Dress code dilemma

A picture of said striking top please!!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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