I need 'cocktail attire'. Please help me!!

[ApolloandDaphne]

I am going to a dinner with my DH at the start of December.I have a dress I was going to wear but my DH has just forwarded an e mail about the event and it says the dress code is 'cocktail attire'. This is so not my vibe. The dress I was going to wear is long sleeved with a floaty boho vibe. I need help to find something suitable!

I am age 59, 5'6", apple shaped size 16/18 with silver blonde hair. Can you please work your magic for me? Budget is not an issue but I will probably never wear it again so don't want to spend too much. Thanks!

Oh i do have a long sleeved black velvet dress which might work.

This one??

That dress would be absolutely fine. Do you have some fun shoes/jewellery you could dress it up with?

No fun shoes. What would they even be? I wear boots and trainers most of the time! I have some ancient red sparkly ones which I think are too frumpy and some bright pink ones I bought for a wedding but I ruined the heels of them. I will wear a different necklace and earrings.

I would wear lacey / patterned black tights with that dress and black shoes , maybe primark or charity shop if buying just for the night .
Definitely sparkly jewellery ,like a diamante cuff or stack of sparkly bracelets.
Or do you have some smart black tailored trousers and a sequiny top, if something like this i would go less jewellery elsewhere just sparkly earrings, and sparkly eyes with nude lips -some really good eye make tutorials on youtube.
Would the shoes you have on do, if jazzed up with nice tights ?
If you google sequin tops there are some lovely ones , h&m have a t shirt shape one in black .
Realise i have written sparkly a lot !

I won't wear trousers. I find it very hard to find ones which fit me well. I planned to wear the shoes I have on and could buy nice tights. I'm not really a sparky jewellery sort. I am more understated and classic probably.

I do have some really nice sparkly eyeshadow though!

@ApolloandDaphne

I won't wear trousers. I find it very hard to find ones which fit me well. I planned to wear the shoes I have on and could buy nice tights. I'm not really a sparky jewellery sort. I am more understated and classic probably.

Absolutely fine ! have fun x

I would invest in some party shoes and you'd be sorted. Or wear barely there black tights with the shoes you have rather than nude tights.

Have you looked at hiring something if you won't wear it again?

The black is fine and would class as 'cocktail' attire, but agree you need a fab bag and some jewellery to zshush it up a bit for a party

The thing is it is a smallish dinner in a restaurant which isn't particularly glitzy. It's more of a country inn. I won't know anyone there and I will never meet them again so I am not wanting to spend much money on anything. I have a nice black Mulberry bag which I planned to take but it isn't an evening bag.

That sounds fine then

The only time I've heard "Cocktail Attire" is from Pretty Woman.

My advice is to copy what she wears.

(I suspect this isn't very helpful )

The dress I planned to wear would have been perfect for the vibe of the restaurant. I was just thrown by the invite saying cocktail wear! Thank you for all your help though. It is much appreciated.

@minou123

The only time I've heard "Cocktail Attire" is from Pretty Woman.

My advice is to copy what she wears.

(I suspect this isn't very helpful )

If I looked like Julia Roberts I would glam up for sure!

If you are in a restaurant no-one will see your shoes anyway, so I wouldn't bother buying new ones.

@RampantIvy

If you are in a restaurant no-one will see your shoes anyway, so I wouldn't bother buying new ones.

Exactly!

I think that is ideal for drinking cocktails in! Velvet is poncey enough, dress is chic but not too clingy - useful for eating and drinking in. You can add jewellery for a bit of an extra feature. You'll be sitting eating and it looks like it fits well enough for that. If you want more 'pizazz' wear a bright lipstick but your sparkling conversation will be the real feature!

I'm getting my nails done tomorrow so I might go a nice red colour.

Perfect!

I have lots of cocktail dresses. All it means is a short formal dress or nowadays a dressy trouser/blouse combo or dressy jumpsuit. The dress you've got is perfect and really suits you.

You've had lots of good advice about accessorising. If you are a sparkly person that dress would certainly take some glitter well or you could go the other way and be very understated. Your bob is very chic and Parisian looking so you could go for the classic French look of sharp hair, minimal make up but a really bold red lipstick.

Enjoy it.

I think cocktail just means smart. The men should wear ordinary suits and the women something of a similar level of smartness. It's to stop people turning up in jeans and sweaters or evening dresses and bling. The black dress is fine and I suspect the one you originally intended to wear would have been fine too.

The men have to wear jackets but no tie is needed apparently. I think this black dress will work fine. I will do my hair nicely and wear makeup. I'm sure i have a red lipstick. When I tried the dress on I took off my joggers and hoody and hauled it on!

Jazz up the dress in the pic, wear the shoes you have on, use the Mulberry bag. Hairdo, sparkly accessories and you are good to go!

You look fab for 59 may I say.