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Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?

168 replies

baggyleggings · 21/08/2025 22:43

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.

OP posts:
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jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 09:34

Good god the "up your own arse" attitude by some people on this thread. 🙄

I live near London and think that there is such a mish mash of people living there that it is impossible to describe a " London style". However I would say that when I visit the " provinces" I do notice that women dress in a much more stylish way. I happened to be in Edinburgh last week and in the midst of all that chaos I noticed several older women who just looked spot on - oozing a quiet but sophisticated air yet giving the " oh this old thing I threw on" attitude. Great hair and great clothes. As for the youngsters - same old grey trackie bottoms but with a crop top to compensate for the warm weather. 😂

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 09:54

Ah, grey tracky bottoms and a crop top. Quite the uniform of the young!
@jamnpancakes - interesting what you say about Edinburgh, I was in Manchester recently and I thought a lot of the women were really stylish.

MaturingCheeseball · 23/08/2025 10:31

The pompous posters clearly are making a great effort, despite their protestations. The “I’m too cool to bother” look comes with a great deal of time and thought (and money).

You betcha they’d be judge, judge, judging away if a poster took them at their word and entered posh restaurant in a pair of Tu jeans and a fleece. And if I wore a pair of gym shorts they’d have security eject me from the premises for outraging public decency.

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 10:41

MaturingCheeseball · 23/08/2025 10:31

The pompous posters clearly are making a great effort, despite their protestations. The “I’m too cool to bother” look comes with a great deal of time and thought (and money).

You betcha they’d be judge, judge, judging away if a poster took them at their word and entered posh restaurant in a pair of Tu jeans and a fleece. And if I wore a pair of gym shorts they’d have security eject me from the premises for outraging public decency.

I know! Imagine turning up at a good restaurant in your gym shorts.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 23/08/2025 11:17

@Cardemomle No, I wasn't saying labels count at all. Unless you know what I was wearing, you wouldn't have known they were from those designers, and besides, the majority of my outfit came from Vinted anyway. What I was trying to say it's more how one puts an outfit together coupled with there are jeans and there are jeans.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle Nope, another who has completely misunderstood my point. I did not stick out at all, it was my friend who stuck out. Everyone was staring at her yet I was the one who was complimented. She was the one who looked like she had made way more of an effort. (Some) dresses can be way more look at me than anything else. That friend does actually work in fashion and in a way more active way than I do. She was most put out I garnered the compliments. She always dresses in a more 'look at me' way (which I love her for). Once upon a time I would have worn something flashier but now, am happy in jeans.

@EdisinBurgh

I did adapt to a London minimalist bland look when I lived there - never, ever, look like you tried - but I found it so BORING thankfully I eventually got over myself. '

No idea what you mean tbh. I can't say I have ever really noticed it. I guess it depends on the people who mix with.

A small number of Londoners advocate for less is more as being most stylish. In fact not trying at all, “just wearing whatever they’re comfortable in”. It’s a wealth and privilege thing.

Some of those people used to look down on handbags and gladrags, print and up dos, heels and no coat, bright and tight materials. Saturday night no coat. Although I thought we left this behind in the 90s.

I agree with most of this. Let's face it, clothing and how one dresses sends out so many conscious and subconscious messages that signify all sorts of things including class/background.

Am a born and bred Londoner. My parents always dressed up when the went out in the evenings and/or to naice restaurants. I was brought up to do the same. It was only when I went to a sixth form tutorial that I made friends with those who did not and were happy to go out wearing whatever they fancied, and many did not bother to change into something dressy/tight/short etc. That was quite a shock to me. It wasn't just those who came from wealthier backgrounds who did this. Back then, yes, I might have done similar but now, I dress up when I want/if I feel something warrants it.

Btw, we all wore coats! Hate being cold. Always have always will.

The bottom line is, someone will always have an opinion about what you are wearing and be judgey about it. This why I feel strongly one should just wear what they fancy, sod everyone else's opinion. The wearer's opinion counts, no-one else's.

Always appreciate these discussions about clothes and style, it's what keeps brining me back here 😆

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:20

If you were complimented, @bunnybunnybunnybunny , you stood out. You were noticed.
That's not a bad thing, you made an effort to look good and put together, I think that's great! However, it's not what people were talking about, ie, no-one noticing what you wear, everyone in jeans etc.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/08/2025 11:22

mamagogo1 · 21/08/2025 23:05

London generally doesn’t require smart clothes and you can spot out of towners as they are the ones in fancy outfits

This is very true.

