Dress code dilemma

Well here it is. I've just had a good look at. Its been a while since I last wore it. Its beautifully pin tucked about the chest and there are buttons down the front and also the back. Its by a German designer. Its long and comes almost to my knees.

Jane10 - This is perfect.
Pearl earrings and a black clutch bag.
And nice flat shoes will be grand.

My own personal preference is that sleeves are above the wrist and I always use a rubber band on each arm, just above the elbow to ease the sleeve up to the correct length (for me).

Oh Jane I have shirt envy. That is lovely.
I am quite short but still like long shirts over slimmish trousers. All the lumps and bumps get covered over.

I love it Jane! Perfect.

The top is lovely ! no worries ...black trousers, small bag, nice hair do and make up with ear rings ...sorted ! Have a lovely time.

Made me laugh the 'business dress' .....depends what kind of business you may have been in as to what you had to wear ! I had to wear suits or skirts with jackets .but since I retired I don't think I have worn any of them ...a long time they have been festering in my wardrobe taking up space and I really want to get rid of them but hold onto them for what reason I know not ! I did give some to a local Church charity shop (there are not as many charity shops here in rural France as there are in the UK) ...and the funny thing was, next time I dropped off some things the lady in the shop was actually wearing one of my jackets !!!

Enjoy your event !

Perfect! Have a great time!

Jane - that top couldn't be better! You will look so smart and stand out in the best possible way. Enjoy the evening.

Please may I make a plea for us to take pride in ourselves, clothes are so affordable now, go on and have a chic something or two. I have visited some wonderful venues and am ashamed of the older women that wear outfits that look as if you wold be comfortable to garden in. What is wrong with skirts or dresses? I too was for over thirty years in the NHS, jeans were not uniform code, neither were trousers for many years when visiting patients. Would someone let me know when only trousers became rig of the day for women of a certain age?

What about if your business is that of a Madam in a brothel?

I do not think Madam has to dress provocatively, she is there to maximise funds, to keep her sex workers safe and ensure that clients do not misbehave. Perhaps a Madam may wish to elucidate?

Galen. Ooh you are awful (but I like you!!)

Carolpaint I don't wear trousers as I'm totally the wrong shape but they can look very smart and elegant. I've seen a few older ladies that look bag ladies wearing skirts/dresses. If the outfit is well ironed well matched and acccessorized well and your hair is done then trousers are perfectly acceptable for a smart occassion.. I'm sure the majority of us do take a pride in our appearance.

Do you think there are any on this thread Carolpaint ?

Jane10 long top looks floaty and rather lovely, ninathenana I do not know about all the ladies that have responded here, I was making a plea, that because we are older that we can be chic. But I would be intrigued if a Madam responded, or anyone that knew a Madam. Once had a prostitute on my caseload, suffered badly with agoraphobia, in a way had got the right job.

I say that you cannot beat a wrap to smarten up anything that you wear.
I have several that I wear with everything including trousers, even jeans.
They do not have to be expensive, they are far cheaper than a jacket, and can make even the most casual of outfits look chic. Maybe a friend has one that you can borrow?
Add a clutch bag ( Charity Shops are great places to find them, or again borrow one if you can ) and you are set to go, even wearing flat shoes which never go out of fashion.
I was always uncomfortable in these type of social occasions until I learned to stand tall and hold my head high. Believe me Jane, it really, really works as it exudes an air of confidence whatever you are wearing.
Have a wonderful time Jane ?.

Beautiful top Jane-you'll carry that off very well indeed. Love it!

carolpaint why do you feel that trousers and chic are mutually exclusive? A smart pair of trousers beats most skirts any day and jane10's top worn with a pair of smart black trousers (slim, or cigarette if possible unless you are 5'10) and a pair of black patent or suede pumps would not look out of place in any restaurant on the Rive Gauche.

You could go in your jeans and say that you thought it was 'Dress Down Friday'

Otherwise black trousers and your top with some jewellery or another top and a jacket if you want to splurge (at the charity shop perhaps?).

I only have one clutch bag and it is one I bought for DD's wedding, but it does have a strap and D rings inside if needed.

Galen

Or you could wear a nurse's uniform or a lab coat!

Narrow leg cigarette pants with flat suede pumps are my 'go to' and I always (as mentioned by 1974cookie) use a wrap or a large pashmina. A pashmina makes everything look glamorous. Be it an evening do, or jeans

Will borrow a black wrap from DD and wear my good black pearls. Will keep you informed. It sounds like an interesting evening. Dinner then a talk by James Lansdale of the BBC. Think he's the diplomatic correspondent.

I would interprete it is as scrubbing up well, i.e. Not what you'd walk the dog in, clean, pressed etc.
Smart trousers are easier than a skirt as you can get away with flat, comfy shoes. Then a simple top. I always like scarves, mainly as my neck gets cold, but if it's a colour that suits you, that's basically what people see. Pair of earrings. Oh and a jacket to keep you warm if it's air conditioned.

I wear scarves to hide my very wrinkly neck , but that is a problem most of you don't have.
I am far too old to worry about how people perceive me. you should all do the same.However I still love Jane's shirt.

"Business Dress" ..... Long sleeved Top/Dress sober in colour and style.

It's lovely, Jane10, you should definitely wear it. Have a lovely evening.