Finding the right outfit can be a tad overwhelming if you’re not the fashionable sort or if you have no clue what items you have in your closet. Before anything else, perform an audit of the current clothes you have in your keeping, and see if you can organize them according to how often you wear them. It is rare, but there are times when stylish occasions just pop out of nowhere to surprise you, so it is best to be prepared before it happens.
As it happens, some of your clothes may be used for stylish occasions and may be covered for some events. If you are particularly new to building your own wardrobe, the best advice is to stick with the basics because you can never go wrong with classics. Make sure that all your clothes fit you well, and while it is nice to be stylish, it is even more important to be comfortable.
Always remember that it doesn’t hurt to have an “impress everyone you meet” mind-set at all occasions, especially work-related events. Being fashionably dressed is the quickest way to make an impression, and if you are looking to make more connections, you will be easily remembered.
Now that you have the basics nailed down, here are tips on how to choose the perfect outfit for stylish occasions.
Weddings
In any formal events, it is expected for guests to follow the dress code. In weddings, you should expect business casual or black tie. For business casual, you can wear pants, dress shirt similar to the color motif of the wedding, and some blazer. If the event calls for black tie, you can opt for a dark suit, a tie, a white shirt, and some dress shoes.
If you are part of the entourage as the groomsman, lucky you! It is more than lucky that your outfit is bought and paid for by the couple. While it is the groom who gives gifts to his groomsmen as tokens of his friendship and appreciation, consider getting gifts for everyone especially if this little boys’ group has been through a lot. Throw in some unique customized flasks for everyone to commemorate the special day.
Business Dinner/Formal Meeting
If it is a formal meeting where you are expected to conduct business or simply a business dinner, you should dress according to the existing dress code of the company. If you wear suits for work every day, you are expected to show up in one during the gathering as well.
If you have a casual office environment, it doesn’t hurt to dress up a little bit to business casual. You could very well be meeting with the boss or some higher-ups, so you can use this as a great way to give them a good impression of your professionalism.
If you’re expected to talk business with your colleagues, managers, or bosses, be sure to take everything you need with you, like your laptop, your pen, your paper, the hard drive containing pertinent work files, and more.
Make sure you pay attention to the bag you’re bringing in instances like this. If you’re looking for a versatile but long-lasting bag, consider getting a vintage leather handbag. Yes, men can wear totes, and they look just as fabulous in any outfit.
Graduations
On this occasion, it helps to dress in business casual to semiformal because it celebrates the achievements of the graduate, and a good way to honor that is to show up in a good attire: dark trousers, a simple suit, and a fitted blazer. Make sure to take into consideration the location of the graduation venue to avoid being overheated by too many layers or being underdressed.
Parties
There are many kinds of parties, so dressing up for one or twenty can be pretty situational. At parties that are more like weekend get-togethers or company bonding, it is best to dress comfortably so that you can let loose a little bit to socialize with other people: casual to business casual is appropriate.
For cocktail parties, guests are required to dress more formally. It is an event where many guests do not know everyone. That is because the purpose of these kinds of parties is business networking or socializing. Your attire should not be any less than business formal (or even a black tie is an option, depending on the invitation).
It Never Hurts to Ask
While it is ideal to be perfectly dressed every time, there may be instances that invitations come without dress codes. This can be confusing, and you run the risk of being overdressed or underdressed at the event, so never hesitate to ask your host either through text, email, or even a simple phone call. If you can’t reach them, try asking other attendees.
If there is no one to ask and the host is too preoccupied to answer your queries, do a little bit of guessing. Consider the time and venue; indoor receptions are generally more formal, while outdoors ones are more relaxed and so on.
It is more excusable to be overdressed because you can always dress it down later when you get to the event. Taking off the tie or shrugging the jacket off will instantly make your outfit less formal.
