Jamie, thank you for the kind comment.

Cat2, thank very much you for the advice. I did not know that.

Runcarla and Sal, thank you for looking and commenting. Much appreciated.

Jenni, thank you, you are so kind!

Dress with longer jacket is absolutely gorgeous on you and nails the business casual brief too. Good luck!

Agree with everyone else that the mint jacket with the dress is a stunning and memorable outfit. That said, the down-thread option with the dressy blouse and black trousers looks utterly *you*. Either one will work; the question in my mind is whether this is an event where you'd be happy out on the edge of your comfort zone (dress), or would you rather be well and safely within it (blouse + trousers)?

As someone who is frequently onstage, I will say this: wear the outfit that makes you feel like your best and most authentic rockstar self.
That's the outfit that's going to free you up to make a great speech, and have a fabulous time at the party

I LOVE the downthread outfit. If the event is at night, I prefer darker colors. But it also looks like you!

I agree with the comments to wear what feels the most like you. Then you can focus on your comments!

birdie99, thank you very much.

LaPed, thank you for the wise words. Now, a day later, I feel this event for me isn’t where I will be on the edge of my comfort zone. I will definitely be safely within it. The dress option is off the table. I will wear it though, but in another setting.

Mary Beth, thank you very much for sharing your experience. And you are right. I need to feel like myself to be at ease. I am not the one who is super comfortable on stage.

Aquamarine, thank you for the kind comment and the advice.

Thank you, RobinF. I agree.

So, here I am again a day later, one day before the event. After our conversation here, everything suddenly feels really clear. Thank you so very much, friends. I have prepared a combination of my favorite beige leather jacket paired with a favorite black floral scarf, black satin trousers and black patent shoes. See pics 7 and 8. I might wear patent booties instead, but the effect will be similar. Gold jewelry to add more polish. Exactly within my comfort zone. I think the satin pants make the look more dressy and the silk floral scarf offsets the somewhat casual vibe of the jacket. This is my typical outfit formula, but I feel like the authentic me. Thank you all again for your time, wisdom and encouragement!

This is a super combo. Slightly dressier as befitting the speaker, and still appropriate for “business casual”. Which is the silliest dress code

KILLER authentic. Winner!

Well done!! You look great - and obviously feel great too.

And yes, wear the dress again in a lower stakes environment - where you feel more relaxed. It is really good on you.

Awesome choice, you do look like you now. Please do wear the dress outfit somewhere else though, you look amazing in it!
High five to BJ1111 for the “silliest” dress code comment!

Congrats on finding an outfit that feels like "you" to wear to your event. I hope you have a lovely time!

Love it! Have a great time at the event - you're going to be fabulous!!

Looks great … I live the beautiful scarf! But that dress is gorgeous (the print!!) and should definitely be worn elsewhere!

Your choice is perfect! So polished and at ease. I love how you were able to make a decision after mulling it over here with us on the forum. I've had that experience, too. It's amazing how this community can help us figure out what feels right!

Yes! It really looks like you, but a little dressier.

Hello again, now it is the day after the event. I wore the outfit (the one I finally decided) and it felt perfectly within my comfort zone. The guests wore various outfits with a various level of dressy, from business to smart casual. It was nice - warm and happy atmosphere.

bj111, Angie, Sal, Jenni, Lisa, Mary Beth, Cookie and JAileen, thank you so very much for the kind and encouraging comments. It gave me a boost of confidence.

Firecracker, thank you very much. I agree completely and I am grateful for this wonderful community.

Katerina, sounds like the outfit you eventually chose was perfect! Good for you

Katerina - Glad the outfit you chose worked well. It sounds like you fit right in with the other guests. That’s great!

First I am older and usually the most dressed up in the room with a casual dress. I like three best for this occasion. The pants in the first two outfits look too casual for this event. I agree that “business casual “ is a hard one. I usually dress for church but more streamlined . Not a lot of skin showing. Often I wear something over a lbd that adds color or texture and a touch of ethnicness. Sort of a sari look. Good Luck!