Outfits for tricky occasion

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Going with my partner to his old school reunion (private school old boys' dinner) on HMS Belfast. I've posted about this before, trying to gauge whether I'd be warm enough in a strapping frock, but now am wondering what to wear altogether. Apparently said scrappy frock is not right (too partyish) but the only guidance I've been given about dress code is 'lounge suits'. He hasn't been before so doesn't know what people wear and probably wouldn't know how to describe women's clothes even if he'd noticed them.

What does one wear to a 'lounge suit' level of smart dinner, on a ship, with posh strangers in their 50s? I'm assuming that it will be relatively conservative.

I'm 43, size 14, 5'5", evenly proportioned with relatively big boobs. For something I'd wear lots of times I'd be prepared to spend £150 or so, but cheaper is good too. Any suggestions gratefully received.

I think, lounge suit = cocktail dress type thing, or smart trousers & posh top I think.

I would wear a dark coloured jumpsuit and a pair of strappy heels - to me that feels like a bit of a safe middleground between really dressy and not so dressy.

Sounds from these answers that maybe it's not so tricky after all! Thanks both 😊

Don’t wear heels fir HMS Belfast - you wil potentially be going up and down quite steep stairways and a sloped gangplank up to the ship. Best block heels or wedges to avoid potential embarrassment.

Personally I think cocktail dress is to much. I’d wear a nice dress of the kind you’d wear to a low key wedding or as others have suggested a jumpsuit

Look on Lindy bop.they have lovely dresses for the occasion you describe. 50s style block colour.