How to look lovely at a Michelin * restaurant with absolutely no dress code

[Nangula]

It’s our anniversary meal and a restaurant I’ve been desperate to try, so a special evening and I want to wear a lovely new outfit.

But the restaurant is essentially a little building by the sea with absolutely no dress code, with jeans, baseball caps and sailing jackets welcome,

I like soft tailoring, natural fabrics, muted
colours. Favourite brands are Poetry, The White Company, Me and Em, Boden. My usual formulae for posh restaurants, town or country, have drawn a blank and fish and pub supper/ beach picnic get-ups don’t feel special enough.

Any outfit ideas, or starting points would be very welcome. Basically, how can I feel really lovely without overdressing?

I’d wear a long dress with a lightweight jacket or floaty trousers and top with nice accessories

I’d wear wide leg trousers and a smart ‘good’ white t-shirt or top with a cropped jacket and fine gold jewelry.

I like the wide leg trouser idea. The whole jacket thing is my problem- I always feel like I’m either wearing my school blazer or off to work (although I abandoned jackets for wprk in about 2007.) I just can’t get jackets right!

On the wide leg theme, how about this? https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RP50/colour-c-dark-olive/pleatfront-linen-culottes.htm

Why can't you wear a long cotton dress from the brands you like? Do own any?

Unless it's really cold you wouldn't wear a jacket sitting at the table?

I have a blue linen one from Boden- a simple midi cut, mid blue, and a forest green silk linen blend from Poetry. And a nice black linen Albaray dress. All lovely and would probably work and something like that is what I’d normally wear for a summer supper other event. I guess I just really wanted to wear something new and a bit special (but too smart as my nightmare is looking try-hard)

Just had a little browse and I also really like this but the closest I could bear to a jacket would be a denim jacket or a cashmere wrap and I bet it will be blowing an easterly the night we go
www.jigsaw-online.com/products/red-5variant=56241104519334&currency=GBP&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=22734130050&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22734140580&gbraid=0AAAAAD4Q9mR6D8Vg7YN9FSStZLNAujeeH&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jmZ3sQzsqX73ajK_kj3eLFbK-i7b3zhM09C7lkO4OZE-wxiZVjIL2saAun-EALw_wcB

I would wear a Boho vibe maxi dress with denim jacket and great jewellery.

Happy anniversary and have a great evening!

Your link didn't work.

Sorry I'm not really seeing what the issue is with getting a jacket right. There's very few places I'd expect to keep my jacket on once I'd arrived and for getting from home to venue it's whatever is weather appropriate which is removed at venue.

This link isn’t working for me

What Woodfiresareamazing2 said.

If you're worried about being overdressed cotton, viscose and linen are easy to dress down - especially with flat lace up boots. If not boots then flat shoes.

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/red-5

Personally, I think this is a bit formal/officey, but maybe that's more the style you are comfortable in.

I looked up some boho vibe dresses, found all these on Asos.

I think all of those are far too dressed up for the type of restaurant OP described.

I have a massive fear of being over dressed, so if I wanted to dress up, but not dress up I'd wear something like these culottes:

https://www.wyselondon.com/products/romy-pull-on-linen-culotte-midnight?_gl=11xg7gdh_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jkEoeX4mclCbe7lymz_7D_h7TacQbTC-V3G4N9MWActFo5RoBhIthIaAmh0EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAACqaK2Jbulbm8xTZigMBF97xRc4q1

With maybe a cashmere short sleeve t-shirt? LIke this one?

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Cashmere-Knitted-T-shirt/p/A17865?swatch=Butter&shopping=true&cm_mmc=Google--UK_ALL_GO_TWC_ALL_PLA_Brand_StandardShopping---_-&ProGrpCode=AV545&PromoCode=AV545&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=UK_ALL_GO_TWC_ALL_PLA_Brand_StandardShopping&utm_medium=Brand-Shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21785973107&gbraid=0AAAAAD9VSyNpeNeCZFTw-VUs7d1mkD9tv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jkS9Fo9mbghhY9IUY-WHMFKSVdi_TF3J5usFJcFmkzBO4m2O55FmY8aAmKLEALw_wcB

But accessorize with some nice jewellery to dress it all up a bit. I'd feel like I'd made an effort in something like this, but not overdressed. I have the Wyse culottes already btw and love them - they are a bit longer on me than they look in the pictures!

If it’s Nathan Outlaw’s you will honestly look out of place if you dress up.

I've been to the sportsman in Seasalter which sounds like a similar place and people were wearing all sorts - some in jeans, some dressed up with heels. So wear something that makes you happy and is comfortable for a big dinner . I'd say any of the dresses you describe would be fine if you wear relaxed accessories- sandals/birkenstocks, sunglasses, a straw or kantha fabric bag etc.

It’s Stark on Mersea Island- very low-key and not at all famous, but apparently worth risking getting cut off by the tide for 🙂

I’m liking the idea of wide leg trousers/ culottes and a cashmere short sleeve knit.

@PhaedraTwo the issue isn’t jackets as outerwear. It’s jackets as part of an outfit. Honestly, I’ve tried what feels like every shape and style and I really struggle to feel comfortable in them. I now have five Brora ponchos in various colours (well, four shades of blue and a cream) that I wear in lieu of a jacket. And one ancient tweed number from The Loft which I reluctantly wear if necessity calls.

Your style sounds quite like mine, OP.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/sale-dresses/products/mixed-media-jersey-dress-red

Ok, I'm still not getting the issue with the difficulties with a jacket. I know MN is obsessed with putting a jacket or a blazer over everything, whether the actual outfit needs a jacket. Many don't. I honestly can't think of anything I own which I'd wear to a special meal which need a jacket to complete the outfit.

I think the Jigsaw dress is in danger of being a bit officey and if you put a jacket on top, even more so. It could be dressed down but still be special with a really good cardigan. This shop doesn't do online sales but there's several cardigans which would work with the dress which might give you an idea.

https://www.instagram.com/chandlersnb?igsh=MTluaGwxbTlja2N4cw==

Your other choice was the culottes and top. That looks fine. It doesn't need a jacket on top of it. If you think you'll be cold,, swap the top for a long sleeved, short boxy jumper.

Restaurant sounds fab. Have a great time.

Would something from Toast work?

I also really struggle with making a jacket work as part of an outfit, so I don’t bother with them and never worry about this. Why force it if you aren’t going to be at ease? (ETA I’m sure you’ll find something excellent and have a great time. Off to look up restaurant out of curiosity)

The thing is, OP, It’s your aniversary and you’ve wanted to go there for ages. Whatever you wear will be absolutely fine. Just wear what you like. You don’t need to perform to a crowd ;) Blokes don’t have this sort of dilemma. The important thing is you’re going out for a lovely meal with your partner, who loves you. Have a great time!

If Poetry is a favourite brand, & you like muted colours, have you seen this top & matching trousers? They're silk, so will feel lovely next to the skin. Wearing luxurious fabrics always makes me feel good!

Together they look a bit like a cropped wide-leg jumpsuit. I'd add a belt. I'd also wear gold metallic sandals & simple hoop earrings.

https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RS36/printed-silk-cropped-trousers.htm

Cream/ oatmeal wide linen trousers . Tan fitted top . Slingbacks in neural or tan color .
Gold bracelet cuff and simple gold earrings .