Ok, help please. "Casual cocktail"!!

[AngryBeaver]

I have nothing suitable. Well, maybe a black tea dress with small white polka dots?
I also have a husband the same height(5'8) so I feel very self foncious wearing heels.
Fashion doesn't come naturally to me really.
We live on an sub tropical island and I've spent 8 months mainly wearing vest tops and harem pants.
I usually have an ok figure, but have recently had my 4 th child so at the mo I'm probably be 12/14. I've just started running again though so hope to get that down by November. Which is when this party is.

I know I'm going to feel self conscious no matter what. (Have confidence issues) so indeed to feel comfortable.

I'm thinking, tea dress, blazer and ankle boots? But have no idea where to get these or how to put it together.

Help please!

Was the dress code actually described as casual cocktail? I think they might have made it up.

tea dress, blazer and ankle boots doesnt sound quite right TBH.

I would wear a little black dress, safe for most occasions.

What will the weather be like in November?

I would go for a maxi and some jewelled flat sandals, ideas:
black and gold
black blue red or green

I've never heard of that dress code. I'd wear anything I felt like wearing, although probably not jeans.

I think a good party dress and heels is the way forward. Not a jacket or cardi or anything, that would kill it I think.

To me it would definitely mean skinny jeans, glam top, heels and a nice clutch. But I'm sure there will be all sorts there so I wouldn't stress too much! A maxi and some sparkly flat sandals would also be nice...a full on cocktail dress and heels too but likely at the dressier end of the scale.

Is the party in the UK or on your sub- tropical island? If the latter, I'd avoid black like the plague.

For me, the dress code would be dress and heels, but not prom like or tea dress - something in the middle.

I'd envisage something along the lines of this combo, with or without the jacket depending on the temperature....

But something like this would look gorgeous with flat gold sandals....

also v nice

Black I agree is too formal.

understated glamour surely? cigarette trousers, killer heels, beautiful silk top?

silk jumpsuit? again, killer heels?

Ok, thanks for replies.
It will be on our island. November will be getting hot.

It is the captain of a super yacht...and apparently "casual cocktail" is a term!

I can't wear killer heels, I would be taller than my husband. But also, I wouldn't feel comfortable in them, I wobble!

Ohhh sleepwhenidie I love all of those.
Although budget may be an issue.
As I say, just had 4th baby so money is tight for now.

Oh a yacht thing - friend of mine went to one and she said it was basically anything you'd consider wearing to a wedding. That level of dressy.

No, it's in their (palatial!) home.

Cocktail drinks is quite specific - it's usually early evening, light drinks and nibbles.

Do NOT wear trousers (I actually couldn't go!)

something like this is appropriate

Flat sandals will be fine as long as they match your dress and bag.

what is the budget?

i would go with a knee length dress and could you manage a low wedge or some jewelled or metallic flat sandals.

would something like this work?
dressl

or something like this with glitzy/metallic shoes/belt/clutch cheaper

pink

blue

first link didnt work sorry. will try again:

here

Thanks for advice so far! I liked this one

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_008010311312_-1

It would flatter my figure,love the colour, not too short -which I like- but they only have it in a size 10. I'm not sure my boobs would fit into a 10 by November.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_008010311312_-1

that is a bridesmaids dress

NO

casual cocktail is what you might wear out with mates to a restaurant that is not a Harvester

CHRIST GUYS stop with the naff DEbenhams links
NO to bridesmaid dresses

Very difficult to comment as dress codes tend to mean different things in different places and in the tropics (where i also live) I find dress codes tend to run casual, especially for men due to comfort around jkts and ties.

Traditionally, cocktail means short formal dress for women(i.e. little black dress or equaivalent- nothing too flouncy, suit and tie for men. But if it's very hot, men may well not wear ties or jkts. I'd therefore read casual cocktail possibly as trousers and shirt for men (no tie) and equivalent for women, so would probably wear either a slightly more casual dress /shoes or separates. Trousers would be fine for casual cocktail I think.

However, really does depend what the norms are where you live.