what to wear to first fancy dc house party?

[tryingtolovedc]

I moved to dc after college in nyc and have found it hard to ever connect socially here in a way that doesn’t feel superficial or career related (working in news + GR + on hill so checks out). I have become painfully introverted and closed off like never before after two years here. my fiance is the only thing keeping me in dc and I am genuinely trying very hard to fall in love with this city….which brings me to tonight. He is taking me to a very fancy mansion party in DuPont full of fed lawyers like my fiancé aspires to be and I have no idea what to wear. I am 25 brunette petite with some curves and have nothing to go off of dress code wise besides the glitzy address and insane Zillow listing. We are told there “is no dress code” but this party is a very important networking opportunity for my fiancé and with how introverted I’ve become I am very worried and putting pressure on myself about impressing to be supportive of him (and potentially lock down some career opportunities for myself to finally have a job in dc I enjoy). I have no idea what to wear, surely a dress I suppose ? I exclusively wear dresses and skirts so that’s easy but should it be long or cocktail length? I have a classy long minimalist black lace spaghetti strap dress I could wear with a Burberry trench I was leaning towards but as a shopaholic (lots of archival Ralph Lauren, dozens of Diane von furstenburg wrap dresses, L'école des Femmes, cap sleeve/princess sleeve dresses, etc ) I have tons of options and very open to suggestions. should I wear heels? my fiancé is a sweet but clueless midwesterner just starting out in his career and was planning on wearing a button down + slacks and a Barbour but I don’t even know where to begin with him style wise ! Thank you in advance for any and all advice.

[Anonymous]

Others can probably give you a better idea of what to expect at this kind of party, but I would first say that DC is not a very stylish place. There will probably be people wearing different kinds of conservative outfits. Even a "rich" woman in DC might wear a conservatively cut dress - your archival Ralph Lauren would probably be great. Not super short. If I were you, I would try to look polished and appropriate but not too flashy with logos, etc.. Feds tend to not be flashy. Think old money, quiet elegance.

[Anonymous]

What kind of feds are going to be at this party? Nearly all of the feds I know don’t care much about fashion and tend to be conservative.

I’d go for something polished and on the dressy side but not too fancy. I’m older than you but I’d wear black velvet pants with a silk blouse, or a pleated silk maxi skirt with a brushed cashmere top. Something slightly more elevated than typical business wear but not too flashy.

[Anonymous]

No spaghetti straps or short dresses. Don’t show too much skin.

[Anonymous]

I would wear a cocktail dress that could also cross over to the office with some more fun earrings to make it more "party" and less "work" and professionally appropriate heels

[Anonymous]

Don't wear the long dress. As others have said "fed lawyers" are not known for their fashion sense so just wear something you look and feel good in - that's what's important. As someone who was in your shoes 30-odd years ago, no one's going to pay any attention to you unless you're insanely attractive, in which case you'll get male attention and dirty looks from the women.

PP at 13:52 has the right idea.

[Anonymous]

This is a troll post. She has dozens of DVF wrap dresses and seeks out archival Ralph Lauren but can't figure out what to wear to a party tonight?.

[Anonymous]

A dc mansion part of fed lawyers? Does not compute.

[Anonymous]

troll.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean fed lawyers? In DC, fed lawyers are kind of run of the mill and not rich or fancy. Do you mean law firm partners who do government contracts? Or is one fed lawyer hosting who happens to be rich? If the former, this is dress territory. If the later, cords and blouses.

Anyway, stick with black and not too racy. Cover your shoulders probably. You can do whatever color shoes and jewelry you want to.

You sound kind of old money so I doubt you have heavy makeup and severely bladed brows and super strong perfume, but, don't do those things.

[Anonymous]

A DVF wrap dress and flats or not too high heels would work

[Anonymous]

Everything about this is troll. There aren’t mansions in dupont, feds don’t care about fashion, 25 year olds weren’t shopping when dvf was in, etc. The dress she describes is totally inappropriate. Just wear black pants, a silk blouse or shell and a nice blazer (smythe or VB), cute lowish heels, gold jewelry and a tasteful clutch.

[Anonymous]

I figured it was some Federalist Society event. Just wear something like this, you'll be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I figured it was some Federalist Society event. Just wear something like this, you'll be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A dc mansion part of fed lawyers? Does not compute.

+1. Federal agencies don't have an entertainment budget so we go to happy hour at a bar and pay for ourselves.