Yay or Nay: a suit to a business-like cocktail party?

Next week, the school that trained my guide dog is having a cocktail party in my city. It's being held primarily as an information session for fundraisers who may wish to support the organization, and I suspect the business presence will be pretty significant. It's also being held at a fairly posh club, but on a Tuesday night and relatively early. Dinner will not be served.

As a graduate of the school, I will be attending the function as part of a diverse group consisting of my parents, brother, boyfriend and a potential donor. I'm mulling what to wear and want to bounce my reasoning off you guys. I'm thinking a business-like look would be appropriate here, but hopefully with a striking, more evening-appropriate twist. I can't post pictures of it the moment, but I'm thinking of wearing a light-weight, silky black suit that has strong turquoise pinstripes on both the pants and the jacket. I have a turquoise shell that goes with it perfectly. Theoretically, would that work with simple black pumps or is it too matchy-matchy for an event like this? How about the jewelry? I have some silver and turquoise pieces, but would that start to be too much? And purses...Black bag or introduce another colour?

I will post a pic of the outfit, but I wanted your initial reactions to this. If I've missed the mark here, suggestions are more than welcome.

17 years ago

rockyluvsemily

Active Member

I would probably skip the suit and maybe do a black dress with some tourquoise pieces. That is one of my favorite color combos. I just think that it is a party and a dress would be appropriate

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

RLE: see this is my dilemma. It's not really a party at all, more of a business function in a cocktail format. That's why I'm hoping to strike a balance between professional and evening looks. I'd be super grateful for feedback here!

Louise

Thinking out loud here, how about the suit and shell you mentioned then jazz it up a bit with high heels, dressy jewellery and clutch bag to give it a cocktail party feel x

That is totally 100% what I'm thinking. I have a black satin clutch I can use and great silver/turquoise jewelry. Would that be too much turquoise? I'm thinking black heels, but welcome alternatives if I'm being too boring.

Sounds good. Depends on whether you want to spend out on new accessories or what you've already got. But that all sounds fine to me. Can't wait to see piccies x

shiny

Hmmm.... I think the suit can definitely work for this function, especially if you are open to taking off the jacket - should you arrive and find that the women are all decked out in strappy numbers. Is that an option and would the shell look dressy enough on its own? (I do like the champagne satin ruffle top you were wearing in your last photo set - that's another option too?)

A gorgeous satiny blouse with interesting details that bares your shoulders can definitely work with dressy slacks and killer shoes for a cocktail party. Especially if it's the type of function people go to straight from work. To make the transition from work to cocktail party, all you do is take OFF the jacket to reveal a blouse that is more evening appropriate. Make sense? (Obviously you want the blouse to be tasteful and modest since it's still a professional function; think a glimpse of pretty shoulder with a high neckline.... )

If you arrive and find people are still in their suits, then you can just keep the jacket on and you are covered for either eventuality!

If the suit has noticeable turquoise pinstripes and you are wearing a turquoise shell, I think you need to go easy on the rest of the accessories and steer away from turquoise so you are not too matchy-matchy. How about yellow? Turquoise and yellow are a stunning combination. Do you have a yellow clutch? Alternatively, you could wear a yellow silk blouse and then pile on the turquoise jewelry. Or stick to a black satiny blouse and then pile on the turquoise jewelry.

A snakeskin clutch in shades of grey would also work nicely.... right now I'm seeing this style all over the place and in lots of price points. I saw one on Target's site recently; Nine West has this style; so does Express.

merry77

Shiny has some great suggestions. I love the champagne ruffle silk blouse from your photos.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Oooh, fun! I like Loulou's idea. I think you’ve got the perfect pieces, Michelle. Love the sound of the turquoise jewelry. Let’s see it all come together in an outfit.

Kari

Michelle, the suit with the turquoise pinstripes sounds GORGEOUS! I hope we get to see you in it.

You will, Kari. I'm going to have the BF take a picture tonight, and I'll aim to have it up by Friday morning.
Thanks to everyone for all their suggestions. So many different, interesting ideas. Love this forum.

Ok, here's a picture of the black and turquoise suit: http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

Feedback appreciated!!

I wonder whether a deeper turquoise might work better for the top, it looks a teeny bit pale.

Laura

Personally, I can never get too much turquoise, so I think it looks perfect, especially for the occasion. What color handbag will you carry? You could add something that pops, like yellow, or go with a silver/pewter metallic. What do you think?

anne

Michelle, while it is a bit hard to see what the fabric is like, I think that a more evening-ish top would go better. Maybe something in a shiny fabric, or with some decorative details.
However I hardly ever go to cocktail parties, business or otherwise, so this is really just based on fashion advice reading not real life experience.

Hmmm. The shell came with the suit so I'm surprised to hear that the colour doesn't jive. Is the whole thing a writeoff, or does it still look ok on me?

Inge

Moderator

Hi Michelle, the shell is exactly the same colour as the details in the suit, so no worries there. On my screen it looks more like a mix between a very light turquoise and a minty green.

You have beautiful pale skin and I think you can pull off this colour, but I think I would go with a different colour necklace then. Purple came to mind, but I'm not an expert in the accessories department...

Thanks Inga. I'm definitely open to changing up the jewelry and/or other accessories. All suggestions welcome. Would it work to wear all silver jewelry and carry a red bag?

Michelle, you look perfectly pretty and presentable in this outfit. No doubts! (The pants look a little short – or is that my imagination because of the camera angle?) By all means wear the ensemble if that’s your best current choice. You look lovely. But you have shown us such a sassy side of your style along with a level of energy and motivation that is mind blowing. Not to mention your immense attention to details. This outfit does not reflect your chutzpa! The black and white dress might be too casual for the event but it’s SO FAB. So “Michelle”. I guess I’d love to see you in a frock now that we’ve had a taste of how killer you look sporting them.

But! If you add sparkly accessories and a sparkly clutch to the silk suit, you’ll elevate the look completely. Hope that makes sense. You are gorgeous and we on YLF simply adore you :0)

Category