Outfit help please

[PoliticalWife]

In May my DH Is standing for parliament.
Due to the constituency, and a range of reasons, it is likely that there will be TV cameras at the count.
I am expected to be there. It is probably going to go on all night- results at around 5/6am apparently. I have no idea what to wear. If he wins I will be on the platform next to him when he makes a speech so want to look ok!

It has to be smart, not ostentatious (my choice), and look ok from about 6pm till 5/6am- so comfortable and not easily crushable. I am a size 12, and about 5-8 in height.

I generally wear skinny jeans, converse & jumpers (am SAHM) day to day. I do have some smart dresses and ballet flats but none of them seem right.

Any ideas? (I don't look good in yellow orange or green)

I know this is way ahead, I will just have lots of other things to think about closer to the time so want to get it sorted soon.

I would think a shift dress and jacket would be a suitable thing to wear. Colour may depend on which party he is running for!

What an interesting question! I suppose it depends whether you want to go for the fragrant Mary Archer look ( floral dress, neat hair) or something more tailored / sharp.
I suppose you will also need to look quite businesslike and modest, so no obvious cleavage/ thigh.
Maybe check out Kate Middleton's wardrobe, she usually looks appropriate.I think she shops at Reiss! She is good at colour, so think about what suits you. If you want to be unobtrusive then go for more neutral colours ; bright colours draw attention to you.
I'm sure other people will be along with more specific info.

Agree with dexter73 outfit should at least nod to party colour (and should definitely not be another party's colour!).

How likely is he to win/stand again in another seat? Because that could influence what you get as you might need it again (i.e. if he has a good chance of winning, get something good quality you'll get a few years out of, if he's unlikely to win but will stand again, don't get anything too contemporary as you'll need to wheel it out again in 5 years!)

Some good ideas would be:
Shift dress and jacket or posh cardigan
Trouser suit in style you will like/re-wear with top underneath in party colours or similar
Belted button through shirt dress can look smart and feminine, plus very this season (but also classic style)

Also, would one of your existing dresses look right with new shoes and bag say (plus maybe a belt?). Pointed flats are supposed to be the thing this year rather than ballet flats (although I always find pointed flats very uncomfortable), a kitten or micro heel is also up to date.

Thank you for the ideas so far. I had not thought about a trouser suit- I have a navy one which might still fit. I could then wear a brighter colour underneath.
Not planning on fragrant Mary archer- floral is not really me!
Just looked at reiss- sadly most of the things I liked had sold out except tiny sizes, but worth checking back so thank you.

Any ideas for good places for shift dresses? I don't shop a lot (can you tell?!)
Or shirt dresses?

I would have a look at Hobbs or John Lewis.

Agree with Hobbs and John Lewis. Got a lovely shift dress with long swing jacket suit from Hobbs once that lasted so long and looked so appropriate at so many things.

Also try El Ganso Spanish place, but they have shops in London and also do online deliveries here.
and Damsel in a Dress for some smart but not too officey looking things

Thank you! I am having a lovely time scrolling through dresses on john lewis.
And I'm so glad you think it's an interesting question- I was worried that people might say that worrying about what to wear at an election count was silly- which is why I asked here and not IRL.