WSIW: Business lunch with the Minister of Finance - YouLookFab Forum

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WSIW: Business lunch with the Minister of Finance

Sal

Veteran

On Monday I have been invited to a business lunch with a few people, whom I don't know at all well (and in fact I have never met them), all men, where we listen to the Minister of Finance talk to a group of business people. There may be media there as it is election time. He is similar to the Secretary of Treasury in the US, or Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, or Minister of Finance in other nations with a PM like Australia or Canada).....

I don't go to many of these sorts of functions at all where business formal attire or smart business will be needed - outside our industry which is pretty casual.

My trusty black pants (ankle crop) are looking tired and in need of replacement. I could look for a replacement immediately and wear these along with a blouse and black double breasted jacket.

I could wear my black sheath dress with either the black blazer or soft light grey blazer over the top. But I am unsure about shoes with this - courts might feel too dressy for the semi rural location. I could wear the blush oxfords if I wore the black blazer but I don't know about them with the grey?

I am open to getting something completely new here - but I want it to go on and be useful in the future. I am thinking of something along the lines of either-

- new smart work pants
- new work appropriate shoes
- new work appropriate dress

What would you wear to this sort of occasion?

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Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from rose

avicennia

Veteran

Sounds like an interesting opportunity, congratulations Sal! I’d go with with the black dress and grey blazer. You say it’s a semi-rural location. The cut and style of the blazer are more edgy than a formal blazer, so to my eye appropriate for the slightly more casual location. That said, I’d stick to black pumps. You don’t want to be under-dressed and is an important government event! If this means buying new shoes go for it!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on the invitation. Your options sound good but I just don't know enough about the situation to suggest anything. What are you trying to project? Is it important to impress any of the people there? I would be thinking that as the only woman there I would want to look powerful and non-traditional, but that is me!

Sal

Veteran

I want to look competent and assertive - we aren't a particularly dressy part of the world but I am thinking men will be in suits or shirts and ties, or jackets without ties. And I think it will be male dominated.

I am thinking that a low heel pair of slingbacks or similar would be a useful addition for me....I will do a try on tonight of my options.

rachylou

Veteran

Chicken dinner outfit! My chicken dinner outfit is shoes like the Feragamo Vara (altho without a bow) (an almost flat block-heeled pump) and a solid purple poly knit dress with long matching poly cardigan. No pearls. Not staid (purple not navy!), not flashy (common-man material!), a little vague (fits into anyone’s milieu!), lolol.

Go closed heel for that in-command look.

nemosmom

Veteran

A dinner with Minister of Finance sounds important! What a neat opportunity! I think the blush oxfords could work with the grey jacket, depending on the blouse or accessories you pick. How about black pants, black bow blouse, grey jacket, blush shoes, and a blush bag? Do you have a blush bag? Time for an outfit lab!!!

Do you have time to shop for pants? I think black pants would be a staple piece for you, that would easily see wears going forward.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Rachy - the shoes sound perfect but I don't wear purple!!

Avicennia - Thanks also. I think that would work and I will do a try on.

Shevia - I don't want to look traditional but I don't want to be noticed either.....I am going with a more monied crowd than I normally hang out with....

NemosMom - I do have three pairs of black pants. Two are too casual for this occasion and the other pair are starting to be worn out. Definitely noticed this last week when I wore them to a business lunch. Didn't expect another more high profile one so soon...I started looking and thinking about a non black replacement and then stalled.

My job has changed and I am going to be doing more networking and being out and about. There is not much of this going on right now (Covid) and much of it is really jeans and blazer, or smart culottes and knit top..... I started building up my smart work capsule but this is at the very smart end of this (for me).

Jane

Veteran

Very impressive and will be fascinating I would think for all sorts of reasons.

I’m wondering about the bandage dress? It’s such super colouring and style and I’m thinking will fit in well. Would it be too much?

Jane

Veteran

I have just reread your post and see that you are thinking of buying something new - I like your ideas.

Elle

Veteran

How exciting for you! I would go with the black dress, gray blazer, and closed toe shoes. I'd try the ones you have first and see how they look with the outfit.

You know the dress styles there better than I do, of course, but in the US it is common to wear a blazer when men are in suits. Women often add a bright scarf and often some quirky jewelry. Just throwing ideas out there.

rachylou

Veteran

Lol. What, you wanna talk about *your* clothes? Ok. Fine. Lol I agree with Elle - the black dress, grey blazer, black pumps. A similar vibe in my mind: the pearl grey is a little different but not flash.

slim cat

Veteran

Black dress, grey blazer and non-black shoes.
Or blush shoes and matching bag like @nemosmom suggested; or blush shoes, black bag and a printed scarf with some blush, white, black colors tied to a bag or worn on the neck.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think you should do a Kamala Harris:
Sneakers (fashion sneakers not sports sneakers)
Slim fit dress pants
Blazer (I favour the duck egg Witchery one if the pants are black)
Blouse ( you could even wear a tee if it’s a nice pristine white one)
Satchel

Sal

Veteran

Nice plan Brooklyn. I would need brand spanking sneakers to pull that off - and new dress pants. But I like the idea....

Thanks Slimcat - I don't have a blush bag but would consider one. I would most likely take my black/camel Furla satchel.

Thanks Rachy........

