What to wear to a 'Ladies Day' type event?

[VelvetSpoon]

Am going to an event in a few weeks - charity ladies day, lots of fizz and topless male waiters.

Cannot decide what to wear at all - any thoughts?

I do have a new dress which I'd vaguely thought I might wear (pic attached), but short of extreme liposuction there is no way it's going to fit in time, so need a plan b :)

It is a lovely dress, is it possible to exchange if for a larger size? It is a shame to have a gorgeous dress like this just hanging up in your wardrobe. Try Vivienne of Holloway for similar styles.

Can't exchange it - it will fit me later this year :) just not by next month!

Am not even sure if I want to wear a dress really (or what else to wear), it was more that I had this already and thought I might give it an outing, had it fitted.

Definitely wear a skirt or dress. Those events are all about being a bit glam and girly. If you have a skirt that fits, how about buying a glam/chic cardigan and wearing those together, with some good shoes and a bit of bling plus maybe a nice hair slide/hair flower?

I've got quite a nice skirt, and a soft, short jacket, comes just below my waist (not describing it well!) that I could wear, but it feels a little bit work/officey?

Not if you wear it with a lovely, colourful scarf or a glam necklace. These events tend to be on the smarter side anyway (or at least the type I go to are!) so I bet you'll fit right in. Good luck.