Suggestions for "dress code suits"?

[ClothesClueless]

I have to go to a big dinner (prob hundreds of people, most of whom will be more at ease with what to wear when than I!) for which the dress code is "Suits".

Debretts decodes "lounge suits" as "For evening events, a smart, or cocktail, dress (with sleeves or a jacket) is a suitable choice." (but maybe "lounge" changes it, who knows?) while this chat thread seems pretty split...

I rather doubt I have anything suitable. Don't mind wearing dresses, but hardly ever do, so I have some that I think are probably not formal enough (Phase 8 skater dresses and the like) and some that might be too dressy (long or sleeveless or silk or all three - jackets don't usually work well for me as I have wide hips and narrow shoulders, so if I have to have covered arms I'd prefer sleeves).

I'm in my 50s, size 12/14, 5'6", pear-shaped more than busty; and though I often enjoy wearing dresses when I do so, I'm not a very "feminine" type, eg never ever wear makeup at all (and won't), hardly ever wear jewelery, and can't walk in high heels, so most "dress it up with" suggestions will cause me stress. I'd prefer to have a dress that will be right without much faffing, feel comfortable in it and forget it. Don't mind buying the right thing, preferably online, say up to £150.

Any suggestions? TIA!

What do you think of this for example:

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/shop-all-dresses/cross-neck-dress/204206351

(though maybe if that would work so would the Phase 8 I have, dunno)

or this is much dressier:

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/shop-all-dresses/taylor-tie-front-dress/204033351

? I feel this shouldn't be hard but my nn is apt. My aim is probably to be wearing the same dress as at least 6 other women there! Help?

I think the first one would be perfect. Or anything that sort of smartness.

Thanks @RoganJosh ! Would similar smartness include this which I already have, do you think? (I love this dress, really feel it suits me, so if it's suitable I'm sorted)

www.amazon.co.uk/PHASE-EIGHT-SIENNA-SKATER-DRESS/dp/B072K5BZNR?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Those dresses are beautiful. You'll look very elegant in any of them.

Thanks !

I think skater dresses don't look very formal. Evening events with that dress code usually means cocktail dress. The second phase eight dress is lovely and a bit more like what I'd choose for that kind of event.

Meh - I was about to click to get that one and then decide when I got it, but it's in the sale and out of stock (in both the sizes that might be worth trying). If you have any links to other things I might like given that I like these, in stock in a 12 or 14 or better both (as I'm really in the middle and it's hard to predict what will work best, so best is to order both and send one back) please pass them on!

I'm relieved that I have something that some people think is fine - once we're in the realm where it's a matter of opinion whether a thing is suitable, that's already not a disaster! However getting something new that I'd love has its attractions...

Bonus points for not navy, because I always end up buying navy things. Dark red maybe?

the phase 8 one is in stock in John Lewis if you like it, in a 12 and a 14.
www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-cross-neck-dress-navy/p3288087

I like this one but its sleeveless, lovely colour though www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-leia-tie-dress-fig/p3265342

Thanks mermaid but that's the first one, which Intransige thought not formal enough; it's the second one that I was looking at which is now out of stock.

What does anyone think of this? Reviews are mixed, but might be worth trying?

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0216-5077-3854L00&productvarid=0216-5077-3854L00-TEAL-14&refpage=dresses

Would you wear something like this?

xpost: the Leia, hmm. Not sure about that. The V neck looks a bit deep for me, and I'm not sure short sleeves is right for this: a bit little girl? Pretty though, on someone else!

House of Fraser has the phase eight one in a 12?

Intransige Whistles applique textured dress - no, sorry! I was giving it the benefit of the doubt till I saw the cut-out back, which - no. But in any case if I go for sleeveless doesn't that get me back at the need-a-jacket problem?

That teal one is gorgeous.

The thing about these big events is that eof you wear something broadly in keeping with what they want, and you feel comfortable in it, then you don't get too noticed. But maybe that's my aim not yours!

Ah I didn't notice the back! Sorry.

What about something like this?

Intransige thanks for spotting the 12 in House of Fraser, I bought it (it may not fit, but there again, it may). Can collect it tomorrow, so I'll let you know.

The Jaegar lace dress... I don't know. I've never worn a lace dress. I think of it as something that might end up being too dressy for this? (Bit of missing context, perhaps: it's on a weekday, starting at 7, and many of the attendees will be people who work a full day and then have an hour or two to drive to get to it - so come to think of it, if it's remotely possible for people to wear something they also go to work in, I bet many will. So that may tend to lower the average dressiness of the occasion.) I don't want to be noticed for being wrong in either direction, but being over-dressed is more scary to me than being under-dressed. (Ohyesiam not getting noticed would be perfect, yes! I will talk, and am quite happy for people to remember what I say...)

Ah ok, they mean that kind of "suit" dress code. In which case I think that phase eight one would be good, also the Hobbs one you linked to. Or something like this perhaps? It's more work-ish.

Hmm, yes, maybe. Thank you all very much for your help, I really appreciate it!

I got an ace Boden dress from ebay that hits this perfectly. Silk cotton mix, sleeves, semi fitted, bit of sparkly detail but not top to toe sequin. A navy version of this. Basically they did a line of "limited edition" slightly 60s style dresses in this lovely silk cotton fabric. I thought it would be perfect for work dinners where you want to look a bit different to a day in the office, but not all floaty and flowery.

If you don't mind secondhand/dry cleaning this is nice with plain black tights and shoes.

The Phase 8 tie front dress arrived but sadly does nothing for me so I returned it on the spot. V neck a bit low given I have not much bust (better bra would help with that, it's the wrong one you can see peeping through in the photo), but worse, lots of folds of rather stiff material makes my hips look enormous. The 12 fit, even rather loosely, though, which makes me wonder whether ordering just the 14 of the Hobbs teal one was a mistake... ah well, if I like it but the size is wrong I have time to swap that.

Let me try including a photo, never done that before on mn - then anyone who knows me irl will know who I am, but hey, I namechanged before this thread :-)

Maybe while I wait for the Hobbs one to arrive I should photograph the possibilities I have... will have to edit out background clutter though!

Hmm, needed better lighting, you can't see much more than the shapes. Still, group 1, from left to right:

• ancient Monsoon black and green velvet: I like this and it might be a possible, but I'm a little embarrassed at how old it is (like, more like 30 years than 20, probably)
• Peruvian connection (via ebay) brown wool with embroidery round neck: nice dress but a bit too clingy perhaps, doesn't half show my violin hips
• Phase 8 light drapey material, probably a bit too tired

Next group, as different photos this time, easier:

• the Phase 8 Sienna I pointed at before - my feeling is this is the best I have right now
• some other Phase 8, lighter material and brighter colour but not quite such a good shape for me
• seriously ancient Racing Green - too casual I think.

Conclusion: I have too many dresses all the same.

Ha, or, actually, how about this which I'd forgotten I had? (Silk tunic: only problem is I'd have to manage not to drop food down it...)

I think the v necks are much better than the round necks on you.

I'm not sure about the shift, it's quite boxy looking but it might be the pattern. But the length is good - I don't think the more midi length ones are as good as the shorter ones on you. Have you tried a shorter length shift, slightly above the knee?