What would you wear for a dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant this weekend ?

[Mrsbadger77]

I can't decide what to wear , what do people wear to nice places ? It's so long since I've been anywhere i'm panicking. I'm 48, 5ft 8 and a size 14 big tummy and boobs. Please inspire me:)

Which one?

Hand and flowers? Something a bit less dressy than for l'enclume.

Where? London, not dressy

We went to a Michelin starred restaurant, booked in an hotel as it was quite a distance away, got to the hotel and realised I'd left my clothes hung on the wardrobe door at home , too late to drive back n no shops anywhere near to buy new. Soi had to go in what I'd travelled in , sparkly long jumper n leggings ( luckily new ones ) i did manage to jazz it up with my shoes n jewellery & had a fabulous night lol

Yeah, it is actually L'Enclume...

Fab!! An a line dress so you can fit it all in :)

It's not a stuffy old fashioned place

I believe you get 10% off and a free glass of champagne if you turn up at ANY Michelin restaurant dressed like this.

@MrsHamlet L’Enclume isn’t dressy! Not when I’ve been anyway.

@Mrsbadger77L’Enclume is a pared back former forge. White walls and dark wood. The Ritz it is not. Therefore a summer dress is perfect. Linen, cotton or silk is perfect. I’m a fan of palazzo trousers and a hip length top. Definitely not sparkle and glitz. It’s about the food and other diners won’t be looking at you. It’s absolutely wonderful by the way, a top treat. Lots and lots of courses but you won’t be over faced. It’s got well spaced tables and the experience is often around 4 hours - well for us anyway! Have a fantastic time and it’s one of the best restaurants in the country. I would say the most memorable for us.

I didn't say it was dressy.

I said I would wear something dressier there than to the Hand and Flowers.

And then I said it wasn't stuffy.

There was nothing about sparkle and glitz... although if the OP wants to wear a sequinned frock, then it's her party and she can if she wants to.

I'd recommend shoes you can walk about in - the village is lovely to wander through.

thanks for suggestions, I definitely wasn't thinking glitzy or sparkly I like the idea of palazzo pants. I think I might have some lurking in my wardrobe

@MrsHamlet Why? I’ve been to both and there’s not much difference in the clientele! Both like food but L’Enclume is more “foodie” with multiple courses. It’s a different experience but not much difference in who is sitting at the tables.
@Mrsbadger77 Try a silk top? Something comfortable.

All I can think of now is Cartmel sticky toffee pudding… no help whatsoever!

They deliver....

Luckily (or not!) it's practically on my doorstep

Now that is exciting!

Yes ! Will definitely be stocking up on sticky toffee pudding!

I ate at a Michelin starred restaurant last month and wore linen trousers and a shirt. My friend wore a short dress and trainers. We were by far the smartest looking diners. Most were quite scruffy by comparison.

Honestly as long as you look tidy, wear whatever you want. As others have said L’Enclume is not stuffy and the style is more like eating in a casual gastropub.

Have a fabulous time, L’Enclume is my favourite dining experience ever - they actually give you carbs 😂

I came on here knowing there’d be at least one comment suggesting people usually dress scruffy for Michelin star restaurants and mumsnet never disappoints!

Back in the real world, I go to these sorts of places semi regularly and no people don’t usually wear scruffy clothes. It’s usually not formal formal, more smart casual so a nice dress and sandals, smart jeans and a nice top or shirt for a man, nice linen trousers for a lady etc. It’s typically not an enforced dress code so yes you will get some people rocking up in jeans and trainers but that’s not what most people will be wearing in a 3 Michelin star restaurant in my experience.

You'll have a fabulous time OP, l’enclume is wonderful.

It really does depend on the restaurant. Some are totally dress-down.

I’m no gourmand (just greedy and like going out) but the ones I’ve a eaten at this year:

Stark (loads of times)- jeans and a jumper/ t-shirt. Although I’d be surprised if you were seeking fashion advice to go there.
Midsomer House- wool/silk culottes and a silk shirt. It’s quite dressy in the evenings.
Angler- Work clothes but not especially posh. Think it was cord wide leg trousers and a cream silk shirt.
Brat- with my cool friend. Same wool culottes and a grey cashmere boatneck. I looked way dorky and I was really hot.
Going to Anglothai later in the week- planning on wearing a dress as it’ll be a million degrees but will tone down with sneakers.

Is anywhere outside the Ritz/Savoy/A few private clubs or a small number of country house restaurants ‘posh’ any more? London is ridiculously casual nowadays. To be honest, I’d quite enjoy a bit more dress-up but hate, hate, hate feeling overdressed.

That was just an observation. I like to make an effort for an occasion and eating in a michelin restaurant would be a special occasion for me.

When I ate at the Black Swan in Oldstead the diners were more smartly dressed in smart casual clothes. No-one looked scruffy.

I’d wear a nice maxi dress.

@TheRealWhacker people do dress up but nowhere near how they used to, and not how they still do in Italy, France or Ireland (my main points of reference for eating at smart restaurants.)

If I wore in London the sort of thing I thought nothing of going out in 25 years ago, I’d look very overdone. We did eat at the RAC club with friends the otter day and that was properly dressed up- DH’s tie even made its yearly outing.

@Pendapala It’s going to be warm this weekend. I think winter suggestions aren’t suitable. Wool culottes and a cashmere top - possibly not suitable for now! L’Enclume is not dressy. Men certainly could wear trainers and women too but maybe with a dress. 3 stars are for the food not the diners’ fashion sense. I’ve rarely seen anyone look scruffy but dark wash jeans aren’t unusual. Men tend to wear an open neck shirt - maybe a small check or stripe. White shirt and navy linen trousers always works. Women can just wear a dress or trousers and top. Be comfortable though.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner indeed.
The PP did not initially say which restaurant and I think I was just trying to suggest it depends on the spot. I’m sure OP can use her wit and not wear wool trousers in a heatwave.
I’m wearing a black linen dress and sneakers to Anglothai on Wednesday.
I’ve heard of L’Enclume but know nothing about it and have no ideas where it even is!

I think you’re right. For context I’m in my 30s so my idea of smart for dining purposes is chinos, dress shoes and a shirt undone at the neck for a man, definitely not suit/tie which I agree would be very unusual nowadays.

When people say “scruffy” I’m imagining them to mean dirty/walking trainers, a t shirt and jeans that have seen better days which IME you just don’t really see in these restaurants.

I’ve been to a three star Michelin restaurant. I don’t remember what I wore but it would likely have just been something like black trousers and a white blouse/top. Nothing fancy just plain and smart. I’ve been to a one star as well and would have dressed in a similar style. I didn’t notice what anyone else was wearing.