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Original poster

How can I make this more sophisticated?

170 replies

pompypomppomp · 21/05/2023 21:54

What accessories can I add to make this more interesting and more sophisticated? I was thinking a nice jumper over the the shoulders? But what colour? And what shoes? Ahhhh
It's for a v posh restaurant dinner and drinks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Kanaloa · 22/05/2023 11:44

aNewYorkerInLondon · 22/05/2023 11:29

To be blunt, I meant relatively higher-mid-range prostitutes. It’s super common to see in the bars of very expensive restaurants, especially in cities that see lots of business travel. This sort of dress is also common on very young ladies that are accompanying much older men in a “sugar daddy” type situation — though I feel like I see this much more often in New York than in London.

We go to three-star restaurants fairly frequently and have many friends in the business, so these are just my observations from these lovely evenings out and from the stories told to us by our friends in the business.

I think that it can be even harder to choose the right clothing when everything looks good on you! This is where dressing according to the type of event / location is helpful. I'm really not trying to be mean. You can absolutely find a look that is both dirty hot and sophisticated. The main thing it typically to balance where you’re showing skin and where you’re not, balance sexy elements with those you’re leaving to a bit of imagination.

For example, showing lots of leg? Choose a higher neckline and a slim, low kitten heel. But with a midi hemline (without the thigh-baring slit), choose your highest stilettos and rock the lower neckline. Going sheer? Keep the neckline higher and the hem lower, all the better to see through to what you’re trying to show off.

Show quote history

You sound massively out of touch. Maybe spend your ‘lovely evenings out’ doing less speculating over whether other patrons of the restaurant are prostitutes and try to actually enjoy yourself.

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 22/05/2023 11:51

It's warm weather at the minute OP I wouldn't worry too much about a jumper or blazer etc but if you're adamant you want some sort of cover up then maybe a light wrap. I think it would look nice with a diamanté choker type necklace I have a Swarovski tennis necklace and bracelet set I wear for best. The necklace comes with an attachment but I can remove to make it sit snuggly at the bottom of my neck.
Either way I'm sure you'll look amazing 😍 beautiful dress. If I had my pre baby figure back I'd definitely wear something like this !
Hope you have a nice time

JupiterFortified · 22/05/2023 11:52

PegasusReturns · 22/05/2023 10:24

Those of you claiming this is “club wear”, honestly when were you last in a club?! This wasn’t club wear when I was a teen/20-something and it definitely isn’t now.

OP the dress is perfectly acceptable for dinner and with the right shoes and accessories will look lovely.

as for the poster claiming this dress indicates “sex work” do you not get out much

Totally agree! Mumsnet is such a weird place at times. I don’t think most people on here have stepped in a club since 1784.

MessyBunny · 22/05/2023 11:58

I agree regarding a blazer and maybe add some navy or tan accessories?
I have seen a lot of the Made in Chelsea set wear this type of dress with neutral accessories and nude makeup and they look fabulous.

icelollycraving · 22/05/2023 11:59

If you have the slender figure that can carry this dress, wear it unashamedly.
A blazer, not a wrap. Hair up would look nice, delicate gold jewellery and glowy makeup.
As for the horrible comments regarding prostitutes…madness.

huffyhufferson · 22/05/2023 12:01

Oh how envious am I? Wish I could turn back time to when I could & did wear dresses like this. You go for it & hold your head up high. Personally I would not cover up - the dress is a statement! I would wear a bold colour pair of heels with a matching bag. Have a fabulous night.

TomatoSandwiches · 22/05/2023 12:01

pompypomppomp · 22/05/2023 08:59

@TomatoSandwiches all lovely but perhaps for someone 15/20 years my senior

Well, I do feel old and it has been some time since I've been in a nightclub so fair enough 😂
I think from reading your update about the hotel and going out afterwards you should be fine with a blazer as pp advised.
I hope you have a lovely night out.

Madamecastafiore · 22/05/2023 12:05

Navy blazer and belt.

NatashaDancing · 22/05/2023 12:20

JustFrustrated · 22/05/2023 09:13

These comments are hilarious.

That is a beautiful dress.

I'd pair it with a blazer, if it was going to be cold, and some gorgeous shoes.

I'd go for dainty jewellery and my hair up, to elongate my neck. Minimal look makeup, so freshfaced neutral colours. E.g. lipstick that was "my lips but better" not a red lip, no winged eyeliner etc.

It really isn't a beautiful dress but each to their own. I don't however see any point in trying to tone it down, and the Mumsnet stalwart blazer would look awful.

TheYearOfSmallThings has good advice. Go for it - it'll almost certainly divide its audience into loving or hating it.

wandawaves · 22/05/2023 12:25

I think it's gorgeous OP and you should wear it as is. My daughter bought a very similar dress from the same website so I fully understand when you say it looks different on the model to in real life. Her dress also looked very booby and very revealing on the model, but it didn't look like that on her.

I also don't understand MN's obsession with covering everything up. Especially the "only show legs OR cleavage" rule. Obviously they haven’t seen that young people these days wear dresses that show boobs, legs, belly, and back all at once lol.

ChristmasRoses · 22/05/2023 12:27

It's always going to look cheap. Sorry OP

pottytrainingggg · 22/05/2023 12:29

Some of the posters on here sound so old!!!! FGS! It's cringe.

