Last-minute summons to a smart dinner event - what should I wear?

[letsdawnce]

I need help, please! I've had a last-minute summons to a dinner/evening event this weekend, accompanying my husband who is kind of a 'guest of honour'. It's at a golf club and is golf-related. I have zero interest in golf so dreading it, but I also have nothing to wear. There's no official dress code - it's not a glitzy do, but I definitely can't get away with jeans and a nice top like I would do for most things these days. The only summery dresses I have are either casual or more wedding-appropriate.

I'm 40, 5'9", size 8 but curvy. I like my arms and waist but not so keen on hips/bum so prefer not to add too much volume there. I would like something fairly understated. It's possible I'll be the only woman there.

I'm looking for a midi-length dress, but don't know where to begin as I find shopping overwhelming at the best of times, let alone with such limited time. Budget is negotiable!

Any inspiration would be much appreciated, as I'm extremely unadventurous style-wise and mildly panicking. What would you wear if you were me?

Ok, so it’s Wednesday. Are you planning to go shopping in person or risk ordering online? If you’re in London Net-a-Porter can do same day delivery. And I gather from countless threads that Next do reliable next day delivery.

If you’re shopping in person which decent shops are within a reasonable distance?

No one reading knows what your ‘negotiable’ budget might mean.

Are you absolutely sure there’s nothing suitable in your wardrobe? A smart pair of trousers? A beautiful shirt or blouse? Maybe one of your wedding guest frocks could be dressed down?

What is your DH wearing? This might help with thinking how dressy/casual.
Agree with the idea of dressing down one of your fancy dresses, or dressing up one of the casual ones. I'd find that less stressful than looking for something new.

I agree with the question re your husband, becuase if it's all golf type clothes, I would think that you could upgrade with nice slacks/trousers, and a good top - perhaps a blazer - and good shoes, without necessarily having to buy a new dress.

If you do want a dress, do a trawl of the Next website, order loads, pick one and send all the rest back. Or ditto for John Lewis.

I’m willing to bet you have a dress that you associate with Grand Events, which someone else might wear for less elevated occasions. It’s generally a matter of perception.

To be honest such a last minute invitation is a pretty poor show. If your DH is responsible for it he ought to be making an effort to solve your dressing dilemma.

What would you wear if you were me?

If it was me, smart black trousers and focus on finding a really nice classically styled blouse or top in a favourite colour.

If it's dinner, you'll be mostly sitting down, so people won't see your bottom half, and if it's mostly men, they won't be critiquing your outfit.

Another advantage of trousers is that you can just wear black boots or loafers, if you have them, rather than thinking about heels/evening sandals/whatever.

Wear the wedding guest dress. Better the outfit you know

This is where me and em is your friend - loads of suitable stuff not the website.

At 5ft 9 and a size 8 - you are going to look great in whatever you wear.

Look at ‘skater dresses’, my much more fashion conscious friend tells me that means they have an A line skirt 😆 which I find great for cover hips and bin!

I got a gorgeous Yumi one from Next (who offer next day delivery for free to store if you have a store local to you). This is the one I got but they have a range of colours and patterns.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su246570/n22022

This is why every woman should have a faithful little black dress or equivalent in their wardrobe xx

I used to work in the bar at a golf club, likely that one of your wedding outfits would be most appropriate

She hasn’t said what the event is.. but when I worked in a golf club the evening dos were usually cocktail dress code, not golfing clothes.

I would probably go for something like this - simple and classy but not boring. Also very easy to dress up or down for this occasion plus future ones. https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv044341/h04657

Or if you want even simpler to blend in then this still has some nice detail whilst being understated https://www.next.co.uk/style/su609776/f18711

Most of the suggestions so far aren't really dressy enough for the golf clubs I know.
You'll get better examples if you type 'evening dress' into the Next search bar or similar.

Oh - the OP hasn’t been back, not even with a budget?