What does one wear to a 'reception' at a consulate?

[Ellbell]

I have to go to a reception at a consulate next Saturday. It's 5-7 p.m., so neither evening nor daytime, iykwim.

Was going to recycle dress I bought for a wedding a while ago, but am wondering if it will not look 'evening-y' enough. I have the style know-how of a brick... Heeelp!

I'd go for simple and formal - like a to- the-knee pencil skirt and matching fitted jacket. Or a feminine trouser suit or plain short cocktail dress to look un-evening like. Try Hobbs.

oo, I think I can help with this one. (We were just staying in similar circs.)

What looked right was sort of "very polished casual" - so, someone had a cashmere poloneck jersey that had jet beads stitched around the neck so it looked like a choker. With very neat trousers & very shiny shoes. Lovely accessories - really nice bracelet, silk scarf sort of thing, works well.

I had a suit (black & white soft tweed) which is a bit too noisy for my very conservative work & that was fine, though not nearly as good as the soignee cashmere polo.

Does the invite not have a dress code on it? They normally do.

As a lady it is pretty easy. Don't wear an evening dress just a smart outfit like Lucie described.

What country is it? If it is Islamic don't wear anything too short or strappy.

Hmmm... so, I reckon smarter than the dress I was thinking of.

Italian consulate, so I imagine some pretty hard-core grooming will be in evidence. (Apologies to all my Italian friends - just comparing with my normal ultra-casual, un-made-up, un-accessorized look!).

Can't wear anything to-the-knee as I have tree-trunks for calves. Ditto 'pencil skirt' (think more chunky marker pen!).

I need to go shopping. But working tomorrow and Thursday and have dds on Friday. Will have to carve out a shopping opportunity, won't I?

Nothing on the invite, sadly.

I would agree, don't go for evening wear - aim for smart/elegant - a trouser suit with dressy heels and jewellery so it's lifted out of the everyday a bit.

You sound like me in terms of the un-accessorised and un-made up thing though! My rule of thumb for this sort of occasion is: if you feel overdressed, you must be doing something right

, Fio! I am going in a work-related capacity. (Otherwise I'd have found an excuse not to bother, LOL!)

I like your rule of thumb, doggie!

Do you have LK Bennett where you are? - that is probably a good one stop shop for the right level of groomedness. Unless perhaps you feel forced to do Italian in which case, er er Armani? (not serious)

Will you report back? I like nothing better than a debrief on who got their outfit exactly right & how.

(I have noticed that there is a correct outfit for collecting your daughter from ballet - which is one of those kneelength hip-pleated fullish skirts with an Interesting Border, a smart long sleeved t shirt & posh flipflops.)

Never heard of LK Bennett , but apparently there is one in Leeds.

Will definitely report back, though not sure about 'getting it just right'... will be an achievement if nobody points and laughs.

Was just waiting for you to give me permission, Fio! [legging-it-to-TKMaxx emoticon...]

I went to one the other week straight from work and wore my work clothes. There were all sorts there, from crepey norks on parade (a mutton moment), long dresses, work suits, cocktail dresses, brightly coloured ordinary dresses. But everyone was SMART, whatever they wore. You don't need to be evening-y - it's too early really to be evening-y.

Luciemule is spot on.

I work at an Embassy and have been to more of these than you can shake a stick at. I would say at that time of day, go smart and chic but not frilly or flowery, plain(ish) colours and nothing too bright. If you want to hide your legs then wear trousers and jacket, but not a long skirt. Take a small bag, possibly with a thin strap to hang from your shoulder because you will probably be eating and drinking buffet style and there is never anywhere to put your bag. Wear high heels, not flatties.
TBH, don't worry about it, just enjoy the wine, should be great if it's Italian.

Albert, you don't by any chance work at the italian consulate in london....I am desperately trying to get my records from there transferred to the los angeles consulate and clearly I am not eating enough spaghetti to make this happen.

My experience in consulate do's is

1. a party at the cuban consulate in beijing where everyone wore whatever, got really drunk and smoked cigars til the wee hours of the night and
2. reception at american consulate in tokyo where my father was being honored for an award and I cornered the acting american ambassador to japan to ask him where I could find a virgin's underwear vending machine to get a present for a friend back in the usa. He was not very helpful, and I was really nicely dressed too.

Oh just notice you are going to the italian embassy. Classy will do it. Italians will not be fussed whether it's above or below the knee, just make sure it's classy.

Heels, tailored trousers, very nice top which doesn't reveal too much flesh. I'd probably not wear a jacket because these things get pretty warm but take some kind of nice wrap.

OK... Have bought this. It's on the knee so my calves will be on show, but with tights and heels (aaargh, heels, but it has to be done) it will be OK. I have got a chocolate brown shrug type thing to go with it.

Oh and I got 15% off because the shop had lost the belt!

Bink - cashmere poloneck in june though?

SofiaAmes, sorry I'm not in the UK, hope you can sort it out eventually.
Ellbell, how did it go? I thought your dress (in the photo) looked great, I could do with one of them!