https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:37:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591778 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:37:08 +0000 christieanne 591778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Be assured that a turkey is much easier than a prime rib! Plus, it really needs to sit out of the oven at least 30-45 minutes before carving (you don't want to carve hot or the juices don't reabsorb and it's dry) so you have time to work on side dishes.<br /> Prime Rib is so intimidating too me - luckily my DH worked in restaurants for many years so he can do the roast meats. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591645 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:25:30 +0000 HelenInCanada 591645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm assuming your Easter entertaining has passed, but I'll chime in for future reference anyway! (Hope it went well, btw!)</p> <p>I only invite close family and friends to my place - and it's always for a daughter's birthday. So. My choice is usually soft trousers (I actually own a velvet pair of wide legs that I can't stop wearing around the house) and a pretty top/blouse, usually loose. Earrings. Slippers. I don't do constricting clothes at home. Comfort and home-iness is the way for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591604 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:55:57 +0000 Elly 591604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If it makes you feel better, my mother has been trying to perfect prime rib for 7 years now. We had one at Christmas that was great after many years of yucky ones. </p> <p>Easter dinner was a disaster. My meat was raw in some parts and shoe-leather like in others. The three of us didn't end up eating together since it turned into a "sear-off your own steak" bar. I think our stove is faulty, because cooking times are never right. </p> <p>I love to cook but I hate doing it on holidays. I'd much rather do something very simple on the day of and spend time together doing something fun at home or going out and enjoying good weather in the woods, and then cook or go out on a lower pressure day where it can be a fun experiment. Low stress is where it is at. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591554 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:50:27 +0000 MsMary 591554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay! I was going to post that the secret to roasting any kind of a beast is a good meat thermometer, but I see you had that covered! If you really want to make life easy, try a digital one that sets off an alarm when the beast is done. I have one similar to this one and I love it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-1470-Digital-Cooking-Thermometer/dp/B00004XSC5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1333986870&#038;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-1.....038;sr=8-1</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591536 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:23:01 +0000 Aziraphale 591536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! In the end I wore a sleek black cap-sleeve top (because it's amazing how hot the house gets when the oven is on all day) and a casual pink jersey skirt, and no hose or socks, because I was too preoccupied with not ruining dinner! Sadly, I discovered a big blob of Easter egg dye on the skirt when I took it off. I hope it comes out. </p> <p>The problem with doing a roast is that the busy, messy part is right at the end, when the kitchen is super hot and you're trying to prepare the vegetables, make gravy and cheese sauce (because it turns out kids will actually eat the veggies if there's cheese sauce!) and take the meat out every fifteen minutes to poke the thermometer in. And then Yorkshire pudding just adds to the chaos. Usually when I entertain, I make some kind of casserole that can be done ahead of time (or get Indian take-out and put in on my nice plates!), and dressing is less of a problem because, as you say, I can scoot out an hour before people come and have a shower. </p> <p>I think what I need is a sparkly top that I can wear with skinny jeans. That seems a bit more festive, while still being indoor-comfortable. Maybe I really do need a pair of ballet flats, too. I've never owned any. Or, better yet -- velvetychocolate, I like the idea of sparkly sandals! </p> <p>By the way -- to my astonishment, the dinner was delicious! I was so relieved. The roast was a lot easier than I thought (the meat thermometer pretty much tells you when it's done) and the gravy was no problem, either. For some reason gravy has always seemed scary and mysterious. Turns out it's a lot like making cheese sauce. My mom helpfully made Yorkshire pudding batter at home and brought it over, so I just had to bake them. Whew! Now that I've done it once, I can do it again.</p> <p>This was sort of a trial run for Christmas, because I'm taking my first turn with a turkey this year. Eep! