What to wear for a theatre charity gala with no dress code

[HelpMeFeelGorgeous]

I’m off to a theatre-related charity gala which is likely to have numerous celebs in attendance. It’s a lunchtime champagne reception and buffet followed by the matinee theatre show.

I am 49, peri-menopausal and feeling frumpy. I have absolutely no idea what to wear and there hasn’t (yet) been any info shared about dress codes etc. I want to be prepared in case it’s smart (and don’t have anyone to ask about whether these things tend to be). I’m attending alone but might meet up with friends afterwards so don’t want to be all dolled up while they are in jeans and trainers.

i’m 5’ 9” and a top heavy uk16-18. I have had surgery which has left significant scarring on my legs so I would need a jumpsuit, trousers or maxi dress. I’m a bright cool winter in colouring.

I found this when searching: it’s possibly a little more formal than I would like though.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/sienna-embellished-maxi-dress-blue-1001128287.html?utm_content=brand&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A21426431457%3A198557365801%3A805447420077&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=pla-2692893077232&nb_mi=12198991&nb_pc=local&nb_pi=1001128287&nb_ppi=2692893077232&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21426431457&gbraid=0AAAAADjtA_GralCbLrbeUfI-v5iWc3C-L&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt9jVBhDXARIsAFSP-6fFKs66z1BQ7roK3GBfHDKfRjPDB-2EsL44unhEYtDiCsWzijz-BXgaAk84EALw_wcB

There’s a navy version of it, or there’s a navy lace jumpsuit which might work?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/monica-lace-wide-leg-jumpsuit-blue-20004710003.html

Or would smart black jeans and a nice top work? (I already have those!)

No to jeans!! Not suitable. I’ll try and find some possible dresses. I think jump suits are pretty dated and a total faff in the loos!

I thought this was nice. Could wear some statement jewellery with it. It’s jersey so no issue with zips.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv202243/v96778

Well yes if you want a baggy jump suit. Jersey stretches and it’s not really a fabric for a gala event. In my opinion.

I prefer these - you can wear boots I assume? All at John Lewis - I think Mint Velvet is back this year.

Which theatre? ROH will be quite different to regional rep.

I go to a lot of similar events at a well known theatre and people don’t tend to dress up. Celebs are often the scruffiest tbh. I tend to err more on the dressier side than most with a dressed down day dress or smart trousers and a nice top, but you will likely see people in jeans. It’s definitely several notches down from wedding in terms of formality.

I doubt if it’s the ROH. Guests don’t normally try and ape celebs. The word gala means it’s “day time well turned out”.

I really like the burgundy lace Mint Velvet dress that @MeetMeOnTheCorner posted and it would be perfect for that sort of event. I suspect you’ll find it very much less dressy than you might expect and I think you’ll look overdressed in some of those jumpsuits. Just add some jewellery and nice boots. Mint Velvet looks good this season and have quite a few separates that look like dresses.

Thank you, but I wouldn’t wear most of those colours and I can’t wear a high neck (I have HH cup boobs).

I like the bottom of the lace dress. Maybe I could find something along those lines with a better neckline and palette.

Thank you.

Oh, and it’s central London but not the ROH.

Matilda? ;-) if so I would say medium dressy - the mint velvet ideas are about on par I would say. The pavements around there are a nightmare in heels!

Well I don’t think it’s a long evening dress event but I don’t think it’s a jersey jumpsuit either. Something that’s decent day wear and smart seems a better bet. I’m actually going to a Mint Velvet shop tomorrow because there are some good pieces there.

I think I might try and find separates that have the same feel as the burgundy mint velvet dress but in a better colour and nexkline. 🤔

I know. Are you going?

I don't think the Monsoon dress is suitable, @HelpMeFeelGorgeous - it's a lunchtime & afternoon event. That is strictly evening fare (unless you're informed otherwise when you find out what the dress code is, but I'd be very surprised). I am not keen on the jumpsuit from Next but do think the navy lace-trimmed Monsoon jumpsuit would be fine.

Do you have nice flat pointed pumps or other footwear that you plan to wear?

So you suit strong fuchsia/emerald/blue/purple/dark red colours, plus white/grey/black navy? Those sorts of cool high-contrast colours?

