Fancy Christmas charity lunch

[scullie]

I'm not sure what to wear to a lunch event. Apparently no ballgowns, fine. It's in central London in a posh hotel with 500 or so people. No dress code, and it's mainly going to be men.

One of the male attendees has told me they usually wear lounge suits with or without ties.

So...
Smart work shirt dress?
Trousers and a sparkly top?
Trouser suit?

I'm going alone so don't want to stand out for the wrong reasons!

Would rather be comfy than glam and don't like wearing heels.

Size 12, 5ft 6. Fairly evenly proportioned if that helps. Thank you!

Smart work dress is fine, trouser suit, something slightly seasonal eg a jersey dress in more "Christmas" colours is ok too but you might stand out a bit if mostly men in grey suits. I have a dark green smart dress which I'd pair with a smart more structured cardigan myself

Is it the type of event where it goes on into the evening and is v boozy or more a lunch, speeches, donation, leave, kind of thing?

A champagne reception, lunch 5pm finish. So not into the evening.

That's helpful thanks, yes jewel tones are more festive so I'll try something on these lines rather than sparkle I think

I would be heading to LK Bennett and The Fold et al to look for something that’s a bit too nice to wear to wear to work but definitely falls in the day dress category. A tea dress would work too. Jewel tones are a lovely idea.

I think it’s The Fold or Me & Em that have some beautiful coat dresses.

Shoes could be stretchy knee boots? Boden have some nice ones with a block heel and M&S always do a great bargain pair (even if the stretch does give out after one winter).