Dinner at The Shard

[abbey44]

I’ve been invited to a family dinner at The Shard in a couple of weeks’ time and don’t know what to wear. Help!

the dress code is smart casual, it’s a special birthday, so I think I’d rather err on the side of smart, but don’t want to look try-too-hard. I’m 60, size 14 and don’t like wearing dresses.

I have a navy MaxMara unstructured suit that’d be my go-to for something like this as I can dress it up or down easily, but is that too granny-ish? I was watching a Trinny clip the other day and she suggested sequins for a night out - I have a navy sequin oversized blazer that might go with the trousers and a plain cami top, or would this be OTT?

Any ideas would be much appreciated….

Are you a granny? If yes, then it doesn't matter if you look granny-ish. If no, you'll just look like yourself and you know you're not a granny. Both sound fine, if they're things you like.

You definitely don’t need sequins and IMO in london, those in sequins often identify themselves as out of towners when in certain places, especially places like the shard. The suit sounds fabulous, could you not purchase an oversized statement long necklace stack or something similar to go with the suit? And maybe a bright clutch bag to contrast with the navy? That would be beautiful!

I’m not a granny! But it’s been so long since I went anywhere nice that I feel a bit out of touch and was hoping for some helpful ideas.

@AG247 Thanks, that’s much more helpful. I don’t want to look like an out of towner, so I’ll leave the sequins at home. I know Trinny can carry it off, but maybe I’d be better to go a bit more understated. I can do statement accessories, that sounds a good way to go.

Navy max mara is always going to be classy and elegant. I would wear a silk or cashmere t-shirt in a colour you love and will wear again and one statement accessory - whatever it is that is most you. Look at Cos. Shard can be quite a city place so there will be suits around

Definitely don’t do the sequins.
A nice trouser suit would be great

There will probably be lots of people saying, 'Everyone in London goes out in the same dirty clothes they've been wearing to go mud-larking in" or whatever, but I say wear the fucking sequins if you want to. Who cares if that means people from Peckham (or wherever) think you're probably not from London. The beauty of London imo is that you pretty much can wear whatever the heck you want.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/jewellery/product.oversized-spherical-chain-necklace-silver.1161895001.html

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/knitwear/product.pure-cashmere-knitted-t-shirt-blue.1142074002.html

It’s quite casual, I’ve been there a few times and have worn a dress (day dress, I don’t own any trousers!) with lace up black leather boots. You can wear whatever you like and you’ll be fine. I’ve seen some wear sequins etc., there was a hen do and they were all dressed up to the 9s and looked fab!

I wouldn’t wear the sequin suit as a wholemoutfit, maybe either the blazer with plain trousers or a top and the trousers.

Mix up smart/ dressy.

If this colour suits you it would look stunning with navy

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/tops/product.scarf-detail-blouse-yellow.1135908002.html

Oh, thanks - I love that scarf blouse, but I think the pink would be more me! The brown would drown me. The cashmere t-shirt is a great idea - I have some similar things in my wardrobe already.

@Covetthee - it’s not a sequin suit, it’s just a navy sequin jacket I have that I was going to wear with the trousers from the (plain) navy MaxMara suit. That first picture of yours would be how it’d look.

No problem! Sequins are fine at members clubs in london, I see a lot of that, and within more arty and media crowds of which I’m sure trinny mixes in, but in the shard which is quite a touristy location in a more ‘city’ environment I’d bet your suit would be spot on! X

zara have some fun statement necklaces in stock at the moment: this is probably a bit out there but colour wise it’s fun with navy:
https://www.zara.com/gb/en/share/-p01856114.html?v1=261198295&utm_campaign=productMultiShare&utm_medium=mobile_sharing_iOS&utm_source=red_social_movil

Even a bright coloured twilly wrapped around your handbag (Hermes for inspo but everyone has bright coloured silk scarves around at the moment) would be fab: https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/brides-de-gala-applique-pique-twilly-H063940Sv03/?gclid=CjwKCAjw586hBhBrEiwAQYEnHXXGJHIwADM_jy0RaggZqIWFy61xSPdhEy7uVi2ZksjNZ8Af9AydHxoC-rMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

hope you have a great time!

