What to wear to a gala...

[Anonymous]

...with no specified dress code? The event is on a Saturday evening from 7pm - 10pm, proceeds are going to a school, and it's being held at an historic property along the Potomac. Just a nice dress? A cocktail dress?

[Anonymous]

Black Dress

[Anonymous]

Guessing that this is a school fundraiser. Can you ask a mom of an older student who attended the same function last year? Or find pictures from last year's event to get a feel for it?

If you are going with a spouse/partner/significant other, I find it helps my confidence in my attire if we are both dressed to the same level of formality. Like if I'm wearing a cocktail dress, he should have on nice trousers, dress shirt, tie, jacket (possibly even black tie). If I'm wearing a jersey wrap dress, khakis, shirt, jacket, no tie.

14:09 - "black dress" covers a lot of territory. Long? strapless? sequined? jersey wrap dress?

[Anonymous]

OP here - this is the fist year for this particular gala, so I don't have much to go on. I suppose it may be better to be overdressed than underdressed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - this is the fist year for this particular gala, so I don't have much to go on. I suppose it may be better to be overdressed than underdressed?

I think it's the opposite. I would rather be a little under-dressed than overdressed.

[Anonymous]

I prefer slightly overdressed than undersressed. I say cocktail style black dress.

[Anonymous]

I'd do a black cocktail dress. I would not do floor-length. I think that the term "gala" traditionally implies formal (as in ball gown and tuxedos). People tend to go less formal, because few people go to enough sorts of these things that they don't really have a gown on hand, nor do they want to buy one.

[Anonymous]

12:38 - depending on the crowd, they are not worried about the cost of a new dress. But if you are in the group PP mentioned, it will show if you only do this every so often or less, if you know what I mean. The key is, OP to ask someone who has been to this particular function in the past. Can you tell us if it is a school fundraiser or not? If so, it is less "formal". Otherwise, it could suggest other dress ideas.

[Anonymous]

OP here - it is definitely a school fundraiser, but they've never hosted one before. This is the first so there really isn't a precedence. I have a black, strapless, cocktail dress that I've worn to two black-tie optional occasions. I suppose I could wear that? Maybe with a sweater to tone it down just in case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it is definitely a school fundraiser, but they've never hosted one before. This is the first so there really isn't a precedence. I have a black, strapless, cocktail dress that I've worn to two black-tie optional occasions. I suppose I could wear that? Maybe with a sweater to tone it down just in case?

This sounds perfect. Definitely bring the sweater and maybe add a funky sparkly necklace.

[Anonymous]

Did they not give you a dress code? A proper invitation always gives the dress code at the bottom of the page.