When I found out we had gotten highly-sought after reservations to the French Laundry, I immediately knew I wanted to wear something me-made. After all, I was so proud of having worn a complete handmade outfit to Quince for my birthday. But other than men having to wear a jacket, there isn't a lot of guidelines for what to wear to a 3-Michelin star restaurant. So, I decided to try my hand at sequins...sequins are always fancy, right?
The fabric I selected online wasn't what I expected in person, and holding the length up to my body, I immediately saw the 70s (and not in a good way). So my uncertainty of the taste-level of the fabric planted the seed of doubt into my mind. My initial style plan was a simple A-line type dress. Well, the dress length only accentuated the 70s-ishness of the outfit, so I scraped that idea and went with a simple top and navy slim pant outfit idea.
Our dinner reservations were at 5:30, and we were staying a 5 minute walk to the restaurant. I dressed in my outfit but at 5:17, I got too nervous to wear a "handmade pants outfit" to the French Laundry and I quickly threw on my Plan B. Plan B is NOT homemade, but designed by one of my favorites, Byron Lars (with the same awesome shoes):
Between my uncertainty of the outfit, the grandeur of the restaurant's reputation, and the fact that I feel much more confident, stylish, and myself in a dress, I chickened out! However, after seeing what other folks were wearing, I felt sad and disappointed that I didn't wear my own outfit. It would have been perfectly appropriate, and even pretty cute, I think. And much more comfortable. By the end of the 8 course meal (and 7 desserts), I felt (and probably looked) like a stuffed sausage.
So...unfortunately, the memory of our lovely experience at the amazing French Laundry now has a tinge of disappointment in myself for being a wuss. Ugh. We'll just have to go back again so I can supplant that memory with a new one (in which I proudly wear something homemade and tell the server that I don't like lamb!).
