Help - what to wear to gala, dress code cocktail?

[Anonymous]

I have to go to a gala this month. I have been to these types of events in the past, but this one specifies that the attire is cocktail. It’s work-related and wonky (guests of honor include members of Congress). I know many people will be coming straight from work.

What would you wear? I have a black sleeveless suit dress that I could dress up with jewelry? Is that “cocktail” enough?

[Anonymous]

I think you could wear a suit, but I might dress a little dressier.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to go to a gala this month. I have been to these types of events in the past, but this one specifies that the attire is cocktail. It’s work-related and wonky (guests of honor include members of Congress). I know many people will be coming straight from work.

What would you wear? I have a black sleeveless suit dress that I could dress up with jewelry? Is that “cocktail” enough?

You could get away with it, but you will probably be more comfortable in something a little dressier.

[Anonymous]

I would wear something with sleeves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to go to a gala this month. I have been to these types of events in the past, but this one specifies that the attire is cocktail. It’s work-related and wonky (guests of honor include members of Congress). I know many people will be coming straight from work.

What would you wear? I have a black sleeveless suit dress that I could dress up with jewelry? Is that “cocktail” enough?

In DC, yes, that's fine with nice jewelry.

[Anonymous]

A sleeveless sheath dress is Dorn.

[Anonymous]

Most women now come is suits, whatever nice business attire they wore to the office. It's because men have always come in whatever suit they wore to the office. It feels less-professional for women to do otherwise. No reason to be in a frilly, flirty dress.

Adding a little sparkle is probably the most you'd want to do. A special necklace or other jewelry. And wearing your best looking work attire.

[Anonymous]

I was at a cocktail attire gala last month and none of the women were wearing suits. Everything skewed dressy. Women were wearing anything from metallic mini dresses to midi full skirt florals. Lots of in-between black, of course. But dressed up with shoes and jewelry significantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was at a cocktail attire gala last month and none of the women were wearing suits. Everything skewed dressy. Women were wearing anything from metallic mini dresses to midi full skirt florals. Lots of in-between black, of course. But dressed up with shoes and jewelry significantly.

What type of organization was it? I’ve found that galas for museums, theater companies, etc are dressier like this, while those for DC-type orgs (think tanks, NGOs) skew more toward business attire for women, even with a cocktail dress code.

[Anonymous]

I would wear a nice jumpsuit.