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.

But on the other hand it’s nice to lean in to the country garden venue. Dressing for dinner at The Ritz Paris might seem a bit … unfriendly.

I agree with this- you can't really stand in a field dressed as Holly Golightly.

In a marquee and dinner with dancing isn’t really a ball. It’s also a party. Therefore chic isn’t black tie in my view.

I would Freak Out

Chic just means 'look as if you've made an effort'.

This? I think it would look chic with pink shoes:

Check out this item I found on Warehouse

I’d have to dress up as Nile

I would wear a black dress and pearls (chanelling Audrey Hepburn, rather hopefully). Possibly also a hat or hairclip thing, also in homage. and a cigarette holder to complete the costume, if I could find or make a representation of one. I don't smoke, but I can see they look elegant. And maybe evening gloves. Maybe sunglasses? Whatever I could rummage and find in my wardrobe (or a charity shop)

Sorry, picture links son't seem to be working https://www.byrdie.com/audrey-hepburn-outfits-8418944

Apologies, link attachment failing. It’s a lovely green dress with a large pink floral pattern.

I also thought instantly that chic is block colours not patterns - grown up, tidy, somewhat structured and definitely not ditzy, flowery or floaty.

Edit: sorry, I'm quoting the wrong person I think!

I rather like this, though not sure if it would be suitably long on you, @Onanotherhealthkick:

https://www.frenchconnection.com/products/printed-dori-maxi-dress-multicoloured

I think one thing jumps out to me. Pink and sparkly doesn’t exactly broadcast ‘chic’

have you got anything more sedate?

Have you considered vinted or eBay?

Chic has no actual meaning, does it? It just means whatever the person who used the word thinks is "chic" ... on that particular day! 😆

https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-pleated-dropped-waist-maxi-dress/p/clp23075495?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

This is chic?

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv046372/v69528

And this would be great with pink heels.

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv045928/h05362

If you like pink and you like Boden, this is quite nice, wouldn't be too warm for summer dancing, and is in a block colour that could be styled up, https://www.boden.com/products/women-saoirse-smocked-jersey-dress-bright-pink-d1648pnk Also, the style looks as though it would potentially be quite comfortable, but conform to one's body to give a good fit.

I don't think florals are chic. But I appreciate florals are a British thing.

turn up in good jeans and a navy cashmere jumper smoking Gauloises and looking nonchalant

https://www.hobbs.com/product/carly-floral-dress/0226-5675-9022L00-IVORY-MULTI.html

Plenty of options at Hobbs

https://www.hobbs.com/product/marilyn-texured-satin-dress/0126-5107-9045L00-MIDNIGHT-NAVY.html

also in pink- although might move into bridesmaid territory

The Hobbs black tie dress is a bit ott. It’s a party, not a ball. I would imagine at £249 the Hobbs dress is over budget and won’t be worn again. The styles from Boden could be reworn. Dressed up with a clutch bag and dangly earrings, the dresses are fine but I’d not have the jersey pink one. Jersey is rarely chic.

It’s navy