it said ‘popular 76 people are looking at this’

Sadly for op they only have my size not hers. Love it

Rainbowshine · 04/07/2021 15:27

Gina Bacconi might be a good bet?

ginabacconi.com/gbp/

OxanaVorontsova · 04/07/2021 15:36

I’m 50 and a curvy 12-14, but a bit taller than you OP. I’ve just bought a couple of gorgeous dresses in whistles sale and have my eye on a jumpsuit too.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 04/07/2021 15:37

Just wear a nice frock, or smart top/shirt and trousers and a smart pair of shoes. I'm not sure why age is relevant. Posh restaurants don't necessarily require massively formal attire, just something smart and clean.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 04/07/2021 15:40

I’d get one of the Wyse London dresses, dressy enough but also very wearable after.

Bluntness100 · 04/07/2021 15:41

Honestly it depends on the restaurant. The last one I went to was about three years ago. It had two stars and I wore good jeans, heels and a silk blouse, anything else would have been over dressed.

However if it’s a very famous one, and I wanted to dress up something like this I think is lovely. But it depends on your shape and style.

www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-darling-spot-midi-dress-black-ivory/p5525573

Original poster
shrumps · 04/07/2021 16:57

Thanks for all your suggestions, much appreciated. I gave age really to say it's a 'special' (!) birthday but also because I'm not going to wear what I would've if i was 21!

It's Purnells in Birmingham we are going to.

OP posts:
OldTinHat · 04/07/2021 17:03

I'm 50 at the end of August too OP! May I suggest you wear pyjamas to the meal and use the money that you'd have spent on an outfit on something else!

newtb · 04/07/2021 17:09

I'm 65 and live in France and 36FF.

Some years ago I went into a very posh resto with a Bravissimo twist front top that had a gorgeous net sort of embroidered cape at the back. That and my leggings were in black.

For comfort - the underwires are a bugger I usually wear a non-wired bra.

While treating me with complete respect as a regular customer, the male waiters the owner etc didn't care about my leggings - they were completely mesmerised by my boobs. It was as if they had a bubble above their heads saying 'Wtf, where's she been hiding that lot?'

I was trying not to kill myself laughing. Still makes me laugh 9 years later.

It's worth looking at both shein and floraday for dresses. On shein I've recently bought 3 for under 50€ that are maxi.

Have a lovely time

Bluntness100 · 04/07/2021 17:36

For that restaurant op I think you can dress up or down as you please ( although not too dress down 😂) .

If your going for a dress I’d maybe go something more relaxed, some lovely ones posted, or, for me, I’m fifty two I’d wear dark indigo straight leg jeans, either strappy sandals or Highish boots and a round neck sleeveless silk top.

It depends what you’re comfortable in. It’s important you feel good, but comfortable too. We all have a different style and are comfortable with our bodies in different ways.

motogogo · 04/07/2021 17:39

I would suggest a knee ish length dress and sandals, people don't dress up that much though. Bravissimo has some lovely ones that fit us with cubes so much better - order 2 or 3 and return what doesn't work for you Grin

Bluntness100 · 04/07/2021 17:44

This is the sort of top I mean op, can be worn with good jeans, or trousers as you see fit, is dressy enough, but comfy, depends on how you feel about your arms though.

www.lilysilk.com/uk/elegant-round-neck-silk-tank-tops.html

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/07/2021 17:58

Birmingham is usually quite mixed, so you'll likely to see lots of fake tan, very short dresses and very high heels, but also more laid back midi dresses etc, as well as, 'Nice jeans and a top.'

Maybe buy a really nice pair of jeans, cigarette pants or culottes, and a couple of tops that you'll get lots of wear out of, rather than blowing it all on one dress?

silk shirt

silk t shirt

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/07/2021 21:16

Hobbs have got some nice things. This jumpsuit is cute.

HelenHywater · 04/07/2021 21:45

I think you can wear what you feel comfortable in tbh. I went to a michelin starred restaurant a couple of weeks ago and wore jeans, high heels and a nice top. Most people were dressed pretty low key.

Original poster
shrumps · 05/07/2021 21:40

Some brilliant ideas! Thank you all so much - spoiled for choice!

OP posts: