Please help me! Desperately need outfit for Paris!

[MyRedViolin]

Hi, whilst I have been a peruser of S&B for a while, this is my first ever mumsnet post, but I am in such a muddle I need help and don't know where else to turn!

So next weekend I am off to Paris for 3 nights, it's for a very close friends birthday who has recently moved there. Anyway it is quite a big event as she has also got engaged so it's a joint celebration. The trouble is, although I know we are going out somewhere on the Saturday evening she hasn't yet decided where, knowing her well, I suspect she won't decide until Friday at the earliest by which point I will be in France. So I need an outfit that will cover any dressyish occasion. Not such a difficult task you might think, but I have trawled over many pages of online shops and I haven't found anything I really like.

My friend is incredibly stylish and always looks lovely so I really want to look nice. I just don't know how. In normal life I do consider myself to have a reasonable grasp on style, but for some reason I cannot think of an outfit.
I was thinking of a dress, but so many of the dresses I have seen are either too work like, too ugly, or expose way too much flesh (I don't normally have a problem with this but it's not the look I want)
I want to look chic and stylish and not too try hard if that's possible.
Can anyone please help me, I would be so great full!
Sorry for the very rambling post, and thanks

Some thoughts:

1. I don't think it's that hot in Paris yet so if you do go for a dress it would probably need to be with tights. What would you wear for a night out here?

1. If you don't know for a fact that you're going to be getting taxis everywhere, you will probably be walking/on the metro a lot so you might need to think about footwear. I don't wear flats so this is always a main point for me when packing. Block heel ankle boots could be versatile and comfy for nightwear and some daywear? Would work with both a dress and slim trousers/jeans.
2. What's your luggage situation? Are you needing help with outfits in general or is it just for the big night out? Parisian women are perhaps known for pared down palettes with a lot of neutrals/dark colours I think. Although you can have a brighter palette too obviously. But anyway, a core palette might help tie everything together especially if you can't bring too much stuff.

1. Much like in London and New York, I personally think Paris women can be a bit less is more. So you never need to feel underdressed. Just tell yourself that you've got it just right!

1. Mostly, I just wanted to say have a great time. Being invited to celebrate a friend's engagement in Paris sounds fabulous. So therefore you are already fabulous.

Thanks for replying, some really good points!

I was thinking tights with dress too, I often wear tights with a dress this time of year here. I have two dresses that I would normally wear but have worn them out with friend recently so would quite like something new. One is a black sleeveless top shop skater style dress. The other is a sequin bodycon style also in black. Realise that sounds hideous but it's not, honestly.
Good point about shoes, luckily I think I'm ok on that front though as have some nice chunky heel shoe boots. Depending on where we go for a night out, I might take some other heels as well.
It's really just the night out outfit I need help with. Luckily I tend to almost live in black, white and grey, with the occasional muted colour thrown in, so I think I'm okay for the day outfits.

Skater style dress with tights sounds perfect imo and not too try-hard. Red might be nice if you're getting a new one? Maybe get one with sleeves if you fancy a change. Or your black one but with a new necklace maybe. With a clutch bag for night.

Just realised you might be averse to red if you prefer muted colours. Burgundy could be nice and world still look good with black. It doesn't suit me but it seems to be quite popular.

Thank you NowWhat!

Places I have already looked, ASOS, top shop, mango, next, Zara, h&m...
Any ideas where else my mind is blank!

I would wear the black skater dress you have and buy fabulous accessories: New heels - maybe animal print? Statement necklace - muted mustard tones. Black leather clutch. Faux fur jacket as is likely to still be cold at night.

Another poster ha started a thread here asking what shoes to put with a dress. This is the dress and I think it would be perfect for day or night.www.allsaints.com/women/dresses/allsaints-marble-dress/?colour=5&category=22

Lindybop is cheap & lots of colours. I was pleasantly surprised. Fast delivery too & I'm in NI. Sounds a lot of fun. I agree that less is more so would accessorise a plainer dress with good jewellery .

Black dress sounds perfect. I work over there a lot and the clothes are quite simple and dark on the women I spend time with.
I have felt overdressed wearing too much colour or make up so I don't do either over there now.
I have noticed many wear some really blingy jewellery, but simple clothes.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like simple is the way to go with the dress and accessorise well. I think I will have a look for a new dress but if all fails will get some new shoes and wear my skater dress.

That AllSaints dress is lovely, but sadly a bit over my budget.

What about this ?

I've spent all day looking at dresses and I love that...just wish they did different colours as I'm looking for a wedding and I think too dark..but tres chic for Paris, non?