This is another new feature: “What to Wear To…” — we plan to tackle attire for office events that are outside the office.
It’s the summer. Your office is flush with interns, either from law school or MBA school. In order to impress, the company holds numerous summer events, including <dun dun dunnnh> the cocktail party. Maybe at a restaurant, maybe at a partner or executive’s house/mansion. The question looms: What do you wear?
Honestly, the answer here is usually “a suit.” You simply don’t want to run the risk of looking like someone’s date. Still, there are times when a cocktail dress is appropriate — and when that happens you should strive to be as conservative and as ladylike as possible. In general, this means your dress should not be:
- shiny
- satin (it wrinkles anyway)
- strapless
- low-cut
- mini-skirted
- relying on a safety-pin in any regard
- appropriate for any of the following activities: being a contestant in a pageant, sleeping, or being a dominatrix
That said, here are some appropriate dresses:
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- Tiered Skirt One Shoulder Dress by Twelfth Street, $255 (EDressMe)
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- Embroidered Navy Rose Dress by Walter, $298 (EDressMe)
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- It’s Only Love Dresses by Nanette Lepore, $495 (EDressMe)
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- Serena Dress by Milly, $339 (ShopBop)
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- Brushed Silk Dress with Beads by Castle Starr, $654 (ShopBop)
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- Silk Dress with Rose Detailing by Rebecca Taylor, $271 (ShopBop)
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- Dyan Dress by Elizabeth Gillett Ltd., $216 (CoutureCandy)
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- 70s Chain Spectator Dress by Yoana Baraschi, $350 (CoutureCandy)
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- Tribal Eyelet Dress by Gold Hawk Clothing, $253 (Couture Candy)
eDressMe SALE – dresses 50% to 80% off
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve got a red shift with short sleeves that is actually a more colourful version of my favorite work dress. It’s my default for when I have something work related but don’t have to work. I like it because it is very easy to imagine me dressed appropriately for 9-6, but also cheerful and not drab. With a grey jacket, and the bag and shoes I’d normally wear at work it looks pretty serious, but it can also be worn with a fun shoe and a pretty scarf or sparkly brooch.
For something more formal, I’d get a goody two shoes cocktail dress that would also work for conservative weddings.