What would you wear to a midwinter event with ‘cocktail’ dress code?

[Couldyoubesqueakyclean]

One of my work clients is having an event in 4 weeks and the dress code is ‘cocktail’. I live down under so it’s midwinter and cold!

I am size 18 (hourglass with boobs and a belly) and totally out of practice wearing anything more formal than trousers and a blazer. Haven’t worn heels for at least 2 years and most of the ones I still have are sandals.

I have some dresses that might do (if I can fit into them 😬) but they are more geared for summer and I don’t want to freeze! I can’t imagine having short sleeves or bare legs at this time of year.

Any ideas for the kind of thing I should be looking for? Aargh I’m so out of practice in going out out!

I love velvet for the winter, it automatically looks dressy

Surely it will be warm inside? I'm down under too and it's school ball season, so lots of sleeveless dresses and bare legs, but they aren't outside for long.

Agree with pp that velvet would be lovely.

Christmas party dresses here are much the same as party dresses any other time IME, still sleeveless,strappy, strapless. And sandals always good with a cocktail dress.

You could always go for a tux?

Yes, tux with satin shirt unbuttoned fairly low to show some cleavage and a long necklace to emphasise the vertical rather than horizontal.

Ooh tux is an interesting idea, thanks. I do love velvet too.

I’ve been really cold in the office today with multiple layers on so any bare flesh isn’t appealing at all, even inside!

I came on to say velvet! Asos always has a few things.

Or would any of your dresses work with opaque tights and boots, and a blazer or stole over the top?

@DailySheetWasher thanks for the ideas but I don’t think they’d work with tights and boots. Maybe tights but not boots. I don’t think any of my boots would be appropriate for the dress code in any case.
I was wondering if a jumpsuit would be suitable for cocktail dress code and online research seems to suggest it would so maybe that’s a better Avenue

Can you wear a Review size 18? (For me it depends on how high the waist is).

I’d go for these or similar:
Dress from Review
Dress from Review Outlet

Thanks @DifficultBloodyWoman; I’m across the ditch so we don’t have Review here