Dressing To Impress At Any Occasion

Have you ever wondered what to wear at a function you’re attending? I know I have. Finding the right thing to wear can be frustrating, but here are a few tips/ideas.

Corporate functions/party: Corporate functions and parties are events where you want to look beautiful yet professional. You want to make sure you are wearing something appropriate for the occasion. As a general rule of thumb, I recommend staying away from wearing garments that are too short or show too much cleavage. Remember, the attendees at these events are individuals that you work with, so it’s better to err on the side of more conservative vs. less conservative with your wardrobe. If you’re attending an awards night ceremony, or an evening event with dinner/drinks, I recommend a nice cocktail dress or possibly an evening suit.

Bat mitzvahs: As with all events, what to wear will depend on the location of the function, the number of guests and who is invited as well as whether the family is Orthodox, conservative, traditional or reform. To be safe, think formal, modest and tasteful. Dress appropriately without showing too much skin.

Charity functions: There are all sorts of charity events, and each one will differ in terms of dress code. Some events may be very formal and others may be themed events. Check to see what the dress code details are to determine what to wear. If they have a gallery page from past events, you can always check the formality of the event.  If it’s a garden party or an outdoor event, a nice summer dress and a sunhat/fascinator works great. A summer romper is also a nice option. If it’s an evening event, for a less formal function, you can wear a nice cocktail dress, dress it up with some beautiful evening pumps or high heels. If you’re attending a formal gala or black-tie event, I would recommend a long evening gown.

Weddings:

Destination Weddings: Your wardrobe for a destination wedding will depend on where the bride and groom are getting married. Many of the destination weddings I’ve attended have been in tropical locations, and mainly on the beach. For beach weddings, remember that you will be by the water, where it tends to be hot and windy. So, you’ll want to wear something light and breathable and nothing too short, unless you want to give the guests a peep show!

Fancy Weddings: Treat this like a gala or a black tie- event. A long evening gown is a great option. Again, you can wear a cocktail dress that is more embellished, if you’d prefer to wear something shorter. Accessories can help dress up or dress down an outfit. If you’re wearing a shorter cocktail dress, dress up your outfit by wearing some fantastic shoes and jewelry. Stay away from fish net stockings and go for a classy look at fancier weddings. As with all weddings, try to stay away from wearing white – reserve that for the bride!

Work: There’s a reason why they say, “dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.” If you’re on your way to climbing the corporate ladder, remember to always look professional. The way you present yourself at work does have an impact on the way people see you. So, dress to impress! In the winter, sweater dresses are a great option or dress pants with a nice sweater/top, a blazer. Summer- time, the options are endless with corporate dresses and even flowy dresses, skirts and tops. Make sure you follow the work dress code of course – most places frown upon ripped jeans and tank tops or track pants for Friday dress-down days.

The most important thing to remember is to wear something appropriate for the occasion and an outfit that makes you feel comfortable!

What are your favourites for a special occasion?