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!)

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4762380-ms-knickers-reviews?flipped=1&page=1

Thank you & @Runningupthecurtains - that's very nice of you to say so! Though all I do, really, is spend inordinate amounts of time on MN looking for clothes for other people, because it's fun ... when I should be concentrating on garden designs! Which is fun too of course, but I'm very easily diverted ... 😁!

I have bought 90% of my clothing second hand over the last 10 years or so. I worked with the woman that did my colour analysis to list what I needed to cover most eventualities. When Covid came and my job moved to being permanently home based I got rid of a lot and have mostly lived in jeans and cotton trousers with an assortment of different tops. Nights out and dinners have been jeans and boots type affairs rather than anything fancier. Hence being a bit adrift with this event! I just want to feel comfortable and not stick out like a sore thumb.

Now I really need to win loads of money so I can hire you to sort out my garden and my wardrobe!

So, not the prawn sandwiches then ...!!

I've not read the thread past the first few comments, but are you boycotting it because their knicker quality is now rubbish? Or because of men wearing women's knickers? As if that's their thing, it won't be limited to M&S?

I have just stocked up on two multipacks (one black, one beige) of my favourite pants from M&S. They fit brilliantly & give a smooth line under clothes. I doubt if any men get their kicks from "full briefs" anyway ...!!

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-body-soft-full-briefs/p/clp60545433?color=Black&intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I work from home too (self-employed), but I've never been much of a leisure wear type person. Jeans & a top/T-shirt, yes. But I am quite particular about what jeans & what T-shirts - in a way I think it's more important to get the basics right, as you wear them most?

Also buy most of mine from Vinted/eBay/Etsy (for genuine vintage). Probably about 95% plus, these days! Plus occasional careful sales buys of boots/coats etc.

Is buying on Vinted/eBay too much of a risk for this event?

I'm actually very good value ... 😁

@HelpMeFeelGorgeous - do you have any bottoms already apart from black jeans that might work with a really nice top? Say a long satin skirt or a pair of silky wide trousers? As you could then just spend on the top & footwear?

That plus a great pair of earrings etc would be just fine, & would mean that you're left with things that you'll wear again more often than a dress?

No. (Sorry, what follows is gross.)

It was that M+S moderate reviews and were approving g reviews from men talking about how well the underwear “contained their junk” and worse. They allowed men unfettered access to the changing rooms next to the lingerie and left minimum wage shop assistants to deal with them “enjoying themselves”. At one point there was an entire site dedicated to men earning bonus points for doing this unnoticed and even more if they managed to get the soiled frillies back on the racks for some unassuming woman to buy. Complaint after complaint was made to M+S and they just continued to allow it.

The nearest one is quite far from me anyway so it wasn’t hard once I stopped going to keep not going.

I think I’m going to wait and see whether any of the eleventh billion dresses I’ve ordered work before considering anything else at this point!