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!

Based on the suggestions for men i would probably opt for a long sleeve knee length jersey dress and knee high boots with a cardigan if weather appropriate, easy to remove if warm inside. It’s not very smart if they allow polo shirts.

I’d be tempted by this if I was your size

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9734767486-hobbs-winter-dress

Sorry - not bare shoulders during the day to a semi formal event, especially in November.

The safest bet would be a nice day dress - preferably one that can be dressed up or down and that you’d wear again. Or even tailored trousers, smart shoes or ankle boots and shirt or tailored jacket.

My confusion probably comes from the time I went to a daytime engagement party there before in a cute casual floral midi dress and the rest of the invitees were much more glam! But sounds like it was probably just that particular group of people, which does make sense (the wedding was full glam in Italy!).

There will be a range of ages at this event and it may well be a bit more casual. Previous similar events were more summery - I have a ton of nice summery midi dresses but as it's November it threw me off a bit! After having baby and being more of a hermit for a few months I probably am wanting to be a bit more dressed up but I certainly don't want all eyes on me! No elderly gentlemen though 😂 It is a private event rather than dining in the restaurant.

I hadn't seen the back of the jumpsuit! That is definitely out! I just meant more thin heeled boots rather than chunky ankle boots but it sounds like that would be ok with dress code anyway.

Some lovely options posted - will have a good look through during my cup of tea and feed back!

Thanks so much all!

Sadly I think the chartreuse might not be quite my colour! I love the other two Reiss ones though and will consider them for sure.

The brown autograph ones are lovely but anything that gathers under my boobs like that tends to look a bit silly and like they are in a sack!

Love the Whistles jumpsuit too.

The & Other Stories burgundy one is nice but it has a lot of material on top which might overwhelm me a bit.

Ooh that Hobbs one on Vinted is a bit of a find and I might buy it regardless...

The background to all this is that I grew up poor and had never set foot in anywhere remotely like this until I met my husband whose family are much more middle class and throw fancy events at fancy places a few times a year! They are all lovely though and my MIL and SIL would not let me turn up inappropriately dressed.

I think I knew the Nobodys Child jumpsuit was an absolute no but I really like it and might buy it anyway!

I have always wanted to post on Style and Beauty as you are all so helpful.

Have a lovely time.

I’d avoid a jump suit and the evening style one is wrong for a day event when men are wearing lounge suits. A long sleeve day dress is what’s expected. Short sleeve or no sleeve doesn’t suggest a winter lunch to me.

The attached are at M&S, Phase 8 and Ghost. Jigsaw might have some suitable ones too. Just remember it’s smart day wear, not evening wear.

You clearly know the colour palette that suits you, how would you describe your style and shape. Knowing all of those you can easily work out a few templates of outfits which are comfortable and look good.

That includes knowing what part of you you want to emphasise. We often think in terms of ‘my belly too squishy’ or ‘my bust too big’ and forget to choose outfits to emphasise say great legs or beautiful shoulders.

Once you have these basics clear, it’s very straightforward to look and feel more ‘glam’ to look for an outfit in your template in a more luxurious fabric than usual. Likewise the same shape with every day or casual fabrics will be you dress down look.

Rather than have to look for an outfit for a particular event, I’d encourage you to organise your wardrobe so you have great outfits for all occasions. Add pieces which work together as and when you come across them.

Enjoy feeling great at any event.

@FinallyHere - that is wonderful advice, thank you. It has only been the last few years that I have thought about these things and not just thrown things in without much thought.

