Dinner at Le Gavroche - what to wear?

[SatelliteStomper]

DH has booked us dinner at Le Gavroche for my 50th birthday next month. I have nothing to wear (including decent shoes)!

I live in jeans and trainers and have put on half a stone since we last went anywhere that required a bit of an effort. The only vaguely appropriate thing I have is a couple of Cos silk/cotton cocoon dresses bought before lockdown, one in a kind of orangey-red and one in silver-grey. No idea if they would be ok really.

I know the usual answer on these threads is, no one makes an effort in London (and I would generally agree), but it is a big birthday and it is the tasting menu at LG, so... I'd like to feel a bit special.

Any thoughts on comfortable but lovely things I could try? I'm 5' 7" , size 14, don't like fussy stuff, would like to hide my stomach 😆

This is the red (unironed!) I put the grey on and it feels a bit too bridesmaid-y.

Ignore the shoes, they are the only heels I own, I know they're rather old-fashioned! I'd probably go with flats or wedges tbh.

I like the red dress! It's a lovely shape. I'd wear heels if you want to feel special.

Lovely dress and you look great in it.

Simple gold sandals, lowing heel, would look great.

I love your dress!

*lowish heel

Yes, there is still a dress code - smart

https://www.le-gavroche.co.uk/faqs

Oh the red one’s gorgeous - you look fabulous! I’d definitely wear that.

I think the red dress looks amazing on you and perfectly fits the venue and the occasion.

I went to Le gavroche for a wedding anniversary and wore a very dressy LBD (which I hardly ever get a chance to wear) and I definitely didn’t feel overdressed. though to be honest, I wouldn’t have given a fig if I had. I think the whole worry about looking overdressed (not you - all the competitive under dressers) just reeks of insecurity!

They take their purchases back to where they live and wear them there. I don't think many Londoners shop in the smart parts of Town anymore.

I was at a posh place in Tower Bridge last July. All the family put on their best togs, and we were the smartest table there !! The other diners were in (admittedly, very much quality, expensive) t-shirts and trousers.

For La Gavroche I'd wear a smart dress or jacket and trousers with polished shoes. The shoes can be anything, as long as they look nice.

Yes that’s so lovely. Go for it!

OK, the red it is, thank you! I do feel good in it.

@Verite1 I admit I've been guilty many times of competitive under-dressing but this time I'm going to put on a pretty frock and some lipstick and to hell with it 😁

That dress is really chic, I like it.

Don't sweat it about the bag, it'll just go by the side of your chair.

Ignore the joyless underdressers, they're living in a fantasy world where they're too posh to notice they're in a fancy restaurant. I've never looked at someone and thought they looked overdressed for a dining venue. Find some matching heels and enjoy the process!!!

The red is fab! Wear it.

I wore a floor length maxi to our local pub at the weekend, I felt amazing! Loads of women were in beautiful dresses, it's the height of summer and we deserve a chance to enjoy it :)

Yes the dress you already have is lovely!

That orange dress is lush. I actually think the shoes go quite well with it too.

The dresses are lovely. It's your birthday - go as glam as you like.

These dresses would suit mules/slipper-type shoes. There was a good thread on smart flats a couple of weeks ago. But wear heels if you feel like it.

I am going to the theatre next week, and I was going to wear my usual jeans and trainers, but this has inspired me to dig out this blue silk dress that I haven't worn since before the pandemic. But I don't think I will be able to find my heels.

That red dress is gorgeous on you - I’d go for flat/low block heeled sandals in either tan or a metallic (gold, bronze, copper) with delicate but dangly gold earrings this sort of thing. Life is far too short not to dress up!

That dress is very nice, simple, understated. It didn’t take long before Nancy Mac put in an appearance.

😂

But a dress, not a jumpsuit. I was not expecting that!

I think the COS dress, in either colour is a great choice. Have a lovely time at Le Gavroche @SatelliteStomper

Both are timeless ‘classy’ classics and I’m getting onto Vinted to see if I can find either ( or both) have a lovely time 👍🏿☘️

This thread has inspired me to book le Gavroche for my husband's 50th next year! Have a lovely birthday next month OP! I just looked at the menu and it looks lovely (need to save up a bit first so just as well it's next March 😂)

Just a pointer on dress code, starting with the disclaimer that I haven't been in 10 years! Men were required to wear a suit jacket throughout the entire meal.

The dress code may be less formal now, but definitely check the website. My OH took his work jacket off and was asked to put it back on!

Oh I love the red dress OP. Wear that!! Life is too, too short not to pull out all the stops sometimes. You look beautiful in it - happy birthday and have a fabulous time!