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Original poster

Dress code - lounge suit

41 replies

Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 13:06

What does this mean for dh? I assume suit no tie? But more importantly me? It’s a drinks and nibbles party in London - business type affair.
Help please!

OP posts:
Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 13:14

Just googled it’s very formal business wear! So what do I wear as the plus one?

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 16/04/2019 13:27

Is it a cocktail party in the evening?

A lounge suit is basically a work suit, like he'd wear to a low key wedding. Not "very formal" but yes to wearing a tie. What does your DH wear to work?

Boulezvous · 16/04/2019 13:34

Smart work wear - so for your DP suit and tie for you smart work wear.

Ellenborough · 16/04/2019 13:35

A lounge suit is just a regular suit - the sort you might wear for work. Not a dinner jacket or morning suit in other words.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 13:36

He’s anything from smart tailored suit to very casual - depending on client dress codes r and whether attending a board meeting.
It’s a head-hunter recruitment company’s summer party.

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 16/04/2019 13:37

What sort of venue?

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 13:38

And I haven’t worked I am office for 15 years, my wardrobe is somewhat less formal.

OP posts:
GemmeFatale · 16/04/2019 13:40

Normal work suit with tie for him, equivalent work wear or a dress (knee length, shoulders covered) for you.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 13:44

I don’t have anything remotely workwear. Would Silk shirt and tailored trousers be ok - I don’t really want to buy a formal jacket - I’d never wear it again!

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 16/04/2019 13:52

Would Silk shirt and tailored trousers be ok

It would be fine.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 14:57

@StCharlotte Venue is in a well known museum/art gallery.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 18:24

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.floral-cr%C3%AApe-dress-green.0714753002.html Too much?

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CrotchetyQuaver · 16/04/2019 18:42

Silk shirt and tailored trousers sounds perfect!

CountFosco · 16/04/2019 19:45

Lounge suit is a two piece suit with tie for a man. But if you turned up a woman's work suit that would not be appropriate, it's a summer party so a cocktail dress is probably best. But something relatively formal work appropriate in shape since it's a work thing for DH so e.g. skirt not too short, neckline not too low, shoulders covered. Wear any colour you want though.

I like the Arket dress but not sure if it's formal enough for a work summer party. You'd need to try it on to see.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 20:07

It's the summer thing I struggle with - I hate wedding/summer/garden party wear - it's so not me...and the pale summer colours...
I have www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.cotton-silk-cocoon-dress-green.0502728011.html in navy from a few years ago but is navy too somber?

OP posts:
XingMing · 16/04/2019 20:24

It's a dress or outfit you'd wear to a smart hotel lunch. So, not overtly date/sexy, but clearly indicating that you have on your best dress, have done your make up and know the world. As important, have a read of the newspaper so you can have an impersonal chat about world events, and sporting events helps too if it's a work do.

Theclearing · 16/04/2019 20:27

I tried that arket dress on the other day, it’d be perfect and actually v wearable.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 16/04/2019 20:29

It's a dress or outfit you'd wear to a smart hotel lunch In my experience people in London don't dress up for a smart lunch...or dinner. Throw on a bit of make and do your hair but always be dressed so that you'd feel at home in the local boozer too and that doesn't feel like it's going to cut it somehow!

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XingMing · 17/04/2019 20:26

I'd disagree slightly with you, but the style guide rules say that there's a route to overdressing that doesn't look overdone. The art lies in wearing exactly the definition of normal, but a much better worked, or higher end, version. It's out-dressing, but so subtly that it's unremarkable, just perceptibly "better".

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 17/04/2019 21:05

It's a range though isn't it? I certainly don't get dressed up for a night out to restaurant like it's a once in a lifetime event, regardless of how many stars it has. Dh wears too many suits and ties for us to want to go to a restaurant of hotel that required that kind of formality - it's like a work uniform. I don't work in an office, we don't attend church and we wouldn't ever go to a hotel or restaurant that required that level of formality - it's just too dull for a night out.
So subtle cocktail - I'm thinking dress - maybe flowery but not too frilly. I'm a bit bored with the androgynous architect look I'm usually drawn to. The Arket dress is sold out online and I don't think I can be arsed heading into town to track it down but I have a few other options in mind.

OP posts:
CountFosco · 23/04/2019 22:11

Love the COS dress. Cos and Arket are so good for this kind of thing. You could liven up the navy with some bright shoes or a clutch.

CryptoFascist · 23/04/2019 22:24

XingMing, could you please link to the article you're talking about? Sounds like the exact thing I've been looking for.

OP, I think silk shirt and trousers would be good, with heeled strappy sandals.

XingMing · 24/04/2019 10:01

Errr... not sure I had anything specific in mind but I've just been looking at the Next Label/Mix website, and I rather liked some of the dresses (and the knits, especially) they have. Hope this helps.

Original poster
Notinmyduty · 24/04/2019 11:34

Unfortunately the Arket dress has sold out. Can't do strappy heels, my feet would be cut to ribbons in seconds...it might be hard to add a bit of glamour to the trousers and silk shirt without them.

Ordered this from Zara but the waist is too high and it's sewn in and it's a bit too gappy at the front...gorgeous though, I really suit brick red
and this one from Cos arriving this afternoon, not sure the colour will work on me.
I'm keeping the navy dress as a back up.

OP posts:
stucknoue · 24/04/2019 11:42

Just a normal suit, not black tie. For women it means a smart dress or trouser suit, but not sparkly or too cocktail dress