December Daytime Birthday Lunch

[FraserWhittlesTestice]

I've been invited to a birthday meal followed by drinks in early December.

It's on a Saturday lunchtime at a fairly bog standard Italian restaurant.

I was planning to wear mom jeans, sweater, trainers. Well, I say "planning to", I hadn't given it a thought yet.

But this morning I was with a couple of other people who've been invited. One of them is buying a new "lovely and glam" outfit for it, and another said she's looking forward to dressing up a bit 😕

Now I'm thinking mom jeans and a sweater might be a bit too casual. But I only really do casual.

What's a good vibe for this kind of thing? I don't wear skirts or dresses 😅

I'm not really after specific outfit recommendations, more a general sense of this or that type of thing and I can see what I can cobble in my wardrobe.

Please help me, stylish MNers!

Maybe swap the sweater for a crisp shirt and the trainers for nice boots?

Maybe get your hair done in the morning and plan a makeup refresh if that makes you feel groomed and good about yourself.

What does ‘drinks after’ entail? And what time? Is it cocktails somewhere swish or decamping to the local Spoons?

"Drinks after" is a reserved area of a city centre gastro pub. Like just a few tables reserved for her group. If I go to drinks at all, I'll only stay for one.

What do you mean 'crisp shirt'? Sorry if that's a stupid question. I don't think I actually own a shirt 🤔

I can't advise you as I don't know what you have but this would be me:

For a birthday lunch in an Italian restaurant I'd wear slim, straight leg trousers with heeled ankle boots (no higher than 2in). I'd wear a very comfy lightweight top with sleeves under a fitted jacket (prob fine needlecord). I'd just wear silver jewellery but would add my (tastefully) blingy platinum and diamond ring. Light make-up, a daytime scent and polished nails.

One of my friends would wear a cashmere wrap thing over skinny jeans and another would probably wear a flowing, jersey midi dress with a wide belt and a tweed jacket.

Maybe something like this? Or you could choose a colour, striped or silk with jeans.

www.elle.com/uk/fashion/what-to-wear/articles/g30767/best-white-shirts-to-buy-now/

However ‘bog standard’ the restaurant may be your original plan does sound as if you’d be underdressed to the point of disrespecting the occasion. Swap the sweater and jeans for a moderately flouncy blouse and well cut cords or even velvet trousers. Plus nice shoes. At the very least something you’ll be happy to be photographed in.

@Slimmernow Ah, gotcha. Sorry but these just look like over-sized school shirts 😂

I might do some wardrobe archaeology and post some options for MN review.

I really really really don't want to buy anything new.

If you're not a shirt person, I'd go for a silk to velvet tshirt with your jeans. And maybe some glittery eye shadow and/or sparkly hair clip or earrings as it's December.