2 Michelin star lunch - outfit ona budget?!

[Neutralcat]

Me and my husband have a reservation for lunch at a 2 Michelin star countryside restaurant in a few weeks. I would like to find a new Summer dress for the occasion. I'm 45, 5"2, currently a size 10, but am losing fat and plan to be a size 8 by then. I am on a tight budget (the lunch is gifted, and we already know wine with meal will be expensive). I'm happy to buy from Vinted, but need some inspiration! It would also be useful if the dress could double up for a July wedding, but it's not crucial. Ideas appreciated, thanks 😊.

Fabienne Chapot does lovely wrap dresses - there are lots in your size on Vinted for £15-30. Get in a size 10 and it will still fit if you lose a bit of weight as you can tie it tighter

Just a word of warning that an entry level bottle of wine will be more than your clothes budget once service added. Watch out for the welcome drink of champagne that can be £30 a glass!! It’s a fab restaurant but one the most expensive I’ve been to in the uk.

Some people won’t be too dressed up so don’t worry but I appreciate you want to mark the occasion. I’d spend your budget on a smart blazer with gold buttons from Zara and dress up something you already own.

I would go for a wrap dress - easy to tighten up if you do lose some weight. I have a wrap dress that doubles as a beach cover up/sight seeing/ posh evening dress dependent on accessories, so definition investment worth making.

I like dressing up for nice venues, though I know some others prefer to be more relaxed. I think some people dress less formally to try and send a subtle signal that they spend lots of time in such places.

Hope you have a wonderful time. I would normally say ‘trust the sommelier’ but at Le Manoir it may be wiser to be very clear about your wine budget.

I’d spend your budget on a smart blazer with gold buttons from Zara

I would not spend your budget on a smart blazer with gold buttons unless you have a deep and hitherto unfulfilled longing for one and are going to wear the hell out of it afterwards.

The staff are really lovely and not at all snooty. They will automatically recommend wines at the least expensive end of the spectrum. Though, I agree it's still not cheap! Around £20 for a small glass. The cocktail I had was £25. It was fabulous though.

I'm jealous! I'm dying to go again, but will need to wait for a big birthday or anniversary.

@Clockface8 yes I have loads of shoes, bags etc so don't need to think about those. We can choose form the lunch set menu or the A la Carte menu. Probably will go with A la Carte I think. Yes, it was a very generous gift, and we're very grateful!

@GCAcademic good to know re the wine, thanks. We've budgeted for a bottle of wine and a couple of cocktails or G&T's etc.

Ok so if no new shoes on the cards

you need to root out a couple of your favourite shoes and go from there

The gift giver hasn’t set any kind of budget?!!

@Clockface8 we have a voucher which covers either menu option for lunch or dinner, we opted for lunch so we could also enjoy the garden weather permitting (looking at the website the 2 menus are similarly priced).

Oh thank goodness!

enjoy

it will be wonderful

id go for a wrap dress op

@Bananafofana thanks, we're happy to pay for the alcohol as we're not paying for the meal. We do like good wine but have looked at the menu and know that we will be gravitating towards the reasonable end of the price range.

I've been and the food is wonderful as is the garden and the service. Enjoy it all!

I keep recommending Next to the point it looks like I work there😁 I don't, but I like a lot of their dresses, especially Love and Roses - you can filter by brand - and they come in a bit over 50 but less than your top end of budget. Have a look.

Actually, I'd forget about the new dress and have another round of cocktails instead 😂

Me too!!! 🍾

One tip for the wine, tell the sommelier what you like and your budget.

When we went to the Fat Duck years ago we were saving for our wedding and so didn’t have a lot of cash. We told the sommelier we were on a tight budget and he had some bin ends that were no longer on the menu that he let us have at a hefty discount.

We've never been for lunch, but have been for dinner/spent the night a couple times and I'd say people run the gamut in terms of how they're dressed. Some people are quite casual, but some have really dressed up. I think one of the things that makes it such a special place is that the staff is fantastic, they all seem incredibly happy to be working there and go out of their way to make sure everyone feels comfortable.

Hope you have a great time @Neutralcat!

Joe Browns have lots of pretty dresses for summer, not too expensive and might get a first time discount, and look at their outlet and/or Vinted and e bay.

If you want a special frock but aren't fussed about it being a permanent addition to your wardrobe, have a browse of Hirestreet for some gorgeous designer rentals. You won't spend anything like as much but you can get something really high quality and unique. I've used them twice now and they saved me a lot of cash www.hirestreetuk.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAEEZKHG_m5_G5hbYxrZTT0To0WX&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynps7G1y3DjHQKHuD0G9U8LsQbyhkd7RbFCV-WqPAbVjOr8CmeDEh2waAk5EEALw_wcB

OP doesn't mention that she's Amish.

Oh my giddy aunt wtaf is this 😂😂😂 surely people don't wear things like this... And the price 😂😂😂 I wouldn't even be buried in that.

Have you got black flat shoes ow white trainers? either of those would go well with this dress https://www.zara.com/uk/en/satin-printed-midi-dress-p02328651.html?v1=435461722&v2=2566964

Are you curvy or straight up and down? What sort of styles do you like or dislike? Colours/prints?

I’ve been to Le Manoir and loved it, you’ll have a great time!

I have a very special reason why I love Le Manoir but won’t tell. It’s the most lovely place and the staff are lovely.

Just wear something spring/summery (with jacket/cardigan in case it’s cool), neat and clean. You don’t need to overdress. Have a lovely time.