Wtf is business attire

[StupidMcStupidFace]

When it’s a posh celebration dinner in London for dh’s work? It’s not suits surely? It’s the only work event tha dh has had where partners are invited and I don’t know what the flip I’m supposed to wear.

Please help.

I'd go with "what would I wear to a serious meeting where I wanted to impress but didn't need to be very formal". So not the standard suit jacked, straight skirt and top/blouse. But more like a shift dress and jacket, glammed up with nicer jewellery and higher heels than I would wear to the office.

Yes a nice work appropriate dress with heels and jewellery. No need for a jacket IMO. I don't even wear a jacket in court anymore.

Thank you! My bloody dh had told me it was black tie. I’d got a lovely dress then (thank fuck) I actually looked at the invitation tonight and it says business attire. Dh has been to a very similar event last year and described the women as wearing ‘dresses and stuff’ which isn’t particularly helpful.

So nice, worky type shift dress with a bit more jewellery and nicer shoes than normally worn in office? It’s at the NHM as a celebration for a group of city workers. I’ve never met any of dh’s co workers before and I really don’t want to get it wrong (like turning up in a fucking ball gown when it’s business attire).

Yes. If you were getting something new I'd nearly go a step above "worky" If it's a "city people" thing. So the sort of shift dress you would look at and think "oh I could wear that to work but it's too nice just for work"

If you are shopping from your wardrobe any nice worky dress will be fine.

Business attire for the partners at a celebratory event? That's a bit strange, but well...

I would try an LBD with big jewellery, good shoes (satin if you have) and a shiny clutch.

Yes there will be women there in fairly dressy dresses I expect. It just means the men don't have to wear black tie. But I'd still play it safe and as a pp has said above, go with the dress that you would like to wear to work but it feels too dressy. Heels, full going out make up and jewellery.

I would go with a simple unfussy cocktail dress (not entirely covered in sequins or lace ) with nice jewellery and heels.

Is it an event after work that other women will be going straight to or is it a weekend thing?
Because if it's after work then ppl will be wearing smart work clothes and you don't want to be over dressed my worst fear

Yes the time of the event is relevant. If it's straight after work or early evening, they are probably meaning "don't get changed, come as you are" assuming the daily work dress code is also formal business dress.

...and as I assume not all the "partners" will be women ;) it might be a request that the men wear a jacket, either a suit or otherwise rather than dress too casually or turn up in black tie.

Does your dh have a female colleague he knows well enough to ask?

No, it’s definitely not a straight from work do. There’s people coming from offices all over the world, they have an itinerary and the last work thing finished 3 hours before the dinner.

Dh doesn’t have any women from his office so no one to ask unfortunately.

In February, I'm at something similar clothes-wise, but not in the UK (and not as a plus one). Will probably wear my best formal daywear outfit, the one that edges towards cocktail but could shake a President's hand in.
For me, that's most likely my old faithful: a slash neck, long sleeved, on the knee dress by Viktor and Rolf made in fine black wool suiting. No jacket as it has long sleeves, it even has pockets. Good shoes and bag, blow dry, lipstick for the photos, done.
It was a lucky find in a sale, I don't wear it often but pull it out when the big guns are required ha. Actually come to think of it, I have a few "in case of..." dresses, Kondo I ain't, but it does stop panic buying because I get the ones that suit me rather than an occasion.
Anyway, go simple, formal and something that suits you.
If you're in London, I'd recommend the personal shopping at J Crew on Regents Street.

And google the event - there may be photos from previous years in a trade magazine!

How about this? www.reiss.com/p/halterneck-dress-womens-rana-halter-neck-dress-in-ox-blood-red/?q=Dress&gaEeList=search%20results Too dressy?

I can’t find any photos of previous events unfortunately. I think I’m way overthinking this. I never get to go to anything with dh thoug and I want to get it right. I work in conservation so my business attire is hiking boots and a waterproof. I can’t remember the last time I had a chance to dress up.

My work has an annual gala dinner that is business attire as it’s during the week. No partners and most of the guests are men (due to the work sector). The men all wear business suits and the women range from proper office wear (suit, shift dress etc) to cocktail dresses and everything in between. As a working guest I wear trousers that would get worn at work, and dressy top that wouldn’t.

Lovely though that dress is Face, I wouldn’t class it as business attire. I think someone upthread had it; it would be something you would wear at the office to an important meeting to impress.

I love Reiss...these are lovely...

www.reiss.com/p/knitted-dress-womens-amara-in-navy-blue-black/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses

www.reiss.com/p/neckline-detail-cocktail-dress-womens-aliya-in-chalky-slate-grey-blue/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses

www.reiss.com/p/wrap-front-midi-dress-womens-marling-in-teal-brown-blue-grey/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses

www.reiss.com/p/lace-midi-dress-womens-lucy-in-midnight-black-blue/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses

Although the last one might be too dressy?

It didn't copy the link to these 2:

www.reiss.com/p/knitted-dress-womens-amara-in-navy-blue-black/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses

www.reiss.com/p/wrap-front-midi-dress-womens-marling-in-teal-brown-blue-grey/?category_id=10454&gaEeList=W%20-%20Non-Sale%20Dresses