Fashionistas- office party acceptable?

[LaraMN]

I have to go to my husband's company's holiday party on Wednesday night. It's at a fairly nice venue, catered, open bar, etc. Is this dress too short, or do you think it's okay? I'm in a bit of a pinch for something to wear. (disregard bra straps and pasty legs, please.)

[some guy]

1. I'll kick this

so the fashionistas get another chance to look at it.

I have no idea.

Nice picture of a lovely woman, though. :)

[billyskank]

2. Not short enough.

:D

[MrCoffee]

3. can i buy you a drink?

do you know where the supply room is? i need a...ummm...pen.

[Drum]

4. Beautiful!!!

Though with my sense of humor I'd substitute one red and one green shoe for the party. That said, I think you look stunning as depicted.
:applause:

[KitchenWitch]

5. What kind of company does your husband work for?

I think the skirt is long enough for most office parties, unless the office is very conservative.

[LaraMN]

7. He works at an architectural/engineering firm.

I have one longer dress, but I just wore it to the last company function, so I'm trying to avoid wearing it again, already.

[RetroLounge]

6. Not sure about your husband;s company...

But you can accompany me to my office party anytime...

:woohoo:

RL

p.s. What? No boots?

[Phillycat]

8. I would not wear that to an office party.

It's too short. I would wear it out to a club, etc, but I think it's inappropriate for a corporate environment. Just MHO. :shrug:

[RebelOne]

54. I have to agree. n/t

[democracyindanger]

9. It's fine.

I'm more concerned with the fact that your husband works an architectural/engineering firm and yet your house is at a severe slant.

[Drum]

12. lol !

[Ryano42]

10. The Engineering Nerds...

will pass out just seeing you!

You will bring such Christmas joy to thier nerdy worlds! :D Bless you.

Watch out for Mistletoe!

[plcdude]

11. What was your question

again?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. What party?

If you wear that, you may not make to your front door ...




Did someone turn up the thermostat here in the Lounge?

:)

[Guava Jelly]

13. Only missing the fishnets :o)

I'm kidding.
It looks very nice on you.
You always photograph so well.
Now if i could only dress myself :7

[BarenakedLady]

15. You look georgeous, btw

But I'm not sure it would be appropriate. Maybe a tad longer? Depends on the company, I would think.

Then again, what do I know. I haven't been to a company party....uhmmmm ever.

[Nicole]

16. Yes and no

The dress is on the short side for a company party. However if you paired it with black hose it would work. No hose or nude hose shows too much skin for a spouse's company holiday party IMHO.
If you were the employee, not the spouse, it probably wouldn't matter as much.

That dress looks good on you. :)

[LaraMN]

18. Ohh! Black hose- that might tone it down enough.

Good idea! Pretty opaque ones would make a big difference.

[tigereye]

26. raises an interesting question about why the spouse

has to look conservative and not the employee, no?

[northzax]

30. because one is the guest

and one is the de facto host. It is always better to look more conservative when accompanying someone else to their work event. If this was her job, she would have no question about what to wear, she'd know if it was appropriate, but the way she dresses will reflect on him, fairly or not. Same thing if her husband came to her party, she was dressed like that and he wore jeans, simply disrespectful.

[tigereye]

31. no, it has always bothered me that the spouse has to endorse

some odd behavioral view of how conservative a company is... it just seems provincial to me.

Since I've always worked for non-profits, where no one cares about how you dress, it's always irked me. And my husband works for software- type people who don't care how you dress at work or at a party, either.

Note that my most of my wedding guests wore black motorcycle-type boots, however.

[northzax]

35. but to me, it's simply polite

if you are going to someone else's party, to conform to their standards of behaviour and attire. If it's a party where people swing from the rafters, then go wild. if it's one where people mill around and make polite chit chat, then do that. Black tie means black tie. If you can't conform to the standards of the party you are going to, then I recommend not going, out of respect to the hosts.

I've left the non-profit world myself this year, and am expected to wear a suit and tie to my office holiday dinner. I would certainly prefer not to, but that's the standard set, and I would expect any guest I brought along to conform to that standard as well.

