I must attend an awards banquet next week for an association that my firm is very involved with. There will be many clients and many more potential clients in attendance. It is "cocktail attire" and I will have to leave straight from the office.
So, what the heck do I wear? Anything in my current wardrobe that might approximate cocktail is definitely not work appropriate, nor something that I would want to wear in a business setting. (I have ample cleavage and it is hard to find cocktail attire that does not draw attention to this attribute. Not that I mind too much since I was called "2x4" in high school and the girls are holding up pretty well considering I breastfed three children. But in business settings I prefer to be noticed for my brains and not my other assets.)
Can I get by with wearing a suit, or do I need to wear a dress? It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to go find a little black dress that I could throw a cardigan over during the day and remove for evening--but I don't have a ton of time to go shopping before this event.
And, no, there's no one to ask, since I'm the only girl in the office. The guys will definitely just wear their suits. Also, this industry organization is heavily male-dominated, so nearly all of the other females in attendance will be spouses--not sure if that makes a difference or not.
P.S. This is my 750th post--woot!
7 comments:
Definitely don't wear a suit when it says cocktail attire! Go shopping! How about something like this? Classic little black dress, but with a cut that should minimize the boobage and you can put a suit jacket over it during the day.
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=47&pageId=1&productId=560000831&viewAll=&prd=The+Chloe&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=1&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=3&size=
I had the same problem when my I had to go to a fund-raising auction for my husband's work. I bet to Nordstroms and they were a HUGE help! The lady working there picked out the best dress ever- I just described the event and she put my outfit together. I even got a dress on sale! I found a black conservative dress with sleeves but it was made out of a great material and, if I do say so myself, it looked amazing- classy and sophisticated but definately attractive. Go for it! splurge a little!
Second the black shift dress suggestion - i have one that is part of a suit set that i got at dress barn of all places, and it is the perfect 'day to evening' dress (wear a blazer over it in the day time). it's a lot like this:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/22/article-1126631-0325AE92000005DC-432_306x665.jpg
you could have sexy heels that you leave in the car and wear just to the event. and of course you'd update your makeup.
oh and of course, here's michelle obama wearing similar:
http://www.upscaleswagger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/michelle-obama-white-house-portrait.jpg
Looks like we have a consensus! I really appreciate all of the links.
I guess it's a good thing that my office is right across the street from the frou-frou mall, which has both Nordstrom and WHBM.
check out corporette.com I dont always agree, but the comments on posts frequently have great ideas.
I'm going to offer a different perspective. Are these mostly non-lawyers? then I assume that is who "cocktail attire" was intended to inform. As an attorney, specifically there to network and represent the "firm" I would wear a suit. I would wear a skirt suit, with a cool blouse -jewel toned, maybe ruffly. but a suit. (Or maybe the shift dress others suggested, but keep the jacket on for awhile.) Otherwise, you simply look like the rest. And as a single female from a firm of males, you don't want to be mistaken as just someone's wife. Or having the thought "hmpf, she doesnt look like a lawyer" run through their head when you talk to them. you know?
sux, but these stereotypes are still a danger.
(I love Michelle Obama, and how she dresses, but, she is no longer appearing as a "lawyer" and no one would mistake her for one. She is appearing as an activist, a wife, a first lady."
Hey Erin,
I have corporette in my reader. I agree that the value is in the comments. I generally do not like her fashion picks at all. Or the constant suggestions to dress everything up with a brooch.
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