Help! Banquet dinner in Paris..Cocktail dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Help! Banquet dinner in Paris..Cocktail dress

jayne

Veteran

I have never ever been to a cocktail party or had to dress for 'cocktails' and now my company is taking all employees and their SO on a trip to paris where we are to have a banquet dinner! The dress code is cocktail. I will jump now to read anything I can find from Angie about cocktail dress but what does it mean? Is this long or a knee length? Formal, fun, or traditional. Oh dear. I don't want to dress inappropriately!

Also, what is the code for the men? The SO needs to know what to wear also!

deep breath...I have until the 14th to put the outfit together

just uploaded a picture of what google suggested - ergh

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18 replies

Latest reply was from glam on the inside

Sylvie

Veteran

Wow! Your company rocks.

I think this calls for knee length, glamorous dress for you with pumps, jewelry and a clutch. For him, I think a suit and tie would work.

Updated: I think Google is a little fond of bare shoulders. If it were me, I would wear one of my silk sheath dresses with accessories as discussed.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

WOW! Jayne, what an amazing fun opportunity!! Oh, splurge and treat yourself to something lovely, please. And I hope you get time to shop while you are there!

I think cocktail is generally knee length (or midi) but quite dressy. A clutch bag would be great. Some really pretty shoes. This is not much to go on, I know. But you will also want to be comfortable, so that is relevant as well. Try to pick a cut that you know is super-flattering and something that makes you feel like a million dollars!

jayne

Veteran

Do you think I should post pix of my Xmas dresses so see if any of these are in the category...I might shop for something if you ladies guide me to which is closest but not quite there. I am so nervous...the last time I went on a trip like this as a spouse to London about 15 years ago, I was totally out of my element. I had only lived in Norway a year, still dressed like an American and stuck out like a sore thumb. I also remember feeling incredibly naive at the party. It was back in the day when my young husband and his friends were starting up a gaming software company, and rocking the world, and attending all sorts of parties at all sorts of wild venues. I think this one was in the docks in a rented old brick warehouse. I felt like Alice in Wonderland at the time.

Parsley

Veteran

How fun, Jayne!
A dressy little black dress with some pretty heels would be perfect. You don't need to get all glam and beaded, but you should look more festive than business wear. Since it's work-related, I'd keep it relatively conservative and not overtly sexy.

For your husband a suit or nice slacks and sport coat would be appropriate.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-i.....attire.htm

Anonymous

How much fun!

What Google suggested are more like prom or pageant dresses for teenaged girls. I agree with Parsley's advice -- go for something sleek and sophisticated.

Have a blast and please take photos!

ETA: Here's an example of something I wore to one of my husband's work events a couple of years ago. Simple black dress I already owned, plus some fake gray pearls, red lipstick, and heels. You can't see the dress very well, but maybe that will give you an idea. I would avoid cleavage or anything too va-va-voom because it's a work event.

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jayne

Veteran

Suz, Alicat, Parsley and Sylvie, thanks for the encouragement...

I am adding my Xmas dresses to see if any are suitable...the kids are in bed so I have no photog right now to try them for you...any hits or misses?

1. red and pink Oasis strapless dress. hits around knee
2. black Oasis strapless dress, hits around knee
3. grey silk dress - hits as a midi, below the knee. very very soft and divine
4. a grey wrap I wore with the grey dress for new years this year...and pearls down my back
5. a black and brown silk pattern dress, hits at knee and has black large beads around the neckline...which I deemed too fancy for work at some point and haven't used it since.

anything close?

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jayne

Veteran

Thanks for the Photo ALicat...I see the idea. This is so sophisticated. I don't know if I can pull it off. I don't have a LBD as I never am attracted to them in the stores.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

That sounds super fun! 1 and 2 are really pretty dresses but don't seem right for a work event to me. Do you have a picture of yourself in the other two? And do you want to buy a new dress, or would you rather find something you already have?

jayne

Veteran

I want to be appropriate and if a new dress is required then I will buy one. I am not out to go dress shopping though for this one time event. It doesn't fit my normal lifestyle to have more fancy dresses just to have them. I guess i need to know if I have a hole first, then I will shop to fill it.

I can try on tomorrow night when the kids are awake to take photos....my hallway lighting is no good for such an important decision!

Inge

(website)

I am no help at all, sorry-( But just wanted to wish you a fabulous time in Paris!!

catgirl

Veteran

This sounds like so much fun! I'd be so happy to have a team of YLFers helping me out... you've gotten great suggestions. Am no expert in this area, so will just come along for the ride!

Deborah

Veteran

Jayne, it doesn't have to be a little black dress. It could be another color if you think that might work better in your wardrobe.

The dresses you posted are all gorgeous and I would like to see #5 on you, however I'm not sure it says cocktails. also #2. Also of you don't want to buy a dress, what about separates? A skirt and top you could wear together that could create the illusion of a cocktail dress. It you can I corporate them as separates into your day to day wardrobe.

How did you go readi g up on Angie's posts? I could see you doing something like this

http://youlookfab.com/2010/12/.....d-a-party/

xxx

lyn67

Veteran

OH, how exiting, can't wait to see your glam, Jayne!!!

ramya

Veteran

No help here but let me say if they take you to Paris I am ready to work for the company :P:P

harmonica

Veteran

Gorgeous dresses! I don't know anything about cocktail dresses, but are really eager to follow you on this. I think it would be good if you could wear something you already have. That way you are already prepared if another cocktail event comes along. And you don't sound *that* eager to go shopping for just one occation. Though I might be a bit biased because I want to focus on wearing what I have, instead of getting new stuff

rute

Veteran

How fun! I would go for something more chic!
Maybe:
http://www.karenmillen.com/ult.....103DP15588

http://www.karenmillen.com/ful.....102DP11102

http://www.karenmillen.com/sig.....103DP15294

http://www.karenmillen.com/col.....103DP12694

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I love the gray silk with the sheer topper! So sophisticated!

Rute, all your links show the front page of the website, not individual dresses.

glam on the inside

I love the grey in pic 3 and the black/brown in pic 5 and think either would be just right for a work event. You can always add more sparkle with jewellery, a metallic clutch, or shoes with some sheen or bling. Do you like bold lipstick or eye liner? That's another way to make your look more formal. How very exciting! Have a wonderful time.