Help dress me for a dress code listed as “casual elegant” for a 40th surprise birthday lunch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How weird that they’re telling you how to dress. What event tells grown adults what to wear except maybe a wedding?

I went to a surprise 60th birthday party last year that said "business casual" so I wore black pants and a top that I wear to the office frequently. I was very underdressed and self conscious the entire night. Nearly everyone wore jackets/blazers, including the birthday celebrant.

Op here - one of my worries is this situation. With the elegant wording, it has me curious if this is going to be the case. Instead of saying smart casual or dinner attire, they’ve listed it as “casual elegant”.

Can you ask the organizer when you RSVP? I’m going to a 50th birthday which has a dress code I didn’t understand. So I asked the birthday celebrant what she was wearing and what she wanted friends to wear. A week later her husband sent some tips on dress to all so I assume they got lots of questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How weird that they’re telling you how to dress. What event tells grown adults what to wear except maybe a wedding?

I went to a surprise 60th birthday party last year that said "business casual" so I wore black pants and a top that I wear to the office frequently. I was very underdressed and self conscious the entire night. Nearly everyone wore jackets/blazers, including the birthday celebrant.

Op here - one of my worries is this situation. With the elegant wording, it has me curious if this is going to be the case. Instead of saying smart casual or dinner attire, they’ve listed it as “casual elegant”.

With “elegant” I’d go with a very nice sweater, silk top, something in a beautiful fabric — then nice pants. Whatever you’d wear to a really nice restaurant at lunch. If you want to wear a ladies-lunch type of jacket over a shell or light sweater, that could work too.

[Anonymous]

You got some good suggestions. I think you could also wear a sweater dress and boots with a nice handbag.

[Anonymous]

That is really stupid wording. I would just wear whatever that isn’t jeans. Idiotic people.

[Anonymous]

I would think rich lady at brunch.

[Anonymous]

It means no athleisure and no jeans (though I think you could wear dark jeans with a silk top or cashmere sweater).

[Anonymous]

I agree with posters. Dress pants, nice top, lady jacket, heels. Understated but classy.


According to chat gpt


For Women
• Tops: Blouses, tailored shirts, chic sweaters, or elegant knit tops. Avoid graphic tees.
• Bottoms: Dress pants, pencil skirts, midi skirts, or well-fitted dark jeans.
• Dresses: Knee-length or midi dresses in simple prints or solid colors.
• Shoes: Closed-toe flats, low-to-mid heels, elegant ankle boots.
• Accessories: Minimalist jewelry, stylish handbag, scarf optional.

[Anonymous]

https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

DP. I love this dress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

No! It’s ugly and bad for a casual elegant lunch.

If you are worried about being under dressed wear a casual dress. Like someone recommended above sweater dress and boots. Or a normal shirt dress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

No! It’s ugly and bad for a casual elegant lunch.

If you are worried about being under dressed wear a casual dress. Like someone recommended above sweater dress and boots. Or a normal shirt dress.

This is nice https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/product/elie-tahari-the-aviva-cashmere-midi-dress-0400022971085.html?dwvar_0400022971085_size=X-Small&dwvar_0400022971085_color=DEEP+FOREST&site_refer=NPLA_GGL_Shopping&country=US¤cy=USD

This is good too

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/reiss-aria-side-stitch-knit-midi-dress?ID=5693600&CategoryID=2910

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How weird that they’re telling you how to dress. What event tells grown adults what to wear except maybe a wedding?

I went to a surprise 60th birthday party last year that said "business casual" so I wore black pants and a top that I wear to the office frequently. I was very underdressed and self conscious the entire night. Nearly everyone wore jackets/blazers, including the birthday celebrant.

Op here - one of my worries is this situation. With the elegant wording, it has me curious if this is going to be the case. Instead of saying smart casual or dinner attire, they’ve listed it as “casual elegant”.

Wear a silly blouse or cashmere sweater and black pants with nice jewelry and heels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How weird that they’re telling you how to dress. What event tells grown adults what to wear except maybe a wedding?

I went to a surprise 60th birthday party last year that said "business casual" so I wore black pants and a top that I wear to the office frequently. I was very underdressed and self conscious the entire night. Nearly everyone wore jackets/blazers, including the birthday celebrant.

Op here - one of my worries is this situation. With the elegant wording, it has me curious if this is going to be the case. Instead of saying smart casual or dinner attire, they’ve listed it as “casual elegant”.

Wear a silly blouse or cashmere sweater and black pants with nice jewelry and heels.

LOL, I meant silky

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

No! It’s ugly and bad for a casual elegant lunch.

If you are worried about being under dressed wear a casual dress. Like someone recommended above sweater dress and boots. Or a normal shirt dress.

This is nice https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/product/elie-tahari-the-aviva-cashmere-midi-dress-0400022971085.html?dwvar_0400022971085_size=X-Small&dwvar_0400022971085_color=DEEP+FOREST&site_refer=NPLA_GGL_Shopping&country=US¤cy=USD

This is good too

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/reiss-aria-side-stitch-knit-midi-dress?ID=5693600&CategoryID=2910

These look like work dresses, not something you'd wear to a casually elegant lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://tnuck.com/products/winetasting-eyelet-delaney-dress

DP. I love this dress.

+1
That's perfect.