Help please - which of these dresses for night out?

[DontBeSoGlaikit]

I have a work night out next weekend - cocktails and a three course meal in a private room in a gastro pub. I found out on Friday that the dress code is ‘cocktail’ and I don’t know what to wear!

It’s winter where I live just now and I tend to get cold so would prefer long sleeves. None of my existing dresses (a) fit or (b) are winter-appropriate. I’ve found these two options and tried both in black but both were too big so haven’t yet tried the correct size.

the blue is most likely a better colour on me but I’ve not seen the blue in real life. I can order any of them tomorrow and get them in time but wouldn’t order both because one is on sale and non returnable and the other I know the shop only does credit not refunds.

So, which do you think is best for this occasion and what shoes would you wear with each, bearing in mind the dress code and the cold? Is the blue appropriate for evening?

I think the intention of the dress code is to encourage everyone to glam up a bit but it isn’t a really strict code (I’ve seen pics from last year and most women wore dresses but quite a range of styles from prom style to more day/jersey styles).

my other option is plain black slim pants and a plain black top which seems dull but could I get away with it with glam earrings etc?

I rarely go out these days so feel very out of practice! All ideas much appreciated.

The first dress would absolutely be suitable for the event you describe. It's obviously not 'cocktail' in the true sense, they just don't want people turning up in casual wear. Some nice jewelry and a sparkly bag and you are good to go. Get that one ordered and relax 😊

The first one is awful and looks like a sack and the second one is great if you're teaching in a school.

Neither are suitable as a cocktail dress.

My favourite option for “out out” dressing last winter was slinky palazzo-type trousers in a silky or metallic material. You can dress them down with trainers and a tshirt, or up with a silky top, jacket and pumps, or any combination of those, and they feel much more relaxed (literally, with an elasticated waist) and less “try hard” than a dress, but still look as though you’ve made an effort.

This kind of thing https://www.johnlewis.com/hush-hammered-satin-wide-leg-trousers-khaki/khaki/p6278766

They are perfectly fine for a works night out of dinner in a gastro pub. Did you miss what the OP said about last year's event?

As milkysmum said It's obviously not 'cocktail' in the true sense, they just don't want people turning up in casual wear.

Short black one is fine. Add nice accessories and get your hair done.

Yes, it's bland, but I tend to opt for bland at work tbh

This.
💯
Hair done.
Glitzy accessories- bag, shoes, earrings.
Good to go.
Where is the blue one from?

All from the same shop. But fast delivery I think and a similar price to the black one you picked.

This is beautiful imo but you’d have to know your size as it’s not returnable. https://www.theiconic.co.nz/raspberry-dress-1853151.html

Not sure about the belt on this one…
https://www.theiconic.co.nz/love-pleat-dress-1596971.html

Or a little simpler but still attractive https://www.theiconic.co.nz/cute-girl-elbow-sleeve-dress-1599952.html

The OP's original choice of the short black dress with the micro pleating is much nicer than any of them.

Thanks for the helpful comments especially those who appreciated what I mentioned about the event and venue. @NatashaDancing yes that is the pleated dress and it wasn’t on sale yesterday so that’s a bonus.

the blue and black long ones are from Lemon Tree Design to a pp who asked. They are in a lovely heavy tencel which is actualy a nicer fabric than the shorter pleated one.

@Mummyoflittledragon I actually saw that raspberry one yesterday but even if I could have got it in time (questionable) I would have to take a risk with sizing.

I’m ok with something reasonably unremarkable for a work event, with bugger all time to plan and limited choices! But next time I get a save the date for an event, I’ll ask straight away if there’s likely to be a dress code so I have more than a week to rustle something up.

Tencel is a lovely silky material which is really nice to wear. The tencel dresses drape beautifully. For a gastro pub any three would be more appropriate, in my view, than a gussied up "cocktail dress"

Blue tencel dress
Black tencel dress

OP the Kimmi dresses are in the sale on the links I posted but are full price on Lemon Tree's own website. They are very nice dresses. The draping at the waist is nice detail.

Thanks so much @NatashaDancing I’d found them on sale elsewhere but hadn’t seen that particular shop. Really appreciate your input and help!

I think the first one would be fine with some accessories