Dress code dilemma

If you don't have a jacket I think a knee/calf-length dress with sleeves would do, doesn't have to be black!

Gulp. I don't even have a dress!! Haven't worn a dress or even a skirt for years.
I foresee a shopping trip. Och.

Or you could do the same as many politicians and wear a bright coloured jacket with your black trousers. If you don't want to spend you could probably find something good in the charity shops.

Mrs May style leather trousers

A smart pair of trousers (not jeans) and top will be fine. I don't think you necessarily need a jacket if the top is long sleeved. You'd probably take it off anyway.

I think I'll go the black trousers route and explore possibilities re a top. I've got quite an interesting one but it may be a bit OTT for this event. Its a very smart/striking black and white design knee length fitted overshirt sort of thing. Hard to describe. It might make me look a bit noticeable though.

Go to M&S and look at their Per Una range. Oh and ask an assistant for help. They are used to being asked

Hi Jane10, go for it - wear the interesting top. What's wrong with being noticeable? Like all of us you've got years of experience behind you and you can carry it off. Get your hair done, your usual style, because that will make you feel confident. It's your chance to shine Have a great time!

They mean men in suits and ties and women in whatever they would wear for a night out.
A nice top and maybe some jewellery to make it look a tad more dressed up will be fine.
A nice necklace can lift a nice top to a more dressed up look. A string of pearls always makes a woman look more formal.
Your black and white top is probably fine. Do you feel happy in it?
Don't worry too much. Women can get away with wearing a very wide range of clothes without note.
I had a crisis last week when I realised the summery linen trouser suit I was planning to wear had got a tad too tight for comfort around the hips in the last month... Decided on my most noticeable jacket and the only black trousers that fitted. And reminded myself that as the step aunt-in-law of the groom, nobody was going to give a toss what I wore. One young woman wore an astonishingly scarlet satin full length flowing gown but nobody fainted.

I aim to avoid making people faint!! Thanks for everyone's advice. I think I'll just go for it and wear my black and white top. I do feel good in it and I'll get my hair done too. Sorted.

A picture of said striking top please!!

I can see you from here, looking absolutely stunning !
You enjoy yourself, and you will be the most fascinating woman there.

Wear your top - you'll feel comfortable and that's important. Knock 'em dead!

Oxfam online is a wonderful thing Many of my "business jackets" come from there.

If it states business dress then avoid anything that screams out 'look at me'. A short or long sleeved dress in a colour that will compliment your own particular colouring. Go for heels, not flat casuals, a clutch bag not something swinging off your shoulder or hanging on your arm. All items that you can use again.
It sounds an event that needs you to spend a bit of cash on when it comes to your appearance. Surprising though what you can find in a charity shop.Go for it.

My son is in business in Germany & they all go to work in flipflops & trainers.

Borrow a dress from a friend?

Black trousers instead of jeans, whatever smart shoes you're comfortable in (for me that's always flat), and a nice top. With smart jacket, whatever colour, if necessary.

Women don't have to wear dresses for anything nowadays. Men do seems to have to wesr suits quite a lot though. Hmm.

Business dress???? Mine would have to be a navy short sleeved uniform. I would maybe leave out the apron for the evening.??

I don't have any dresses or skirts. Flat heels only after my knee op. I don't actually mind not fitting in too much. I'll try to photograph my striking top.

Jane10
If you're the most noticeable person there, that's fine......they couldn't be looking at anyone better!
Have fun!

nipsmum that made me giggle. Thanks for that!

A dinner and speaker means your lower half won't be seen - you will be sitting down for 99% of the event I suspect. I would go along with the black lower half and bright jacket/top idea!

"Business Dress" sounds relatively simple. At least you have the option to wear trousers, which most women wear to work now - unless they have a uniform which involves a dress ar skirt.

I hate "smart casual", do they mean smart or do they mean casual - the two are not the same for me? Since retirement I typically wear cord trousers in a lovely colour with a jumper or tunic top. I value my feet so I wear comfortable trainer-type (but smartish) shoes.

We went to a lunch last week which was "smart casual" and people were wearing everything from what looked like wedding outfits to dull trousers and shirts. I must admit that if I see "smart" I assume that I have to have legs for the day, but most of my dresses are too smart or too summer-dress for an occasion.

Dress Code? Business Dress? Wow, I didn't know such things existed. I'm a Devonshire Dumpling and wear country casual all the time....