OP please don't listen to the ones telling you to cover up or wear frumpy mother of the bride stuff.

Please don't wear a wrap or a pashmina - that's too frumpy wedding guest for the evening out you've described!

On trend would be an oversized blazer with either kitten heels or ankle boots. If your hair is straight then you could wear it simply slicked back.

You will look stunning and some other pp simply sound jealous to be honest!

I am appalled by @aNewYorkerInLondon 's comments and think it's disgusting, in addition to being plain wrong. Absolutely awful tearing down of another woman saying she will look like a prostitute if she wears something tight. What planet and what century are you from to think that's an acceptable thing to say to someone?

Prettylittleroses · 22/05/2023 12:30

pottytrainingggg · 22/05/2023 12:29

Some of the posters on here sound so old!!!! FGS! It's cringe.

OP please don't listen to the ones telling you to cover up or wear frumpy mother of the bride stuff.

Please don't wear a wrap or a pashmina - that's too frumpy wedding guest for the evening out you've described!

On trend would be an oversized blazer with either kitten heels or ankle boots. If your hair is straight then you could wear it simply slicked back.

You will look stunning and some other pp simply sound jealous to be honest!

I am appalled by @aNewYorkerInLondon 's comments and think it's disgusting, in addition to being plain wrong. Absolutely awful tearing down of another woman saying she will look like a prostitute if she wears something tight. What planet and what century are you from to think that's an acceptable thing to say to someone?

And some sound like they are posting at school lunch time. Ding ding back to class sweetie.

KnickerlessParsons · 22/05/2023 12:32

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

This ^

Peterpiperpickedapeckof · 22/05/2023 12:33

My tip for looking smart - classy - posh - is to concentrate on fabric rather than anything else. Natural materials look so much smarter.

So jumpers should be natural material, ideally cashmere. Dresses silk or cotton. Some artificial fabric looks good but you need to focus on that first.

Covetthee · 22/05/2023 12:33

Ignore all the snide comments OP. some people on here are still stuck in the 1980’s.

its a great dress if you’re young and have the figure for it, wear the hell out of it and you dont need anything over it.

I would maybe keep jewellery minimal and strappy sandals maybe and would have a messy up do as the neckline is pretty, would be a shame to hide it under hair that’s down.

pottytrainingggg · 22/05/2023 12:34

@Prettylittleroses er sorry? Why the patronising post?

Christmascracker0 · 22/05/2023 12:51

This thread is wild.

The dress is nice OP, a slightly oversized blazer, strappy heels and drop/hoop earrings would be perfect!

GreyTS · 22/05/2023 12:54

God this thread is depressing, all these thinly veiled jibes, jealousy perchance?? OP the dress is great, the neutral colour does give it a more grown up look, do not dare destroy it with a wrap (dear god who even owns a wrap) a blazer, great heels, chain strap bag (or more modern equivalent but small and neat) subtle makeup, nice blow dry, you'll be stunning. I have teenagers, they wear oh polly, they look amazing and yes small breaths are the key

GreyTS · 22/05/2023 12:54

Breasts, not breaths

GreyTS · 22/05/2023 12:57

@aNewYorkerInLondon gosh, you would want a quick look in the mirror, whatever is the matter with you don't ever talk to another woman like that. Do you have daughters, nieces, friends? That level of bile disguised as honesty or concern must make you quite ill, see a psychiatrist

EssexCat · 22/05/2023 13:02

icelollycraving · 22/05/2023 11:59

If you have the slender figure that can carry this dress, wear it unashamedly.
A blazer, not a wrap. Hair up would look nice, delicate gold jewellery and glowy makeup.
As for the horrible comments regarding prostitutes…madness.

This 100%. I bet you’ll look beautiful.

And definitely a blazer if you need a jacket.

Doggolover2 · 22/05/2023 13:06

Some of these comments are so ridiculous.

I personally wouldn’t wear anything over it, I think a simple black bag and heels (please for the love of god though not kitten heels as suggested 😂).

You will look great!

ps I would like it to be known how jealous I’m, I couldn’t pull that dress off in 100 million years x

NatashaDancing · 22/05/2023 13:08

GreyTS · 22/05/2023 12:54

God this thread is depressing, all these thinly veiled jibes, jealousy perchance?? OP the dress is great, the neutral colour does give it a more grown up look, do not dare destroy it with a wrap (dear god who even owns a wrap) a blazer, great heels, chain strap bag (or more modern equivalent but small and neat) subtle makeup, nice blow dry, you'll be stunning. I have teenagers, they wear oh polly, they look amazing and yes small breaths are the key

I don't know why not liking dresses like this has to be down to being jealous. Even when I was a size 6/ 8 I wouldn't have worn something like that.

Personally I think it's awful ( it would be better without the cut out back) but it's not me who's wearing it, but if you're going to wear it , then be bold about it.

An MN approved blazer is grim too. In the restaurant a blazer will look weird and getting to and from the restaurant then whatever coat/ jacket is to hand is fine.

pottytrainingggg · 22/05/2023 13:09

@Doggolover2 kitten heels are very on trend FYI.

www.whowhatwear.co.uk/best-prada-slingbacks

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