Hope your cold gets better soon, Astrid. I read all comments and agree - you should have one special occasion dress that is easy to dress up or down, as it will take the stress out of occasion dressing for you. Hope you find one that works like a blank canvas and can then be made more festive with jewelry, scarves, makeup, clutch bag etc.

As for your skirt outfit and a back-up plan, I think that a more fitted sweater will make the whole outfit a bit more crisp. I'm imagining a fitted black turtleneck or round neck sweater.

Keep us posted!

Thanks Isabel. I'm going to keep an open mind.

Jules, you're right this doesn't seem "me" but I can definitely see it working well in the abstract. I don't feel I can pull off crisp though, not sure if a "softer" shirt wouldn't ruin the idea of the look. So far I never found a white button down I liked on me. As for the earrings - of course I don't like to buy crap jewelry, but it's also because of sensitivity. Even some of the good quality fashion brands don't work for me. It's not a big problem with necklaces, rings and so on, but earrings are a problem. And my sensitivity changes (just as my skin problems flare from time to time).

Thanks Maneera. Luckily I'm on sick leave so I'm able to make myself as comfortable as possible while I wait for it to pass. As for the top - I usually prefer a more fluid fit on top because I think that it makes my top half look a bit more proportionate to my bottom half. The charcoal pullover I ordered probably has the same fit as the navy one, but it has a deeper round neck. Hopefully it looks just as I imagine it. I think more of a column of color is going to look more dressy, in any case.

Wear mascara and lipstick daily!

Ha, I don't know, Angie. I could do the lipstick more often, but the mascara... I haven't found a brand yet that doesn't irritate my eyes, all mascara does at least a little.

If you need recommendations for a long-sleeved dress, check out Issa. Her dresses are a bit pricy, but can be purchased at a substantial discount on Outnet or eBay. Lovely material and can be dressed up or down. Alternatively, you could focus on a dressy top--I own this one and have found it appropriate for dressy and professional occasions.

I like the idea of wearing all black (or dark) separates and dressing the outfit up with a sparkly scarf or fun costume jewelry and a fun purse. Sheer patterned hose can also help dress things up.

A formal dress would be nice but it's always so so hard to find one .

Have fun! The most important thing is that you be there with your family celebrating this milestone.

A dress would be perfect if you can find one that you love, or a dressy top, as Gradfashionista suggests. Failing that, I think your skirt plus a dark sweater, dressed up with jewellery would fit the bill. Good luck.

I say get a dress if you can. If you get lucky the way I did back in October when I had to attend a black tie optional gala event, you'll manage to snag a deal on a fab dress that you can wear again later. Good luck!

Gradfashionista, I looked up Issa and they have a lot of really lovely pieces. Might be a bit too expensive though. Good idea with the dressy longsleeved top, yours looks great. I need to keep that in mind as one option.

Elle, I totally agree with you. In the end dressing up is fun, but it's not the important thing.

Thanks Summer and bettycrocker!

I think you've received lots of good ideas here, Astrid And I'm going to throw a few more ideas at you.

Although I know a "dressy" dress is a important wardrobe item for many women--and you've got some great options shown here--I've never found that the "dressy" dress made sense for ME. I've balked at the prices, to say nothing of the need for investing in a host of support pieces like "dressy" shoes, bags, and jewelry which sit in my closet, waiting for the right occasion. BUT, Fabbers are right in thinking, as adult women, we need to be able to have something in our closet for special occasions.

My suggestion would be to find a basic, solid black bottom piece--trousers or skirt-- that works with your shoes. Ideally the bottom piece is in a fine wool or other "luxe fabric", and is a flattering but simple style. This bottom piece and your shoes become your foundation. Once you have this foundation in place, you add an upper piece--jacket, sweater, soft shirt, colour, sparkle, jewelry--whatever suits you, the occasion, and your budget. The upper piece is always your statement. Over the years you adapt your "dressy" outfit by finding additional statement uppers, dressier shoes, special toppers--whatever fits your needs and budget.

