What to wear for a smart lunchtime event at the Royal Automobile Club

[BeNimbleRobin]

Hi,

I have a lunchtime event to go to at the Royal Automobile Club in November and I want to buy something new as I have worn other suitable outfits many times before.

The dress code is as follows (from the website):

When using the facilities in the clubhouse:

• Men should wear either a suit or smart long trousers (including corduroys, chinos or moleskins) with a button-up collared shirt, a single-colour polo shirt or a smart roll-neck jersey. All shirts and roll-neck jerseys should be tucked in.
• Ladies should dress with equivalent smartness.

I am mid 30s, size 8, slim with large ish boobs for my size. Long legs, short torso and narrow shoulders. Usually I would be fine with something tight fitting but I had a baby not too long ago and whilst I am back in my old jeans I do still have a slight wobbly bit of belly! I have never used shapewear but maybe that would work to smooth out that little bit?

I am a summer palette with dark hair/pale skin and cool muted colours look good on me.

I would prefer a dress to trousers. Although would a jumpsuit work? I love this one from Nobodys Child - https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/navy-bandeau-rory-jumpsuit-2614294002

But it probably isn't warm enough for November and is maybe more of an evening outfit? I would ideally want to wear dainty stiletto ankle boots or a closed toe shoe of some kind because my feet get cold very easily! I have a few scarves/pashminas to wrap around the shoulders but don't know if these are horribly out of fashion.

Budget is up to £100 as I am on mat leave and not rolling in money at the moment!

The jumpsuit is absolutely either evening or holiday clothing - it's not suitable IMO. Especially in November!

To me, that dress code for a lunchtime event merely means smart-casual. The men can wear cords, chinos, polo necks etc, ties aren't required - so I think they're just saying no to jeans?

So the female equivalent doesn't need to be especially smart either - I'm sure there will be women wearing quite ordinary jersey dresses etc. You don't need to wear something tight-fitting/body-con style either - I think that would be OTT. However, you sound as if you want to look a bit more dressed up?

What kind of shoes do you have, & do you have any knee-high boots, or just stiletto ankle boots?

Hmmm. I was thinking maybe you could do the jumpsuit as long as you wore a top or light jacket over it indoors. But then I saw the back. No ...

This may not be your shade of green, but to me this is very smart, especially with heels. And you sound as if you want to look quite a bit more glamorous & dressed up than the code requires. So this would achieve that, without being as revealing as the jumpsuit!

https://www.reiss.com/style/su909897/g15156

I'm also a tad confused by your mentions of tight-fitting dresses and dainty stilettos, while the men's dress code is very much relaxed country pub on a Saturday afternoon.

On a scale of 'comfortable' to 'sexpot', where would you place your desired image? What were your previous outfits for these events?

A bit over budget, but also very smart.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su906692/y31795

I was wondering the same! I'm envisioning lots of older car-fancying men in their comfy cords & polo-necks, greatly looking forward to the OP making an entrance after a year or two off!

This looks like a great suggestion! Would it go well with a large bust?

Depends how large I suppose!!

This one maybe?

https://www.reiss.com/style/su825655/w95887

Don't worry about it too much, it's not Ascot, a garden party or a wedding. A nice day dress is fine, just wear shoes not trainers. I have been from work at lunchtime and tend to walk so just put my trainers back on outside.

I wasn't sure if the OP has already been to the same event before, which was my first reading - or whether she's just worn the outfits she thinks would be suitable lots of times previously?

You are spot on about the dress code and all the dresses you suggested would be suitable.

I also quite like this Autograph one, in what they describe as mahogany. To me it's a burgundy-brown, but not excessively warm-toned - it's quite neutral? And it just looks long-ish rather than full-on ankle-length maxi?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/slinky-draped-maxi-dress/p/clp61224981?intid=mobileapppdpshare&color=Mahogany

If you prefer a jumpsuit, I'd go more along this line.

www.johnlewis.com/whistles-tie-waist-wide-leg-jumpsuit-navy/p115086114?s_share=jlappdroid

Yes, definitely. And easy to look more glamorous (if that's what the OP wants) with heels & earrings/bracelets.

I even think an indigo denim jumpsuit - or dark indigo wide jeans with a great shirt (silk or poplin, plain or patterned/striped) would be fine. The code surely just means not scruffy stone-washed ripped jeans covered in dog hair, IMO!!

Forgot to add a pic of the Autograph dress. She's wearing it with smart heeled ankle boots I think.

Another Autograph one - long dark brown jersey with a pin-tucked waist detail.

https://share.google/ks8PjKBTWeuSBRjmr

I'd avoid denim to be on the safe side.

I know you said a dress, OP - but this would be a good colour for you? Out of stock currently in your size in the top & trousers, but you can register for a notification. I have the trousers (eBay find) & they're very comfy & swishy!!

https://share.google/Sk1edxnL9sdVFwAjq

& Other Stories dress in dark red. Maybe not with the grey ankle socks on this occasion though ...!!

https://share.google/oDEBaOrVHv2DkqZOo

No idea of the quality - but the colours in this are rather nice, & the draped shape good for any squidgy bits! Plus it's easily worn with boots & a coat/jacket if it's cold.

https://share.google/7V4B8yAO4rVZv1OZ8

November and the smart location I wouldn’t go with lots of skin showing.
A jumpsuit would be fine.
Dresses I tend to go for a nicer version of what I’d wear in an office.I buy brands like Hobbs, phase 8. Vinted can be good.
Look on LinkedIn for previous similar events to get an idea.

Yes I’d avoid denim. I know dress code at National liberal club which looks similar type of place was no denim.

I agree. Though NLC is more down to earth in comparison.

Depends on which dining room your event is in and whether it’s a private dining event where you know the rough ages of the other people. As I’d say the majority of diners I see when I am there (my boss is a member so I have gone frequently at different times to the various restaurants) are on the older side and a woman dressing in Nov for lunch would be mainly wearing smart trousers or skirt with a shirt and blazer or nice jumper/cardigan (think chic cashmere twin set vibes). The Long Bar is the most relaxed, the Brooklands smarter and the Great Gallery smarter again. No denim is allowed in any of these restaurants even smart designer dark denim (I know as we had a business lunch with a lady CEO of another company and she turned up in a lovely outfit including designer denim, we had told her the dress code, and we were after much consternation from the staff given a table in the very corner where no one could see us and only not kicked out as my boss is a very frequently attending member).
it’s a lovely place and I’m sure you’ll have a great time whatever you decide to wear.