Formal Cocktail Party Dress

[andthebandmarchedon]

Hello!
Posting here as well as the Forces sweetheart page as haven’t had any replies….
I have been invited to go to a cocktail party to celebrate a significant event with my husband. He is representing his organisation and is a guest of the government - British military dress codes apply.
I haven’t been to this sort of thing for about 12 years so have no idea whether the dress code is as it used to be! It used to be shoulders covered and below the knee equivalent of a fairly typical formal LBD type situation. Not sure whether I can get away with something a bit more modern in this day and age?
I have a ton of dresses and hoping one will do! Though all are a bit more midi/maxi and non standard cocktail so am not sure.
Would appreciate any knowledge on current etiquette. Many thanks.

Hi @andthebandmarchedon did you find something in the end?

In case anyone with similar requirements reads this, the styles to look at are not too short (1inch above knee at shortest) to full length, whatever suits you) and definitely not low cut, sleeves or separate jacket/wrap required as shoulders should be covered during dinner.

Basically think classically elegant rather than fashion forward, I wore a dress from Roman recently that was fairly cheap but had that late 40's style, knee length, topped with a wrap as it had no sleeves. I will add though that as guests rules are not that strictly upheld but tongues would be wagging if the outside was too outside the norm.