Well it is for me. I am rubbish at dressing up for going out.
Some people love it and have dresses stashed away ready and waiting and whoop with joy at the thought of getting all dolled up (yes I'm talking about you Claire H). And there are people like me who have dresses stashed away ready and waiting and dread the very idea of having to don heels, a bit of lippy and looking like I tried. I'm a lazy moo and .... I don't know how to dress for going out. Anymore.
It's not always been that way. When I was younger, I loved buying a dress for any occasion. A new dress for someone's wedding - yippee! A new dress for a Christmas party - whoop whoop! A new dress for going to the supermarket. Oh go on, you twisted my arm. I was joking about the supermarket okay? Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I've changed .....
..... and so have the going out dress codes. Yes you can wear a dress but these days I know most people are happy with a pair of jeans, heels and a pretty top. But pretty tops are different for different people. Some people need some sequins, some people need a bit of lace, some people need it to be shiny shiny. Me - I just need it to be a slightly better version of what I was wearing during the day. The other week, I went for a curry. A posh curry, mind you. The day was dreary and wet and what was going to be an outing for a new ivory Zara top was switched for a navy silk shirt. Dark days = dark clothes. Teamed with a pair of old grey jeggings, some sandals and a necklace. The necklace was jsut to make sure that people knew I'd pushed the boat out - a bit. I last wore it here but as a wrap bracelet.
New Look Grey Jeggings (old)
Jigsaw Silk Shirt (old)
Not very dressy in some people's books but dressy enough in mine. The necklace is one of my own in the grey pearl colour way and besides it goes with my sandals. My M&S sandals with the perspex clear heel. They keep disappearing off the website and then they pop up again with a few sizes available. I kept checking and checking and just by chance because the wind was blowing in the right direction, the stars were aligned, the shopping gods were smiling on me, a size 4.5 became available. Click. Mine! I even did navy polish on the toes to complete the whole look. Okay - it was coincidence.
Now the reason why I did this post was I was over at Quiet Houses where Kate had just posted her very similar outfit for going out and it reminded me of my own. But her point in her blog was about what do you consider when dressing up to go out especially now that it's summer. Do you dress down a little because of the extra daylight, do you temper your makeup and so on?
My question is - what kind of dresser are you when you go out? I'm curious because I read a number of blogs and eventually you have an awareness and a perception of what that person wears - during daylight hours ... but how do they dress for going out? Also, I know a few fellow bloggers have been nominated for Britmums awards (well done to Avril from Schoolgate Style, Kat from Does My Bum Look 40 and Marlene from Chocolate, Cookies and Candies) and the questions are already being asked ... what's everyone wearing? I can't wait to find out what they are going to wear but at the same time, thank goodness I don't have to think about that one!
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Last Note :
- I'm sat on Ben's computer chair as I was trying to take pictures of my feet without falling over in high heels. Just incase you're wondering.
- And I did try a Christine Keeler shot but .... best not go there. Fully clothed. Of course.
Picture Credit : www.vam.ac.uk
Oh you got those shoes!!! I LOVE them - I've seen them a couple of times and they look amazing - how high are they? I LOVE getting dressed up. I think it's because here everyone is SO casual - chinos and polo shirts, or chino shorts in the summer - anything goes in any restaurant. I still maintain that going out is an occasion and I love getting dressed up and applying a brighter lippy and a bit of eye shadow. In fact I have lots of going out clothes waiting to be worn - I better get on that. Date night on Saturday - and I'm already wondering which dress and which heels:) xx
ReplyDeleteI did. After much huffing and puffing through innumerable sandals - I put these on and the feet went "Stop!". We've found them! They are supposed to have this insolia thing which helps distribute your weight so it's more comfortable but I can honestly say - that's a load of guff. But they were pretty and so they stayed ... and I can walk in them for 10 minutes (all I need). I don't do boogie nights anymore. I'm old.
DeleteI must check out those sandals....they are fab!! I always feel I should wear more dresses going out but somehow I always end up back in trousers and dressy tops:)Have a good week.
ReplyDelete~Anne
I think you're either in the trouser camp or the dress camp - you do both beautifully. I'm the one in the jean camp ... again.
DeleteHaha, you DO have nice toes! And I love your outfit, it is just the right amount of dressed up in my book. I go out so rarely that I don't really have a great grasp on the subtle dress codes, but I do find that skinny jeans, heels and a blouse works just fine on most occasions. Oh, and I get to wear my smaller bags. That is my idea of excitement - getting to wear a smaller bag. I'm a real party animal :P
ReplyDeleteDress codes are hard and I'm lazy. I like being fairly laid back but I need some make up lessons from you to make it really look polished. It's okay from the neck down but then I forget the face sometimes. I've been googling how to do those eye flicks - looks easy but zero success rate on my part so far!
