Help me please with an outfit

[superbagpuss]

I am going to a work thing, never done this before

I have been told the evening meal is dressy but not black tie

Does this mean a cocktail dress? How dressed up do I get? Floor or kness length?

My male friends are taking suit trousers and shirts

I am travelling abroad so cannot take lots of outfits just in case.

looking at the event their are two dinners - a welcome dinner on the first nigth and a goodbye party on the second night!

I'd just go for a nice dress. Is that helpful?

What kind of suits do you mean the men are wearing - just normal suits they might wear for work, with a tie?

So not a full cocktail dress, but something probably knee-length with a bit of colour or sparkle.

It doesn't sound like it's dressy enough for cocktail.
I second the 'nice dress' suggestion. I would wear the type of dress that you can wear to work and dress up a bit for dinner.
Do you have anything like that in your wardrobe?

I would buy 2 plain fitted knee length dresses (probably black) and add sparkle / interest through jewellery and accessories. You will be better able to gauge dressiness / style when you are on the ground and can adapt your handbag / necklace etc accordingly rather than thinking "shit I've brought the wrong dress"

Baukjen, Cos, Banana Republic do simple dresses that can be dressed up or down.

thanks for the replies

would black trousers/ sparkly top be OK for the first night

will need to find something for the party night

men are wearing smart casual clothes

I would def do black trousers and sparkly top - but I seldom do dresses

Itscurtainsforyou - I'm sitting here trying to work out if your username has anything to do with Doctor Horrible...

I do have a lot of dresses so maybe a look through my wardrobe this weekend is in order!