Modern business attire

[Air85]

I’ll be at a dinner and networking event at the House of Lords soon, and the dress code is business attire - I have no idea what to wear!

For work I tend to wear midi length bias cut skirts and a stretchy top or jumper and boots, and I don’t really think these types of outfits would be deemed business attire. Maybe I am wrong? I’m worried I’d look too casual. So I have to wear a smart jacket?

I’ve had a quick look at business wear online and what I’ve seen so far looks quite old fashioned to me, so maybe I’m looking in the wrong places?

What should I wear???

I’m an hourglass size 16 who prefers skirts and dresses to trousers, and I love square necks.

I don’t ideally want a suit, and I really don’t like traditional button up shirt/blouses.

I love golden olive, burgundy, dark pink, navy and black, as well as prints (especially leopard).

I forgot to say, but my budget is high street, particularly as I probably won’t be getting much use from the clothing in the future. I could spend up to around £100, but would prefer to spend much less!

practical considerations - there will probably be quite a bit of standing around (and walking) so I would build the outfit around your preferred footwear! Do you have something suitable? what colour?

style considerations -
I dont think you have to wear a jacket but it always smartens things up. You could absolutely wear a stretchy square neck top, skirt and jacket in toning colours so long as not too low cut and no denim. The fabrics will make it smart enough (or not).

there is loads of olive and burgundy in the shops at the moment! would you be happy colour-blocking?

Thank you for your advice.

I would be happy to colour block! I have a stretchy olive square neck top that I could wear with one of my skirts, but don’t have a jacket that would look nice or smart enough to go with them.

Would a satin burgundy midi skirt be acceptable do you think?

I would either wear black ankle boots or a pair of low block heel shoes that are quite comfortable.

I would probably wear a jacket or a really smart dress in a nice colour (all black /navy too boring).

How about this navy square neck half sleeve dress

Very good value, smart enough for business, with tights and smart work shoes, and maybe a blazer or very smart coatigan over the top? (It comes in navy)

Patterned dress and navy jacket is ok. Top, skirt and jacket ok but they need to do together.
Not navy or black, if you can help it. I'd look at sites like Me+Em, Hobbs, Johnny Lew, etc and get a cheaper lookalike.
Look at photos of female members of the HoL for inspiration.

Pussybow blouses are having a bit of a moment, and could look lovely if you have a plain skirt and jacket with a brighter or patterned blouse, e.g.:
https://www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk/womenswear-spend-more-save-more/pussy-bow-blouses

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv103797/y27530

Satin burgundy midi fine, plain black top, relaxed black jacket.

That dress is, I’m afraid, old-fashioned cheap and frumpy and not business-like. Have a look on Vinted for a jacket. I’ve had some great bargains from there.

Or this from Marks and Spencer is great, with the pussy bow blouse too, which is right on trend. Would go with your skirt too

@HorseandHeron - you may perhaps have missed the OP’s request for something modern. By which I’m guessing she meant contemporary.

Or this dress is nice, good bag and shoes and you’re sorted https://share.google/jgKdhAWRZSZ2lccWR

And possible shoes

To be honest I’d start with what you tend to like wearing and then just as adapt it slightly. I wore a cobalt cotton jacket and matching cropped trousers with a printed shirt and loafers this summer for a House of Commons reception - I didn’t feel under dressed.

There will probably be women wearing black suits and white tops who will technically hit the brief, but who won’t look particularly stylish.

No need for the scathing remarks about the dress posted upthread; I have attended parliamentary receptions (I assume that those passing judgement have too?) and that dress would be absolutely fine! A dress is fine, a dress and jacket is fine, a trouser suit is fine. It is the centre of UK democracy after all…

Bear in mind that there will be security scanning, so don’t take too much with you. The parliamentary estate is quite large and you may be need to queue outside and be ushered through a courtyard or chilly corridors before you reach your event, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to be both indoors and outdoors. There will probably be a cloakroom outside your reception.

Hope that helps!

I agree. It's cheap but it looks nice.
The photo as it is on this thread doesn't look great.

I like that dress apart from the fullness of the pleating, but I may look for similar.

Thank you for the suggestions, that’s a cute jacket.

I like the skater shape, but I really dislike high necklines - I should’ve mentioned this.

The sling backs are lovely, thank you.

That’s a good idea. Yes, I am definitely not someone who could ever feel comfortable wearing a black suit and neutral colours.

That is helpful, thank you, I hadn’t thought about this aspect!

I have been to such events. This sounds fine.

Would you consider an unstructured jacket. Whistles do them and they are v versatile.

I usually wear a dress: White Stuff/Toast/Baukjen.

I go to parliament quite a bit. What you usually wear to work will be absolutely fine. It just means don’t come in jeans and trainers. Lots of people do these days.

That’s good, as I may only need to buy a jacket.

Unstructured clothes don’t suit me.