My sister got married this summer, for instance, and the theme was 'dressy beach' I looked fine in seersucker suit, linen shirt and flip flops, my uncle wearing a tie looked downright silly. But I would never wear an untucked shirt or sandals to a wedding unless I knew that was the standard, I would consider it disrespectful to the hosts. Your wedding, obviously, the standard was motorcycle boots, which is fine and dandy, cause everyone knew it. I went to an ugly christmas sweater party this weekend, and, true to form, found an ugly christmas sweater, since that's what the hosts wanted.

for a work occasion, most intune employees know what to wear (even in the non-profit world I was in, where shorts and t-shirts were the rule of the day, I put on a suit to meet funders or other people I needed something from- when you are a guest, the only thing anyone should talk about your attire and behaviour is 'how wonderful' not 'wow, he totally missed the boat on that one'

[tigereye]

57. actually my wedding wasn't all motorcycle boots

but I didn't expect all my friends to dress how I would want them to - but what was comfortable for them. Obviously, I don't see clients in my office while wearing my Ramones t-shirt and big boots, but my point is simply that I really don't understand why we expect spouses (not so much all invitees to a formal event or even a funeral) to conform to a standard that is so old-fashioned. The whole concept of black tie, or formality overall, or not rocking the boat, whatever you want to call it, sometimes seems so outdated to me.

I guess I'm more aligned with the California-ish (for lack of a better term) repudiation of formality.

I just like bantering with you, Zax, so pardon my devil's advocacy. ;) :hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

60. For work parties, it's more than just politeness at stake.

Spouses and SOs aren't the center of attention, it's the employee.Business functions are business, period. Spouses should blend in. If everyone is laid back and all manner of dress is appropriate it's still a good idea for spouses to be on the subdued side.

[Nicole]

32. I can only answer for myself

When I went to functions with my spouse, I didn't know any of the people. My appearance was the only thing people judged me by. Not saying judging someone's appearance is the right thing to do, just saying it's the reality of these events. I didn't want people saying "Did you see Mr. *******'s wife? What the hell was she thinking by wearing that here?" Or any numerous other unflattering things.

When I was the employee I was known by my personality, work performance, etc. I'm sure my appearance may have been mentioned after a party as well but it would not be the only thing they knew me by. Or gossiped about.

[Flaxbee]

40. exactly what I was going to suggest, Nicole -- dark opaque hose

though make sure they're not shiny....

It's a little on the short side, but if you have dark hose and keep your arms covered I think it'd be OK. And nice, but not killer, heels....

[Nicole]

41. Definitely opaque hose

I've gotten away with that look a few times myself when my skirt was too short.

[yellowdogintexas]

52. disagree. Opaque hose are too dark and casual a look. Go with

a very black very sheer stocking. More elegant.

[Left Is Write]

17. I'm with those who think you look lovely, but that the dress is a wee short

for a company party. For such an event, I would always err on the side of more conservative dress.

[FedUpWithIt All]

19. I am a terrible fashion klutz, but for what it is worth....

i think the dress looks great on you. The cover takes away some of the short issue, IMHO.

I say if it feels good on and you feel good in it, wear it.



:hi:

[SteppingRazor]

20. My fiancee's Christmas Party -- a cautionary tale

Just went to my girl's Xmas party a couple weeks ago. She works at one of the big four accounting firms. At her Christmas Party, there was only one lady with a dress that short, and every other woman at the place that I talked to had to mention at some point how unprofessional it was.

Just sayin'. I like the dress personally, but I don't know if it's suitable for an office Xmas party.

[Kerrytravelers]

21. It's really cute, but it might be a bit short. It depends on the company.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but if you have black plazzo pants, they would work with your dress. Add some great heels just to top it off!

[Lyric]

22. Wow. *jawdrop*

My domestic partner and I both think that if you wear *that* to your husband's office party, his stature in said office is probably going to go waaaay up. :rofl:

Seriously, though--you look terrific! If you're concerned about the hemline, the black hose suggestion would take care of that issue.

