Receiving an invitation for a black-tie corporate event can at the same time be both exciting and daunting. This is especially true if you have never attended one of these before. At the first moment, you probably feel thrilled because you will finally get a chance to see how these things work firsthand.
However, after this initial feeling wears off, you might experience a panic attack because you probably don’t know what to wear. You need to go with something that makes you look both elegant and professional. Take a deep breath and continue reading this article because we are going to give you some tips on how to dress for this type of event.
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Inspect the invitation
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The very first thing that you have to do is to carefully read the invitation and understand what the dress code is. This is usually written on that elegant piece of paper which is why you should start from there. You have to understand that there is a major difference between ‘black tie’, ‘black tie preferred’, and ‘black tie optional’.
Secondly, think about the venue and the time of the day this event will take place. If it is scheduled during the day, you can probably go with more casual business attire. On the other hand, if it as an evening event, then you will have to go with some formal.
One more thing, consider the season. This one might seem a bit odd, but if you really think about it, there can be a great difference between a formal event that is held during the summer in an open space, and the one during the winter which is going to happen in a ballroom. When it comes to the first one, you can opt to incorporate some colors into your look, while black and dark shades are preferable for the latter.
The style of the dress
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The next thing that you should do is to start the hunt for a perfect dress. If you still aren’t sure about which direction to go, you can do online research and find some options. Firstly, you can go with a floor-length gown. Regardless of the venue, these are always a great choice. However, you have to ensure that it is tasteful meaning that the neckline isn’t too revealing. After all, this is a business event, and showing too much definitely doesn’t make you seem professional.
On the other hand, if you do not possess this type of gown and do not want to buy one and wear it only once, you can always go with something shorter. Still, keep in mind that when it comes to these, the length of the dress should three quarters i.e. something that covers your keens and reaches the calves.
There is also another rule that you should follow. Generally speaking, older women are usually advised to opt for long gowns, while it is appropriate to wear something shorter for younger ladies.
The color of the dress
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When it comes to the color, you have a few options, but as already mentioned, most women opt for a black dress. It is simply the most elegant one. However, if for any reason you want to go in a different direction, or simply want to stand out from the crowd a little bit, you can choose a brown, blue, or a maroon one.
Furthermore, if you are attending a ‘black tie optional’ event and want to incorporate some color in your outfit, you can go with something totally different. Still, we have one piece of advice for you. Stay away for patterns that are too colorful. We are not saying that you should choose a unique design, but keep in mind that colorful patterns are very unlikely to be perceived as professional and don’t think that others won’t notice you.
Find the shoes
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Finding and buying the shoes can turn out to be a quite difficult task. Not only do they have to go great with the outfit, but it is of crucial importance to find some that are comfortable, to a certain degree. Naturally, elegant shoes are never completely comfortable, but you have to do your best to find a pair that fits you perfectly.
After all, these types of events can go on for hours, and you need to be able to stand in them for as long as it might be necessary. Try not to fall into a common trap that most women do when they choose a beautiful pair that aren’t a perfect fit. Even though they might not be your first choice, you have to always go with shoes that are comfortable and obviously, those that you can walk in.
Choose the right purse
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Now that you have chosen your gown, it is time to discuss some accessorize, and we are going to start with a purse. You have probably been preoccupied with the dress that you have completely forgotten to consider the purse that you are going to wear. No, you cannot carry the one you carry every day, even if it is black and seems elegant.
Instead, you should go out and buy a clutch or an evening purse. As you can assume, these come in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the one that matches the dress perfectly. What’s more, you can always go with a simple, elegant one that you will be able to combine with other outfits in the future.
Don’t forget about jewelry
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Regardless of the outfit you choose, putting on your finest pieces of jewelry is a step that you cannot miss. Depending on your style, you can opt for fewer elegant pieces. For example, you can choose to wear dangle earrings like some of these on the Nina Nguyen website, and you can complete them with a simple bracelet.
On the other note, if you have an elegant diamond necklace that you think if perfect for this occasion, you should go with a pair of stud earrings or some other smaller pieces of jewelry. Yes, the general rule is the more sparkle, the better, but for some ladies, this can be too much.
