ETA - decision. Please, help with dress code and styling

I have an event in 2 days, a cocktail party with a dress code business casual. It is starts at 17.00 and finishes 19.00. Wine and finger food and mingle. I am supposed to talk there.
First of all, I think this is a difficult dress code to get right. I can do business, I can do smart casual… but what is a business casual for a celebratory event? Can I wear a leather jacket with a pair of dressy pants and pumps? Like in picture 1? Too casual?
I am thinking about a patterned silky dress with a leather jacket layered over it. I have two options - a mint green little longer jacket or a light blue a bit shorter. I took some pictures trying. I apologize for the really bad pictures and please ignore the total lack of styling. Also, everything needs to get steamed. This is just to see the overall picture and the proportions. Honestly, I do not like any of this. I like the longer one better though.

What do you think about the layering? Is it possible in terms of the lengths and proportions? How to layer over this kind of dress? Does it work with the dress code?

I would change the shoes to a pair of dark blue suede booties with dark blue tights and maybe add a dark blue handbag.

Or should I just forget this dress and wear a suit with some jewelry as usual? But then it would be business dress code….

Please, help.

So, here I am again a day later, one day before the event. After our conversation here, everything suddenly feels really clear. Thank you so very much, friends. I have prepared a combination of my favorite beige leather jacket paired with a favorite black floral scarf, black satin trousers and black patent shoes. See pics 7 and 8. I might wear patent booties instead, but the effect will be similar. Gold jewelry to add more polish. Exactly within my comfort zone. I think the satin pants make the look more dressy and the silk floral scarf offsets the somewhat casual vibe of the jacket. This is my typical outfit formula, but I feel like the authentic me. Thank you all again for your time, wisdom and encouragement!

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2 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

When you say you are supposed to talk, do you mean as a speaker? Like even briefly like welcoming everyone to the event? Or are you just an attendee, talking to others at the event?
If a speaker, I think being a little more “business” than others would be fine, if you wish to wear a suit.
I personally feel that “business casual” is supposed to make dressing easier not harder. It’s more similar to smart casual in my experience but not so much jeans.
Of the options you show, I like the dress with the longer jacket the best and find it totally appropriate.

Katerina

Jenni, thank you so much for the feedback. Yes, I am supposed to give a very short welcome in the beginning.

pirouette

Active Member

I like the dress with the longer jacket. It looks very smart and elegant. I don’t know what business casual is but if you feel overdressed you could take off the jacket if everyone else is dressed more casually.

Thank you very much, pirouette.

Sal

I agree - dress with longer jacket is celebratory and business appropriate. It looks lovely on you.

I like the proportions -and the colours and I think it’s a very good choice.

Thank you, Sal!

Kate

I love the dress with the longer jacket. Lovely on you, and just perfect for the event.

JAileen

I like the first and second outfits best. I would wear the first one, but I live in a very casual place, and the first one looks like a nice step up from casual. The second outfit, though, is really pretty on you. It seems dressier to me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Another vote for pic #3 - dress with the longer jacket! Really pretty, and more celebratory

Can you wear boots instead, Katerina? And perhaps more sheer black hosiery?

Thank you very much, Kate!

JAileen, thank you very much. I would prefer the first outfit, it is actually my default formula for a lot of work occasions. I could add a bit more interesting scarf, some earrings, etc. It would feel more “me” than the dress, which I rarely wear. But I should wear it more.

I'll also add that #1 - although more casual - looks the most YOU!

Do you have something sparkly to wear with pants?

Thank you very much Angie. Unfortunately, I do not have a pair of dressy tall boots at the moment, but I was thinking about wearing my shorter boots. I have similar pairs in various colours - black, navy, grey and brown. I was thinking navy at first. Do you think black would be better with this combination?

And what kind of bag? A little shoulder bag perhaps?

Katerina, is pattern in the dress navy or black? Match that!

As for the bag - any of your structured dressy satchels will be fab! Match the boots

Angie, I have this blouse. Perhaps this with a pair of black satin pants.

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Ooh! I love that idea! Looks very Katerina! Shiny shoes? Metallic? Bag to match - BEAUTIFUL!

ETA: What does the blouse look like tucked into the pants?

Thank you, Angie!
It would feel more within my comfort zone.

The dress, however, not so much. I bought it in the spring for a dressy event in July, and I wore it there -,an outdoor opera festival premiere (a work event, the festival itself is not that dressy). After that, I never wore it again. I like the “Pucci inspired” pattern and the colours. I should get into a habit of wearing it more often. So perhaps I should go for it. Style it as you recommend, Angie. Get more confidence in it.

Katerina, why don't you prep two outfits - dress and trousers - and decide on the day which one you want to wear. Follow those feelings. Can't go wrong in either one

Angie, thank you so much for your time and advice. It is very kind of you.

Sloper

I also like the longer jacket and dress - it is very distinctive and elegant, without being too formal or too “business.” If I saw someone in this outfit, I would think they are confident and creative!

Thank you, Sloper, for the kind words.

Lisa

I like both 1 and 3. I often default to trousers for work myself. For 1 maybe swap for a bolder scarf to add a dose of fun to a business casual look? For outfit 3 I’d like a boot or a heel to elevate for a party look. You can’t go wrong with either outfit here.

Joyce

I like your choices in 1 and 2; well dressed for business and not too casual. The ensemble that best reflects who you are will be the most comfortable and make the best presentation. If you are a dress person or a pant person either choice can work if you like it.

Thanks Lisa for looking and for the useful tips.

Thank you, Joyce, for the wise advice.

Jaime

I think you should wear what you feel most comfortable in - it sounds like it might be the dressy top with trousers. But the long topper over the dress is a gorgeous, striking look that you should certainly wear to something in the future!

cat2

Here, the men’s version of business casual is a sport jacket. I think any fun jacket with unmatched pants would work here. The first look is a good example of what I would usually suggest.

Runcarla

I would have said the dress with the longer jacket, but then you styled the pants outfit further down thread - which is gorgeous! And appropriate. And looks the most ‘like you’.

Angie’s suggestion to prep two outfits, and go with how you feel on the day is sage advice.

The dark blouse down thread is really lovely too.
Good to have a couple of options.

Katerina I also love the down thread option. I would feel very welcomed by you wearing either of these options! (Dress with longer jacket, or the down thread combo). But also whatever makes *you* happy and comfortable.

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