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Style & beauty

Christmas party dresses

(145 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 23-Nov-18 10:45:57

We've just published a page of Christmas party dresses as recommended by a few very stylish bloggers.

If you've seen or bought any lovely party dresses or outfits, please share them on this thread. tchsmile

M0nica Sun 25-Nov-18 17:26:31

Probably in this case because they will be riding out on a horse. A lot of people do that in SW Surrey.

Although it is also used to talk about boats riding out a storm, heading for shelter and battening the hatches down to protect the ship as much as possible from the worst of the storm, which it might be a good idea if I emulated.

lemongrove Sun 25-Nov-18 17:25:09

Because you have to ride out in order to ride in again.
Hope that helps.

oldbatty Sun 25-Nov-18 17:05:14

Why do people say " riding out"

GabriellaG Sun 25-Nov-18 16:54:25

MawBroon
Did you actually read my comment? Nowhere did I mention how JA looked in her dress, I DID say that the dresses (having Googled the site and seen the HQ video) looked matronly and to me, they do.
If you think that casts aspersions on every woman who owns one of those outfits, then that's not my problem. Why you want to take me to task, only you know. I'm not interested and, whatever anyone says, it won't affect my view. grin

oldbatty Sun 25-Nov-18 16:54:23

Oh I love a flat vowel me, especially with brown sauce on the side.

GabriellaG Sun 25-Nov-18 16:44:14

Urmstongran
Oh dear...dear dear dear (shakes head) blush
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, as a truth teller, I must disabuse you of your thoughts regarding my status.
I'm certainly not titled, neither am I a member of the nobility in any way shape or form.
Born and raised in a council house in North Liverpool near Formby, I married a Mancunian and moved South to Virginia Water. I now live in SWSurrey. I'm a retired lawyer. Self educated, left grammar school with nothing save a love of English language/reading. Earned my degrees through the OU when I was married. Any knowledge has been picked up whist reading and living. I talk a lot, listen a lot and have learned much from my interaction with people at work and on the social scene, from movers and shakers to those who have led much less fortunate lives on the streets. I'm a proud Liverpudlian, flat vowels and all.

MawBroon Sun 25-Nov-18 16:23:34

Fortunately GabriellaG, JaneA is tall and considerably more willowy than Nigella and “matronly” is the last word that would spring to mind.
But all things apart, do you simply take pleasure in denigrating others, rubbishing their choices, and claiming you are “someone”?
A purple (oops, plum) velvet trouser suit may be gorgeous, or it might make othes think “When I am old I shall wear purple”
Fortunately we are all different and clearly in your opinion, few share your excellent taste.

GabriellaG Sun 25-Nov-18 16:22:35

annodomini
I wasn't directly critical of JA's dress. I made a comment about the company and dresses modelled by buyers in the HQ video.
There is a difference.
On Christmas day I will be wearing jeans and a red-checked blouse etc (previously mentioned) as I will be riding out first thing and walking with family/friends after lunch. In the evening...IF we go out ( not yet settled) I will take something suitable to wear and appropriate accessories.
Why you want to up cudgels on behalf of someone else, I've no idea. I never indulge people who like to bait.

GabriellaG Sun 25-Nov-18 16:09:16

Lisagran
I love it. Beautiful colour ( my favourite) and *velvet *too.
Lucky you. I'm sure you look fab in it. grin

Mapleleaf Sun 25-Nov-18 14:12:55

too, not to ?

Mapleleaf Sun 25-Nov-18 14:12:20

You look very nice in your dress, janeainsworth, and your top looks nice, to, MiniMoon.*ebayqueen*, your dress also looks nice, I love the colour.

