Help! Smart yet arty work function

[Jumpalicious]

Help oh wise ones. I have to go to an evening work event. It’s in a very conservative mayfair venue (dress code includes no trainers; no “walking boots”; no denim; nothing ripped or unkempt; “tucked-in shirts” for men).

But at the same time it’s for my industry (art and architecture) & is basically for networking. I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to wear. I’ve spent the past couple of years in jeans and trainers… or a dress and big boots (but I’m not sure they’d be the right thing?).

How do I pull off a conservative-Mayfair arty look?? The two dont tend to go together that much!

What would you wear? And in particular, what shoes?? I’m a size 5, though I do prefer shoes I can walk in (mid 40s, feet hurt!). I’ll prob wear a plain floaty black dress. Partly because I don’t know what else to wear! Oh god but then there’s the weather. Too cold! What jacket?! A cashmere scarf? or is that too dated now? Thank you!

I was at a similar-sounding event recently. I wore this dress with biker boots.

www.cosstores.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/dresses/product.silk-panel-t-shirt-dress-black.1055938001.html

@Charette perfect! I was thinking of similar, tho mine is W bit more structured, with biker boots too… wasn’t sure if I was “allowed” biker boots but it all started looking a bit nuts with heels etc. So I then ordered some ballet pumps but I have a feeling they won’t work either. What did you wear to keep warm? (Practical importance haha.) thanks so much charette!

A not W

Sorry, I'm going to say nothing helpful because it's not my world, but I'd do the arty bit in accessories. I always notice women who wear berets - they always look so cool.

Our architect wore what looked like a M&S suit and tie - I shouldn't have picked him should I?

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.tunic-dress-black.1066298001.html

I love clogs but I know they're not everyone's cup of tea and do take some breaking in, but once broken they're so super comfy.

Oh yes, that first cos dress with some clogs from here

www.worldofclogs.com/am-toffeln-100-clogs-in-yellow?gclid=CjwKCAjwoduRBhA4EiwACL5RP1lys8uAaT1IJtTQDp7yvh2r1b3hSeit3aZE8bV4tA-hB0uoYNYgTRoC-cAQAvD_BwE

Have you a trench coat? That would work. Wear Uniqlo heat tech hidden under it.

Ohh that dress by @newlabelwriter is v g! plus she’s wearing ballet flats, so maybe my alternate shoe plan will look ok (pumps are on order!). The clogs idea is a good one but I’m not sure I’m a clogs person (I have very narrow feet so I imagine they will somehow look mad on me. Or at least, Birkenstocks always look dreadful on me). Hmmm.

What about a coat or jacket? Any ideas? Thank you!!

@Jumpalicious, I did wear an old trench coat (moss green corduroy, at least 20 years old) with it, but I was only hopping on and off the tube, so not really an issue.

But based on that event (which was curators/architects/visual artists), people will be wearing all kinds of stuff. The architect friend I went with was in a Paul Smith suit, and there was a lot of deconstructed black, but there were men in shirtsleeves who’d clearly just come out of the studio and were edging the dresscode and older women whose dresscode was ‘Don’t fuck with me, sunshine.’

I wasnt there to network so I had a ball. 😀

Last big event I went to everyone was wearing colour, interesting accessories, clothes on the more sculptural side. They were all dressed so well but had captured that arty look with more sort of sculptural clothes and great glasses, jewellery, broaches, shoes, bags. I mean every detail was thought out. They were generally older than me but looked way cooler. I was a friend of the host and her DM so predominantly her DM friends but I was very impressed with everyone's style. So will up my game for future events and pick up interesting accessories and only wear colour.