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Today’s reader e-mail comes with smoke signals… she’s wondering what to wear to a black-tie dinner at the Waldorf for a benefit.
I was just invited to a black-tie dinner at the Waldorf for a benefit my firm supports. Although I have lots of dresses, I’m not sure what is appropriate for a black tie business function. Is a knee length dress ever appropriate at a black tie function?
This is one of those reasons why we always snap up black cocktail dresses, both long and short, when we see them on sale.
How to Know What to Wear to a Black-Tie Dinner for a Benefit
Our advice actually involves a bit of legwork on your part.
- Call the Waldorf. Ask what they recommend ladies wear to the event. (You can do this anonymously.)
- E-mail a female coworker who’s attending the event (or two) and ask them what they’re wearing. If you like what the Waldorf’s advice was, include this in your e-mail. (If not, keep it to yourself.)
If the Waldorf’s answer is “long” and your colleagues’ answers are “long,” guess what — you should really wear a long dress. If the answers are somewhat different, then you might want to choose a dress closer to what your colleagues are wearing.
For example: Let’s say the Waldorf answers, “Cocktail attire is fine.” But your colleagues answer, “Long dresses!” You might want to choose a very very simple black dress that’s long.
{related: what NOT to wear to a black tie}
(For what it’s worth, this author has been to galas at the Waldorf on at least one occasion — most of the women at the table were wearing short cocktail dresses, including me. To be honest, we saw women in sparkly evening suits and business suits. But that may have just been that particular event.)
As for where to get the dress… ask your friends if you can borrow anything if you don’t already have one. Otherwise, you might want to hit TJ Maxx to see what they have.
Our Latest Favorite Cocktail Dresses for Work Functions
Hunting for great cocktail dresses for work functions? As of 2024, some of the best brands to check include Dress the Population, CeCe, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Calvin Klein. Some of the reader favorites from Amazon might also work! Some other recent favorites include these:
Some Of Our Latest Favorite Affordable Evening Gowns
Hunting for generally affordable evening gowns for black-tie work events? Some of our favorite brands include Lulus, Dress the Population, Eliza J, XScape, and Alex Evenings.
Hunting for plus-size gowns for black-tie work events? For affordable options we like like Kiyonna, City Chic, Reformation, Anthropologie, and eShakti — also check out bridesmaid brands like BHLDN and Birdy Grey. If you’re open to spending more, check out Marina Rinaldi and Lafayette 148 New York (limited options).
Readers, what are your thoughts? What are galas like in your region, and what are your rules of thumb? What are your best tips for what a lawyer should wear to a black-tie dinner at the Waldorf for a benefit?
Hunting for generally affordable evening gowns for black-tie work events? Some of our favorite brands include Lulus, Dress the Population, Eliza J, XScape, and Alex Evenings.
Hunting for plus-size gowns for black-tie work events? For affordable options we like like Kiyonna, City Chic, Reformation, Anthropologie, and eShakti — also check out bridesmaid brands like BHLDN and Birdy Grey. If you’re open to spending more, check out Marina Rinaldi and Lafayette 148 New York (limited options).