Not dressed up enough

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

I've been to 2 events recently and not felt dressed up enough (I'm 54) a bottomless brunch and an all dayer soul/funk music concert. I wore day midi dresses to both events. Most of the women there were in sequins, velvet, high heels.

Is this common not to dress up or am I not making an effort?

By the way I ordered this dress after the music event and some faux suede knee high chocolate Cowboy boots from Asos as I'd seen similar women dressed like this.

https://www.asos.com/miss-selfridge/miss-selfridge-sequin-star-sheer-mesh-maxi-dress-in-black/prd/203537053?_gl=1110cq1o_upMQ.._gs*Nw..&gclid=47c89d4e167d1835f256f5ada9e805dc&gclsrc=3p.ds#colourWayId-203537054

I think there's probably a middle ground.

Where were the events? Different cities seem to have very different expectations…

I can’t think when I last saw someone other than a staggering drunk at Waverley station in high heels

@GoldDuster I think you're right.

@dancingbymyself both were in the London area and admitedly one area they do get dressed up for daytime events.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain so Essex borders??? Doesn’t sound like central/inner London.

I would probably make an effort as I don’t go “out, out” very much but the outfits you describe are not what I would be going for, particularly for day time.

Cowboy boots sound great, but teamed with a midi dress.

I am really sorry to say this but the dress you linked to looks like something an 18 year old going to a uni freshers party would wear… I would choose something a bit more grownup.

Maybe something like this: (not this exact dress but that kind of vibe)

ba-sh.com/dw/image/v2/BBTP_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-bash/default/dw984fd35d/allImages/25AW/1H25CLEL_CHOCOLAT_2.jpg?sw=476&sh=713&sm=fit&strip=false

@HundredMilesAnHour It's actually Beckenham/South East London.

I didn't dare say this to the OP but I agree with you.

Must admit that I’m not a fan of the dress (is this for a brunch?!!) nor cowboy boots but if they make you happy OP. I think we have very different tastes so I’m probably not the right person to be offering advice.

Was everyone that dressed up??? I’m a bit gobsmacked.

Absolutely not the point of the thread but which place did you go in Beckenham where they were dressed up like that? I know the are, go out there often and NEVER see people dressed up like that in any of the places on the high street. I imagine the Soul Weekender (which i assume you're talking about) would be a bit more dressed up but even for that I'm surprised at high heels

Never mind choosing boots, I think you would have to be quite intentional about the pants you wear with that dress!

Sublime.

Try Disko Kids. I’ve got a couple of jumpsuits from there that have been handy for gigs/discos.

Agreed! I live very near Beckenham, and go out there a lot. People dressed as the OP has described are definitely not the norm.

If you liked it and you look good in it then fine.

Its dressy to me

Not my preference as an outfit personally but thats not really important

Well you’ve gone from one extreme to another mumsy vs exhibitionist.

The dress doesn’t come with a slip! How would you style it OP?

That dress is a bit much, I’m your age and I’d not wear it, my daughter in her twenties wouldn’t wear it either, it’s really tacky looking sorry op. I. Surprised it costs as much as it does. It looks like a sparkly negligee.

why not go sexy but elegant, a pair of nice wide leg trousers, say in cream wool, a silk sleeveless shell top or cami in a nude colour or contrast like navy or bronze. There are many ways to dress up,look sexy if that’s what you’re going for, and I assume it is, with that dress choice, without wearing completely transparent clothing with sequins stuck on.

Something like this may be easier to wear?
https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-lace-dress/p/clp60747543?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

OP is completely right, the women at Soultown in Beckenham were very much dressed for a festival, in sequinned dresses and cowboy boots. I've actually never seen so many sequins in one place, it seemed like all of the women there were shiny and wearing super revealing clothes and not dressed for an ordinary night out.

Velvet??! Where was this, the 1930's??

Lazy assumption. We aren’t all TOWIE clones.

Looks like a nightie.

Well yes… I think that’s pretty much was the look OP was going for