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 😊.

Oh, that is lovely @Italiangreyhound

What is that company? I had a look and it looks like the kind of stuff that you used to see in those free mini magazines that came with the Mail on Sunday. 😆

Look at the "About Us" section on the website. Spelling mistakes, strange descriptions: "women's pants" etc.

*CurlyhairedAssassin no idea about the company, I just liked the dress. *

But I didi find this negative review on a site called

Issue with Product not as described
Do not use this company. Clothes are rubbish. Returns impossible. Goods not as described. Free P&P is a lie if you want to return anything.

The site is called ....Resolver

but I hadn't heard of that company either!

Good selection of petite sale dresses under £50 that would suit restaurant and wedding.

www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-floral-ruffle-sleeve-shift-dress_byy15259?colour=yellow&size=10

That site has red flags all over it.
Thousands and thousands of items, every single one of them listed at a heavily discounted sale price. And the "original prices" are weird prices to start with the one linked to was £52.97.

The "reviews" under the one linked to are clearly fake- again it's the weird and/ or ott wording which is the give away there.

Lots of waffle about items but no information about fibre

Load of waffly nonsense in the "About Us" section, full of as, CurlyhairedAssassin says, spelling and grammar mistakes and weird descriptions but no real information about them

I’d sooner turn up to a wedding naked than in one of those Wallis dresses.

When I went I wore a casual summer dress. DH rocked up in a linen shirt, blazer, jeans and sandals 😂. They don't care, the money is the same.

I think it’s the kind of site you see advertised on social media - a bit like ‘light in the box’.

The turquoise and gold one really hurt my eyes…

Please don't wear a blazer with cheapie gold buttons, whatever you do.

Shoes: brogues? Sturdy Mary Janes?

How about something like this? https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/all-sale-womens/products/cotton-crinkle-smocked-dress-sugar-plum?_gl=11nel3ir_upMQ.._gaMTA1NTE1MzQ1Ni4xNzQ1Nzg2NzAz_ga_F311BQ1QHRMTc0NTc4NjcwMi4xLjAuMTc0NTc4NjcwMi4wLjAuMA.._ga_CZF5S7MGSN*MTc0NTc4NjcwMi4xLjAuMTc0NTc4NjcwMi4wLjAuMTY5NDgzODk1Mg..

I'd wear this https://www.joules.com/style/su415670/551344#551344

Women's Ultra Stretch Dress (Sleeveless) | UNIQLO UK

I purchased this recently, initially for a formal afternoon do (well, I had other stuff I could wear but I saw it and really liked it) and it's great for the office.
the stretchiness of it is great if you're losing weight, mine is very fitted over the bust and flares out just below that.

I don't like to go sleeveless, so wear it with a short cropped jacket or tailored cardigan.

You know what suits you, so something simple and elegant would take you to both occasions. No need to go overdressed.

Sorry for being late to come back to the post. Thanks for all the suggestions. Such a wide variety of ideas! I think what I've taken from the thread is that I will aim for more casual than I originally planned. I do already have an H&M dress that might fit the bill, will see if I can find an image of it. I am also now thinking possibly patterned/floral culottes and a white top? @Isometimeswonder, please don't be concerned - I have mostly been a size 6/8 for most of my adult life. I added a stone during lockdown and have been miserable about it ever since. On a 5ft 2" frame, a stone looks huge; I have a tummy roll and a chest much larger than I'd like. I also want to fit in to all of the beautiful Summer clothes I already own!

This is the dress I already have. Thoughts please? https://www2.hm.com/en_sg/productpage.0942075021.html

Perfectly fine.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle Thanks, I know it isn't very exciting, but does look nicer on, hides my stomach, and as another poster suggested, I can save the money of a new outfit to spend on cocktails instead if I go with this one! And to everyone discussing 'high fashion' - no, that is most definitely not what I am looking for, not me at all!

Agree this will be fine, especially with a pair of heels and a nice handbag 😊

@Donsyb thank you.

The dress looks perfect. The other outfit you describe is pretty much what I wore to a Michelin lunch.

Enjoy your meal.

Yes, very appropriate. Hope you have a gorgeous sunny day - and enjoy the extra cocktails!

It looks fine, @Neutralcat . I hope you and Mr Neutralcat have a lovely time.