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Dress code formal - help

Katerina

Veteran

Dear Fabbers,
I have not been active here for a while, it is a really busy time at work at the moment. On top of everything, I am going on a business trip next week - a big event with many official visits to government, a parliament etc. Weather will be very hot, around 30 - 35 degrees Celsius. Dress code for most of the meetings is "formal". In the evenings there will be a reception in a garden one evening, an opera visit another evening and a gala dinner the last evening....
It will be fun and interesting, BUT I am concerned about my outfits. There are several issues:
1. I do not like warm weather and warm weather clothes - my summer wardrobe is much smaller than my usual.... (and that is an understatement
2. I do not wear dresses and the few I have are rather casual shirt dresses. I rely on blazers and jackets and it is not possible in so hot weather...
4. I have "difficult" feet, so heals are not an option.
3. I do not quite understand the dress code... formal is not very clear to me. "Formal" is the dress code for both the day time activities and the evening activities.

So, what to do? I am thinking about wearing various satin trousers (I have these in a few colours) and combine them with dressier silk tops or silk blouses, add scarves or jewelry and work with accessories for the evening events to make the outfits more "formal". Also dressy white and cream trousers. I bring several blazers for the daytime meetings and the conference part. The weather worries me though, I cannot imagine looking formal and presentable every day for a whole week in 35 degrees C (although I am sure there will be air conditioning in some places, but I know there is not in all...). I figured I need at least eight "formal" outfits .... help!

Sorry for all this "complaining" but after trying to plan my travel capsules, I am kind of really worried now....

Any thoughts or advice please?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds exciting although Ican understand your concern re the temperatures.l m probably not the best person to give advice on formal wear but your satin trouser plan sounds good for a start.Are you trying to do this entirely from yourown wardrobe or are you planning to buy as well ?And are there any cultural dress codes that need to be observed?l m sure you know that natural fibres are best in the heat and a looser fit but it’s not wanting to look too casual isn’t it?Is there anyone else going you can confer with ?

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I would turn to something with linen in the blend (beware wrinkles). there is also that fabric called "voile" - is it cotton? that is very light but woven and stiff. I think a voile blouse would be nice and breezy.

I think your idea to wear light colored trousers for day (flowy, I assume) and satin ones at night is good.

At night hopefully the temps will be cooler and will allow you some flexibility with tops, although ironically daytime is probably when you need the most flexibility!

I would assume formal during the day means a suite, and hopefully doesn't also mean you must wear a pencil skirt or sheath dress? But certainly a jacket. Do you have a linen jacket?

I think if it were me, I'd look at pintrest for formal dress in the countries your visiting and take inspiration for styles and fabrications from there.

rachylou

Veteran

The satin trousers sound perfect. My fam is from the Carribean, and in all honesty I’d be wearing summer-weight wool. Or conceivably starched linen or a 3/4 sleeve blazer jacket. But with a week to go, I’d just carry my lightest blazer over one arm and suffer like a 19-th century Englishman...

Diana

Veteran

Business formal generally means a full, dark suit. Pants suit should be fine unless you are somewhere super conservative. There's pretty much no difference in business formal for hot vs. cold weather (you have to wear the suit jacket) so that shouldn't matter. I'd probably wear a silk blouse or shell underneath in deference to the heat. You can get away with the same suit with different blouses for most of the meetings, I think, as long as it stays clean - men do it all the time! If you have them, I'd probably bring two suits in different colors for variety and just in case one gets dirty.

For the evening events, I think you could definitely do satin trousers with a dressy blouse or jacket. Or a long satin skirt if you have one. The nice thing about a long skirt is that as long as it's the right length you can wear pretty much any footwear underneath it and nobody will be any wiser!

I wouldn't personally do linen. Too wrinkly and would definitely not be appropriate business formal IMO.

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you, guys, for the advice!

Cardiff girl, I am not planing on any shopping before the trip, apart from some hose and sheer socks. The people coming with me are all men - so they have it easier I am not aware of any cultural codes there...

Jenava, you are right, linen would be perfect. Unfortunately, I don´t have a linen suit. My summer suits are summer weight wool and I have a cotton blend white suit and some cotton blazers. Jacket sounds correct for daytime. I don´t think I need a skirt or a sheath though, I am sure I can use trousers.

Rachy - Lol! I know what you mean, my "summer" work clothes are mostly in light weight wool.

