Christmas party dresses

We’re “running away” this year! - to a hotel in Swansea . 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

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

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

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?

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

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

Good for you Jane and why not. ???

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
I quite like classical style over ostentation.

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.

too, not to ?

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

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.

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.

Urmstongran
Oh dear...dear dear dear (shakes head)
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.

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

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.

Why do people say " riding out"

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

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.

Velvet is lovely, but you need to be careful, a velvet jacket and ruffled shirt looked great on a young Marianne Faithful,
But on a mature dumpy woman ( eg. Me) look more Austin
Powers.

Cheers lemon! Thanks for that.

Or even “matronly” ???

This is a great thread - making me laugh! ( Collects provisions - - and waits for next episode.... )

This is the dress I wore last xmas. I’m with my friend Bella I’m the one in the dark blue

I love a bit of velvet but cannot do ruffles..to much boob.. makes me look like the crest of a wave/ surfs up!