Your suggestions for an outfit please

[SparkleGranny]

I'm a granny in my sixties. In a month's time I am going to an award ceremony as surprise surprise! I have been shortlisted in a national competition I entered. The dress code communicated by the organisers is "elegantly casual" Help! What does that mean? What are your suggestions?

I'm 5' 4, wear flat shoes, and am classic pear shape. Although I am probably the normal shape for a woman who had 4 children in 7 years, I do not like my bulgy tummy, so I tend to wear loose clothes - often trousers or leggings and a loose top or tunic - but I have quite thin legs so I hate wide flappy trousers. If it makes any difference, I have collar-length naturally curly hair that's turning grey. Oh and I never wear make up. I know - I'm a lost cause, amn't I?

Anyhow, I want to look like I've made an effort. I'm prepared to splash out a little, within reason. I had a look in my local clothes shop yesterday and everything seems too formal or too informal which made me think I've not really understood the dress code instruction!

Can I please have your suggestions for what kind of outfit would fit the "elegantly casual" bill and where to look?

Thanks.

Congratulations on your nomination, how exciting.

What about a cotton or linen shirt dress? You can wear a nice pair of sandals with it a nice big handbag and some statement jewellery to posh it up a bit.

This one from jigsaw is nice
www.jigsaw-online.com/products/linen-shirt-dress-khaki?variant=43934648762534&istCompanyId=5cb36b28-3b54-4573-9793-5e46611a0358&istFeedId=862761a5-2bf0-4417-ab0a-7e46ee93302a&istItemId=rmllxxqqm&istBid=t&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1qYBPvDDwvxNZzVutK7rZdSm7FSeNwAfEU6oKKRBwwcShjJZ9ffvPoaAkleEALw_wcB

but if you Google I'm sure loads more will come up to suit all budgets.
If you went for cotton over linen it'd feel a bit more Marilyn monroe ish.

Dont forget to have a pedicure if your feet are on show which will make you feel much more elegant all round!

What sort of budget? A long jacket with slim trousers would be a great choice - I love Shibumi jackets or Beatrice von Treskow, and though they are pricey you can often pick them up on ebay or Vinted

Congratulations on being a finalist!

Oooo congrats! You sound like me - age, size, etc. I had a similar dilemma a while ago, lovely problem to have!
How about Monsoon?
Pippa Print Midi Dress Red | Evening Dresses | Monsoon UK.

Embeth Lace Hanky Hem Dress Pink | Evening Dresses | Monsoon UK.

Limella Floral Print Shirred Dress in Sustainable Viscose Blue | Evening Dresses | Monsoon UK.

What's your budget, please? And congratulations.

Thanks for your nice messages <3 and for these suggestions. They've certainly widened my view on the meaning of elegant casual so thank you.
For budget I suppose I'd thought of spending around £100 but could go more if the outfit felt right.

What's closest to your taste so far OP?

I think this dress is very cool. Linen Zip Front Dress | Black – Jigsaw (jigsaw-online.com)

@heldinadream I really liked the style of the pink monsoon hanky hem one, but the back was too exposed for my comfort.
For most of the suggestions here, I liked the natural fabric ones more like :@TinaTotal suggests - viscose and polyester just seem to cling to me in a very annoying way.
Also the sleeves of some of these are a bit flouncy and I prefer more shaped, gathered sleeves.
@MotherofGorgons although I liked the linen look, the style looked a bit "ordinary" to me and the zip didn't appeal.
Am I being too picky?

I love this one! (Not budget friendly)

www.jasperconran.com/collections/shirt-dresses/products/blythe-full-skirt-striped-shirt-dress?variant=42522268991722

@SparkleGranny you've been shortlisted for an award, you can be as picky as you like! Ages to find the right thing. Ok I didn't notice the back of the pink one. What about this?
Embroidered Shirt Dress in Linen Blend Green | Day Dresses | Monsoon UK.

Another Monsoon cotton in sale.
Cut Work and Embroidered Dress in Sustainable Cotton White | Day Dresses | Monsoon UK.

Thanks @heldinadream That green one is a bit in your face for me, a bit short and I don't think I could carry off the bow tie at the waist as stylishly as the model does ;-)
The cut work and embroidered one looks to my old fashioned eyes a bit like a dressing gown. Sorry!

Ok bear with me. May not be fancy enough, but you can accessorize. Cotton midaxi shirt dress with tie-waist La Redoute Collections | La Redoute But cotton under £100 without flouncy sleeves is hard to find. ( I totally get you though; I hate flouncey too)

@TinaTotal Jasper Conran very classy but I don't think I could contemplate spending that much on a dress!

Hmm the La Redoute dress has more cotton content than the Jasper Conran at 5 times its price.

This one has been recommended on another thread https://www.very.co.uk/religion-abstract-print-midi-shirt-dress-blackwhite/1600915472.prd?utm_campaign=other&awc=3090_1694016519_0d983cde6708b05680c1293900b8e18d&aff=awin&affsrc=78888&cm_mmc=awin--78888--Sub+Networks-_-0_0&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=Skimlinks_78888&utm_content=na

What about something like this?

https://naayib.com/products/ikat-print-tunic-khaki?variant=40206718435383&currency=GBP&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=20316918634&utmmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&utmmcampaign=20316918634&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1qTr2zC6j4IB10TricAhIGGOqbvph5o1F98N4ThC7a3L3hAIg2okZEaAocVEALwwcB

That's very stylish @TinaTotal But I fear that it might not look so good with flat shoes. I don't wear heels at all.

That's a lovely ensemble

I think this is lovely and will look fine with flat, jewelled Indian slippers if you can source any. It's basically a modified salwar kameez.

@TinaTotal @Doggymummar @MotherofGorgons I agree it looks stylish. I'll put it on my short list!

Some flat sparkly sandals would look pretty with it too!

Thank you for all your suggestions. I think the two that have appealed to me most of all them are the religion one and the Ikat one.
https://shorturl.at/cgiO8
https://shorturl.at/aMPU8

You've all helped me to think in a more defined way about what I am looking for. Thank you.

The Religion one is lovely OP but just to warn you it doesn't say what the fabric is and I suspect it might by polyester. Because it shows in the pics as see through at the bottom and that sort of gauzy material is poly most of the time.

The ikat comes in another colour on the website. Although I like the green better, but you might like this one. What are you going to wear under it trouser-wise?

IKAT Print Tunic, Black & Pink – NAAYIB

Thanks @heldinadream I do like the black/pink Ikat one. I'd just wear some black linen trousers with it I suppose?