Hen party outfit - help needed

One of my colleagues are getting married soon, and I'm invited to the hen party which is tomorrow. Help! I haven't been to one in years and years, and I'm not sure what to wear! I'm not sure what dress code to expect, and I don't want to stand out in the wrong way. I want to come across as simple, effortless, chic modern classic. I want to wear my white blazer for this party. But how?

The setting: Most of the others are in their mid thirties. I don't know anyone but my colleague. Her style is classic/retro. We will be around 15 people. The program is extensive, including spa treatment, champagne tasting, Italian lunch, photo shoot for the bride and dinner at a private home in the evening. Everything seems to be very fun and not the least embarrassing for neither the bride nor us. I will be on my feet all day and need comfortable shoes. It might get chilly, but not rainy. I need to carry a lot of stuff from one place to another.

Alternative 1(#1): DAY: Cobalt dress, white blazer, nude fishnet, blue cashmere scarf, patent peep toes with a slight wedge. A huge tote for all my things. NIGHT: The same except the scarf, heeled pumps instead of wedges, the white clutch, white necklace. Shown w/wo jacket.

Alternative 2(#2/3): DAY: Dressy pants, casual blue tee, white Chucks. Imagine this with the scarf and tote. NIGHT: The same with black pumps. Imagine the white clutch here.

Alternative 3 (#4): White blazer, white jeans, silky top. Imagine the day version with the tote and scarf. For the dinner, I'll use my clutch. I might also swap the sandals for the pumps.

What do you think? Remember that Norwegians dress up more in general when they go out than I think many Americans do. Which outfit should I rely on tomorrow?

All comments, thoughts and ideas for alternatives are highly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

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12 years ago

Anonymous

I love outfit 3 the best. I think, to me at least, it has the right balance of modern, dressy, and casual all at the same time.

I've just realised it's my necklace in 1

I think 3 also!

donnat

Veteran

Yes, #3

Transcona Shannon

What a fantastic sounding day Ingunn! You are going to have such a good time.

Do you have a preference for any of these outfits based on comfort? As you mentioned, you will be quite busy so will want to be comfortable and non-fussy.

I absolutely love #3 - I like how the white jeans and white blazer look together. Like a dressy suit. That blouse is beautiful with the outfit. My second choice would be the cobalt dress outfits. You look stunning in that color.

Glory

Is Norway similar to Germany in terms of how people dress to go out.

Ingunn

(website)

#3 takes the lead! Thanks, ladies. Yes Diane, your white necklace arrived the other day - yay! It's very pretty.

Shannon, a very good question. I think both the dress and the white jeans are very comfortable. The silk top provides arm coverage even when I don't wear the blazer, which is an advantage. I think the dress outfit is more in line with what my friend will be wearing, we share some style preferences. If she were to choose, I think she would prefer the dress. I think it will be a fantastic day!

Glory, I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me. I don't know German culture well enough to answer that, but historically we've been strongly influenced by it.

ramya

Ingunn I love both 3 and 4....

1 is awesome but imo it looks too dressy for the day Take my opinion with a pinch of salt As I generally find dressess very dressy...

Adelfa

#3 was the big winner for me as well. It really stands out as stylish and appropriate for the event. I love the dress in #1 but not with the white blazer, but that may be me because I had an outfit with a cobalt dress and a white blazer, and I decided I didn't like it.

Also I love the sandals in #3, and hope you can wear them for part of the day!

texstyle

First, you could go with any of these as you look fantastic in them all.

I particularly like Alternative 2(#2/3) and Alternative 3 (#4), but since being able to take off the jacket and still look fab is part of the desire, I'd probably go with Alternative 3 so you have the arm coverage you mentioned. I also think it will be just a little different - cobalt blue is so popular right now, it may be worn by at least a couple of the other ladies. And I love the sandals so that is swaying my opinion.

I am going to throw my vote in for #1. I love 3 as well and it is my second choice (would be first here in Canada). Basing this on when I lived in Germany, I feel that number 1 will work wonderfully.

Diana

I like #1. I tend to overdress for things like this though. (but hey, it's a fun excuse to put on your pretty dress).

Ariadne

I love #3, followed by #1. #2 is lovely, but not as dressy and festive to my eye.

Thanks, everyone! This is a tough decision. I just received a a mail from the girl who arranges it, and she will be wearing a dress. I do see that #3 will be more comfortable and less dressy, but still modern and stylish, so I might pick that anyway. I'm giving this a little more thought first.

celia

I was loving 1and 3 until I saw your last post.In light of that I would wear #1

Missey

I vote for 3...amazing! Unless you are getting pedicures...then you will want a dress or trouser that can go over your knee (and a sandal so you don't smudge your pretty toes!)

missvee

Both options are lovely and I see your dilemma. When you are out with a group, are you a person who prefers to be slightly overdressed, or slightly more casual?

Suz

What a tough decision! I adore #3 (and am so glad you kept that top after all!) but if a dress is more in line with what others will wear then #1 is also super fab. What a fun party it sounds like!!

Thistle

I like #3 and #4 best. I hope you have a terrific time!

Beth Ann

Love #3. I'm always game for a dress, though, and you can never go wrong with cobalt, imho!

Mona

Ingunn, I vote for #3 and 4. Are the grey pants new in #3? So glad you have found the white necklace.

rachylou

I like #3 and your peep toe shoes, if you'll be doing a lot of running around. It's all of those things - casual, dressy, modern and fun. Sounds like a full day!

hedgiehog

Sounds like you're going to have a full, fun day! I haven't been to a hen party since my own in 1994! I like #3 the best. Have a wonderful time.

ElleH

I vote #1 & #3. I love #3 the best but if you feel a dress is more appropriate then #1.

Thanks for all advice! I'm sleeping on it - it will be fine anyhow. Good night:)

JulieJohn

If you do #3, can you wear the lower heels from the daytime #1 for more comfort, and switch to the metallic higher heels for evening?

Love them all, fave is #3. I think this sounds like a dreamy party day, have a ball! It reminds me of a grown-up version of a birthday party I got invited to as a kid where we did lunch, cake, pinata(!), and then they took us all to the circus and bought us snacks and souvenirs! Enjoy!

Thanks again! I know what to do now: I'm starting the day in #3, bringing along the dress, and if I feel like changing later, there will be ample opportunity for that. I'm going to carry a lot of stuff anyway. Thanks for helping me out on yhis, I'm off in half an hour. Yay!

CocoLion

All options as shown in pictures 2-3 or 4 are great. The dress seems less casual than the pants options.

Karie

I like all the outfits, but my favorite is Alternative 3 (#4). I think the white on white hits all the points - simple, effortless, chic modern classic. White on white is very on-trend right now, and I like the way the shoes pick up the colors of your blouse.

And what exactly is a hen party, and why is it sometimes embarrassing?

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