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 😊.

@CurlyhairedAssassin I really don't want to cause offence to the person who suggested it, but I would rather gauge my eyes out with a spoon than wear that dress 😕.

Love Le Manoir, have THE BEST time!

If you’re looking for florals, the new next ‘Kew gardens’ collab have some beautiful summer dresses between £40-£80 and work would beautifully for a relaxed lunch or wedding guest:

www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/collaboration-kewcollection

Lipsy have some lovely options, if something like this would work:

www.next.co.uk/style/su533648/av6020#av6020

Based on our meals there, you would likely feel quite overdressed in this.

The Next dresses posted by @WhatTheFridge, though, would be pretty much in keeping with the vibe for a spring lunch.

Get on vinted and search DVF or diane von furstenberg, her wrap dresses are timeless and great for a larger chest ❤️

That Cabbages and Roses dress even looks hideous on the model. It might look better in real life. On the plus side, it has pockets.

@Neutralcat I've found a dress at Hobbs recently that has worked well for both a spring wedding and a posh meal out with work. I'm 41 and thought Hobbs wasn't for me as tend to have a bit more of a bohemian vibe. However I was pleasantly surprised by the range at a mcArthur glen Hobbs outlet. They also do petite sizing and I think cover sizes 8 -22 which meant my short body issues were resolved. Outlet prices typically £50 to £100.

Quality of the sewing, tailoring and fabric definitely a cut above mainstream highstreet. Ladies in the shop were also fabulous and let me try on what felt like half the shop! I felt good in the dress and have had so many compliments both tines I've worn it. I'd recommend a visit to one of their outlets if you have one in easy reach.

Yes.

Maybe, but it's good to make a bit of an effort. I'd want to make it feel special, and think something like a pretty tea dress would fit the brief.

Ive worked in a michellin star restaurant. Its not as dressy as you'd think.

Saw this pop up tonight and it would work well. Simple but classy.

www.boden.com/products/florrie-broderie-dress-cosmos-pink

I remember going to The Yorke Arms and stayed in the same room as Rob Brydon in his mini series with Steve Coogan (The Trip).
The atmosphere was very understated and I didn't dress up, in fact I'd have looked silly if I did.
So, don't overdo/think it. Just wear something smart casual, trousers/skirt/dress and jacket would be absolutely fine. I wore black jeans, boots, and a jumper (it was Sept).
Whatever you decide, enjoy!

£50 is not ‘incredibly tight’ 🙄 especially if buying on Vinted or second hand, charity, eBay etc.
we cut our cloth according to our means and you can get some amazing quality and stylish dresses for the price and for much less, on Vinted especially

Oh I used to love the Yorke Arms! Such a shame it closed down, Frances Atkins is a great chef. I do think though, being set in an old Inn, it had a rather different vibe to the more grandiose Le Manoir which actually does have an official smart-casual dress code. I’d avoid jeans and trainers for sure.

Something like these: Tea Dresses | Tea Length Dresses | John Lewis & Partners Tea Dresses at M&S
(not all of them are to my liking and some are over budget)

What about this @Neutralcat perfect for a wedding and not too over the top for a lovely lunch. A few left in XS.

Le Manoir is fab - enjoy!

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/textured-draped-dress-p03213874.html?v1=444710535&v2=2420905

I'm old-fashioned, & would rather be over- than under-dressed.
However, bear in mind that it's lunch - always much less formal than dinner.

Isn't there an outlet village in that area?

I would look on vinted for a really nice blazer - Reiss, the Kooples are nicely cut for shorter people - and wear with something like a sleeveless linen shell underneath plus floaty wide legs in the same colour.
And maybe some elegant boat shoes rather than trainers.
Others would wear slingbacks but I personally can't get those to stay on me. If you can, go for it!

Joe Browns have some nice dresses which could also be worn to a summer wedding.

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/lyla-floral-dress-wf191?colour=244

Trainers are considered smart casual now. I mean ones you haven't just ran ten muddy miles in. Sounds ideal to me too if there are gardens to walk round, though even my smarter wedge sandals would be ok for that if the weather was fairly good.

I don't think the OP needs to worry too much, unless she is intending to wear a ball gown and tiara or top hat and tails, or a meat dress, or a tiny fur bikini with platform hi top trainers. 😅

My trainers were more like shoes really. Silver and covered mostly with flared playsuit.

id check out the tags on Instagram to see what others are wearing as well OP

Ha ha ha! My exact thought. I’m 45 too and wouldn’t wear that dress if you paid me five grand. Fucking hell, it will look like I’ve escaped from some mental asylum.

It reminds me of the rags the orphans wore in Annie.

@oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends Bicester Shopping Village is quite close, and the Swindon Outlet Village is about 40 miles from the restaurant.
OP might not be that close to them though.

@SharpOpalNewt ,that dress is pretty.

The Zara dressing gown gets a thumbs down from me.

Your outfit won’t matter?? What a funny outlook. She’s going somewhere special and wants to look nice. For me, an outfit always matters.

She’s come on here for suggestions and yours is ‘wear something clean’. Well that’s a given surely.