What to wear for business lunch at a London members club

[StarsAndSugarlumps]

In a couple of months I have an important lunch at a London members club (SoHo House). Dress code says smart casual, but I have never been before.

I am mid 40s, size 20 but don’t look big because I am tallish.

I want to be channeling a funkyish, “tech start-up but confident to operate at the CIO/CFO/CEO FTSE 500 level” vibe. I realise that is a lot to be asking from an outfit

Any suggestions gratefully received!

You can pretty much wear anything to Soho House. Just wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

If you really want an idea of what people wear, just look through posts tagged Soho House on Instagram. That said, there's probably far better ways to use your time.

PS. SoHo refers to SoHo in NYC which is short for South of Houston street

Thanks. Yeah autocorrect is a bitch

I am really less concerned about what others are wearing there, and more interested in outfit ideas for myself.

I see Taking Shape are back in the UK, they have a pretty modern collection. (I once went to one of their fashion shows).
takingshape.com/UK/midtown-coatigan/T40420.6070.html
A lot of their stuff is casual but they have some great colourful pieces, basics and accessories - this picture is the most lunch - like one I could find and a jacket is always better than a cardigan.

Great shoes, a good classic belt and bag, good watch/classic jewellery is a good start and more important than what you are wearing I’d say. To nail the confident vibe and If you have time before the meeting, get your hair blow dried and your make up done at a makeup counter in Selfridges/Harvey Nicks. Clothes wise, if this is a tech startup I’d go with jeans (not necessarily blue) and maybe a long jacket/coatigan type from zara in a strong spring colour (their XXL No-button format are particularly forgiving for the fuller of figure). Cos also great for that sort of thing. Or try maybe look at designers such as Kitri /Me+Em for ideas to replicate? Good luck with your meeting!

I go to soho house regularly. People wear all types of clothes. I think I wore trainer last time. The soho house I find people are worried about what you wear is soho farmhouse.

Also soho house has changed its vibe since it started to let bankers in.

One thing I wouldn’t wear is heels. And do t wear a classic expensive bag. Go slightly off piste with that.

Most of all, wear something you are confident in.

Oh don’t use your phone in the dining room.

I think I'd go for long flared trousers, plain top both in black or navy, cool trainers (new balance 327 in black or navy) and a long coat over the top - these faux suede ones from Zara are great, the white/cream would look good over the navy or black.

Thanks @NotMeNoNo but not quite my style

@Netaporter I would have assumed jeans and a Zara coatigan to be a bit underdressed. And same for Me+Em. I do like their emerald green track pants and cashmere!. But I would feel like I was going for ParkRun. Maybe I am misinterpreting the clientele/vibe?

@Newjobformoremoney I never wear heels . Good to know trainers are OK. Bag - I was thinking either Cambridge Satchel Company Emily in grey, or a vintage Mulberry Bayswater (but I’m thinking Mulberry are a bit “done” now and don’t really go with the thing get all look).

Great idea to book a blow dry beforehand!

Maybe I am overthinking it.

I love this look, maybe with wide leg wool crops and a boxy top? Not sure it would be worth it though, given I would only have the coat on when arriving and departing.

I think saying many people in soho house atm look like they are going for an incredibly expensive and hipster Park Run is probably a reasonably accurate description.

I think that in the daytime it can be VERY casual in style but sometimes people seem quite high input in effort.

I think that there are often a lot of very dressy people there too though! The thing is that depending on which house, there will be people using it for different reasons - the gym, brekkie, a place to freelance from, a networking meeting, a staging post for a quick drink before going out on the raz. Members with babies take them to Shoreditch house because they’ll get a seat and a decent changing room and people will bring them cups of tea.

I often work from one of them (freelancer) but am a fairly invisible type who does a LOT of people watching. In the summer I was idly watching some incredible looking people and I realised that it really never matters what I wear as so many people are sort of so self conscious about being watched themselves or making a statement/entrance that really no one is ever looking at me.

I completely see what you mean about being on your own best game to feel as good and confident as YOU can.

I would say that I spend considerable time there in Zara and indeed in my M&S jeans.

That outfit is fabulous though, you will rock it. Add a blowdry and I think you will look and feel amazing. Good luck with your meeting! Are you pitching a start up? I think that Issey Miyake coat easily says very cool but gunning for the C suite. How exciting!

Oh that’s also great OP, there I was happy with my ancient battered Bayswater and on a no spend and now I want a Cambridge Emily satchel.

It was hard to know from the OP what your budget and style was - sounds like you have some great ideas anyway.

Thanks all . You have really helped and given me the confidence I needed.

Looks like it might end up being in White City, but I assume the same general vibe?

I’m pitching a sort of internal start-up - a big investment for my current company in the tech space. Can’t say too much more

Meeting is complicated by the fact I haven’t actually met any of my colleagues in person yet due to remote working. So it feels like more is at stake with setting the scene with how I come across in person (although I know I am absolutely overthinking it).

If any of you happen to be there on the day and recognise me from the outfit, feel free to say hi

@NotMeNoNo

It was hard to know from the OP what your budget and style was - sounds like you have some great ideas anyway.

I really loved that outfit you posted @NotMeNoNo, do you know what jeans they are?

Wear what you feel confident in. I'm similar sized and would opt for a jersey dress just above the knee, long line cardigan, tights and boots. Comfortable but flattering

@Gardeniafleur I think they are some tailored stretch cotton type trousers.
takingshape.com/UK/editorial-full-length-pant/K60990.0001.html

If it’s the white city one, it’s very casual indeed. Jeans, trainers, polo. Quiet accessories.

Thanks @AtillatheHun

I might just go with my Hiut jeans and a cashmere jumper then. In some ways that makes it easier, in others more difficult

The main thing they wear in that one is extreme youth which sadly I don’t!

@AtillatheHun

The main thing they wear in that one is extreme youth which sadly I don’t!

so long as I don’t get mistaken for someone’s mum who has come to pick them up

Hahaha oh GOD that’s me that is !!!

Haha I was thinking when you said ‘give us the nod if you recognise the coat’ that that’s all you need! You: pitching like mad. Me: bouncing out from beside a hipster sofa like ‘Coo-ee love! Aw, did you get that coat then, the mumsnet one?’ Street cred gone.

Honestly I do think that there will be people having important meetings as well as lazy oiks like me lounging round the sofas staring vacantly over the top of a Mac wedged in beside some spectacularly good looking 23 year olds who weirdly earn enough to join Soho house but yet don’t have to be at work at 12 on a weds talking loudly about the record label/podcast/zine/shop selling pointless but beautifully curated things they are launching etc. Tis the law. So wear whatever is going to make you feel like a glamorous BOSS as I believe several irritating people say.