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Original poster

Dinner at The Shard

61 replies

abbey44 · 10/04/2023 19:25

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….

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
NatashaDancing · 11/04/2023 20:59

sleepwhenidie · 11/04/2023 16:13

as an aside-what is the huge problem with looking like ‘an out of towner’ or tourist? The horror!!! As a Londoner the only disdain I have for tourists is when they stand on the left on escalators or walk slowly 5 abreast down but streets. Really could not care less what anybody wears and I’m not sure there are any surefire giveaways in that respect anyway (see naked man above)

It's appeared several times over the last few days- "tourist", "day - tripper", "out of towner" and "the bridge and tunnel brigade"- you can almost feel the shudders coming through the screen.

It's also unfair to Londoners , the vast majority of whom I'm sure have better things to think about than sneer at out of towners.

PinkArt · 11/04/2023 21:07

Yeah I think we are saying the same thing @HundredMilesAnHour. We aren't saying eeew those silly out of towners not understanding our cool London ways with their heels, we are saying it's kind of a dick thing to say.
OP, I will keep contradicting myself on that front though and tell you you must wear the sequins! Personally I'd go full on Liz Taylor and add some obnoxiously large jewels. More is always more!

Original poster
abbey44 · 11/04/2023 21:59

Oh gosh, I didn’t expect his much more! Interesting a thoughts there too…

Looks like sequins might be back in the mix for consideration then. Especially as I’ve heard today that the hostess is dressing up, so I think that’s carte blanche to up one’s game. I’ve got the basic outfit idea sorted (as of yesterday - thanks), so now I can think about switching up with either a sequin vest, or sequin jacket maybe, both of which I have in the wardrobe.

I confess to having a hankering for dressing up for this occasion, but I’d been wondering whether I’d be going a bit OTT, which is why I started the thread. It sounds as though I don’t need to worry too much about that, so I think I’ll have a big dressing-up session next week and try all the permutations, see what works for me. I’m really looking forward to it now!

OP posts:
SocksAndTheCity · 11/04/2023 22:17

If sequins are wrong...

...I don't want to be right Grin

LaCerbiatta · 12/04/2023 08:03

This idea that londoners wear what they like without a second thought is complete bollocks! Some may do but I'm sure many don't. The 'effortless' look is a look like any other and it takes planning and thinking and agonising over which which trainers will look like you didn't care what they look like!

SocksAndTheCity · 12/04/2023 09:41

Well I've never once 'agonised' over what to wear because of what anybody else might think of it @LaCerbiatta , although I've made myself late a few times because I couldn't decide. The posts above by @PinkArt and @HundredMilesAnHour sum it far better than I can, though.

Look in wardrobe. Put on chosen clothes and find accompanying shoes/bag/accessories if going out. That's it.

Xarrie · 12/04/2023 09:50

Can wear the fucking sequins be the new cancel the cheque? We are long overdue a better phrase.

I hate the tourist sneer too btw. Why is that a bad thing?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/04/2023 10:26

Xarrie · 12/04/2023 09:50

Can wear the fucking sequins be the new cancel the cheque? We are long overdue a better phrase.

I hate the tourist sneer too btw. Why is that a bad thing?

I'll get some t-shirts made.

HundredMilesAnHour · 12/04/2023 12:09

SocksAndTheCity · 12/04/2023 09:41

Well I've never once 'agonised' over what to wear because of what anybody else might think of it @LaCerbiatta , although I've made myself late a few times because I couldn't decide. The posts above by @PinkArt and @HundredMilesAnHour sum it far better than I can, though.

Look in wardrobe. Put on chosen clothes and find accompanying shoes/bag/accessories if going out. That's it.

Totally agree @SocksAndTheCity. I don't give a monkeys what anyone else thinks of what I wear. I dress to please myself rather than anyone else. Nor am I aware of any of my London friends 'agonising' over what to wear, and certainly not to feel like they're conforming to some sort of perceived societal norm. I choose my trainers (or other footwear) based on what I feel like wearing at the time (I usually have a favourite pair that I wear to death until I get a new favourite and start the cycle again) or what's closest to hand or what's most comfy. Maximum 2 seconds thought goes into it, maybe not even that much.

LoobyDop · 12/04/2023 12:37

I confess to having a hankering for dressing up for this occasion, but I’d been wondering whether I’d be going a bit OTT, which is why I started the thread. It sounds as though I don’t need to worry too much about that, so I think I’ll have a big dressing-up session next week and try all the permutations, see what works for me. I’m really looking forward to it now!

And that’s the point, isn’t it- you aren’t agonising, you’re looking forward to a fun night and part of the fun is picking your outfit. Hope you have a great time!

Crikeyalmightey · 12/04/2023 12:38

I take every opportunity to wear sequins.

Ooh, a black t shirt with "wear the sequins" picked out in multi coloured sequins. I'd buy it.

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