DeleteAnd I'm with you on the small bags too - small bags make me feel more ME and less mum.
I learned my winged eye liner technique from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irIABAPb_fo
DeleteYou might think to yourself: "How on earth can you do an 11 minute video on eye liner?" But she explains everything really well, I love it. It takes practice though, I still walk around with uneven liner half the time :P
I watched it and it was explained really well. I think I get the jist - I just need the tools and eye liner pot thingy. I have one of those liner pens - I thought it would be easier to control but nah - I'm just rubbish at it.
DeleteLove the chair. And your nail polish.
ReplyDeleteBut....back to dressing up. I hate it. It throws me into a tailspin if I have to THINK about a 'special' outfit. I tend to look better (I think / hope) when I just go with the flow and bung stuff on as the mood takes me. That's not helpful is it?!
The outfit here is great though - definitely smart but not 'frilly' (not in a literal sense - but not 'try hard' is what I'm trying to say!)
I positively groan if I get an invite anywhere and then do the ostrich thing because it's not what I want to think about. And these days, I hate buying an outfit for an occasion especially if it's something which I can't really use for daytime and get my moneys worth out of it. I ask a lot from my clothes.
DeleteAnd I don't do frilly very well. And not try hard is good with me :o)
I love your style Susie! Its so simple, classy & elegant & you wear it so well! I have no idea about dressing up these days & just update my daywear to nightwear with a touch of something here & there! I used to love getting ready for nights out! Those sandals are divine & I just have to say.....nice toes! ;) Ax
ReplyDeleteThank you Andrea :o)
DeleteI've totally lost my enjoyment for dressing up to go out. If I'm going out with the girls for a meal or anything (just a local restaurant, someone's house) I always feel I don't need to try too hard and they will forgive me when I turn up looking a little slapdash. We're all mums - well that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.
Thank you - about the toes! :o)
ReplyDeleteI remember when I used to go out straight from work - I never used to change up my outfit or anything like all the mags tell you how to do - I just went out as I was. But seeing your style on your blog, I understand how you dress down rather than up as your day to day is quite creative and artistic. How come I never come across people like you in the street? You turn heads but for the right reasons.
I'm usually in skinny jeans & heels always and nice top, relatively simple. We did go out in Leeds last week and I was amazed at the amount of flesh and heel heights on display. Clearly I'm getting old..
ReplyDeleteLove your chosen going out outfit, the navy is really flattering, i'm turning to navy more and more these days it feels a little bit more sophisticated than black doesnt it? x
Yes - I'm feeling the sway towards navy as well. I love deepest darkest navy blue silk velvet - that's just lush! And I'm glad you're another lady who's happy with some jeans and heels.
DeleteAnd I've not been out in Leeds in the evening for some time but I don't doubt it can be very scary if my memory serves me right.
Gorgeous shoes Sue. I love dressing up for a special occasion but most of the clothes in my wardrobe are for dressing up or down otherwise they simply wouldn't get worn, hence my love of jeans and a blazer. Love your outfit and your jewellery is gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteYou always look so dressed up! Even when you're dressed down in a tee shirt and jeans, you still have a different feel about your clothes to me even if we were to wear the same things. How do you do that???
DeleteYou look hot, I love that blouse on you! I'm not much of a skirt or dress gal (mostly because of stupid insecurities about my legs, but we'll just pretend it's because I don't like them aesthetically, ok?) so dressing up usually means a pair of skinny jeans or black pants and a top that feels fancy to me at the moment (which usually wouldn't qualify for fancy in anyone else's world, I'll totally admit to that). But I do add in some nice heeled boots and some big jewelry and then either lips or eyes. Of course I always HAVE lips and eyes, but you know what I mean. Play them up. I think for me dressing up is all about the accessories and finishing touches, it just has to feel a little more purposeful, you know?
ReplyDeletewww.nomadicd.com
So I take it you will be stocking up on Everlane silk shirts when you move abroad next year and they ship to the US? I think your insecurities about your legs are probably because you were a dancer? Works the muscles and they stay and you're not keen on the look? I have a friend who was a dance teacher and she feels that way about her legs.
DeleteAnd what you say about a top which wouldn't be dressy in many people's eyes would probably be construed as being really dressy in mine - I totally relate. Which is probably why I always feel that I look like I haven't made an effort for going out. I also need to learn the make up play up for the evening. I do virtually the same for day as night for fear of doing the drag queen look.
