“Dressy” dress code

[Monket]

Been invited to celebrate a wedding at a private members’ club in London in November. Drinks and canapés, and dress code for women states “dressy”.

What do we think? Floor length? Cocktail dress? Men are in suits and ties.

That's fine, I wasn't suggesting them for you! Life would be quite dull if we all liked the same things.

That being said I do agree with you on the last one- I don't rate it either, but it was the closest to the long sleeved navy one you seem to adore that I could find on there that I felt looked a bit more modern. Clearly agree to disagree!

I'm astonished that if you think age is relevant, that you think anyone under, oh I don't know, 95 would wear the last one on your list. And it bears absolutely no resemblance to Sarah Murdoch's dress.

It's sold out in all but 1 size 8 so the centenarians of the UK must have snapped them all up!

It's navy, long sleeved and midi length which is all I was really looking for.

The burgundy Reiss is beautiful.

I’ll stand by the absolute classic, classy, Audrey Hepburn-inspired, chic beauty of the Murdoch dress till I die. So classy for a smart, elegant London wedding.

Not a fan of any other dress on here.

Do dressy dresses have to be shiny? The Coast ones are way too shiny for my taste.
The Sarah Murdoch dress is gorgeous. The burgundy Reiss is also nice, I think.

Feel like I’ve caused a bit of a furore!

I like the second Coast one actually, it’s definitely striking - but I agree that they’re all a bit shiny… and I fear they will look cheap when on (me). DH would hate the bright pink unfortunately.

some of them look like something my 60 year old mother would love

I’m over 60. Currently dressed in Marni, Raey and YMC. I don’t shop from or wear the High St brands mentioned on this thread, so I obviously don’t choose them when getting ‘dressed up’.

That is gorgeous!

These look like something somebody would wear to a cocktail party at a suburban gold club, thinking they were high fashion when in fact they just look cheap and mass produced.

Any other suggestions, then…? Thanks to the PP for reminder about hair and jewellery - no idea what to do for shoes as stilettos are dated now but are basically all the occasion shoes I own…

Which members club is it OP? Or roughly what type? There is a world of difference between eg Annabels and the Century Club.

Have you thought about renting? Then you could get something really high end or designer for a fraction of the cost, and not have to slum it in a cheap mass produced Coast number 😂

https://www.hurrcollective.com/

https://byrotation.com

Non shiny dressy dress

I don't think smart dresses have to be shiny. Nor sleeveless. I've got lots stylish of friends who would feel all wrong in a shiny dress.

There are lots of alternatives. E.g this from self portrait (which is a pretty reliable brand for smart, if not thrilling going out wear.)

www.self-portrait.com/products/aw24-black-crepe-contrast-chiffon-midi-dress

Potentially outing but I don’t know the club so help welcome - it’s Boodles. Which means nothing to me…

I did think about renting but I’m so bad at imagining what something will look like on me, so I’d really want to try first… I know you can get credit back but still.

This is gorgeous. Obviously with all that embroidery, it would be very expensive to buy. Hard to find similar on the high street, so I would rent.

Admittedly I am not at all stylish, but shiny and tight looks very dated to me these days, given everyone is more casual, for want of a better word.

I’m obsessed by this dress! I would definitely chose it if I had a wedding coming up.

Stunning.

Ugh what a horrible snobby remark. Most clothes are mass produced. If the OP had said she would like to spend ££££ on a designer gown then the suggestions would've been different.

And another not terribly shiny dressy dress. Also from Pauw, bought in 2017. It's made many appearances too. (Not my Pinterest - google lens found it from a photo of me) It's the same texture as the Erdem one- an embroidered jacquard.

Not very shiny dressy dress

I think it’s actually perfectly possible to find lovely mass produced clothing, but it wasn’t those 100% polyester shiny things.

The Reiss dresses posted were nice.

But also made of polyester and viscose. Expensive shops use the same fabrics and charge more for it.

yes, everything is very shiny and polyester and expensive these days, even Reiss. Most of my clothes come from charity shops, but they don't have super dressy dresses.

There's polyester and polyester. Brands like Erdem, Wiggy Kit and Baum und Pferdgarten use polyester - often in a heavier jacquard form, and often lined in silk or cotton. The Erdem dress I linked to will contain polyester.

Viscose, is a natural fibre. Visose branded as Tencel is a better fabric, quality and for the environment than cheap cotton or silk.

Boodle's is a very old-school membership club- it doesn't even admit female members or let members bring women as guests! (weddings etc not withstanding of course). However I found some photos of a wedding and a birthday that have taken place there-

https://www.tomdurn-photography.co.uk/blog/tally-nathan-london-oratory-boodles-knightsbridge-mayfair-wedding-photography/

https://richardmurgatroyd.com/boodles-mayfair-event-photography-london/

And nothing looks wildly formal or old fashioned- literally any of the dresses anyone has posted here would be appropriate.

I am totally into the bridesmaid who is wearing a fuchsia pink satin wrap suit in those wedding pics.