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 😊.

Search whistles, and other stories, reiss and self portrait in size 10 on Vinted. You'll find loads of great options but may need c£75 including postage to get the nicer ones. I wore a long fitted skirt, heeled boots and a tight polo top to Le Manoir recently and it felt about right. I'd go for elegant rather than dressed up if that makes sense? It was fabulous, so enjoy!!

I recently bought a very simple “knot” design dress for the princely sun of £21.

• Knot Design
• Super Flattering Shape
• V neckline
• Tie Up To Back
• Floaty / Non-clingy
• Non Crease
• Stretch to Material
• Super Comfy

Sleeveless, so it can be worn with a cardi, or jacket. I bought black, navy and am now waiting for a khaki version.

At 5’2 it’s mid-length on me and lots of people have complimented me when I’m wearing them. Definitely a dress up or dress down garment.

If you search Panama dress it will probably bounce up. Also available in the most gorgeous coral colour (not a colour I can wear) and blue.

I agree. I took DD to the Black Swan at Oldstead for a birthday/graduation meal. I wore a sleeveless white top and some floaty navy culottes and was pleased that I hadn't dressed up more as everyone was quite casually dressed.

It was during one of the heatwaves of 2022 so I dressed for comfort, and so did the other diners.

That’s nice - it would be fine for a wedding too. The sort of dress that would suit most occasions!

FWIW I wouldn’t choose a dress right now. I’d want something like this outfit (but with a more user friendly price and proportions). I just happened to see this while browsing for something else - so I am not suggesting @Neutralcat should rush out and buy it. I’m merely pointing out that a dress isn’t the only option:

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/etro-printed-silk-blouse-purple-p01014744

Most shops at most prices probably have a co-ord set in stock at the moment.

That's a bit like my Greggs outfit, only mine was £30 from Marks.

I’m a similar size to you and Apricot dresses look really nice. I think you could get one for £50 or under. I understand it’s somewhere posh and apricot isn’t mega expensive but I think if you had a well fitting really lovely dress from there you would look and feel good.

How does this dress look?

I love this style but a bit pricey
https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/maxi-dresses/liena/rosa-tie-side-satin-cami-wrap-dress-olive-green www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/maxi-dresses/liena/rosa-tie-side-satin-cami-wrap-dress-olive-green]]]]

A nice cheaper version, I think
https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/feverfish/exclusive-bardot-frill-midi-dress-dark-royal-blue www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/feverfish/exclusive-bardot-frill-midi-dress-dark-royal-blue]]]]

I love his colour
https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/urban-touch/kimono-wrap-floral-dress-mint www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/urban-touch/kimono-wrap-floral-dress-mint]]]]

MissMoan

"Lipsy have some lovely options, if something like this would work:"
www.next.co.uk/style/su533648/av6020#av6020

I love that dress, love the colours.

Stunning turquoise.

https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-metallic-ruffle-sleeve-shift-dress_byy12248?colour=blue

Sorry - there are many words I could use to describe this but stunning isn’t one of them.

I’ve not read the whole thread, so apologies if this is way out but I think something like this could be nice for a lunchtime meal, with flat Mary Jane shoes
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-v-neck-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp22609857#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r14c2%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

Green www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-polka-dot-frill-detail-midi-tea-dress/p/clp22610076#intid=pid_pg2pip48g2r3c2%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

Have You found anything yet OP?
I’m a similar height and have just purchased this. It comes to just above the ankle bone. Is super flattering on the bust and has shirred waist band. Looks lovely with espadrilles or ballet pumps. The small may be a bit to big for you if you lose anymore weight.
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/clothing/dresses/cream-floral-patterned-trim-maxi-dress/p/30794353

Nice dress. Nobody's Child , like Joannie, do really nice dresses. They're very wearable, can be dressed up or down and often cotton or viscose

As another poster said, can't remember if it was thread or a wedding guest thread, they're a mid point between the brands (some) posters seem to find challenging and the never actually fashionable Lipsy, Yumi, Phase 8, Scarlett and Joe "occasion wear"

I've got a friend who dresses almost exclusively in Nobody's Child dresses and always looks great. I'm a bit too busty for them, but they have lots of lovely ones and often in pure cotton.

To be fair, I don't think some of those brands are any less 'fashionable' than some of the much more expensive stuff some posters link to. Neither are cutting edge fashion.

And on a thread like this, as with a lot of the wedding guest threads, I think that the OP just wants a nice dress to flatter and to be appropriate, rather than something considered to be ‘cutting edge fashion’.

Yes.

Boden have a 25% off at the minute

I agree. I don't think I would ever want to wear "cutting edge fashion" because it soon looks very dated.

First time we went for lunch, loads of people there were wearing jeans!

Have you chosen yet OP?

for £50 I’d just get a dress from Zara. Something like this probably

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/draped-midi-dress-p01165004.html?v1=443297994&v2=2420896

I wasn’t at all suggesting that the OP might want cutting edge fashion. I certainly don’t myself. Just responding to a PP.

https://www.azzlee.co.uk/blue-casual-v-neck-floral-printed-sleeveless-dress-dtae776.html

I love this dress.