Inspiration needed - outfit for a book launch

[Magyar37]

Would anyone like to help me find an outfit to wear to an evening book launch? It needs to be:

-smart but not super evening-y (ie not lots of glitter or a ballgown)
-maybe a bit interesting/cool/bookish looking?
-no high heels, only flats

I hardly ever need to be smart and my wardrobe is all casual and daytime - jeans and jumpers basically.

I'm late 30s, average height, slim, dark hair, pale and tend to look better in dark colours - light or pastel colours wash me out. All suggestions and ideas welcome!

I was about to suggest Rixo! Some of the prints are OTT but there are a few more neutral ones that would work with a more minimalist look.

A personal shopper at John Lewis? They can suggest styles /colours you wouldn't ordinarily try.

My problem is I tend to go for the same old, same old. I don't even 'see' the other stuff on the rails.

JL personal shopper helped me choose a perfect outfit for an occasion and I never received so many compliments in my life.

BlueGlasses I think I might need something like that too. Lots of the clothes on this thread are beautiful but I don't think I'd have looked at them in the shop. I mostly shop online and buy the same things over and over. Nice jeans, jumpers, stripy t-shirts...