WIW: Suddenly "business formal" - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Suddenly "business formal"

Isis

Veteran

I was invited at the last minute to present an award to a undergraduate student at an awards dinner.

The invitation read "business formal".

Gulp. Since I don't own a suit, or even formal shoes (!), I decided that for undergraduates business formal=no jeans. (Perhaps business casual = no ripped jeans).

This is the closest I could cobble together at the last minute from my closet. Slouchy pants, silk blouse, dansko studded pumps. The jacket ups the formality but I probably won't wear it as it is too hot.

It also occurs to me that this fits into today's "inspired by nature" water colors!

I leave in 3 hours...... Suggestions most welcome!

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Sona

Veteran

fab mod take on 'business formal'. love it!!

Makrame

Veteran

This looks great, especially the shirt! Seems appropriate for an undergraduate awards reception.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Great outfit! You were probably spot on about your assessment of the dress code

Isis

Veteran

Sona, thanks! I seem to often veer toward "mod" ! I like the descriptor!

Makrame--No kidding about the timing of the dress code announcement! Was this for your Miami meeting! Did you end up liking your presentation outfit; I remember a lot of feedback on that one!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love this outfit Isis and I think it's totally appropriate for the occasion!

Elly

Veteran

Looks good--- my first undergrad degree had an awards ceremony and I got a formal invite-- ended up that it was held in a courtyard and it was 95 degrees that day-- everyone else was practically naked.

Second undergrad degree, I just got told word-of-mouth to show up-- I wore jeans and a nice top---- turned out that I got called onto the stage and there were people there in sheath dresses and suits.

Either way- what you are wearing should be good! I do like it better with the jacket though, but no need to bake!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Love. that. blouse!!!

I only know what "business formal" means at a bank... but surely they don't expect you to show up in a full-on suit? If you feel iffy about the formality, you could swap out the blouse for a crisp collared shirt in a solid or subtle stripe, and that would make it feel instantly more business-y while still keeping your awesome take on trousers and blazer.

Isabel

Veteran

You look great ! Doesn't it feel good to reach into your closet and make it work ?

Anonymous

I think it would depend on the area of the country in which you live. When my DH and I lived in New Mexico, the type of outfit you're wearing would have been perfectly fine. In Georgia where we now reside, it would not. My DH and I both work for the ag. college, which is much less formal than other colleges on campus. Here, the Dean's version of "smart casual" is a lot dressier than your outfit, and I imagine "business formal" would be even dressier. Still, since it's for undergrads, I'm sure your outfit is fine... especially with the short notice you were given. I suggest taking the jacket, even if you only wear it for a short period of time. It does dress up the outfit. I love the shirt, btw!

Isis

Veteran

Amy and Shannon, thanks for the reassurance!

Elly, LOL at your stories! Even I know that "practically nekid" is NEVER formal.

Rae, good idea about the blouse. I did try a cotton button down, but the silk looks dressier to me. I think my button downs aren't fitted enough....a wardrobe hole!

Isabel, Yes! It feels great to reach in the closet and have something that probably works! That is the biggest change since YLF! Yesterday I went to a "business casual" uni dinner, and felt appropriate, and last week I traveled to give a seminar and felt fab! All from my closet!

Ruth, we will have to see if this is "business formal" for my uni! I really have no idea of what this dinner will be like, but I imagine my area skews more toward New Mexico than your description of Georgia. I guess I'll find out! I can't imagine I'm too far off the mark since I know what faculty wear most days.....

Ana

(website)

Veteran

This looks great! I don't know that much about business forma attire, but I think this is fine for an undergraduate awards ceremony. If I were there as a student, I'd definitely think you were one stylish professor.

Makrame

Veteran

Hi Isis - yes, that was it - I arrived in Miami and found a note about dress code for the conference upon arrival. Had to look up right away what "business casual" meant on YLF, just to be sure I was OK.

I ended up wearing a combo of bright top/dark jacket for the presentation, which worked out great.

Speaking of the different levels of formality, my DH and I are in biomedical sciences but my conference was in a more clinically oriented field so there were lots of suits and business formal/ business casual clothes. When I mentioned the dress code to DH, he was surprised that anyone would even think of wearing a jacket for a conference in a resort-like destination like Miami.

Enjoy the awards ceremony!

christieanne

Veteran

I like the colorful blouse and your spin on a suit. I wear mixed separates more than matched suits lately even for interviews and still seem a bit dressed up comparatively even for SF. What a fun occasion.

Tanya

Veteran

Love the outfit and that blouse is simply divine. I think it should be formal enough for the occasion.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Very nice! You look great in slouchy tops and pants.

You've probably already left, but my only suggestion would be to add some dressier heels, if you have them. If not, yours are fine.

Anonymous

Looks great and totally appropriate!

Anonymous

I love it Isis! It's also a little Custo with the emerald/black/dark grey. Nice job, and I'm sure you'll look fine.

Isis

Veteran

Thanks everybody! I just got back from the dinner and this turned out to be perfect for an undergrad awards dinner. The deans weren't even wearing ties, sports jackets and button down shirts. I think the student who put together the invitation wasn't clear on what "business formal" was---or maybe I'm not clear on what it is, except in a banking context.

I loved presenting awards to the undergrads; these kids are incredible! Interacting with smart and energetic kids is a part of my job that I love!

Denise, I like your idea of dressier heels for this sort of occasion. I have a pair in the back of my closet but never wear them as I usually have to walk a lot everyday. Even these danskos are problematic for walking.

Claire, cool that you see Custo!. This was inspired by a Carlos Miele blog post that Angie had awhile back, minus the obi belt:

http://youlookfab.com/2012/03/.....tructured/

Anonymous

Isis, I'm so glad your outfit worked so perfectly for the occasion. Knowing what the faculty wear on most days is a big clue. Here in Georgia, the deans and professors all wear ties for business meetings, etc. They are less formal for some things, but not nearly as casual as New Mexico. The first time the Dean here in Georgia invited us to his home for dinner, the invitation said "business casual." Good thing I showed up in a dress, because all the men wore suits and ties, and all the women were in dresses and heels. In contrast, a dinner at the Dean's house in New Mexico meant dressy trousers (slacks) and nice blouses for women, though some of the women (even women faculty, not just wives) didn't even wear dress slacks. The men wore jeans, button-down shirts and cowboy boots. Major big difference!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great slouchy pants and blouse. Glad the outfit worked out!