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591247 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:12:35 +0000 Jaime 591247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Most of our hosting events are holidays of some sort and skirts or dresses are appropriate. I make sure to wear something washable and shoes that are very comfortable for the back and forth of serving. Absolutely get dressed at the last moment before the guests arrive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591246 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:11:45 +0000 lyn* 591246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like everyone else; I wear scruff-tastic cooking clothes when I'm doing the bulk of my prep - as time draws closer; I usually wear something comfy (and washable) and stick on a cute apron (mine has cherries and a frill!) :)</p> <p>Good luck. I have never been able to make Yorkshire Pudding. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591245 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:09:39 +0000 christieanne 591245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are all probably done by now and I hope everything went well.<br /> My family has gotten fairly casual over the years (today, no one under 60 was in anything but jeans or cargos but all with nice tops) so I would have gone with a dark denim bottom and fun, colorful top with sleeves that I could keep out of the way. Aprons are a must for entertaining! </p> <p>My cousin who cooked for us today had cute slim cargos, a plain olive 3/4 sleeve vneck but the cutest peplum apron in orange and white large floral over it and snazzy flat sandals. Adorable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591239 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:04:34 +0000 velvetychocolate 591239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do *not* look good when I'm getting ready to host a dinner or other event. The entire day is spent in shorts, t-shirt, hair thrown up in a bun or something...work like crazy all day, and then I block off one to two hours at the very end where I just quit and get myself ready. </p> <p>I'd wear something like this if it was a simple dinner/get-together with family and/or close friends (pic #1):</p> <p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/olivia-moon-chevron-stripe-dress/3261886?origin=category&#038;resultback=5880" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....tback=5880</a></p> <p>Dressier, but still soft/comfortable and *believable* when it comes to cooking/prepping is:</p> <p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/st-john-collection-batwing-sleeve-dress-with-cowl-back/3256671?origin=category&#038;resultback=2520" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/st.....tback=2520</a></p> <p>Or something along these lines if it was a pool/backyard/outdoor gathering, and you still wanted to be comfortable, but dressed up:</p> <p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-belted-jersey-maxi-dress/3252382?origin=keywordsearch&#038;resultback=4270" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....tback=4270</a></p> <p>Hmm...as much as I complain about knits and knit dresses, this is one place where they really come in handy. When you're entertaining, you're not going to be wearing blazers, button-down shirts or anything overly tailored or fussy. You need to look like you can move, even if you've had the whole thing catered (or it's take-out, you've plunked it all onto your nice dishes and thrown some fresh parsley around - don't laugh, I've done it). </p> <p>Not sure if I'm making sense, but I've never arrived at someone's house for a dinner party and the hostess is wearing a fussy cocktail dress or a jacket. It's usually a fab knit dress or dressy pants with an 'easy-ish' top - perhaps a sparkly tank or what have you. </p> <p>Think 'move-ability' if that helps at all. The general idea is to look like you could (in theory) have done all the cooking/prep-work in the outfit you're wearing. </p> <p>Does this make sense? Nice pants, comfortable top, or a knit dress of some kind. Something you could have potentially done all the work in. Reality? Shorts, flip-flops, t-shirt, hair thrown up in a bun or pony tail and get fixed up later. </p> <p>In the meantime, do not expect to get 'dressed' for company until half an hour to an hour or more before the guests arrive. Have your outfit picked out and hanging up ...there's no way you're going to be cooking, cleaning, arranging flowers, setting up chairs or whatever in your actual 'entertaining' outfit. Just trust me on this one! I absolutely recommend blocking off that last hour before anyone could possibly show up for getting freshened up and changed. </p> <p>It's normal (to me) to look haphazard, flustered,stressed and messy while the work is getting done. </p> <p>This is why it's important that you block off some time before guests arrive to get fixed up and freshened up, and that you pick an outfit that at least has the potential for looking like you could have cooked, cleaned and decorated all day in it. I know it sounds ridiculous, but seriously - would you expect to show up at someone's house for a home-cooked dinner and the hostess/host is wearing a suit? A button-down shirt? Perfectly pressed pants? A cocktail dress of some kind? </p> <p>While you wouldn't