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Seeking advice - dress code business attire ETA update - the outfit

Katerina

Veteran

Dear fabbers, I have been invited to a cocktail party, time from 17.00 to 19.00. Hosted by an ambassador. The dress code is business attire. I have some ideas what to wear, but I would love to know what you think would be appropriate and interesting. I normally do not wear dresses and do not have any which would work for this occasion. Any advice or thoughts?

ETA - so I attended the party. It did not really go as I planned. The party was fun, but the outfit not as planned as I hoped for. Huge amount of work on the weekend and today, run late and realized that my plan to put together this extraordinary, well thought through, totally appropriate and "oh, so interesting" outfit was not going to work out So I wore my usual "uniform" - a navy blazer with a navy blouse underneath, navy wide legged trousers, navy shoes, light purple/blue handbag and a large square silk colourful scarf (which I love btw). I added large blue pearl earrings and my charm bracelet. The bracelet is my happiness peace - my mother started it for me and now, after many years, it has about 40 small charms.

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51 replies

Latest reply was from Katerina

Kathie

Veteran

I truly have no idea what to wear to an invitation from an ambassador, but, I went back to your January 30x30, and something like outfit 28 might work, with the skirt and dressy coat. To my eye it looks appropriate for a day-to-evening event. Good luck deciding- I honestly think you can’t make a bad choice.

Joy

Veteran

I agree with Kathy that you can't make a bad choice. Your pant and jacket outfits with a scarf look suitable to me. Most will probably be coming from work and be wearing what they wore to work that day.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear, Katerina. ANY of your dressier trouser or suit outfits will work. No need to wear a dress.

rachylou

Veteran

I should think any of your work outfits with a zing of colour(!)

JAileen

Veteran

I think just about about everything we’ve seen you wear would be appropriate.

Anonymous

You have a streamlined, deliberate style that you wear with such confidence, I can't picture you looking inappropriate or uninteresting, and I'm hoping you'll share your decision.

I'm sure you would look great in dresses but pants do seem like the obvious default for that modern woman of action look you convey so well.

Bijou

Veteran

You wear your clothes so well - given this is a special occasion, do you have a favourite outfit? Because if so, please wear that. Hoping that your favourite scarf is part of the ensemble.

Anonymous

I agree with Angie. ANY of your dressier ensembles would work for this occasion. You have flair that is internal.

Amy Isabella

Veteran

I'm another one who cannot ever imagine you looking inappropriate for any occasion! You have an inherently dressy, polished and elegant style, so I'm sure whatever you choose it will be absolutely perfect.

Christina F.

Veteran

I agree that any one of your "normal" outfits would be great, since normal for you is to die for fabulous.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think everyone is right -- you'll look wonderful no matter what -- but if you have any concerns, then Kathie is really onto something about the dressy coat with skirt idea, and I would pick a structured bag as well -- it automatically amps up the "dressy" factor without being over the top.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I guess the other option is to find out if others you know have attended before.

If I were invited to such an event I would probably wear something like my David Meister dress because it is sober and business like but also can skew "cocktail" with the right jewellery.

David Meister Side Pleat Woven Sheath Dress

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Katerina

Veteran

Ladies, you are ALL so kind and supportive, thank you for your advice.
I have attended a few of such embassy cocktails, or glass of wine events before, but most of them were held midday. Most people were wearing their usual office clothes with a touch of dressy - nice jewelry or blouses, make-up etc.

This time, as I am working on my style improvement and trying to put more effort in every outfit and I would like to find the right balance between the “business” and the “cocktail - celebration”. Exactly what Suz is saying. And this is where I am not sure. As for my happiness factor - I would like to add some fun, playful touches - a scarf or a brooch. And as the spring is slowly approaching (hopefully) - I want bold colours too! Too demanding, perhaps ?

Suz, your dress is perfect! If I would wear dresses, this would be exactly what I would choose too.

Anonymous

We know your scarf/broach game is strong. You could wear both for added panache. The idea of a structured bag, that is not a tote/briefcase/ is yet one more way to amp up the style quotient. Finally, I adore bold colors ... and you definitely can wear those. The soft purple you showed earlier this week was particularly beautiful on you. Is that too soft/subtle?

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Katerina, I agree with Angie and some of the others. A suit (whether matched or "unmatched" but coordinated) will never steer you wrong. I'd choose a favorite stand out accessory and you'll feel fab and invite conversation! Have fun!

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you Sterling and Dana for looking and for the great comments.

Sterling and Suz, the structured bag is a great idea. I am certainly going to wear one. Perhaps one of my smaller vintage bags. I am glad you fabbers liked the purple outfit on me, I feel really encouraged to wear it and I am getting to like it a lot. However, the jacket is a rather soft wool jersey, which is not that visible at the picture though. It is not that structured - a little like a cardigan. I would feel a bit casual in it at that occasion. But agree with you, Sterling, the colour would be nice.