I really like this Hobbs dress and it is reduced to £39! Would it be suitable?

https://www.hobbs.com/product/alison-jersey-dress/0126-5304-3669L00-NAVY-GREEN.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand_Control&utm_id=23803862579&utm_content=agid_193828797577-ad_807199103723&network=g&device=m&targetid=pla-325425753764&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23803862579&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-LC7BHTZrx82tHT0_EzOx9kE&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8JPVBhD-ARIsAO691sHL_KN7I6a3bSZDMj6V8ElAco21ijVY3Qkl_-oVR0ItAVtMuylEiQEaAheFEALw_wcB

I think I’d go midi skirt, knitwear and ballet flats or boots!
Have had my eye on this outfit for a while but the skirt is out of stock now annoyingly, but good for some inspo maybe - https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/sallie-skirt-2616369001

I really like a short sleeve knit like this outfit - https://www.marksandspencer.com/maxi-slip-skirt/p/clp61268278
And I like the brown on brown of this one - https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/skirts/brown-satin-bias-cut-midi-skirt/p/959195324

I have the Nobody's Child jumpsuit! It's very much a summer outfit and you couldn't wear it with boots if any kind. It's super flattering as the body has bones (which dig in but look lovely).

Also can't wear a jacket with it as that bow at the back is massive.

I am a bigger size than you and often look on Vinted as often the prices are amazing, I would advise looking on there as there are always a lot of decent brands at much cheaper prices.

I think I agree with @OneOpalOwl about wearing a midi skirt with a short sleeve crew neck or v neck jumper and your heeled boots. There’s some lovely asymmetric midi skirts around for Autumn, I love this lyocell lined one from Zara.

The dresses suggested are all terribly frumpy!

OP I have the Hobbs 'Alison' dress and wore it to a family Mother's Day lunch in a posh hotel. It was very comfortable and easy to wear and fitted the 'smart casual' environment.

I think if it was an event being held there for/by a single group of people, then the nature of the event would certainly have guided people's dress. So it's understandable that an engagement party was glam - & your jumpsuit would have worked just fine!

l like that M&S one, though I've only seen it online. It's quite refreshing to see a bold floral print, as plains are so dominant right now.

Good advice from FinallyHere if you're feeling a bit unsure about your own style right now, OP.

What kind of lunchtime private event is it??

You have swung in completely the opposite direction from the jumpsuit with this dress!! I like the colours & the print - & it's a perfectly pleasant dress that I see as very much a work dress - but I can also see it being just fine for a smart-casual November lunch event. I would say though (which is often the case with Hobbs) that IMO it's a bit boring ... It's fairly classic, in that it could date from any time in the last decade. It would look more current if it was longer - Hobbs seem to always stick with that slightly dated on/over-the-knee length.

Having said all that, it's absolutely fine & a good bargain, so might be worth buying anyway if it's the kind of thing you'll wear lots! I just think, if you want to feel & look your best, that you could find something nicer?

Also, it's only mid-September & new things are coming into the shops all the time. If you want to buy new, there'll be lots of choice.

I buy almost entirely from eBay/Vinted/sales (partly because I'm now a poor self-employed person, partly sustainability, partly value/quality for money, partly fun!!!).

However, I would warn that it's easy to get pulled into buying something impulsively, just because it seems like a bargain. So I'd have a bit of a strategy in place, especially if funds are limited, as to what kind of wardrobe will work for you & your current lifestyle.

(Advice I often don't heed myself, as I've just bought myself a fedora, a see-through appliquéd dress, & a pair of satin ankle-tie shoes ... Random!!! 😁)

I think this would work well - it comes in a range of colours. I have big boobs for my frame and i prefer something with a neckline I can shape into a v neck as it slims them down a bit. You can always wear it over a contrast cami for a bit of coverage too. https://www.boden.com/products/women-hope-zip-detail-jersey-dress-storm-blue-flourishing-buds-d1816blu?_pos=2&_fid=56556e85c&_ss=c

What sort of event is it? I’ve stayed there a number of times and it’s pretty conservative! DH got sent back to the room to put on a collared shirt for breakfast!!

Smart trousers and a shirt. Look at Me and Em for inspiration

And your suggestions are ...???!

It's lunch at a rather conservative members' club - not a party in Ibiza ...