On the off chance anyone’s company is still having their black-tie affair this year, we thought we’d give some advice on what to wear, and what not to wear. (Although the best advice we can give you is: ask a colleague who’s already been to the dance at least once.) Photo credit at left: the perfect martini, originally uploaded to Flickr by berbercarpet
1. First of all, ways to tell dressy formal attire is required: generally, your invitation will tell you what to wear. Secondary clues that dressy attire is necessary:
- the event is held on a Saturday, not a Friday
- significant others are invited
- the event is held in a swank place that is not necessarily well-located near the office
- your company holds two parties: one for staffers (held on a Friday night near or at the office) and one is held for the executives/lawyers (the dress code will be very different for the two events)
2. Our first piece of advice: Even if it’s not black-tie, buy a black dress – throughout the year you may be invited to be a guest at a black-tie affair and, presto, no need for a new dress. (You can always accessorize with a colorful bag or wrap if you’re really craving color.)
3. When shopping for your dress, think “classic beauty,” NOT sexy. To this end, avoid skin in unexpected places (see left — the keyhole above the empire waist is trouble). No side-boob, no under-boob, and no dresses with the low-low back (um, at right).
4. Strapless can be acceptable so long as your dress is well-anchored — no chance of things heading south.
5. Cleavage can also be acceptable — a very little amount of cleavage — if it’s controlled.
6. No trains or fishtail hems (see right). Seriously, you’re going to be mingling, trying to balance your drink, and trying to indulge in the occasional bite of sushi or pig in a blanket. You don’t want people stepping on your dress in the midst of all that…
7. In fact, a cocktail-length dress (above the knee) can be acceptable if the dress is fancy enough. You can always accessorize with a crystal or diamond brooch, sparkly shoes, a sparkly wrap, etc. If you’re unsure of how fancy the event is, you may want to go with either a fancy cocktail dress or a plain floor-length black dress. (J.Crew has some amazing sales today on plain long gowns — use code JINGLE for an additional 30% off.)
8. Don’t wear anything too outre. Even if you really know your fashion stuff, anything cutting edge can just make you look like a hack. (Remember Patsy and Edina, after all.)
9. Splurge on accessories or shoes. A sequined or beaded wrap, some jeweled shoes, or a quality clutch will all serve you well throughout your life.
10. If time and money allow, get your hair done, but definitely get a manicure. We always find that if you’re shaking hands and talking with people while holding a glass, focus tends to be on your hands and how well manicured they are. If you’re not a polish sort of girl, just get clear or pale polish. If you are a polish sort of girl, we recommend keeping it tasteful and avoiding sparkles and trendy shades like gray. Still, it’s a party — choose a color that compliments your outfit.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a very good article, and not just for your holiday party — we often have to go to client oriented black tie events, as well as “cocktail” events, Corporette’s advice — to get something that works at both — is excellent.
Also, as Corporette notes, having a fantastic accessory — mine is an insanely expensive and non too Peta friendly Nancy Gonzalez crocodile bag — will make you feel fabulous no matter what the occasion is. I work that with a Nanette Lepore two piece (jacket and spaghetti strap rather plunging neckline, which can be hidden or unhidden as the occasion requires with the jacket) at some very posh charity events, and though I can’t match the socialites on attire, my purse has secret confidence conferring powers that make me feel appropriate in any setting!
I think asking around is always the best way to go. At our firm, our holiday party is on a Saturday, at a super fancy Beverly Hills hotel, but staff and attorneys are both attending and the attire is “cocktail” not “black tie.” I would be totally out of place in a long formal gown. However, the advice on having a basic dress, with nice accessories, is always a good idea.
As far as manicures, I almost never get them, and keep my nails trimmed fairly short. Should I get a manicure with just polish on my natural nails, or should I get acrylic/gel/silk nails (short, not scary long) for the occasion? If I do get fake nails, which do you recommend? Acrylic, gel, or silk (or something else)?
T – fake nails require maintenance, and they really destroy your natural nails so it’s not worth getting for just one holiday party.
Our holiday party is black tie but I work with people with no concept of what that means.
T, I never polish my nails in the traditional sense. Like you I keep them short, and neat. For polish I use a 2 sided nail buffer. They are inexpensive, easily found at any drugstore, and do not tear up your nails like polish and/or fake nails can.
Could the nails thing be an east coast/west coast difference? I feel like painted nails are more of an east coast thing whereas women can get away with nicely buffed nails on the west coast.
For that matter, the question of floor length (east coast) or cocktail length (west cost) is also regional, no?
totally good advice re: the manicure! also good advice to when in doubt just wear a black dress. i was recently talked out of wearing a conservative long gown to an nyc event that was billed as black tie, and boy was i glad. the men all wore tuxes, but almost NONE of the women wore gowns: lbds all the way.
Yasmin: I would have said the reverse re: manicures. When I lived in southern California, _everyone_ got manicures (and pedicures) –or acrylics. Here on the East Coast, most of the women I know don’t get regular manicures (or if they do, it’s a pale/neutral color)