Is this outfit work appropriate

[khlomoney]

I have an event at work soon, it’s an all-day general leadership meeting with around 50-100 people in attendance. I’m not sure how many will attend. In my chain of command, only the big boss might go, who I’ve never met in person. The rest of the attendees are people I have never come across before but could network with. So I was thinking to go for something professional but different to be memorable/stand out.

therefore what do you think of a suit tailored like this but in this colour?

I haven’t found an exact suit I like yet but just wanted to see if I’m on the right track or if I should just wear something else?

Exactly this. I have meetings with a lot of quite senior civil servants. It's rare that at least half of them aren't wear jeans and trainers. And nobody would think to dress up for a course.

This is one amzing dress!

If it is a workshop like all day event, nearly 90% of the time, senior management and others will dress down, in very good ( quietly expensive ) work casual and it is the newbies who stand out when they arrive in the formal day to day work clothes. Can you check with someone, the EA or people who are organising what the dress code is.

Reiss have some great dresses in at the moment. I’d go in store and have a look. They have some beautiful semi formal and also long sleeved wool dresses which could be dressed to look appropriate for a networking event.

you just know 90% of men will be in navy chinos, blue shirt and brown boots 😂

Lots of differing opinions here. I’m not really sure what some recent comments are referring to exactly. I’m not going to a programme or course. Are the links posted in my OP considered “dressing up” or are you referring to the suggestions made by other posters?

regardless, presumably there’s a balance to be found between “M&S trousers & blouse” to “£200 dress”. I want to wear something that I’ll feel confident in & ultimately I’m not sure I do in my day to day attire, so happy to buy new!

Agreed. Some of the suggestions here would look very odd.

I have a petite colleague and she does a lot of this sort of event. She does a very nice line in very classic knee length dresses. Tunic style or with a flared skirt. Sky high heels, sandals, boots or even smart trainers.

She is always elegant and understated. People look at her and not at her clothes but the overall impression is competent, experienced and senior. I suspect that's what you are going for.

Of the two, I'd choose the Reiss suit. It is classically tailored. With the right blouse/accessories and shoes you can vary the look. The other suit is frankly horrible. Never wear brown to something like this unless the fabric is exceptional.

Otherwise, unless you are presenting something I'd go with a previous PP and midi dress with blazer and boots

I was using the suits in my OP as an example as I haven’t found one I really want to order just yet! Neither are perfect though, I want to go tailored but not berry.

Sorry, I said course. I assumed 'leadership event' was one of those professional development type thing where everyone sits around while a useless external facilitator tries to talk you you about strategic direction and aligning your leadership style to your organisation's objectives. Not that I'm bitter about the time I've wasted on them in my past career 😂

If you wear this you’ll look like you can’t afford Winter clothes.

Fair comment. It looked a bit more substantial at first glance. One of those where you open the Evri parcel and are very disappointed that it looked different online.

@Lookatmytoes I love that blouse

It just looks like a smart jumpsuit to me. Why is it evening wear?

M&S trousers and a blouse would look superb on most people if the trousers were well fitting and the blouse had a good shape at the shoulders.

I wouldn't know where anyone got their smart trousers from, and unless civil servants get special training in this then most of them won't either.

It looks to me like something a Geordie lass would wear to work as a welder in a WW2 shipyard.

you just know 90% of men will be in navy chinos, blue shirt and brown boots 😂

And the other 10% will be wearing beige chinos!

Have you looked closely at it? Especially the back view? This is how Phase Eight describe it. It's not appropriate for a day time work conference.

A stunning occasion style. Our plum wide leg jumpsuit is designed with semi-sheer blouson sleeves with frilled cuffs and keyhole bodice detailing and is finished with handy pockets. We wear ours with gold heels and earrings, ready for your next special event.

If you want to stand out wear red, never though anything of it at the time, but I wore a short red jacket and black and red flowered longish skirt, at a Microsoft event for tech people in the 90’s

You’d have thought I was an alien.

I definitely stood out though .

They’re OK but they’re polyester. Men’s suits are wool. There’s a difference. Even as nicely tailored as the Reiss jacket, polyester always looks a bit cheap.

It's the civil service, where I worked for many years. Op - what do senior managers wear these days when in the office? That's what they will wear to this, it's just another day at work. You don't need to dress up, just look workmanlike as you would in the office. My work uniform used to be a fitted knee length or just above dress and a jacket, or a suit with trousers. Usually the jackets were black so I could use them a lot and the dresses a bit more interesting - pale grey, gold, berry red. I had trusty black suits with interesting and colourful blouses.
I doubt many of the men will be wasting money on a new outfit for the meeting.

The majority of men's suits are polyester too - but yes, it's easier to find good quality men's suits than it is women's. Totally agree about the inherent cheapness of synthetic suits - if you can afford to buy a wool suit, do it.

The Reiss in berry is gorgeous. Very smart, professional & stylish. It looks rather dull in the black.

Do you want to wear flats or heels?

If it were me is probably go for wide-leg trousers with heeled ankle boots, modern ballet flats or adidas trainers (spezials, samba etc) and a cashmere sweater, oversized blazer which I wouldn’t expect to actually wear much.

Have a look on me + em and sezane for trousers

Op - what do senior managers wear these days when in the office? That's what they will wear to this, it's just another day at work. You don't need to dress up, just look workmanlike as you would in the office.

Best advice of the thread.

That’s the thing - with remote working, I’m not sure. I’m the only person in my team based at my office so wouldn’t know who, in my large open plan hub, is a senior leader