Ladies...clothing advice...help!
 

Okay, I have been self-employed forever and I do fine with work clothes. However, since my husband has started a new job, I have to attend one of his work functions. The dress code is "Party Business Casual" but it is at a rather fancy restaurant.

The last time I did this was years ago and I felt a little underdressed.

Suggestions, please??

Thanks!!

I guess you don't want any help from the guys??:confused:

Believe it or not, some of us can look "put together" without having some one else dress us.;) Which reminds me, my daughter is 18 and she was telling me that she loves when I get her clothes for Christmas... not so much from her mom.:D

I would go with blouse and a jacket (you may be able to incorporate a cami with it since cleavage is a no-no) and probably a skirt. If you don't like skirts just wear a nice pair of dress pants. If you go with a skirt, try to keep it around knee length and make sure your legs are freshly shaven... even if wearing hose. Oh don't forget the heels, if you go with an open toe, make sure your toes look nice. If you are going with an open heel, make sure you have no dead dried up skin back there. As far as colors, I'd go dark on the jacket and bottoms, and maybe a little more colorful on the top. Go with what color looks good with either your skin tone or eyes, don't forget to make sure you and your hubby look like y'all belong together. Oh... it's okay to "accessorize" but don't get carried away, and try to wear a light perfume. That's just my .02 from the men's peanut gallery. ;)

Hello! oh i do love clothes :)

I'd go with a nice pair of slacks and a nice sweater- or blouse... Or a nice dress...nothing to formal-

I'd stay away from tan/khaki pants- if the place if nice go with black slacks! and a nice sweater!

Thanks guys!

Mike, didn't mean to stereotype your gender. I have limited experience, with my husband completely clueless with his clothes as well as mine, and teenage son with two speeds: "Hot Mama" and "You look like Grandma."

I am very impressed with how well-rounded you are :)

lol, I was just giving you a hard time. I'm not as well-rounded as I use to be.:D Now you just need to make sure that "Mr. Clueless" looks good! haha

Can I take a stab at this? My husband and I have had to attend such functions for many years. I believe what they are saying is no jeans, khakis, shorts, tees, etc. (A reminder to the youngest of the staff, I bet.) They want everyone to look professional. And Mike is right. They are reminding the staff that cleavage, etc. is a no no.

quinn

I'm an architect, as is DH, so at least 6-12 times a year we have ribbon cuttings, grand openings, presentation ceremonies, etc etc, oh and let's not forget the annual Christmas party. IMO you can't go wrong with the little black dress (with or without a shrug, shawl, short sweater etc), sheer jet black hose, a fabulous pair of high heels (any color works so long as the shoes are stunning and comfortable), a couple of good pieces of real jewelry (parties require a hint of bling), a hint of eye make-up (mascara at a minimum) and some fantastic lipstick (if you're lost on the color, find a make-up counter at a department store and find an attendant near your own age to help you). And for perfume, spritz it in the air in front of you and then walk through it, you never get too much that way and it's evenly distributed. The little black dress is never under dressed, it's low key enough that it's never over the top, and it's something you can always wear again.

Definitely concur with the LBD. Invest in a classic that will last for years. You can accessorize to fit the season, trends, and formality of the event.

Big, statement, costume, jewelry is the current trend if you want to go that way, but you can never go wrong with a strand of perfect pearls or a classic gold necklace.

I agree... think business attire with added bling and a higher heel. =)

so when is the party?

I own two books, "What not to wear" and "What to wear when..." they're by the British hosts of the original "What not to wear" series. I love them because I am definitely not a fashionista, and the first one is organized by body parts you'd like to hide ;)

But I concur, a nice blouse, blazer, and dress pants or skirt, minimal cleavage. Church clothes with a little more makeup. This time of year you could wear a nice pair of boots instead of pumps. I usually go with separates because it's very hard for me to find a dress that fits both my top and bottom halves properly. Wrap dresses work well for me, but they're hard to find.

I'd like to throw in my 2 cents worth. The above advise is good, however make sure you are comfortable with what you wear. If buying a skirt make sure you sit down in it to see how if feels - or rides up. If you are more comfortable in slacks, a dress pant, jacket and nice camisole always look good. Accessories can really dress up a plain outfit.

If you are not used to heels I'd go slacks and a pump. As you attend more of these functions you can rev it up -- as the weight goes off too. Have fun. Mary

Thanks for all the advice and the great ideas, everyone! Party's next Friday, so I'm going to try to shop this Friday and spill it into the weekend if I don't have any luck. I'm not much of a clothes shopper by nature, so it should be interesting! Good points...accessories are always an afterthought for me. I am used to heels, however, being 5'2", and I'm just tickled at the assumption that I actually have cleavage :p!

A little black dress is a staple when I travel. It has never failed me.

One thing I would suggest is to just make sure you and your husband are dressed to match...not as in matching outfits but on the same scale, ie: If he is wearing a suit and tie I would wear a simple black dress and heels. If he is wearing casual slacks, button up shirt then black pants, heels, dressy top for you....etc.

Have fun and let us know what you wore!

Oh, great suggestion VA/NYC!

So...thanks again to all. By popular demand, I went with the LBD; even better, marked down from $100 to $25! Alas, I was more dressy than I could get hubby to be, but everyone who knows him takes that with a grain of salt.

It was fun but I'm really enjoying being back in my jeans and flannel shirt today.

Here are a couple pics...albeit from a 14 year old photographer whose patience was wearing thin; we had to do them after the event and not before; do we look like we've had a few?

Pictures by cjohnson728 - Photobucket

awww how cute. BTW you don't look 5'2".

I agree--the LBD worked out well! I tend to wear a lot of black--I find it "slimming" and it helps hide my muffin top and moobs. :cool:

Regards,
Michael

You nailed the look!
 

Sophisticated and professional.

Good choice! :) You look great and the dress showed off your arms! :D Bet hubby was happy! ;)

Haha! :D

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Choose a business dress that has an acceptable length and cut

Or how about a blouse and a skirt?

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