I've used this formula for years because it allows me to adjust the degree of formality without requiring a closet of "dressy" clothes. The foundation and the upper pieces can be mixed with other pieces in your wardrobe. Getting dressed for a "dressy" occasional becomes a question of determining the right upper piece. If your events start veering towards semi-formal, search for a dressier shoe and bag to add to the capsule. Tweak the formula whenever events or your style changes.

Gaylene, thanks for chiming in! I appreciate it. I think your approach sounds very practical and makes a lot of sense to me. Especially because I could also use such a skirt to create an appropriate interview outfit, which I don't have right now and might need in the near future (I do think I'd go for a skirt over pants). I guess something like the skirt below? I found it in the online shop of one of our upscale departement stores. It's a Hugo Boss black wool slight a line skirt. I think looking there for a start would be a good idea in any case, be it for a skirt or a dress or something else. I might go have a look next week. I might even try this one on. Of course the price is higher than what I'd normally pay for a skirt, but if it's versatile enough... Plus I really like the idea of seperates for adjusting for occasions and being able to use the pieces in other outfits too. I'm with you on not wanting to spend a lot on pieces I almost never use, but for something like this parting with the money would be much easier.

Hi Astrid! I think the pic of you at the bar with the glasses, bare neck and kashemire-looking sweater is fantastic: I would go in this direction and look for a very well cut pair of chic trousers, preferably ample, maxi, while remaining high-end.

Thanks, another great suggestion. And I do love that look with a simple wool pullover, it's basically my uniform right now.

I went and had a look in the stores today. Nothing. Still sales going on everywhere, but even keeping an open mind there wasn't anything to be found. What I've done now is order a dressy skirt. Toast still has a sale going on and they had this one left in my size only. A sign? I hope it fits and looks great. Keep your fingers crossed. It's a metallic jacquard, definitely more festive than my grey checked wool skirt. I think either with the charcoal pullover (plus jewelry) or I might still go have a look for a top that's more festive.

I really like the skirt you ordered and it will go with so much of your wardrobe. I think your pullover with a some sparkly jewelry will be perfectly festive for this occasion.

Thanks Sara! I think so too. Let's hope it works out.

Love that skirt Astrid! I think it would be just the right festive touch for this special party (and future dressy events). It should look great with the simple charcoal pullover. I agree with Sara L that a bit of sparkly jewelry (perhaps a necklace or bracelet) would be a nice addition as well.

Great skirt choice Astrid - hoping it fits and you love it!

I feel your pain, I panic about any occasion that requires dressing up a little but loads of sales on at the moment and some lovely dresses and sweater dresses out there to suit all budgets good luck in your search

That's a lovely skirt, Astrid. And, if you think of it as the start of a "dressy" capsule, you can add tops, shoes, and accessories over the next few years to change the look for different degrees of "dressiness".

Keeping my fingers (and thumbs) crossed the skirt works out for you. It is so pretty.

Love your choice of skirt Astrid!

Excellent skirt!

Fingers crossed the skirt works, it's lovely!

I hope the skirt works out for you, it's beautiful and looks suitably dressy!

Thanks everyone! I'll keep you up-to-date.

Love the skirt good luck

Thanks.

Just wondering if a nice slim fit knit or top would work lovely with that skirt giving a nipped In waist look and a nice flow with the skirt if you are comfortable in that fit but don't quote me I have not worn a skirt since my school uniform days but have seem some lovely ones and a look I'm tempted to try with that kind of top

I'm a pretty pear and have a small waist, but I'm super short waisted (I can fit four fingers between bra band and waist). So I definitely prefer my skirts to sit lower. One option to accentuate the waist might be a wrap top... I all depends a bit on how the skirt is fitting. Usually I go for waist surrendering with my skirt outfits these days.

ETA
A friend of mine I asked about the skirt voted a slimmer top too. Seems she's not a fan of waist surrendering.

The skirt is lovely, Astrid, and it will give plenty of scope for wearing with a variety of tops. I hope it works out for you.