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?

Love this!

It was Chez Bruce @Divebar2021 I was being very lazy and a bit mean spirited when I described it as hipster - there are table cloths and proper napkins for one thing! But it's Michelin star food and service in an unpretentious (albeit affluent) location and with a very relaxed 'anything goes' vibe. We had lunch, billed as 3 courses but more like 6 with all the bits and pieces. I imagine dinner might be a more formal affair although that's a guess - it's also quite a bit pricier!

https://www.chezbruce.co.uk/

Goodness, Chez Bruce is probably one of the last restaurants I’d think of as hipster - I think I first went in the early naughties. In London terms it’s practically a classic. <misses point of thread>

Ah but I am from the provinces @RayonSunrise

Hipster was lazy, as I have said, but there was a distinct mismatch, to my eyes, between food, decor and customers and their dress which I don’t see in my part of the world.

Not lazy, inaccurate 😆. It’s Nappy Valley not Hipster!

It’s difficult to think of a restaurant with a dress code now. If there is, it’s on the web site! You will find diners wearing jeans just about anywhere and few care. The majority wear comfortable smart casual but you don’t need to be wedding wear smart. Linen trousers or dress is fine for summer. Or cotton. The top of a dress or blouse/shirt is what anyone will notice for several hours, so make that the best bit! Over the top evening clothes simply aren’t worn and that applies to the Ritz too! It’s more about being understated and classy chic. I like Poetry and the culottes with a silk or cotton top are fine.

@Floisme I love Chez Bruce- I remember it from when friends lived around there years ago.

@EleanorMc67 I really love that Poetry set and have considered buying it before. I’m just not sure either color would do much for me but maybe just the blue version in the blouse. The cut looks really flattering.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner is not that it has no dress code like, say Anglothai or Brat has no dress code. I’d still make a bit of an effort of going to those places. And I’m quite good at that formula. Stark is specific about being incredibly relaxed, essentially in a souped up shed and welcoming absolutely any style of dress but the sort of place you’d go for a special occasion. That’s a new one on me.

Although Grace Dent has been so I guess I won’t be their most glammed-up customer ever!

I stand corrected, @Peanutgurgle

@Nangula I just think you go with your own style. Cannot see anything wrong with that! I’ve been to loads of Michelin starred restaurant and, to be honest, I don’t look for a dress code! I accept most are now relaxed to be honest. DD goes to loads in London (filters out ones we might like!) and she’s smart but not ott. If you avoid looking like you should be at a black tie event, mostly you’ve nailed it! Happy eating!

I hugely agree with this poster. There's obviously a certain set of restaurants where you should dress for the occasion a bit more or you might feel uncomfortable. This doesn't appear to be one of them.

Our local Michelins are quite casual, pretty 'come as you are'. If I feel like dressing up to the 9s, I do just that. If I feel like a more casual day, jeans and t-shirt, that's what I wear.

I'd say the thinking behind these kinds of restaurants is that convivial atmosphere where everyone can just relax and be themselves and enjoy great food, and they try to discourage that 'dress to be seen' vibe.

I know fitting in is really important for some people.

But it's also your anniversary. Just wear what you feel best and happy in and think you look great in, and you'll be smiling all night. It's about you 2 and the food, anyone else in their yachting gear is just background.

If you want to wear beautiful clothes, just wear them, don't save them for 'suitable occasions'.

I think the point that can often get missed on threads such as this is that, for some of us - and I'm sticking my neck out here but it sounds to me like this might include the op - figuring out this stuff is fun.

I know there are sometimes threads where the anxiety is palpable but other times, we're chewing things over because we enjoy talking about it.

I love those Toast culottes op.

Exactly!

And I think it's even more fun when it's recommendations for things that wouldn't suit me/ are colours or prints I don't really wear/ I can't afford - or, sadly, that I'm too fat for these days ...

(Though I have, on a few occasions, ended up suggesting things that I actively dislike & think are dated or unstylish, or that are made of unpleasant-looking fabric - because I think they meet the OP's brief. I'm a bit torn as to whether I should bother doing that, or just ignore that particular post & get on with my life ...!!!)

I have that feeling about name threads sometimes.

OP:" I need an name that isn't classic, will be unique to my dc, and has an unusual spelling."

"Oh well how about this yoonique name that I cannot stand..."

Problem with name threads is there are innocent dc involved!

I've not ventured into name thread territory ... I'm childless so would feel even more of a fraud than I do already on MN!!!

I'd also be roundly mocked for my suggestions, I suspect ... when I was younger I thought that Rosebay Willowherb would make the best name ever. It's an invasive weed!!

I went to Stark a couple of times in Kent before it moved to Essex. The food was excellent the first time but less impressive the second time and virtually no choice even if dietary requirements (which I don't have). Assuming it is the same vibe, it was very low key and very small, chef was working alone the first time I went but had a sort of sous chef the second time (kitchen was open) chef's wife was waitress and front of house, the furniture was like old wooden school chairs and it was very low budget decor.

But sorry, that's not what you were asking. I have been to a lot of Michelin starred restaurants (also not a stealth boast, some of it was client related) and this was the lowest key one I can remember, definitely not one to buy a new outfit for. Unless of course it has changed since it moved. The food is definitely worth going for and the location looks great but it's not the sort of place where people get dressed up to go, all very casual and informal. It sounds like your existing clothes would be perfect, just something you feel comfortable in.

But of course it's a special day and if you want to buy something new, why not, just that it's not the sort of place where people dress up. I hope you have a wonderful time!