How to Dress for Your Next Dinner Party

Have you landed an invitation to a dinner party but aren’t sure how to dress?

A dinner party is a broad term that can mean many types of gatherings. You may be invited to a BBQ event with friends, a meal at a work colleague’s house, or an outing at a restaurant. You will be expected to dress appropriately based on the people in attendance, the setting’s atmosphere, and the theme of the party.

As an attendee, your worst nightmare is showing up over-dressed, under-dressed, or just out of style. To avoid showing up in the wrong outfit, follow this guide for inspiration on how to dress for your next dinner party.

Find Out If There’s a Theme

If the host or hostess hasn’t planned a theme, you will have a lot of creative freedom.

If there is a theme, don’t become discouraged. Oftentimes, it’s much easier to dress for an event when you have some guidelines to follow; it can help you narrow down your options.

Some themes are easy to dress for with articles of clothing you have. For example, you can wear your favorite midi dress to a cocktail party or sleek blazer and black slacks to a murder mystery dinner.

For dinner parties with ultra-specific themes, you may not be able to get away with what’s already in your closet. Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can get fashionable and themed pieces. For example, HeartMyCloset vintage clothing can help dress you for a 1920s The Great Gatsby party or a Mad Men-themed gathering.

Have Fun Accessorizing

If the dinner you’re attending is going to have an elegant atmosphere, don’t be afraid to try out a bold accessory. Some examples include a layered or chunky necklace, cocktail ring, or oversized scarf. Limit yourself to one bold accessory so that you don’t overwhelm the rest of your look.

Don’t over-accessorize your outfit if the event has more of a casual vibe. Play it safe with a pair of stud earrings, a conservative ring, and a simple necklace.

When it comes to the bag you bring, opt for something compact. Ditch your backpack, work bag, or dress bag. Instead, bring a clutch or small purse that you can easily carry around throughout the evening.

Pick the Right Shoes

For shoes, you should find something between casual and fancy. Something modest and fashionable will ensure that the attention remains on your outfit. Don’t wear anything too tall or clunky.

Every woman usually has a pair of shoes that goes with virtually any outfit. For your next dinner party, you should think about digging this pair out.

Some examples of this pair include:

• Chic black booties
• White loafers
• Pointed-toe flats
• Woven slip-on shoes
• Ballet flat dress shoes
• Oxford shoes
• Mid-heel sandals
• Closed-toe wedges

No matter which shoes you go with, ensure that the color and style complement the rest of your outfit.

Don’t Out-Dress The Host or Hostess

When in doubt, it’s best to lean on the under-dressed side of getting ready. This way, you won’t out-dress the host or hostess. It’s their event, and they worked hard to put it on. Don’t draw attention away from them with an overly extravagant outfit.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help!

While this guide should have given you some ideas, you may still be stumped. Don’t be afraid to ask the host for suggestions if you aren’t sure. You can also confide in other partygoers and learn what they plan on wearing. Whatever you end up wearing, rock it with confidence to really pull the final look together!