Business formal attire? - YouLookFab Forum

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Business formal attire?

Faith

It's me again, the most high maintenance poster. I've just received an invitation for a business formal function and I could really use some advice decoding what that means since after polling my friends it would seem business formal can be a suit or a ball gown. While on the subject of decoding outfit expectations, I am speaking at a breast cancer charity event in a few weeks as the welcoming sponsor. I hyperventilate each time I even think about doing this. Any ideas on what I should be wearing? I'd like to look appropriate whilst jamming my head in garbage can or passing out on stage.

Dressing

19 replies

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rachylou

Veteran

What's the business function exactly?

Muffin

Veteran

Business formal usually means a suit or professional dress (Claire Underwood, The Good Wife attorneys). For an event where you represent the sponsor and will be speaking all eyes will be on you--how exciting!!! I'm not sure what your personal style is or what type of company you work for but those would need to be reflected. I would probably choose a well cut dress in a color or print that makes me feel confident. Can you post any pictures of what you're thinking? Another hint is to look at pictures of the event in past years to get an idea of formality.

Liz

Veteran

Along with telling us what the business formal function is, could you give us some help on knowing what industry you're in and what region or country you live in? Dress codes can vary by industry and locale.

For the charity event, some more details would also be useful -- Is it a gala? A BBQ? A golf tournament? some other kind of event?

unfrumped

Veteran

I can take a stab but I thing Rachylou is right, and I don't trust anyone to use terminology correctly.
" Business formal" is supposed to mean a category of business wear, not " formal attire" so it's the matching suit look, very polished-- pantsuit or skirt suit would depend on your environmental norm, either one if not otherwise dictated. The business person would know or learn what that is-- daily wear in some businesses, the lawyer going to court, the meeting with the boss or special client.
For your charity event, you also need more info. Usually the event promotion tells guests what attire. If you are a sponsor or otherwise at the podium, you'd probably be dressed at the higher level of expectations. If it's a " Gala" and " black tie" or " formal attire" or even black tie optional, you'd likely want to wear a long gown rather than a cocktail dress. That would be in the spirt of the event. However if the event has a long history, you might seek some advice on what folks in your situation have done. Some charity events are on weekday nights and it's expected for people to come straight from work. Then you would be in street length dress or sharp pants outfit and a little dressy, kind of "day- to - evening" look, because charity events have that vibe of " trying", not just schlumping along.

I'm sure others will weigh in. Information is key since events often have their own " personalities".

Faith

Im sorry, I should have thought of that before! The business formal event is an evening event. The invitation says Gala but written underneath is business formal. The event is honoring a few men who are being inducted into a business hall of fame for our province. One of the men is a board member for my husbands company, it's a big deal to them and I don't want to disappoint or embarrass. The charity event is something I've been forced into doing by the owners of my husbands company, they are major supporters of the breast cancer fundraiser and they needed someone to do the welcome speech and I was volunteered for the job. There is nothing written on the invitation about dress code but it's an evening sit down event. I'm Canadian, in Alberta and I work in the not for profit sector but the sponsorship welcome would be on behalf of the parent company to my husbands which is oil. I thought maybe this might work for the business formal?

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Laura G

Veteran

I think that's a cocktail dress. Skin showing through the dress, even if it's a skin-color camisole, is neither business nor formal. Same for edge treatment on the hem and sleeves.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it'd be good to talk with someone who's involved in the event.
A " gala" often tries to let people know whether tuxedo is optional for men. Their next level down would be business formal but NOT because it's a business day, it's a form of " dress- up" for men and virtually all men in this situation would have one or more suit options to choose from . They would wear their dark suits while women wore various versions of more dressy attire. If women follow the actual " business formal" that would be matching jacket and skirt, dress or pants--not anything like what women would normally wear to an evening gala. That may still be what they mean, but it sounds fishy to me. Only women in very formal business professions tend to have formal business suiting on hand. Even a LBD with pearls is not technically " business formal" for women. So they may MEAN for women wear a nice conservative dress or pantsuit and not get too blingy, no long gowns, no cocktail dresses, but I don't know.

Robin

The dress code for the gala is typical male -dominated industry nonsense. I notice you said all the inductees were men. All that dress code means is that men should wear dark suits, and no one thought about women who will be there in a business capacity. "The wives" will be wearing the social dress equivalent of a man's dark suit not the business dress equivalent (which would be a suit or a business dress). I agree with your instinct to go for a little black dress in a conservative cut like the one you posted. I'm not bothered by the beige showing through- unless the dress is tighter on you than in the photo, it will be clear it's not meant to look like skin showing through.

Christina F.

Veteran

Is this an annual event? If so, can you either find someone you know who has attended in the past, or google for pictures of it that might have made it into the news? I do research on donors for a nonprofit, and I'm always finding pictures of people at fancy events. Not sure if your event is high profile enough to have made it online, but it's worth a shot.

Thistle

Veteran

Business formal attire in my area means full suit. Like interview level.

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes, like what Robin said. I think they're writing it for men. I think it's unlikely you'll be expected to wear a formal long gown, so tasteful LBD probably works whether some wimen are more dressy or less. Again, ideally, get some intel; event photos would be great.

Faith

I did manage to find pictures from the 2016 gala and it appears you're all correct, the business formal is written for the men and the ladies are all in dresses and there seems to be a mix of fancier and basic dresses. I prefer to fly under the radar so I don't think I'll be in a fancier dress so maybe something like this (green wrap dress)? I am relieved it's not super dressy, it's already hard for me to shop without throwing a tough dress code into the mix! I've included pictures of some of the gala ladies from last year.

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unfrumped

Veteran

I think that would be great. It's a classic style that reads elegant but not over- fancy. Add some nice jewelry, and dressy shoes if your feet can tolerate them.

Runcarla

Veteran

I was going to suggest something like the dress you posted: wrap dress, knee length. A sheath dress with matching jacket that can be removed could be good to. Since you will be 'on stage' make sure hair and makeup is your best - it will boost your confidence. Is there a colour associated with the charity? A dress or accessory in that colour might be a nice touch.

brokeshopper2017

Member

I would opt for a dressier outfit since you’re going to be on stage. Or a simple sheath with statement jewelry?

binkle

Veteran

Great idea to check pix from last year! I think the green will be beautiful. Maybe add some shine with your shoes?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am with Robin that the dress code is written for the men. It makes me so mad! So difficult to work out. Great that you found pics from last year and that green dress looks perfect.
That could also look nice for the breast cancer charity event, unless there is a need to wear the usual "breast cancer pink".

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I was going to suggest a velvet tuxedo jacket, maybe with sparkles, but that wouldn't work well with the wrap dress. Maybe a fancy faux-fur stole?

Remember that as one of the hosts/speakers, you are not only dressing yourself; you are part of the event, and your attire says something about what kind of thing it is. Important? Fancy? A big deal? As much as you personally may wish to fade into the background, your role will probably work best if you step up boldly. Sorry. If it helps, think of yourself as a performer, and what you wear as the costume for that role. Good luck!

Anonymous

Green wrap dress seems perfect for your business formal event. Is the charity event on a weeknight? If so, my guess would be that dress requirements would be similar for the two events, since many attendees will be coming from work. In any event, I would reach out to your contact at the breast cancer organization about dress code, which you'll need to do anyway to get their requirements for your introduction.