Whenever I’ve been for dinner/drinks in the Shard was after work and was dressed accordingly, most people there were the same. So pretty smart actually but not blingy. On that basis, the navy suit sounds perfect. Hope you have lovely time!

Erm, I’m from London - and not to out myself have a property right next to said Shard. I don’t know what mud-larking is, and I only ever dress smartly and often times over dressed as I mainly frequent members clubs where dress code is required. I also don’t know why you’d mention Peckham in a derogatory way, I’m sure property prices there are still extortionate as compared to anywhere outside of London. Why would you sneer at that?

There is nothing wrong with sequins, but somewhere like the shard where there are multiple hen parties and various other rowdy celebrations going on, sequins just aren’t the attire OP would probably feel comfortable given the vibe of the whole place. London Bridge is an industrial-vibe inner city location where dress is often more tailored, edgy and less ‘party’….. unless you want to look like a tourist.

You've chosen to be offended by something that wasn't directed at you. I know nothing about Peckham, or about members' clubs, or about why a navy suit might ever be described as 'edgy' or about what the hell property prices have to do with what one might choose to wear to go out. I still say one should wear the fucking sequins if one wishes to.

Exactly this!
I think the sequin jacket, cami and maxmara Trousers sounds perfect. I have lived in london 27 years and I love dressing up - Sequins and platforms, whatever i want to wear. And nobody cares. I’ve been to the shard a few times, and it’s a fun vibe - amazing views. Just be confident and have a great time!

The navy suit is a splendid choice, enjoy.

Mud larking are those people who see with metal dectors looking for old cans or roman coins or whatever on the muddy banks of the Thames. If you live near the river you must have seen them @AG247 !

But yeah dress for the occasion, I don’t know any mudlarkers but no Londoner would be wearing the same leggings for dinner at the Shard that they wore for a jog round Battersea park.

And Peckham is cool! Far too cool for me. My much younger cousin lives there and loves it! Not that that has anytime to do with the Shard though…

Ah, those are some fab ideas, and the sort of inspiration and direction I was looking for. Thank you all!

I’ve got a navy Chanel bag that I could zhuzzh up with a silk scarf - not Hermes, sadly, but I do have some vintage Versace ones from times gone by. I’ve definitely got a few statement necklaces hidden away too, although I love that Zara one. And some different coloured cashmere tops that have potential.

Thanks for all your help, it’s given me a much clearer idea of what I’m aiming for. Can’t wait now 😃

I’ve got a navy Chanel bag that I could zhuzzh up with a silk scarf - not Hermes, sadly, but I do have some vintage Versace ones from times gone by. I’ve definitely got a few statement necklaces hidden away too, although I love that Zara one. And some different coloured cashmere tops that have potential.
Love the sound of this!!

Sounds fun, @abbey44!

I tend to err on the side of smart if given the opportunity - and smart casual to me would probably be one standout piece with something more relaxed. Photos below are representations of alternative silhouettes - could be any colours. (A cashmere t shirt is always a lovely idea - but I’m suddenly tired of knitwear, so for a family event might well go for something like the Teurn Studios oversize silk top.)

If you know nothing about london boroughs then don’t mention them. Mentioning one of the most historically deprived London boroughs in the way you did, definitely sounds a certain way. Even if you didn’t intend it to.

@AG247 Again, you're choosing to take offence.

@abbey44 Hope you have a lovely time. It sounds like you have lots of fabulous things already to choose from.

The whole “oh, nobody cool makes any effort whatsoever to dress up for a night out any more” thing is so killjoy. I love that dressing up no longer has to involve bodycon mini dresses and skyscraper heels, but if you’re interested in style, surely choosing what to wear and making an effort is part of the fun of an occasion? My favourite “out out” outfit this winter has been slouchy metallic wide-legged trousers, sheeny slouchy tshirt, velvet blazer and silver trainers. Totally relaxed and comfortable and accommodating of three courses, but definitely making an effort and very similar to the sequin jacket outfit suggested above. I find it frankly disappointing when people turn up in jeans and sweatshirts (I know nobody has suggested OP does this).