What to wear to a fundraiser?
I've been invited to an elaborate weekday evening dinner, whose goal is to raise funds for fellowships for Ph.D. students. Dress is "Business Attire", and crowd will be mainly CEOs and their socialite wives. Think Chanel or Armani suits, multistrand pearls, gold brooches etc.
As one of the two student recipients, I will be "on display" that evening. I've been instructed to wear my "prettiest dress". I could wear a business suit, but none of my suits can compare with the expensive suits the other women will be wearing. I have a few tasteful sleeveless cocktail dresses, and I know one in particular puts me to great advantage, but I'm concerned about being sleeveless when other women will be in suits.
I need suggestions! I want to tastefully stand out from and have a more youthful and fashionable look than the socialites, while being appropriately dressed.
What do you suggest, either with respect to accessorizing my pant suit, or cocktail dresses, or buying something new. This thing is in a week!