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unfrumped

Veteran

Agree with all. Something you love, something on the more formal end of your spectrum. Since these things are standing I take advantage of outfits that “ stand well” — allows you to showcase the complete silhouette, handbag as accessory.

LaPed

Veteran

Oh, I hope we get to see the outfit when you settle on one! As others have said, I think you can't go wrong. Your usual style is so bold, polished and confident. Any of your suits will look great, no need for a dress; add some signature jewelry (brooch?) for a personal touch and sparkle. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

tulle

Veteran

"Business wear" can be interpreted differently in different places, but diplomatic entertaining tends to skew formal, I think. This seems to me like the perfect opportunity to wear a dark, sleeved sheath with some detailing, like the one Suz pictured, and a little extra brooch-bling, but most of the jacket/skirt combos you've shown here would work. If you choose that route, I'd keep the neckline open (a low-necked shell or cami under a buttoned jacket) for a cinq-a-sept feel. Sounds interesting--have fun!

Katerina

Veteran

Unfrumped, La Ped and Tulle, thank you very much for the advice and encouregemnt, very helpful!

Unfrumped - what a good point- outfit that "stand well"! I must think of that - normally don´t do that distinction, but it´s important!

Tulle, great advice! I am not sure I would pull off an open neckline though, I am generally addicted to scarves. But I agree with you and I will try how it would feel.

tulle

Veteran

Katerina, your scarf addiction is understandable, as you have a collection of truly superlative scarves, and wear them with such elan. I don't think you need to go without, though you might experiment with tying the scarf low and tucking it inside the jacket so that it looks almost like a silk blouse. But who am I to tell YOU how to tie your scarf? You'll do it best. Can't wait to see what you choose!

Cee

Veteran

Good advice, team

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you Tulle! You are very kind. Sounds great, I will try various ways. I will be back with pics when I have some options. The party is in 10 days, so I have some time to contemplate

Jane

Veteran

I am with everyone else, I just don't think you can go wrong. I like the idea of broaches and scarfs, because your selections are always so lovely.

gryffin

Veteran

Katerina - sorry I only skimmed responses. Can you do a riff on Le Smoking? It's a cocktail party, business to me translates uber elegant allure without overt sexy. Lace Cami or party top under a jacket. Heels or dressy shoes. A gorgeous broach, dramatic jewelry or evening scarf and dressier bag. This is always my choice for events of this ilk.

Mainelady

Veteran

Katerina, I can’t add much to help. I agree with the others that you have such a large, stylish wardrobe, that you really can’t go wrong. I think a scarf and a brooch will be fabulous. Consider which outfits make you feel your best, make sure you include a happiness factor and have a great time. Please remember to post a WIW.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Take it from an ex-diplomat's wife: cocktail with an ambassador? Chic, chic, chic. Think that there could be pictures taken. Remain modest (avoid plunging décolletés, above-the-knee hems, etc). Because of the pictures that later circulate. Silk blouse (not too open, of course), pearls, midi length pencil, dainty heels, chic, not too businessy topper - such as a very beautiful pashmina, or a well cut structured jacket... try not to sport anything too out of the ordinary, like an oversize scarf in a vibrant color... because these events err more on the conservtive side. You didn't mention what country the ambassador was from? This could have an impact on what you should wear or avoid to wear. For example, I would refrain from wearing jewelry that has any type of religious connotation - such as a small cross - if the ambassador is from a muslim country.

It's not intolerance here, it's a question of diplomacy between his culture and yours. You don't want to start anything with what you are wearing. When I was going to functions in the muslim country where we were posted, I would absolutely ban any type of religious or symbolic designs as it could have been interpreted as a desire to convert locals to my religion (it wasn't the case of course but the possiblity of being seen that way was very real). For you, it wouldn't be the case, but still, I would advise to refrain.

I just saw the picture above and it looks perfect for the occasion.

Also, is this event likely to take place outside - for example in the garden behind the diplomatic house? If so, I strongly recommend against heels that are too thin as they will sink into grass.

krishnidoux

Veteran

One last thing: do you have a small evening clutch? Bring it.

(I just read you are bringing a small vintage bag: yes!).

Have a hankerchief ready because this is going to happen: you will be served cold drinks in humid glasses and immediately be required to shake hands and you don't want to be doing that with a wet hand!

rachylou

Veteran

How interesting! Good point about religious jewelry.

I have to say, I was thinking... the time of the party is immediately after work... so it crossed my mind that business wear really does mean businesss wear. And it also crossed my mind that such functions I’ve been to were all decidedly not that formal - that is, they really were business wear. Nice mind you, not day-labourer, not jeans, but everyday rich-people. With the exception of a Chinese embassy dinner in a small third world country... which was peasant style for everyone except the ambassador himself... and which dinner frightened me a little bit... cousin’s scary girlfriend took us...

This is a complex social calculus here...

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