[The Old Bag]

Help!

For an upcoming special occasion DH and I are treating ourselves to a weekend at a ridiculously posh 'outback resort'.

It's weeks away and I'm already panicking about what to wear! This place combines 5 star dining with mountain bike riding (not at the same time lol) and the prospect of being surrounded by the rich and famous. It's in the middle of nowhere.

Now I'm not the type to care much what others think, but at the same time I don't want to make a fool of myself and be hopelessly over or under dressed.

So please, poshters of EB, help me pack! I will need:
- smart casual for arrival, lunch, drinkies
- ? something for 2 x silver service dinners
- comfortable but non trackie options for horse riding, hiking etc

My aim is to look polished without overdoing it and if it's possible, without bringing a huge trunk for 2 nights!
The things bugging me most are whether or not jeans are an option, how tarted up I should be for dinner, and how daggy I should be for the outdoor stuff.

Again I say.... Help! I don't want to ruin our treat by feeling awkward the whole time.

eta I should add, it's for mid March and quite a way inland in the mountains so the weather could be all over the place too.... just to add another layer of difficulty!

This post has been edited by The Old Bag: 16/01/2013, 11:03 AM

[noi'mnot]

You'll never go wrong with a lovely little black dress for dinner. Can be easily dressed up or down with shoes and accessories. If you want something different for each night (I would, because I love dresses!) then just a couple of simple and lovely dresses would work easily.

What's the weather like? that really impacts the smart casual and outdoorsy type outfits that you might wear...

[**Xena**]

I'd just pack some nice dresses for night and then comfortable clothes for the day. I don't think it will matter how daggy ornot you look whilst doing the physical stuff as long as they are appropriate for the activities. Jeans would be fine to take along.

[epg]

(disclaimer- I in no way consider myself a 'sophisticate')

Firstly - outback 'posh' and city 'posh' are 2 very very different things! Especially if you're doing an activity based weekend you might be suprised at how casual everything is.
I've been lucky enough to stay at some fairly flash accommodation in Southern Africa and in the NorthWest - and have NEVER been uncomfortable with my slob clothing - it's not unusual for for guests to have had a busy day and turn up in their safari gear for dinner!
Secondly you're paying (probably a lot!) for the experience so frankly you can dress as you please!
If it's going to be fairly warm at night my go-to outfit in resorts is a long sleeveless black dress - worn with sparkly sandals and a nice necklace or scarf it's quite elegant but being a jersy fabric it copes with travel very well.
Jeans will probably be ok - again just a simple but fairly elegant top and change out of your hiking footwear.

For hiking and horse riding it might be worth investing in a pair of specialist hiking pants - do the horse riding on the last day so you don't have to wash them. If you're going mountain bike riding for more than a few hours then proper pants are a godsend - Anaconda does a decent range of 'padded' but normal looking bikepants.

Where are you going? Totally jealous.

[*LucyE*]

Which place is it?

I have recently holidayed at a ridiculously expensive place where there was a Michelin starred chef serving us a degustation dinner. I was in a casual dress and barefeet and didn't feel out of place at all. The super wealthy and celebrities at nearby tables were similarly attired.

I was in swimmers and sarongs most of the time (beach location). When horse riding, I wore casual long pants (leggings would work) and a flowy long top. For bike riding, I saw people in normal gym attire - bike pants and sporty tank top.

Wear what you feel comfortable in.

[--Me--]

A nice wrap dress with wedges would be suitable for casual drinks, lunch etc. As a previous poster said, LBD for evening.

3/4 chino style pants or 'Lorna Jane style' exercise gear for MB riding. You don't want full length jeans as they can get caught in the chain.

[Escapin]

It's all in the attitude I agree re black dress (but only if you already own one!) Otherwise, wear whatever you feel most fabulous in. Practice walking down the street with your internal monologue of 'I was a strong, powerful woman and this fabulous holiday is exactly what I DESERVE'. You'll be fine! I'm very jealous

[Gen71]

The clothes have nothing to do with it, it's all in your attitude. So wear what you are comfy in, because how you feel will be more telling than what you wear.

If you are confidant in yourself and your right to be there, which you should be, you will not look out of place.

I have seen appropriately dressed people looking very out if place, and I've seen people relaxing happily in 5 & 6 star resorts in daggy cheap clothes (including myself).

The key is to treat the place like you own it.

Have a great time!

[meggs1]

When I've been lucky enough to stay in places like that people are always quite casual.

But for a special holiday it's nice to dress up a bit (without overdressing) and look good in the photos (shallow I know).

Jeans would be fine but I honestly wouldn't bother unless you look particularly great in them (hope you do), as they aren't particularly comfy for hiking and would be horrendous for mountain biking and horseriding and you probably wouldn't want to wear them for dinner/drinks.

Other than what PPs suggested I'd make sure I had a flattering sun hat and sunglasses and a pashmina or something if it's cold in the evening- you dont want to have to go to dinner in a polarfleece.

[JustBeige]

Usually if there is a dress code for dining you will be told on your booking.

We recently had a function at a private club and wow at their dress code for breakfast - basically full corporate wear. tie optional. no sandals.


I would just do semi dressed up for nights and have jeans and wrap dresses or maxi's for the day time swanning around.

Just dress them up with accessories.


Also, have a google for weather around the time you are going for previous years. It will give you an indication of how hot/cold it will be.