PECS Sun 25-Nov-18 14:11:06

I have a Bombshell dress which I wore to my gt nieces wedding a couple of years ago. Made from gorgeous Liberty silk.
It was was a sale item, but has had a few outings since and will have more in the warmer weather! So per wear I reckon £25 grin
I quite like classical style over ostentation.

oldbatty Sun 25-Nov-18 13:57:47

Good for you Jane and why not. ???

janeainsworth Sun 25-Nov-18 13:08:58

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.
I try to buy clothes in the sales, only buy things I really like & I also keep them for ever.
It’s not the initial cost that matters but the number of times you’re going to wear something.
I know I’m lucky to have a nice circle of friends to socialise with so things don’t just sit in the cupboard never seeing the light of day.
Incidentally my Best Buy last year was a £40 coat from Tesco smile

Christalbee Sun 25-Nov-18 11:52:30

Those Christmas outfits are pretty terrible! I really like Jane's dress, it's really smart and elegant!!

annodomini Sun 25-Nov-18 11:28:58

JaneA's dress does not look frumpy on her. Gabriella, I notice that you, though hyper-critical of her choice, haven't shown us a picture of you in your elegant Christmas finery. How about it?

oldbatty Sun 25-Nov-18 09:56:27

Nearly choked on my builders tea when I googled bombshell dresses. That's a lot of dollar for a frock.

etheltbags1 Sun 25-Nov-18 09:20:59

I dont wear dresses except for summer. If i go to anything remotely dressy i wear my work stuff. Black polyester trousers and a white or coloured shirt. I have treated myself to a new red cardi this year though but i can wear it all through the year

Lisagran Sun 25-Nov-18 09:20:16

We’re “running away” this year! - to a hotel in Swansea smile. For many years, everyone has come to us for Christmas Day, but just suddenly fancied a change. We’re back Boxing Day morning and they’re all coming to us for tea, Secret Santa (for the adults - 8 of us) and present giving for the grandchildren (7 of them). Not planning on “dressing up” anywhere - not my style - and husband’s wardrobe is all outdoor gear!
Although, I did buy this lightweight velvety jacket from a charity shop recently, so that might make an appearance, with black leggings and a top

gillybob Sun 25-Nov-18 08:59:52

I think the dress is lovely btw JaneA but Bombshell’s prices are a bit steep for me.

I don’t go anywhere to wear a dress either HillyN no Christmas parties or occasions and definitely wouldn’t dress up on Christmas Day.

Urmstongran Sun 25-Nov-18 08:21:33

GabriellaG I think I shall think of you as Lady Gabriella in my head from now on! I recall on another thread you knew that Ken Clarke would never describe himself as an ‘MP’ as ‘it’s not done’ and I also remember you knew the correct way to address someone with a title. Impressed me anyway!
But that’s the beauty of GN I suppose with our pseudonyms. Probably a real cross section of people from all walks of life, which is lovely and hence all our different viewpoints!

I did notice that everyone seemed to have just photographed the garments and not ‘outed’ themselves - did you not mind JaneA revealing your identity? I think your dress looks gorgeous by the way!

GabriellaG Sun 25-Nov-18 03:27:07

Oh dear, you are in a snit janeainsworth
I'm definitely someone, not just 'anyone'. Take that any way you like.
I still maintain that the dresses are dreadful. 'Matronly'. Anyone who views the HQ video instead of looking at the site can see how dreadful the three 'clients' look.
Each to her own. You'd have to have Nigella's figure to wear even the most innocuous of the styles and let's face it, the ones in the photos don't...IMO of course. grin

HillyN Sun 25-Nov-18 00:58:51

You are all so lucky to have an occasion to wear a glamorous dress. I'm not likely to get invited to any parties and I wouldn't wear one on Christmas day itself as I always manage to splash cooking fat or spill red wine on my front (and also over the top of my new slippers)! I have a dark, patterned Christmas tunic that I wear over black leggings so that it won't notice.

gillybob Sat 24-Nov-18 23:27:38

^don’t be put off by the negative comments about Bombshell dresses.
They’re timeless and elegant, made with beautiful fabrics and suit anyone^

And VERY, VERY expensive too. hmm

4allweknow Sat 24-Nov-18 21:46:51

And so it should, you look fabulous in it.