What to wear to an event at the House of Commons

[PyjamaLlamaFarmer]

I've been invited to an event at the House of Commons. It's a daytime event, related to my job. What should I wear?

I used to go to a few back in my Think Tank days - I would wear smart trousers/skirt and a top. No need for a suit or anything that formal. But smart general office wear is fine.

It somewhat depends what your job is etc but assuming it’s an event to meet MPs etc I’d say wear reasonably smart business clothes. What’s your normal workwear?

Normal work wear is leggings and a hoodie if wfh, jeans and a jumper if in the office. Don't think either of these outfits would be appropriate!

Guy Fawkes fancy dress?

Maybe not, unless you’re actually shepherding your llamas through the House of Lords or something. joking but also sometimes people are there in a work capacity where it makes total sense to be dressed normally or close to, eg working as a carer, or looking after animals.

Smart trousers and a top or a work dress with tights and shoes/boots, or something like a suit or co-ord. If you don’t have anything like that just borrow something. Smart jeans and a jumper would do at a push. It depends what you’re there FOR really, are you campaigning or being presented with a prize or?

Name change.

I wear smart black leggings, ankle boots or black trainers and a floaty shirt.

Like pp said, just smart, fitted, generwlly muted, officewear.

If you google Parliamentary Event and look at the pics of the green carpets and wood panelling you'll get a sense of it.

Are you looking to buy something new (assuming you have nothing suitable)?

If so what clothes size are you, and what sort of budget do you have?

I’ve been to a couple of meetings and one meal in the day time, most people/visitors are smart/business wear. I attended due to my work so wore a suit. The MPs who were in attendance wore suits too. Hope that helps.

The only time I went I wore a seasalt dress, knee high boots, cardigan and trench coat

I go semi-regularly and just wear what I wear to the office (office casual). Depending on the event, I have worn jeans (workshops, speaker events etc.). There are lots of visitors milling about too, so whatever you wear, you won’t look out of place (well unless you wear a bikini!). Black semi fitted jeans would be fine if that’s what’s you usually wear, with a t-shirt/shirt and blazer if you have one.

I do have a suit and a few dresses, I'm hoping to avoid buying anything new if possible.

The event will be mostly academics and civil servants. It's quite a male dominated industry and I expect most of the men will be in suits.

I have two potential outfits in my wardrobe already: a navy trouser suit with a shell top or a green midi shirt dress. I think I'm probably veering towards the suit. What about shoes? Should I wear heels? Although I'm not sure I can walk in them any more...

Avoid heels if you're not confident in them. There's a lot of walking depending on where the meet is and lots of different flooring ie ancient stone, thick carpet etc. I'd go for block heels / flats if you can.

Smart trainers with a nice outfit are absolutely fine for Parliament. (Advice from my colleague who works in policy and is there all the time, when we went to an event recently and discussed what to wear).

No need to wear uncomfortable shoes, or to buy a pair of shoes you won't need again.

Either of those sound fine to me. I agree most men will probably be in suits. I wouldn't wear heels unless you know you won't need to move around the building once you're there. I.e. so you could change into them just before you arrive at your meeting and back again afterwards.

I wouldn't wear heels if you don't do so regularly. There are so many flooring surfaces and some are really uneven, or stupid carpet that you sink into! Brogues are a better bet if the suit and knee highs or ankle boots if you go for the dress. I would go for the dress personally, but I made myself a promise when I left a very formal job that I would never, ever wear a suit again. Dress with a blazer - yes! But suits... no, no, no. I'm an hourglass and suits are an arse.

Either of those sound perfect. I go to a few events in the House of Commons. Don’t worry too much about shoes. Even smart trainers would be fine. But if you have some loafers or other smart flats, they would work well.