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:23

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/08/2025 11:22

This is very true.

How would you spot an "out of Towner"?

DeLaRuiz · 23/08/2025 11:25

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:23

How would you spot an "out of Towner"?

It’s actually really really easy. Honestly. It’s not “ snobby” at all. It’s just obvious.

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:25

DeLaRuiz · 23/08/2025 11:25

It’s actually really really easy. Honestly. It’s not “ snobby” at all. It’s just obvious.

Tell me

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:26

I suppose you could elevate your cycle shorts ..

Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Noshadelamp · 23/08/2025 11:27

Tipeetommeey · 22/08/2025 05:00

I am a Londoner and would wear a pair of dark straight or slightly flared jeans, a Chloe belt, a silky cami and an oversized blazer. Possibly with kitten heels or trainers depending on the restaurant and a small smart bag / clutch

Can I ask you what is special about a Chloe belt? It is a known thing? I am completely out of touch with fashion but wondering if it would make a nice gift for a 20 something daughter?
Your outfit sounds lovely and just what my dd would wear.

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:29

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:26

I suppose you could elevate your cycle shorts ..

I was thinking PE ones from JD Sport.
No?

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:30

I googled Molly Goddard as had never heard of her. Interesting. 🤔

Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
bunnybunnybunnybunny · 23/08/2025 11:30

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:25

Tell me

I would like to know too!

@mamagogo1 'London generally doesn’t require smart clothes and you can spot out of towners as they are the ones in fancy outfits'

@DeLaRuiz 'This is very true'

Both, please elaborate on how one spots both a Londoner and an out of towner...

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:32

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:30

I googled Molly Goddard as had never heard of her. Interesting. 🤔

Put a cardi on, you're good for the Savoy.

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:33

Noshadelamp · 23/08/2025 11:27

Can I ask you what is special about a Chloe belt? It is a known thing? I am completely out of touch with fashion but wondering if it would make a nice gift for a 20 something daughter?
Your outfit sounds lovely and just what my dd would wear.

Maybe like this one ?

Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:34

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:33

Maybe like this one ?

That's not what I thought. I really don't like to advertise designers like that, but I understand that taste is subjective.
@Noshadelamp would this be something your daughter would like?
£590, edited to add price.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 23/08/2025 11:35

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:20

If you were complimented, @bunnybunnybunnybunny , you stood out. You were noticed.
That's not a bad thing, you made an effort to look good and put together, I think that's great! However, it's not what people were talking about, ie, no-one noticing what you wear, everyone in jeans etc.

I can't help but think I stood out more because most of my friends were in dresses/brighter outfits. But yes, I will accept your compliment. Thank you. 'Put togethe'r is something I am good at, one of my neighbours always comments on this whenever we bump into each other. To my mind, being put together is what elevates any outfit.

Btw, totally with you on branded/designer belts. Not my thing at all. (But understand why others like them)

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:35

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:32

Put a cardi on, you're good for the Savoy.

Like this?

Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Naice Dinner in London - what to wear…?
Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:37

Yes, @bunnybunnybunnybunny I like the put together look. I think it's good when people make an effort, wear interesting pieces, colour etc.
Some people's preference is grey and beige, which I don't like personally.

Lifelover16 · 23/08/2025 11:37

One thing I’d avoid in a restaurant is a “good white tee shirt” - because I am a messy eater and anything white is certain to get a spillage of some sort.

Cardemomle · 23/08/2025 11:39

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:35

Like this?

See the one on the left is ideal for a restaurant meal. You don't need to worry about tight waistbands.
The one on the right I like because I like to mix orange and red. (Even though I'm a Londoner)

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:41

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 23/08/2025 11:35

I can't help but think I stood out more because most of my friends were in dresses/brighter outfits. But yes, I will accept your compliment. Thank you. 'Put togethe'r is something I am good at, one of my neighbours always comments on this whenever we bump into each other. To my mind, being put together is what elevates any outfit.

Btw, totally with you on branded/designer belts. Not my thing at all. (But understand why others like them)

Edited

After looking at Molly Goddard I think I can see why you stood out 😂

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 23/08/2025 11:42

jamnpancakes · 23/08/2025 11:30

I googled Molly Goddard as had never heard of her. Interesting. 🤔

The fabulous pink dress Jodie Comer wore in the first season of Killing Eve was by Molly Goddard.