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you Diana! Dark suits are not a problem for me, if it is what the dress code means - easy. It will have to be summer weight wool. I have both black and dark navy.... Just dreading the heat though

I am not so used to it and I am a winter person, so when the temps are getting close to 30 Celsius, I am kind of suffering. My ideal summer is 17 degrees But I don't dare to say it out loud in front av my friends, they love the summer heat

Katerina

Veteran

A question - if the dress code says only "formal" and not "business formal" - do I read it as business formal?

Jane

Veteran

Formal: this is me most days! I would love to be in a meeting with you!

I am guessing there will be air conditioning for the meetings so that will make it comfortable inside - so then it is the outside that might be a problem. But with sunnies, and may be being able to put your jacket over your arm you might be okay?

I would absolutely wear your trousers, jackets and scarfs combinations. You look so stylish. And your sun glasses, earnings and lipstick. STUNNING!

I tend to wear a jacket at all meetings, and may be will take off my jacket occasionally, but only if I must. I wouldn't be in the least concerned about a lack of heels.

In the garden, if you are walking across grass, you will be better off not wearing heels, because the heels might sink in. Opera, dress up, BIG scarf! drama!

May be a light poncho for the evening events in a cashmere / light wool might be useful to ring the changes. I would wear one as a softer flowing piece.

8 combinations sounds perfect!

Katerina

Veteran

Jane thank you, wouldn't it be great fun if we could meet in a meeting :-)!
what a great advice - scarf and drama = me. So it would work.

Sal

Veteran

I suspect that for the day outfits most of your blazer/trousers blazer/skirt looks would work as business formal. They seem equivalent to a men's business suit.

I think silky trousers in the evening would work well. Maybe a brooch or two.

You have gorgeous style Katerina and will look fabulous.

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you, Sal, you are very kind.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Katerina, you are going to look amazing. Wear your suits with blouses underneath for day (sleeveless if you can). This is your forte. You will look like a star!

Ideas to help deal with the heat and the outside-of-office situations.

Sleeveless tops (as others said). They would be too informal/ too revealing for a business meeting but might be just fine for the evening events and/or social occasions, especially if "glammed up."
Maybe forego any scarf that is not extremely lightweight. The coverage is nice but the neckline area can get so hot.
Can you wear your hair up or in a ponytail? It is cooler on the neck.
Satin or flowy trousers for the garden party and the opera could be great.
Do not worry about heels.
Bring a nice small crossbody or clutch for the non-work events.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m with everyone. Your satin trousers with dressier tops, bags, scarves and jewels will be MORE THAN GREAT and formal enough. You have that down.

Dressy shoes needn’t be heels. Dressy flats are fab.

Hot, but a/c can be cold. I think you’ll be fine.

Think you can add a dress or skirt look of sorts for the Gala? Or a tuxedo? You need something that does not look like a work outfit, IKYWIM.

Anonymous

Ditto Angie! I'm thinking desk to dinner type things-like switching out a blouse for a lace top, clutch, blingy jewelry, metallic shoes-easy peasy

Katerina

Veteran

Suz, thank you for the support and the excellent advice.

Angie, thank you very much. The Gala is what remains for me to figure out. Tuxedo is a good option.

Suntiger thank you

Mainelady

Veteran

Katerina, you have been given excellent advice. I really can’t add much to it. I do think a tuxedo or a long flow skirt might be good options for you. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will be formal, glam and gorgeous!

Bijou

Veteran

Katerina, if anyone has got this, it would be you, your style is inherently more formal - you have the perfect wardrobe for this.

I am pretty confident that for most meetings there will be air con. Men wilt in their shirts, ties and suits far quicker than us. I would keep to a long sleeve shirt with trousers in a light fabrication - because then you can take off your jacket, the same as the men. Formal during the day is likely to require a pant or skirt suit - that is what I would wear.

For evening, a glamorous top with pants works for every situation. I love dresses, so this is when I personally would pop on a dress. However, for me, I would only go to cocktail dress rather than a formal full length dress unless the opera is black tie.

From my wardrobe what I would wear for your evening events is as follows:

Garden function - a red dress

Opera - cocktail dress

Final dinner - a little black dress

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Katerina

Veteran

Mainelady, thank you, you are always so kind and supportive. I appreciate it very much.

Bijou, thank you for the excellent advice. You are right, of course. If men have to manage in dark suits and ties, it must work for women too. I really like the dresses you would choose - you would be a knockout there!

Thank you all again, I feel a lot calmer and somehow reassured. You are such fantastic friends.

Joy

Veteran

As others have said, you have this down. Maybe the weather will not turn out to be as hot as predicted. You have had much great advice. Your dressy trousers will be just fine.

Cee

Veteran

Great advice from all, Katerina... I hope you have a blast and the weather gods smile on thee