What to wear for a business dinner

A digital closet or a smart mirror fashion stylist will have a clear response, because they know your fashion taste profile thanks to their fashion taste graph, and can suggest you personalized recommendations of clothes. Dressing up for a business dinner is a completely different proposition. It is one that demands an entirely different wardrobe. And then there are different types of business dinners too. There are the formal ones, casual ones or award function types, so definitely it’s not easy to know what to wear for a business dinner.

Deciding what to wear for a business dinner demands that you turn out with a certain level of professionalism. After all you will be interacting with people you work with. Get help from your outfit planner to come up with something appropriate. You may also consult Chicisimo for suggestions that can be downloaded  here for IOS and here for Android (if you need information on how to start with the Chicisimo fashion app, please check this previous post.). The style needs to be a bit understated. You can always play with colours within a restriction of course. 

Do you want to know what to wear for a business dinner? Keep reading:

The occasion

Like stated above, a business dinner can be for various reasons.  You could be meeting people for a dinner interview. Or it might be business with pleasure. Or part of an awards night. Depending on what kind of occasion is involved, take care to dress. The rule to go by is to choose middle ground in any case.  Not too casual or suggestive, but definitely not the typical 9-to-5 outfits. Suppose it is an interview dinner. You need to pull something formal from your wardrobe. That does not mean it has to be stiffly formal.  After all it is dinner as well. Mixing formal trousers with a slightly flouncy top works great.  A little bit bolder make up but not too loud is needed. 

A black suit outfit for a business dinner by Chicisimo fashion planner app

The weather

Your choice of outfit for a business dinner depends greatly on weather. Ask your outfit planner to help with a good choice.  Keeping things warmly casual is very easy in summers.  You can experiment with a lot of clothes.  Winters pose a challenge in that everything is topped with a heavy jacket. This is quite okay!  Make sure what you wear under the jacket is winter material too.  Take care to choose the right colours for winters.  Chicisimo is a good way to make sure you make the right choice.

A mini dress for a business dinner by Chicisimo fashion planner app

Dress culture

Each workplace has a different culture. No one needs an outfit planner to tell you that. It is an important factor when choosing a dinner outfit.  It helps that in some dinners, the dress code is mentioned.  One can then play around with a number of choices within that.  If no such code is in play, choose an outfit that is in keeping with your company.  Some workplaces are quite rigid in outlook. Other places are much more relaxed when it comes to business dinners. Keep in mind this aspect.  This is something that varies from company to company.  Your perception of your workplace plays a big role in your choice.

A elegant outfit for a business dinner by Chicisimo fashion planner app

Pick outfits conservatively

However the occasion might dictate, one cannot but dress conservatively.  After all this is about work. How you turn up for a business dinner will reflect later.  Let your wardrobe choices speak for yourself. For example, a skirt or a dress can never be too short.  Just below knee or at knee level works well. Your tops ought not to be too clingy. Or with a neckline that shows too much cleavage. Like stated, your choice of clothes will have an impact on your work environment. Remain understated but not underwhelming in your choices.

A white outfit for a business dinner by Chicisimo fashion planner app

Accessorize well

Any outfit, and we mean anything at all, can be taken to a different level with accessories.  Even the most regular office outfit.  Make sure you pop in some mind blowing accessories into your work bag the day of dinner.  This is in case you do not have time to get back home.  A chunky neck piece will act as a lovely pick up to your dress.  If the weather dictates, pack in a beautiful shawl with a dazzling pair of earrings.  On the way out from work, just put these on and voila! Your ordinary office dress is now a thing of beauty while maintaining the conservative look.  Even your simple office shirt and trousers can be jazzed up in a minute. Adding an elegant scarf will do this effortlessly. 

A stylish chic outfit by Chicisimo fashion planner app

Time available

This is of utmost importance when picking the right dress. Say you have very little time on your hands. Office work just got over and you are in a regular dress. There is no time to rush home and freshen up.  In such cases, remember to carry a stylish jacket to work.  And spice up your regular outfit with that. Along with this, pack in some jewellery, a stylish bag, and a pair of embellished fancy shoes. That will be enough to transform the boring work dress.  But if you do have time on your hands, make best use of it. Put on another dress altogether, something in shinier material perhaps? Keeping your look professional yet feminine is the key.  Talk to your outfit planner before making the final choice.

A total black outfit by Chicisimo fashion planner app

Mind your footwear

Like any outfit planner will advise, footwear adds a whole new look.  If required carry a pair of fancy footwear to work. And you can then slip into those at the end of work. A business dinner, as stated, requires a fine balance. You might already be wearing semi-formals.  It is totally okay to play around with your shoes here. Of course you would not go all glittery and fancy. That does not mean you go in work shoes either. A regular pair of wedges with a fancy clasp will work wonders.  But ensure it goes well with the overall planned look.  Before you leave for the dinner, go through your wardrobe once and pick out a good bag. That kind of completes your look.

Outfit with animal print heels by Chicisimo fashion planner app

It is not easy to look beautiful and gorgeous within rules.  But who said it is not possible? You need not always think in terms of neutrals when it comes to work. Add a dash of colour to your outfit for that wow factor. And make heads turn where company heads meet. Chicisimo will guide you adequately to this end. Worry no more girls. Because you now know what to wear for a business dinner.