I was going to suggest this navy silk coord set from Aligne, but see that you want to avoid a high neckline (plus it's also out of stock!). There will be V-neck styles out there, but thought I'd still post this to see if this is the kind of thing you'd consider? You could wear them separately afterwards.

https://aligne.co/products/saffron-knot-tie-shirt-navy

I have lots of different footwear from pre-Covid when I used to go out. Broadly right on the colours but I have to be careful with red/burgundy/purple near my face as I have burgundy hair.

You’ve posted what look to be v neck navy pyjamas? While the v neck is great I have massive boobs so need something with some shape - baggy things just hang off them and makes me look like a massive potato. 🫣

Very expensive ones if so! They're a silk frogged shirt & matching wide trousers. Co-ord sets like this have been "in" for a while. I like them (& I'm a similar height & size as you with a large chest too), as I feel elegant in them.

The navy top & the upper part of the dress will both be too high for your liking, but if the neckline was different would you wear anything similar to these? They're new in at Jaeger & I thought the colours would be striking on you.

I really like this Jigsaw dress - but might your hair tone in too much?!

https://www.marksandspencer.com/textured-round-neck-tie-waist-midi-shift-dress/p/clp23091728?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share&color=Burgundy

This one has other colours in the print, so would good look with burgundy hair IMO?

https://www.baukjen.com/products/charlotte-printed-midi-dress-plum-watercolour-floral?country=GB&tmsrc=googlead&tmcid=24273680855&tmsid=&tmid=&tmkw=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24268207587&gbraid=0AAAAACrTFATdblY4xkTS0t9g4mBwkb0wx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt9jVBhDXARIsAFSP-6c6HbEbI1j4OWOgSX34dSp2xYAAIcaplLXIDkRqH9IMWIcJ04-Rx4saAnW9EALw_wcB

Another colour that may work for you, & a good shape?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-pleated-midi-skater-dress/p/clp23097156?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share&color=Fuchsia

I like the Mint Velvet dress, too! Pair of boots if you're worried about your legs, a chunky necklace and you're sorted.

I've been faffing about looking for flowing, wide trousers in a particularly nice viscose satin used by Next and (I think) Sosandar in the summer - it's slightly crinkled and has a soft sheen rather than shine. Perhaps they've used it all up. The trousers I saw in the summer (and wish I'd ordered instead of being sensible!) have gone and the ones I'm finding look a little bit desperate.

This has been a whole paragraph to say don't mess about with satin, try the Mint Velvet dress! It sounds like an enjoyable do. Confidence comes with simplicity and comfort - relax and have fun!

Any of these any good?

Black with stitching
https://www.johnlewis.com/boden-puff-sleeve-a-line-midi-dress-containing-lenzing-ecovero-viscose-black/p115465276

Purple with stitching
https://www.johnlewis.com/boden-alex-ponte-contrast-v-neck-midi-dress-containing-lenzing-ecovero-viscose/zodiac-purple/p115730787

Blue check ruched
https://www.johnlewis.com/sosandar-check-print-ruched-front-mesh-dress-blue-black/p115621251

Navy loose & long
https://www.johnlewis.com/hush-grace-air-flow-maxi-dress-navy-blue/p114963818

I'm finding this quite difficult. In my mental sketch, you're a woman people might call 'magnificent' and none of the above would do you justice! The burgundy Mint Velvet dress is actually a lace slip with a jumper on top. It might be as well to wear the dress - one of the very few around at the moment that don't look like you stuck some knicker lace on the bottom - and add one of their cardigans instead? Or get someone to change the supplied top into a V-neck.

Burgundy cardigans
https://mintvelvet.com/collections/cardigans?filter.colour_group=Red

https://au.camilla.com/products/00042246-shaped-waistband-dress-with-flutter-sleeves-palace-zoology - this is stunning on, maybe see it somewhere in the uk stocks it?

I have been to a couple of charity galas recently, and round here they are treated as black tie events.

Several of the dresses linked on this thread would have looked out of place.

Just to add I have a Mint Velvet dress in a similar style to the burgundy one with a jumper style top and although I love the look of it I can barely wear it as I get much too hot as it’s like wearing a jumper that you can’t take off.

Apart from the neckline and the colour, it’s perfect.