Dress code ‘CHIC’ - help needed desperately

[Onanotherhealthkick]

I have been invited to a party (in 10 days time). Dress code is Chic. I am not a chic person at all and actually am not entirely sure what passes as chic nowadays.
It is going to be in a marquee - dinner and dancing. Age range will probably be about 50s-70s.
I’m 5ft 10, a size 10, sometimes 12 and in my early 50s. I have a pair of pale pink sparkly sandals from Dune but no dress!! Colours that suit me - pinks, purples, teals/warm blues, yellows.
Budget isn’t massive (please no Vinted options as I would like the option of sending clothes back). I like Boden, Seasalt, Adini, M+S for my general every day shopping.
Any links or inspiration would be fantastic.

Hey I'm not chic either but I like the brands you like!
This any good? Just an idea, because I like it and I'd probably buy it if I had an event coming up whatever the dress code was. 😂https://www.next.co.uk/style/su894595/g09948

Thanks @TemporarilyCantDoMyself for the link. That does look like a pretty dress. I actually ordered a whole heap of stuff from the Next website (and returned it ALL as well). There were a couple of Love & Roses outfits, they looked lovely in the photo but in real life they definitely didn’t.

Thing is - what looks in tune for a UK summer marquee (whether a country garden or a city club) isn’t necessarily the same as what might be determined ‘chic’ loitering outside YSL in Paris. 🤷‍♀️ If it’s a country garden the two looks would be diametrically opposite.

Could you be a tiny bit more specific about the environment of the party?

The Next dress is surely day wear. (Or casual evening.) You mention dinner? And dancing?

Of course - it’s UK country garden chic

Maxi summer dress, cute wrap and wedges

I think it’s mainly about the hair!

How about this as you already have pink shoes?https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/mididresses/product/crinkled-satin-midi-dress-light-pink-1338595001
or this
https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-milly-printed-high-neck-midi-dress?color=528

yellow option https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-milly-satin-high-neck-midi-dress?color=072

I think that chic is often best approached as slightly understated but impeccably groomed - an elegant up do or perfect eye make up etc and simple but elegant jewellery

@Londonmummy66 I love the multicoloured Anthropologie dress, think I’ll add that to my order list. The cos one looks a bit shapeless for me and also is exactly the same shade as my shoes. Thanks so much

Forgot to say, I have booked to have my hair blow dried and I’m very minimal with makeup so that side of things is taken care of at least.

Chic is a 1970s US pop group

you could have some fun with this …

Didn't Chic wear shiny catsuits and feather boas?

Something like this? https://rixolondon.com/products/meera-dress-chelsea-floral-black

(Chic is a really annoying dress code- no actual guidance just pressure!)

(Maybe over budget but as an idea.)

”Chic” to me says well structured, good quality and no patterns. Simple and elegant is the way to go,

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-twill-prom-woven-midi-dressbkk23137?colour=navy

www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-tailored-full-skirt-midi-dress_bkk29439?colour=pink

@CokeinBottles . Gorgeous!! Especially the pink one. Totally out of my price range sadly 😭.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds Chic a confusing dress code.

Worth considering?

https://www.hurrcollective.com/collections/dresses?sizesValue=%5B%22UK+12%22%5D&pageCurrentValue=3

The Anthropologie one, if it fits you well. I just blurted "With pink shoes, that's it!"

Don't choose a pink bag.

@Onanotherhealthkick I’ve found these reduced on the Boden web site. I think garden chic is just what they epitomize! What I suggest is cotton or a good quality linen, midi, and wearable in quite a few situations - eg lunch out, even a casual wedding. Just don’t wear jersey or a beach cover up in cheesecloth!

Consider one of the ‘rent a dress’ sites for occasional wear, OP

Rock up as Nile Rogers.

Honestly I don't like any of those Boden dresses, they look frumpy on the models. Maybe daytime garden/village fete...

I've just scrolled up for the anthropologies dress, that is lovely, very elegant and understated, but if you can pull off that cut, beautiful and so many shades to match it with.

Winner!

It's harder to pull off chic in a pattern. I'd go with something simple in a solid colour.

That red / green / white cotton Boden frock is glorious! 😄 But for a village fete, as @AlgaeDreams suggests, not an evening dinner dance.

I don’t think patterned can be chic nor can more than one bright colour at a time. Nice fabrics, well cut and generally immaculate.
It’s a stupid dress code though. I wish hosts would be more considerate of their guests - the dress code is meant to make things easier not harder!

I'd go for something which isn't patterned, ruched or gathered.

I’m another saying swerve pattern and prints. Florals etc can look really pretty but don’t scream chic. Chic to me is simple, well cut, with a great fit. Simple but groomed hair and make up.