What to wear to dinner at nicest restaurant in Columbus, OH?

baseballmom94

I'm going to a business dinner with my husband and several of his colleagues on a Wednesday evening at the nicest restaurant in town which I've never been to before. Typically, I wear black pants, heels and a dressy top to these events but not sure if I need to go with a dress or skirt....it will be 42 degrees here.

Options are:

1. Black pencil skirt and black sleeveless silk blouse OR a cardigan, bare legs, heels.

2. Black pants and black sleeveless silk blouse OR cardigan, heels.

3. Gray/black lace printed pencil skirt with black sleeveless blouse or cardigan.

4. Any other suggestions???? I do have time to get something. I just don't have a dressy restaurant type of wardrobe because I only do this type of thing a few times a year.

11 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from Preppy Pear

Parsley

Veteran

All of your ideas sound appropriate, but I have to wonder if you'll be warm enough. I think either dressy pants or a skirt should be fine, but personally, for this time of year I would want another layer over a sleeveless blouse, and would wear some sort of hose with a skirt, just for warmth.

Can you show some pictures of the outfits you're thinking of? Then we can give you more help.

11 years ago

Rabbit Heart

Active Member

I'm not sure what the dress code rules are in America, but where I live, bare legs are considered inappropriate for this type of events, so I would definitely wear nude tights. And as Parsley said, you might be cold anyway. According to the description, I like option #3. I would probably choose a jacket instead of a cardigan, though.

11 years ago

JuneBug

Veteran

I like #1, black pencil skirt, a cardigan (in a jewel tone I was thinking) buttoned up as a top, bare legs and heels, a statementish chain OR your hair done up into a chignon with diamonds or nice pair of small studs as earrings and a delicate bracelet. You would ofcourse arrive warmer dressed and inside the restaurant it should be comfortable, (you could always carry a silk scarf in your clutch to wrap around if you feel cold). After a glass or two of wine I'm sure you'll warm up anyway!

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I personally would not go bare-legged in 42 degree weather; I'd wear sheer black hose and probably tall boots with socks for warmth. Alternatively, black dress pants are perfectly appropriate for a business dinner on a Wednesday night at the fanciest restaurant anywhere.

Question: why either a silk blouse OR a cardigan? Would you wear the cardigan over the blouse?

I'm thinking the blouse sounds dressier. Since it's sleeveless, go with the pants instead of a skirt, for the warmth. You probably will be fine in sleeveless once you have a glass of wine to warm up. Then again, a lot of these business venues tend to be ice boxes, because they are trying to accommodate men wearing suits and ties. Soo... I would wear layers. Bring the cardigan. Or what about a suit jacket or blazer?

The outfit still needs something, focus on above the waist, since that's what people will see at the table... jewelry? A cuff bracelet or two? Necklace? Earrings? Or a pretty scarf (which could also be wrapped around your shoulders if you are chilly)? I'd focus on accessories.

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I couldn't help but notice every item you mentioned was black. How about some color? A dressy, maybe silk, blouse in a flattering to you color would be a nice way to break up the black and make you shine a little.

11 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Like the others, I think your options all sound great but maybe you will be too cold. It sounds like your dressy restaurant capsule could use a nice little jacket that would go with either skirt. You might keep an eye out for a dressy jacket like a brocade to add to the capsule but that you could also dress down with jeans.

11 years ago

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I agree that all of these options sound appropriate, so I would go with the option that makes you feel the most confident and happy. I don't think that the pants are inherently less dressy than the skirts - depends on the outfit.

11 years ago

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