Great post. Those sandals are divine! I love 'dressing up'. Although clearly not in dresses. I have a few jackets and tops that are for 'going out' which vary from sparkly, to just new and therefore kept for 'good wear' for the moment. Always heels, always lots of bling jewellery and the make up includes eyeliner and lipliner (which never occurs otherwise!!) Having said all of that, I utterly HATE getting invites to summer weddings or formal occasions ... now, that's when I panic!
ReplyDeleteYes, you strike me as a lady who likes to look smart from when we met. Polished and put together.
DeleteAnd the weddings and occasion dressing is the worst. Infact, I've given up trying - I've worn the same dress and heels for the last 3-4 events. And no ones batted an eyelid. Not fashionable, not this, not that but just does the job and it's money I can save for buying things I really like instead.
I just love everything you put on here Susie, those are gorgeous shoes which I would have not looked twice at in the store (and I agree with above, what lovely feet you have and nice polish!!). The silk shirt is a wonderful colour and goes lovely with the jeggings. Another fab outfit, looking forward to many more :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's so kind. You can't go wrong with a bit of blue and grey and like Claire (A Life Less Ordinary) was saying - navy is just good at the moment and taking over black. It's probably a little softer for the summer months.
DeleteOh and the pressure's on now - more fab outfits ... hmmm.
Lovely lovely jeggings!!! I have to say I love dressing up but only because it happens so rarely. When my life is 99% playdates 1% dates, I need to take all the opportunities to put on heels and lipstick that I can get.
ReplyDeleteYou see - I should feel like that and I don't. Whereas my friend does and when I go out with her, I do feel like I need to up my game a little and look like I made an effort. But I'm one of those people where my efforts are not very blingy so I don't know if people can tell that I tried. Each to their own - eh?
DeleteI love this - what a beautiful shirt. And those shoes! I love seeing your take on going-out clothes. I used to find it really stressful going out because all my friends wore bodycon and platform heels but one day I said: enough. I've been going out in blazers and jeans ever since and I've never felt more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the name drop!
I really don't do going out very well at all so I was really pleased to see your take and thought 'hey, I'm in good company here!". And I'm glad you went with your own style rather than following the pack - it makes sense and is much more comfy.
DeleteYou look amazing Sue, and yes you have pretty gorgeous feet (coming from someone with a 'thing' about feet that really is something) and you nail polish is just so damn perfect, I need to do to a pedicure on me! I love a silk shirt when heading out to a restaurant, it's definitely my go to item for that occasion. But I do love getting dressed up, especially a more casual dressy outfit rather that a full on dress occasion. I see it as a real challenge! X
ReplyDeleteYou have a thing about feet? The things you learn about people!
DeleteI have to say I'm a bit anal about toe nail polish. It has to be perfect when I apply it. And I try to stay on top of it over the summer so I always have nice feet ready to go in to sandals. I don't like seeing flaky itty bitty varnish which is long overdue.
And you are brilliant at dressing up - I saw you with your hair up, feathers on your dress and the whole shebang - you are seriously good at it!!!
Well Sue, you know my answer.......dress is ready and waiting for its big outing on Friday ( couldn't wait and have worn it twice already!) I struggle with jeans for going out. The necklace looks fab.......I love mine,goes with everything and have worn it non stop since I bought it. Love the shoes and the navy blouse.
ReplyDeleteYes Claire - you love the whole dressing up shenanigans don't you. Whereas jeans are my failsafe.
DeleteGlad you like the necklace and that you're enjoying it. I like a happy customer!
I used to love getting really dolled up in different outfits (usually dresses or skirts - clubbing stuff) each weekend to 'go down town' but these days I'm like you. I went out last Friday night to a party and wore - yes you guessed - skinny jeans and a black H&M top (with heels so I made an effort - oh and I still like to mess around with the whole make-up thing - orange lipstick it was on that night no less!). Love your navy silk shirt and how come your feet look so perfect Sue - I wouldn't dare photograph mine up so close! I've still got a load of my clubbing outfits stashed away (don't ask) - I should put them on a blog post called 'The way things were'! :)
ReplyDeleteOh go for it - be interesting to see your club wear. And I don't have much from the old days - I probably sold them on or donated to charity. And I think I would be very scared by some of it now. I used to wear little slips and things - now I am a prude. Go on - do it!