actually wear your 'entertaining' outfit while doing the cooking, prep or decorating - the outfit should at least look like it was possible to do so, and should still have enough move-ability and comfort to get things out of the oven, onto serving plates and so on. </p> <p>In the meantime, I think it's very sweet of you to offer to host dinner, especially when you're not feeling all that comfortable with making roast, yorkshire or gravy. Go you! </p> <p>One last thing - you can also easily wear a beautifully cut pair of jeans, some comfortable sparkly sandals or low-heeled pumps and a fab knit (yes I said knit) top and you will look absolutely beautiful hosting a dinner party. The dresses I suggested are ideas for those occasions when you feel like you need to look a bit more 'hostess-y' if that makes sense. </p> <p>I think it depends on the type of meal/party you're hosting, the occasion, and number of guests. For just four or six people and it's close friends/family - I'd want premium jeans hemmed to PPL, really great shoes and a fab top and I'd be quite happy and comfortable with that. </p> <p>Hope tonight's dinner went well </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591218 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:27:13 +0000 Ana 591218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no! I have no advice (and it's probably too late anyway). Just wondering how your dinner turned out? : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591135 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:07:39 +0000 Sarah A 591135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like mentioned, I usually wear jeans or other super casual clothes then change about 15 min or so before guests arrive. I wear a lot of A-line dresses and wore one entertaining at my home today as well. I did decide to go barefoot, even though my outfit would have been a bit better with shoes! DH said he wanted to grill so I got out of most of the cooking anyway and an apron was fine coverage to prep the salad. I have also considered getting a chef's coat to wear over my nicer clothes when cooking. <a href="http://www.happychefuniforms.com/800-347-0288/Chef_Coats.cfm" rel="nofollow">http://www.happychefuniforms.c....._Coats.cfm</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591133 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:06:52 +0000 Isabel 591133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For the feet, I like a metallic, flat that is cushy and very comfortable. I also like black ponte knit pants because you can throw anything over them a look dressier in a minute. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591077 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:35:11 +0000 Anonymous 591077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear my trainers and exercise clothes for the first part of prep. I hosted a huge brunch today and when I put the main dish in to cook for an hour, I slipped away to shower and dress. I chose my washable zebra dress to wear today and flat sandals. It was breathable, camouflaged spills and since it was a dress, I didn't have to worry with a top coming untucked from a skirt or a belt riding up over the waist band of the skirt, etc. It's below knee length and A-line, so I had great freedom of movement. </p> <p>My outfit would have looked so much more interesting if I had been able to pattern mix as planned by wearing my floral cardi on top, but it was too hot with the oven going full blast. I think a full skirt could look charming barefoot or with house slippers FWIW. Good luck with your prime rib! That's sweet of you to give your Mum a break. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591047 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:47:32 +0000 Anonymous 591047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do most of the cooking before guest arrive in my old house clothes and then change into something nicer. I then do wear an apron when I do the finishing work. Normally I wear "house" shoes and sometimes I keep them on but often I do wear my "good" shoes when company comes. </p> <p>BTW- if you have a convection oven it works really nice for roasting prime rib. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-when-entertaining-at-home#post-591043 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:35:50 +0000 Aziraphale 591043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, I stupidly offered to cook a roast today for my parents (stupid because I don't actually know how to roast prime rib, make gravy and yorkshire pudding -- I must have spent an hour on the internet trying to figure out how to manage it), it being Easter Sunday and all, because they are into that sort of thing, and my elderly mother isn't really up to it any more. Anyway, to the point: what do you wear when cooking for guests at home? I always make a horrendous mess, for one thing, and an apron only protects you so much. And I can't bring myself to wear shoes inside, but any outfit that doesn't involve jeans looks pretty silly without shoes. I don't entertain a lot (really don't like cooking!) but whenever I do, I have no idea what to wear. Any suggestions? </p>