What to wear for drinks at BAFTA

[Londonmummy66]

Hoping someone might have an idea about dress codes for BAFTA - meeting friends for drinks who are then going to a film screening. I don't think it will be that formal so think my options are:

Me&Em side stripe trousers with a black wrap top, red kitten heel ankle boots and a red leather tote bag
or

a smartish day dress - either a blue cord midi with a stand collar or a black midi short waister from Jasper Conran with block heeled black knee boots and a leather tote

Which would be more suitable? I've never been to BAFTA before so its a bit out of my comfort zone.

It's not formal at all. I've been there many a time just wearing jeans, etc. Most people come after work and on to a screening. So just normal clothes, not dressed up

Not remotely formal - I wore jeans last time! Think I changed my top so that I wasn't wearing my Steve Rhodes tee, but it's honestly not formal. Not like the awards.

Also my experience, not formal. But all of your outfits sound fab!

Sorry also should have said, both outfits would be perfectly fine - I would probably go for the first one but that's because red is my favourite colour and the weather has been so atrocious that trousers win over a dress/skirt. Have fun!

It's just like going to the theatre - some people are a bit smarter but most will have come as they are. If it's a specific invitation for a specific event, ask your friends if the invitiation has a dress code on it.

If you are in the Princess Anne Theater, you can see what the space looks like here

www.bafta.org/195-piccadilly/spaces/

Thanks everyone - its just drinks, the others are going to a screening so it was a good venue to meet. Outfit one it is then (which is also very comfortable.....)

Sorry I misunderstood. The area I imagine you will be having drinks then has a similar vibe to a hotel lobby or bar in a members club - so there will be men having 'business meeting drinks' in suits; couple of women meeting there all dressed up before going out on the town; people in casual dress for a quick drink with a friend; the one in a hoodie and jeans, pseudo-working who has been there since lunch. All sorts. If it's before a screening and the screening has a dress code, again just like a hotel lobby you can get a group of people looking smarter.

Don't be overawed by the 'BAFTA-ness' of it. Sometimes you may clock a famous person but it's just like any members club really. Just people.

Thank you - members clubs I can do as you can always google the dress code but that doesn't work here. No doubt the men will all be in the acceptable anywhere open neck shirts and chinos. My DH never gets why I have to work out an outfit more than 5 minutes before disappearing into the shower.......

Outfit 1 sounds perfect!

Echoing everyone else, BAFTA drinks are casual. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone - outfit 1 it is.

DH is a BAFTA member and has never gone wearing chinos, not least because he doesn't own a pair! Jeans. Always jeans...

Thank you everyone - it was a good evening and there were 2 pairs of chinos and 2 pairs of jeans at our table - plus my Me & Em tousers..............