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?

What about something like the velvet blazer that M&S had a couple of years ago?

I've got one in turquoise and a lot of Mumsnetters went for the leopard print one.

Not at all officey and looks great with wide leg trousers or jeans and a t shirt. You might be able to find one on Vinted or a new one in a colour that's more your thing from one of the shops you like?

Something new, that seems more exciting than your usual clothes, but appropriate for the venue?

Plümo

I defy you not to find the perfect outfit here - dress, trousers, rainwear, whatever.

If there's no dress code, anything will be fine and you can wear one of your ponchos or a denim jacket if it's cold. So you can choose something new like wide leg trousers and use your existing top layers.

I would wear joggers so I could eat more.

Oh good call-everything on their would fit the bill. There are some fabulous skirts and trousers - all beautifully styled, none needing a jacket to complete the outfit.
(although there are some gorgeous jackets worn as additions to outfits)

You are over thinking it.

I have been to a lot of Michelin Starred restaurants and can honestly say I have seen dressing down, dressing up and something inbetween.

Wear what you are comfortable in and enjoy your evening and don’t worry about what everyone else is wearing. No one cares about what you have on.

Lord …

Seriously, why post at all, @BellaVita? This is the Style & Beauty board. Posters come here because they want to talk about clothing choices.

It’s all very well boasting of limitless access to expensive restaurants - but the only impression you’re giving here is of cloth ears and an inability to understand basic etiquette.

I'm slightly miffed I didn't think of Plümo. I've now spent 30 minutes working out what I'd wear. I think I'm going for this.

https://www.plumo.com/products/boyd-kilt

Colenimo would fit the bill too.

https://colenimo.com/

@BellaVita You have misunderstood my post.

I get that none cares. But I care what I have on. I want to wear something that feels special for me.

@TheFarriersDaughter Thank you! I’d forgotten Plumo. I often struggle with their oversized items but one winter bought an amazing cream cord dress which I wore and wore until I spilt a glass of port on it. I’ll have a good look now.

@PhaedraTwo that kilt is too wintery for June in North Essex but it’s absolutely gorgeous and I’d love to buy it for wintertime. After a couple of tricky years not really able to leave one of our DD’s alone for any length of time, thus limiting social options a bit, DH and I are now more able to go out together and have a huge list of theatres, restaurants and museums to visit. I’ll look forward to releasing my inner Claudia out and about in something like that. I can see it being a bit of a feature piece with rollnecks, silk shirts and even maybe a little waistcoat (I’m a very conventional dresser!)

I love these too

https://www.plumo.com/products/marzano-skirt

https://www.plumo.com/products/blue-pansy-dress

https://www.plumo.com/products/waterlily-dress

https://colenimo.com/products/double-ruffle-collar-dress-cornflower-blue

(Colenimo dresses are loose but not oversized)

(I’m a very conventional dresser!)

I don't think you are (You haven't recoiled in horror at Plümo!)

I’m a generation ( or maybe from a location ) that historically dressed up for big occasions so for me moving to London and eating out in “ nice” restaurants was a bit of a culture shock given how casual everyone is. My experience of coastal towns is similar in many ways. In my case I’d go for pleated trousers and probably elevate it with a silk t shirt so it felt special to me. If you want to wear a dress then I’d look at shoes that offer something casual. I’ve just bought these from
Next ( which is honestly not my usual stomping ground ). I’ll wear them with a long jersey dress or culottes both in chocolate brown. They’re not too chunky but the rope detail is informal …. The blue is a good contrast with the brown. I’m not suggesting you buy them by the way. You could add a leather flip flop as an alternative. You can create some ease with a thin sweater tied around the waist ( or over the shoulders if you’re more classic). The bag could be woven rather than a classic leather option. I’ve had silk drawstring trousers from Rise & Fall but they have some nice dresses also. Look at the styling

riseandfall.co/products/womens-gathered-waist-easy-silk-dress-umber

Yes, Plumo are great, Toast does some nice linen and there is currently a nice linen handkerchief hem dress at the White Company that I saw the other day. I think handkerchief hem is ideal for this feel and will feel feminine, floaty and a bit special while still giving casual vibes.

I love that kilt. A few places were doing them in winter and Cabbages and Roses used to do incredible kilts.

I'm not sure if this is going to be helpful or just sound like a stealth brag but I dined in a Michelin star restaurant in a painfully hipster location earlier this week. I didn't buy a special outfit but I wore wide leg, slightly pleated trousers, a Vivienne Westwood shirt with a wonky collar (Red Label) and - sorry op, a jacket: 1960s Alexon in Moygashel linen that's showing its age these days but then so am I. I kept it on - you bet I did - and someone complemented me on it too

For context, there was a real mix of outfits in the restaurant, all the waiting staff were very smartly dressed, my lovely dining companions wore jeans.

Plumo is great.

Thanks everyone. Some really great ideas. I met MIL for lunch today and popped into Toast- emerging with these which MIL greatly approved of (she’s a great dresser.) They are full length on me and geek casual but the interesting shape makes them feel a bit special. I’ll wear with off white trainers and an ecru cashmere short sleeve sweater- they need something fitted on top to show off the waistline. www.toa.st/products/pleated-wrap-denim-culottes-indigo

@Floisme Doesn’t sound like a stealth brah al all. If I wore clothes that cool to hip restaurants I’d have a proper swagger! Sounds like a gorgeous outfit.

Those look absolutely perfect @Nangula !!

Maybe chunky jumper instead of jacket ?

Hope it's fab!

Where did you go to eat ? Im looking for a good place for a birthday dinner

Those trousers are great @Nangula …. I’m really trying to tell myself I don’t need them 😬

Yes, great trousers.

@Nangula It’s not the Fish Kitchen is it?

I’d buy a new dress I felt good in. Not too dressy but one that I felt good in. Perhaps a print I wouldn’t normally wear or something so it feels memorable and different to what I’d normally wear.

I’d go for a more elevated version of what you normally wear. I’m a wide leg trousers and shirt person so I’d go with some really nice but maybe more off duty trousers (currently I’m considering One of my favorite designer pieces #mytheresa https://www.mytheresa.com/euro/en/women/toteme-wool-wide-leg-pants-black-p01136640?dplink=true&utm_source=productshare&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=google_sea&chn=sea_shopping&src=google&cmp=16473295346&tarea=ie&tar=&ag=&ptyp=&feed_num=P01136640-5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwornRBhCrARIsAON5exF0QScYzxRCF-dvoiCUGZg4WYPaew1ko_zcY466beD3U-r22ni_9aAaAs7xEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Pw-nAg4DOPhTqv6xJt1hfuz9Qr&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16465299781&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Pw-nAg4DOPhTqv6xJt1hfuz9Qr&slink_id=7c2983d3-c63b-4ac3-b76c-0141b0a0ea05&slink=1) with a silk or really interesting in some other way shirt. Or some nice jeans with a really good quality t-shirt and jacket.

I like them a lot op!

They’re lovely, aren’t they? Damn Plumo! I really want this now and I absolutely don’t need it.

https://www.plumo.com/products/alma-cardigan-grey

Sorry missed this, I absolutely love those!