Elle - yes I think closed toe shoes of some description too. I would consider sneakers. It is just moving into sandal season but I am not quite there yet.

Jane - that bandage dress is one I love, but it is definitely a bit too evening for this lunch. I want to wear it again though (need to find an occasion!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with Brooklyn. Go for a relaxed (but not too relaxed) suit look. If it means buying spanking new fashion sneakers, so much the better -- you'll wear them to death later (unlike fancy shoes). Ditto a new top or blouse -- you wear separates well. And slim trousers. That duck egg blazer is so stunning on you - -and perfect for early spring.

If sneakers feel a bit toooooo casual, then a nice looking loafer or wedge of some description....

Also, congratulations! This sounds interesting!

Minaminu

Veteran

Congratulations on the invite! I think the grey blazer and black dress would be perfect. I love Rachylou suggestions for the shoes, Or maybe a pair of nude pumps in kitten heel.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oooh! Exciting! I think black dress, Witchery blazer, and blush shoes. They look more up-to-date than your black pumps I feel.
Sock it to those men

RobinF

Veteran

Ooh love the idea of a Kamala Harris look! And agree with Suz that if sneakers feel a little too casual then loafers instead. I do really like your blazers, they will work with a lot of options.

Runcarla

Veteran

What about that mustard Boden jacket? Over your black culottes* and white t shirt? Lady-like mid or low heeled black pumps and your beautiful black bag? Maybe tie that great scarf (yellow, blush, black and white) onto the handles of your bag.

* I’m not sure if these are still in your closet vs edited out

PaulaF

This may be old skool of me, but when in doubt I would always err on the dressier, more conservative side. The “sin” of being underdressed or inappropriately dressed is always worse than that of being overdressed, especially if powerful people and/or potential opportunities are present...even in semi-rural locations.

If you wore a dark suit look, you could always take the blazer off when you get there to relax how formal you look.

Good luck and let us know what choices you end up making!

Helena

Veteran

Another vote for the black dress a.e light gray blazer ... Maybe a good excuse to by new flat black shoes!?

avicennia

Veteran

I was curious to see what you’d decided Sal, so I checked back on the post. I strongly agree with PaulaF. On this occasion it’s much wiser to be overdressed and lean conservative. The grey blazer’s double row of buttons is funky and fun. I would leave the fun at that and have the rest of the outfit, dress, bag and shoes trend conservative. I’d definitely steer away from fashion sneakers — the only reason Kamala Harris gets away with them because she is the star of the show.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How exciting, Sal! Congrats! Impressive!

Like Jane, I'm thinking of your bandage dress with the duck egg blue blazer and light shoes. Aviators too!

And like Brooklyn and Suz, I'm thinking RELAXED suit with polka dot camisole and brand new white sneakers.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all! I will try on a couple of options tonight but I think I will look at some boutiques for some great new tailored pants which I need anyway.

I would also be interested in a new low heel pump or slingback shoe that works well with skirts and dresses and pants. At the moment I only really like my heels with pants or longer midi skirts - anything just below the knee at the moment would feel better with a lower heel.

I think I do have a backup option that would be suitable - see finds below. I would take the tassles off the shoes with the dress. I think this would be better with camel slingbacks though.....

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like the back-up option because I actually think the loafers go really well with that blazer, the buttons on the blazer seem to echo the heel and sole and laces of the shoes.
But is that a black dress and navy bag? Not quite sure I would do that myself, but also aware that one puts the bag down most of the time, and it is a really nice bag. I do mix black and navy though so not sure why I am objecting!!

Sal

Veteran

Jenni both the bag and dress are black (the bag also has camel on it). The camel reads as similar to the shoes although the shoes are a warm blush.

It is interesting how you think you are set for any occasion and then something comes along and you realise your wardrobe is not quite there. I could probably wear some of my other business casual pieces but I do want to feel really confident and "nail it". I definitely need some new work pants in the next couple of months so I think now could be the time (and I have a quiet weekend so I do have time to look).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh very good!
I agree about wardrobes sometimes being not quite right. I had a rare outing a couple of weeks ago, a dinner for our retiring practice nurse ( 10 women- the limit allowed at the time- at a restaurant). I wore the third dress I tried on from my wardrobe!
Good luck to find new pants. Pants are hard xx

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I attend quite a lot of this type of event and almost always opt for neutral or dark separates, to look professional but in a sort of “vague” way as Rachy puts it! Not making a huge style statement. I think sturdy shoes, as you may get dragged into a field or something for some crazy photo opportunity— you don’t want to be sinking into mud in heels or anything that would make the men think “women and their silly shoes!” Enjoy this opportunity, hope you get lots of useful contacts or info out of it.

Liesbeth

Veteran

I love your 'backup' option and would have suggested this myself. The shoes read formal enough for me (but then again I have never ever been in a situation that required black pumps).

Bijou

Veteran

Sal the best advice I have been given in these situations is to wear what makes you feel good. Personally I am more confident when over dressed rather than underdressed. You are likely to arrive and will need to just network with a stranger, so feeling comfortable and confident is key. I usually gravitate to someone who looks a bit lost and strike up a conversation.

I like your back up outfit a lot. What about shoes to bookend your hair? A nude to light cognac pump? I often wear coloured shoes with an all black suit to lighten things up and find my coloured pumps as versatile as my black shoes. In finds are two shoes that fall back on regularly.

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