What can I wear to this event?

[ballpithell]

Got an event coming up in May and no idea what to wear so need some serious help!!

Basically it’s my DH boss’s home, a house party which will start in the afternoon and go on till late. DH works in City and his boss is very senior, lives in New York half the time, and the home is a very nice large house in Chelsea, and there will be catering. However, according to DH who attended last 2 years without me the vibe is very casual. Men wearing chinos etc. I asked what I should wear and he said he seems to remember some women wearing smart jeans and others in dresses but his recollections weren’t that helpful! He did mention some people were over-dressed.

For various reasons I’d like to make a very good impression. I’m late 30’s, and feeling unattractive due to busy life being Mum to a toddler.

My appearance if it helps is: tall, size 12, longish legs but not fit or toned, mum-tum, Caucasian, dark hair, blue eyes, suit Bright Winter colours (colour analysis).

I haven’t really been out or to a party since before the birth of my child, which must be before Covid now! So help is needed!

What’s your problem? I didn’t “tell” OP to wear jeans. She thought they might not “feel right”, I said I think they’d be fine, and that’s one thing DH recalled people wearing. If she doesn’t like my suggestions she’s free to ignore them.

@CharlotteRumpling I like those two dresses, thanks. As a Winter the raspberry and the dark emerald green suit me. The back of the dress might be ok - I've got a tattoo on my upper spine which might look nice! I do like the sharp neckline on the M&S dress however. The middly necklines don't really suit me. However I think I'll have these two as possibilities as well.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.asymmetric-draped-midi-dress-red.1221701002.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx6mutOSiPsgMqyeNaqjAln89oFHIKjlDHM9DE9uX0luGnQ0odxfjLBoCZ9MQAvD_BwE

Smart jeans and top with a soft linen blazer or a nice shawl. Or nice cotton summer dress. Leather sandals/mules, understated jewellery and bag.

No jumpsuits. Just no. Not in Chelsea.

If you don't want a blazer then a nice silk shirt and jeans and some jeweller and sandals.

Flats. Plain leather.

Dress from Anthropologie - in fact just go head to toe Anthropologie

I have fiends who fit your DH's boss description. This is what the women's wear at their Chelsea drinks parties.

www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-flowy-maxi-dress

www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-flowy-maxi-dress

www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-mule-sandals

Jacket like this
www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/pilcro-knit-utility-jacket

To those who have pushed aside the suggestion of jeans/top/blazer this is the look that I think would work well for the situation you're describing @ballpithell:

https://juststylela.com/blogs/jacket-society-fashion-features-style-blog/the-classic-combo-of-blazers-with-shirts

https://blog.petitedressing.com/black-jeans-outfit/

I really think jeans are completely wrong for this type of event.

The men won’t be wearing jeans so I think that automatically rules out women, whatever smart silk top/blazer combo is on the top half.

The M&S dress may be cheap but it doesn’t look cheap, which is key (need to see it in real life though). It’s not obviously cheaper than the lovely Poetry dress someone posted above. Both have the right vibe I think, which is simple but a good cut and can be dressed up or down with accessories.

Wide leg trousers in linen or silk with a smart top and drapey blazer would also look good.

Don't go too fussy (frills/floral); don't go too glittery; don't go too casual (jeans/tees); don't go too "out there" (this really isn't the time to make a statement). You want to be classy, comfortable and stylish. Try Sahara for a variety of not-too-expensive but upmarket (ish) linen tunics/trousers/ laid-back dresses/jumpsuits.

For me this is one of those rare occasions where it's more about the brand than the style of garment. For full-fat confidence, I'd see if I fancied anything at ME+EM. Their stuff can look plain on the hanger but they have that stealth wealth/not trying too hard vibe that I'd want for this event.

If I couldn't find anything there, I'd look at brands with similar vibes - Kitri, Aspiga, Poetry (their heavy linen jeans look good, maybe with a posh tee, good jewellery and blazer). If you have time, see what's in the shops in areas like Marylebone High Street and Sloane Square. Upmarket with an edge, rather than occasionwear. (Lol, or wherever your nearest ridiculously expensive clothes enclave is!)

😂year 2000 is coming back

That's another outfit to the supermarket shop in.

I second Me+Em

Do you suit navy?
https://www.meandem.com/cotton-poplin-volant-sleeve-maxi-dress-navy-eclipse
with a cropped jacket and tan flats

So many nice dresses, so much black and navy! The Me and Em dress appeals to me, if they did another colour.

Where’s that dress from?

Also second ME+EM, and a few dresses are currently on sale. Rixo also has lovely summer dresses. I work in the City (live not quite in Chelsea but close by) and both brands are loved by professional women so you won’t look out of place.

Loving ‘I lived in Chelsea too’ flexes 😂. OP I hope you find a gorgeous dress and have a lovely time 😊

Sorry, yes.

Thanks!

I would go for a dress like this https://rixolondon.com/products/clarice-navy-polka-dot with some white mules
Or a skirt like this https://www.whistles.com/product/187482.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17999921653&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17999921653&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx6D21sJWK8jRlABSlrGPTnwTBtFbS2j5Xb5M0xKgxMMngUYnfQ_odBoCmyoQAvD_BwE with a top like this https://www.whistles.com/product/oversized-collar-detail-top-33235.html#suggestion=true

I have my eye on this at the moment. Think it could fit the bill. Comes in navy as well as the green https://www.meandem.com/slub-cotton-v-neck-maxi-dress-spring-green

I was just about to post the same Me and Em dress as Verite! Spooky.

Otherwise, if a deep neckline isn't your thing, I like this from Sezane https://www.sezane.com/en/product/daria-dress/black#size-6

I have this dress in navy and it’s lovely but I’d def go for green if that’s your colour as navy is a bit workwear I’d say (at least that’s where I wear mine). It’s a lovely fit though.

I like that green Me and Em one.
If it were me, my choice would be this as it can do day into night, but I am partial to Karen Millen always get a good fit.

https://www.karenmillen.com/viscose-linen-woven-tie-wrap-maxi-shirt-dress/BKK16804.html

Oops meant to say in the orange, as it makes a change from black