What do you wear for a dinner party at home?

[KeepOnCleaning]

I'm always a variation on jeans and top person for pretty much for any occasion except formal. Guests are likely to be in jeans as we are generally a casual group, but it's for my 50th birthday so I want to feel a bit special, but still feel like myself. I need some ideas. I'm a size 14 and still haven't come to terms with the extra dress size over the last year or so I prefer to hide wobbly bits (although my arms are fine and legs aren't terrible although they are short!). Please help! What should I wear?

Budget?
General preferences on shapes and style?
Dresses/ jumpsuit/ separates?

I had my 50th party at home, although it was an afternoon party, not a dinner party. I wore a dark navy draped silk sort of bustle skirt and a boxy, cropped cotton floral jacket which were made to order from a shop which took commissions for students in the design course at the art school. I probably also made it clear that this was my 50th birthday party and guests should make a bit of an effort. That was 15 years ago.

The last thing I hosted was a small party, but not a sit down dinner, at Hogmanay and wore this.

Klements

Budget up to £200, preferably less. I suit separates rather than a dress or jumpsuit. I have already told guests it is an informal dinner, so they are likely to be in jeans or a skirt and a nice top. However, I want to feel a bit more special so I need a step up from my usual jeans and nice top.

Hot squash have some gorgeous maxi skirts which you could team up with a plain top.

https://www.johnlewis.com/hotsquash-roll-top-floral-print-maxi-skirt-red-blue/p5615807

Could you just upgrade the jeans to fancier trousers? I've got some velvet elastic waist ones (M&S but a few years back) that I team with a silky top if I want to jazz up a casual event. Or silky wide-legged palazzo pants? I'm with you on not wanting to overdress if your guests are used to casual.

In theory hosting at home ought to be a gorgeous opportunity to dress as your very best version of yourself. (I don’t always find it so in practice.)

So in your case - given your description of yourself - I’d suggest your oldest, most flattering or simply favourite pair of jeans - plus a leather halter neck top. And either a huge and luxurious cashmere cardigan, or more simply, turn up the heating.

Cos has this:

halterneck

Massimo Dutti has red suede

Though I think black or this years dark brown leather would be more glamorous in candlelight. (You could probably find something perfect with more than three minutes search.) Then some leopard skin mules to finish it all off. (I would probably borrow some better-than-my-own jewellery from my mother and splash out on my new favourite perfume for the occasion.)

Honestly OP, and it might not be your style but as you asked, I do dress up when hosting.

So for dinner parties I would wear a dress and heals (knitted or warm in winter, light and chic in summer). Our guests also wear dresses, or jeans with heals and a nice top at the more casual side. Ultimately the clothes don’t matter, I want everyone to have a great time, but we seem to naturally gravitate to making an effort.

For a recent big birthday we had black tie and I bought a lovely new dress.

Maybe a 50th is an occasion to dress up for, and perhaps a personal shopper might help you find something nice and boost your confidence?

Hmm … Just seen these (the brown) in a Telegraph article on updating one’s look for this season:

M&S fake leather trousers

I don’t know. They seem terrifyingly cheap - but on the other hand they’d probably be rather comfy for lounging fashionably at home?

I’d wear a jumper dress and thick tights, these dresses suit me, I can eat a lot in them and most importantly I would feel comfortable.