Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?

[baggyleggings]

Advice needed please. I’m going to London for a weekend next week to meet up with some good friends whom I don’t see very often. One of my friends (lives in London, high earning man) has suggested that we go somewhere ‘special’ for dinner. Am trying to play it a bit cool and not ask for specifics! What should I wear?

I live rurally and generally dress up a pair of jeans to go out from home.

I have a flattering LBD which I could wear. What with though? Would silver ballet pumps and bear legs work? What about a kimono style shruggy thing over the top? Expect it will still be quite warm.

I have a green satin calf-length skirt or wide leg linen trousers. Or dresses in other colours.

Don’t really want to buy new if I can avoid it.

Thanks for reading.

Good grief - are we going back to the days where we had to put the instruction lighthearted in front of every single post?

Obviously we’re all strangers here, but those of you who genuinely believe I think everyone visiting London must be in possession of a vintage YSL jacket are frankly weird. Or determined to put a negative interpretation on things.

To the very mean person questioning my description of what I personally wore last week - you spectacularly missed the point that I chose an outfit that would enable me to enjoy the food. And that the OP shouldn’t forget that aspect.

It’s a long time since I lived in London - but that bridge and tunnel slur remains as unpleasant as it always was.

I thought the YSL blazer & cycling shorts was a joke 😆 taking the piss out of insta

Or you misjudged its tone? 🤷‍♀️

And the fact that it was sandwiched among lots of other cool girl talking down to the provincials posts didn’t help either.

But S&B Threads are always a mixture of people being helpful and people trying to prove a point.

I must admit I mostly clicked on this thread to find out how quickly you'd be told to wear your scruffiest jeans and I wasn't disappointed.

I live in London and eat in nice restaurants and I like to dress up a bit when I do because it's a nice break from the jeans I live in the rest of the time. Which for me means make up and a nice skirt/trousers and top. I think/hope most posters are just trying to reassure you that you don't need to buy new or worry too much but definitely enjoy wearing a nice outfit. No one has ever pointed or laughed at me for doing so, nor, GASP, do I know or care if they've ever speculated as a result that I might not actually live in London. (My friends are all quite similar to me too.)

You're totally picking on the wrong person here btw.

Oh yes, I am frankly weird and happy to admit it. However, I still can't see anything in your original post which makes it seem at all lighthearted, including your dig at cotton dresses.

God forbid that anybody might want to wear a cotton dress in summer.

I’d say your LBD is a total winner here – simple, classic, and you won’t feel out of place anywhere in London. Silver ballet pumps sound lovely with it, and bare legs are fine if it’s warm. The kimono shrug could be a nice touch if you want something floaty over the top.
The green satin skirt would also look gorgeous if you style it with a simple top (black or cream maybe). That gives off a really elegant-but-not-overdone vibe.
Wide leg linen trousers could work too but they feel a bit more daytime/casual unless you really dress them up.
Honestly, I’d go LBD + pumps + one nice accessory (bracelet or earrings) and you’re ready to go.

Your green satin skirt would be fine. As would bare legs and ballet pumps.
Though bear legs would be much more fun.
Even puffy cotton dresses would be fine if that's what you like. It's still very warm.

I’ve been in london all my life and eaten at all manner of restaurants. It is true that people very very dressed up and with lots of make up on do give the impression that they’ve travelled in for a special occasion. And…that’s really nice, and adds to the vibe of specialness.
Im in the camp that finds it boring that there’s always going to be a few in jeans who haven’t made an effort, and I guess it would be totally dreary if everyone dressed that way, but thankfully they don’t.
I think you’ll look lovely in your green skirt AND kimono top, with added Bear legs. But I’m a maximalist, hey ho.

@baggyleggings what style and fabric is your LBD? I was thinking Mary Janes or pointy flats rather than ballet pumps.

But if you want to avoid buying new it will depend what's in your wardrobe and if you're at dinner hardly anyone will see your feet....

I was at a lovely Michelin Star restaurant last night for a birthday celebration. I wore an informal Boden maxi dress. Most of the other female diners were in nice dresses or black trousers and nice tops. One lady looked fantastic in tweed jacket. Striped blouse and sequinned trousers. Just be your self in a smart ish way, and remember not to wear something too tight around the waist.

Dressing up in London does generally have a different vibe to say Liverpool where I immediately discovered i was massively under dressed.

At a nice restaurant you will likely see women who are fashionable but also dressed to be comfortable walking/ on the tube and have chosen a bag that won't attract pickpockets.

I didn't understand "Definitely not a big puffy cotton midi dress.)" - given the existence of Egg Clothing in Kinnerton Street, SW1 and Casey Casey at Dover Street Market also SW1.

Are gym shorts really a thing in posh restaurants? London is casual but not that casual.

Though I often see people in sweatpants for the ballet at Sadler's Wells. Along with cocktail gowns. This is why people say " Anything goes". It sounds unhelpful but often true.

They aren’t puffy, they’re sculptural.

Let it go …

Had to do it!

London can be really dressed up especially for a posh meal in a fancy restaurant.

Wear something that makes you feel special!

The dress code in some places can be ultra stylish. Think about fabrics. I would leave the denim and cotton at home unless you love them and they’re part of your ultra fab outfit.

This is the advice.

OP, do find out what restaurant!

Well, I have now learned how to sew puffy sleeves so my future self intends to be making some cotton dresses complete with puffy sleeves and I will be as pleased as punch if I succeed!

What a very boring person you are if you think a person’s clothing is what makes them interesting

Posting 'anything goes' when an OP asks what to wear for an occasion in London is approximately as useful as the posters who come on to S&B to say 'just wear what you like and what suits you!' when an OP has asked for advice on an outfit in general. It's not wrong, but it's not exactly helpful is it? Although Liverpool, Newcastle etc have a reputation for being dressier (/tackier), with the internet there are always going to be stylish women wearing similar outfits globally, never mind in different UK cities 200 miles apart.

@BlanklyMyDear none of OP's suggested outfits sounded uncomfortable or restrictive, so no need to advise her to focus on the food.

Wear at least one black thing, and avoid prints.

Not linen! Please, no linen.

Seriously though, the beauty of London is that you can wear whatever you fancy. This included getting dressed up. Ignore the naysayers who swear that no real Londoners get dressed up, they do, and I say this as a born and bred Londoner! If all else fails, jeans, a naice top and great shoes/bag/earrings never fails. This has always been my go to although I sometimes substitute the jeans for chinos/some kind of trouser.

If you know the name of the restaurant, check it out on social media paying particular attention to their Instagram feed, especially the tagged part. This will bring up an array of peoples pictures at said restaurant and more often than not, will include lots and lots of pics of what people are wearing at said restaurant (and not just the food).

Enjoy yourself and wear something you love, who cares what Mumsnet things 🙌🏼

That isn't what I said.

Wearing jeans to everything sounds really boring. Coming on here and saying "I wear jeans to everything" isn't particularly helpful. However it's up to you if you want to equate your lack of sartorial imagination with a boring personality.

Although to be honest people who take an interest in clothes, fashion, style and the cultural implications often tend to be quite ineresting people.