DeleteI used to dress up a lot more than I do now for sure, something about being in Sydney, find the style generally quite laid back over here - but plenty of occasions to dress up for too. My default is whatever dress I'm obsessed with at the moment with a leather jacket + heels, and because I don't actually wear much makeup or lipstick when I do people tend to notice it way more.. love those heels, and you have the most perfect looking toes!!
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
I also found in Hong Kong when I went out - hardly anyone dressed up or maybe because I was out in the sticks. I chanced upon a wedding once and one of the ladies was sat in sweatshirt and jeans. That was an eye opener.
DeleteI don't wear much make up either so when I do - it feels weird. It probably looks okay but I just feel weird. I need to get over it.
I'm the same as Jenny - skinny jeans and top! I will wear a dress if I love it , but it isn't very often now. I even wore trousers to a wedding this year - there is no hope. Gorgeous picture - love the necklace on you.
ReplyDeleteIt's the dress camp or the jeans camp by the sounds of it. I'm still dresses for a wedding only because I have an old faithful which doesn't require any thinking about but the trousers seem to be calling me more and more as time goes by. Thanks about the necklace.
DeleteM&S Shoes = heaven - WOW WOW WOW I love them!
ReplyDeleteI don't really ever change for the evening look - perhaps some leather trousers, but I've worn them in the day too.
Don't talk to me about Britmums, I'm stressing already about what to wear - to dress up or not to dress up, that is the question!
Fiona - you will be fine though I definitely don't want to be in your high heeled shoes for the evening. That's scary talking to all those people - I could barely get my vows out at my own wedding, I was so nervous.
DeleteThank you, thank you, thank you! I have been after those shoes for ages and had given up ever getting them, your blog post prompted me to take one last hopeful look and yay!!!
ReplyDeleteHope they get here in time for my 40th :)
Did you get them? Are they lovely? I thought they might have sold out by now but they just keep dropping the odd pair in. Like I said - the stars must have aligned, the shopping gods were in a good mood.... and it all came together!
DeleteI've been trying to wear my 'dressier' things a bit more recently, mostly because of cost per wear, but I must admit to becoming a bit too precious about some of them, and it really isn't a good thing! The weather dictates though for the most part, and yet again I am stuck with the NewLook cagoule, bashed up boots and my old Baxter jeans. My skirts are going to waste...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love this entire outfit. Try as I might, I can NEVER make a simple shirt with jeans look decent,(and navy in summer is perfection!) it's like I turn them into a sack of spuds. But this outfit is so elegant - I am in love with your shoes! They are just perfect, and would quite certainly have a magical effect worn with any outfit. A little too high for me (I'm a mid fan) but absolutely ideal for summer. M&S? I bet they sold out all the size 3 already. I kind of loathe that company for never bothering to stock up on certain sizes. I have really liked the past few seasons offerings in store.....not fair. x
I part started the blog to encourage me to wear my better things or just to wear things other than the regular reach for items every day but you know, old habits do die hard and I still have favourites (stripy cotton jumpers (Next and H&M) which are worn to death and the good stuff stagnating in the wardrobe. This is probably because I'm less precious about the cheaper items and I can just throw them in the washing machine and they come out perfect every time.
ReplyDeleteAnd guess what - 2 pairs in a size 3 as I type. These are the highest I will go (4inches) and these are purely evening posing shoes. They have the insolia technology but so far - I haven't felt the benefits kick in when I've worn them. I'm not sure how well this whole outfit looks when I stand up but sat down - it looks great :o) And you - sack of spuds - never.
I LOVE dressing up, I have stacks of dresses for special occasions/nights out/doing the washing. I always get them in the sales then wear them the following year. Love that shirt though, and love, love, LOVE the shoes.
ReplyDeleteWell I do the wearing the following year a bit lot I have to say. I don't know what it is. I think I like to "perserve" things for no sane reason. Or maybe possession is 9/10ths of my shopping law.
DeleteSue, you always get a laugh out of me. Moi? Dressing up? I consider jeans with a blazer being dressed up. I tried on my old Karen Walker dress the other day and the hubby looked gobsmacked. He hasn't seen me in a dress since our friend's wedding and that was only for 3 hrs before I changed back into my track pants.
ReplyDeleteOoh - does this mean a dress for Friday then? I always feel a bit strange in a dress but I think it's my imagination - no one else is fussed, it's just me being me.
DeleteDifferent people have different definitions of dressing better...
ReplyDeleteMy "dressing better" is probably the equivalent of the dress down days for many.
And my so called more chic outfit would be trash to the real fashionistas...
I do try to explore a lil...but end of the day I really just dress what I feel is my best. LOL.