What To Wear Out To Dinner

Of all the texts and calls I get from friends and family asking for fashion help, the one that always needs the most counselling is what to wear “to dinner”.

Whether it be to a restaurant with friends, a date night, a family dinner with kids, dinners with school mums, dinners with colleagues or any other form of meal outside the home, this simple yet confusing invitation can stump even the most innately stylish woman. I have a few theories as to why. Firstly, everyone is flying solo at “a dinner” because there is no dress code to go by. You really have all the control over how dressy or casual to make the event, and feeling comfortable has a lot to do with being on the same wavelength, sartorially speaking, as all the other guests in attendance. Secondly, dressing gets harder as you age — an annoying truth I am being confronted with time and time again. It’s no longer as simple as running to Zara for a quick fix before an event because we know better now. Panic buying never results in good styling decisions and the wisdom you have as you get older means knowing exactly what you’ll feel comfortable wearing before even trying something on. This may mean fewer heels and more flats, embracing figure-hugging silhouettes rather than oversized styles, or even knowing that basics are just as important as hero pieces when putting together any look.

I like to make an effort when going to dinners, but that doesn’t always mean looking super formal. I prefer a point of difference to my daytime looks simply because since having kids, I appreciate the ritual of getting ready and looking good more than ever. A small heel, statement jewellery or even a more dramatic makeup look makes me feel good and breaks me out of my default Monday-to-Friday aesthetic, which is more about function than form at this stage of life.

If you’re nodding your head and know exactly what I’m trying to get at with the above, I hope this edit helps with your next dinner date, wherever and whenever that may be…