[plcdude]

23. okay

and the score is Males say it's great but maybe too long and Females well what do they know. At least you can use the pic for the leg thread. Only one word of caution don't "Britney it".

[Crabby Appleton]

24. Wow, nice

[tigereye]

25. Lara, you could wear a sack and look lovely

:thumbsup: if you have great legs, flaunt em, I say.

I used to like to go overboard at office parties (well, my husband's anyway) and wear something that raises eyebrows...

One year I wore a crocheted skullcap, a long dress over pants, and blue suede boots. It was in my " give the sartorial capitalist, dull system a poke in the eye" phase.

[deucemagnet]

27. I agree with those who say that looks great on you,

but it might be a tad bit too short for an office party. :)

[Shakespeare]

28. Yes, but I'd recommend one thing....

Try not to assume the "Can we go now? This office party SUCKS." stance that you're doing so fabulously well in the photo. :7

Seriously, though, great outfit, and perfectly appropriate.

[Left Is Write]

29. LOL! I'm guessing her stance is "Just take the picture already!"

[JVS]

33. I'm not a fashionista, but I 'll tell you that I would feel uneasy if my date...

were dressed in such a short skirt. It seems a tad immodest. Looking good, though.

[Midlodemocrat]

34. I think you look lovely!! Go and have a wonderful time!!

Wish I was closer so I could watch the little MNs for ya!!!


:loveya:

[xchrom]

36. ok -- i'm a die hard fashionista --

a regular Clothes Queen.

and i've worked in the schmata biz for a long time.

the length of the dress is FINE! it's 2006 -- and skirts that short can be seen at almost any venue.

that said -- the black wrap on top is a tad schlumpy looking for an after 5 affair.

fine for before 5.

you are Gorgeous and you have legs to die for -- do you have more pointy shoes and maybe without the ankle strap?
which looks a little youthful -- and better for before 5.

with or without the black hose is fine --

[RetroLounge]

62. You said schlumpy ...

:rofl:

I love that word...

:hi:

RL

[Briarius]

37. Ava Maria!

it might be a bit short, but it does look amazing! :hi:

[Redstone]

38. Oh, yeah, you hot. Go for it. Especially with the (ahem) shoes.

But stand up straight, would you? Shoulders back! If you had been in Catholic school with me, way back when, the nuns would have had you walking around with a book on your head for DAYS.

Redstone

[Neshanic]

39. Gay guy here. You look awesome! Only one thing, the dress may be a tad too short for a Christmas

party. Depends on what kind of company it is.

Love the shoes. And you can work that dress sweetie!

Love your hair too.

[SPKrazy]

42. Well It Looks Good

don't know if it is Christmas office party material

depends I guess on the type of office and the dress for the party

but you look mahveloous!

[gmoney]

43. yay...

:)

[GalleryGod]

44. A Tad Short & Tarty for my taste..but what the hell- I'm his Boss's age !

If you're going to go with that outfit...throw in some black stockings...and have a great time.
:beer: :wow: :beer:

[hippywife]

45. You look great

but not for an office party. My personal rule is if the little voice in your head expresses some doubt, then it's best not to.

Hope you have a good time.

[LaraMN]

46. So the general consensus is: "Yes!" and "No!"

:rofl:

I think I'd better dig through my closet a bit more.
Thank you so much for all the opinions and insights, though!
:thumbsup:

[SKKY]

47. How cold is it in Minnesota right now?

Are you going to wear a shetland wool panties or something?

[LaraMN]

50. Well, at the moment it's about 16 degrees F.

The party's indoors, so I think my nethers would be fine, regardless of my apparel.
:rofl:

[SKKY]

48. Oh yea, and one more thing...

...only 47 replies to this post (mine makes 48), yet 1000+ views. I think the general consensus is that you have
very nice legs. :)

[PassingFair]

49. I'll be brief.

Looks great.

Too short for office party.

[underpants]

51. WAY too short-you shouldn't wear that

you should take it off immediately!!!

:evilgrin:

WOWSER!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

53. As far as I'm concerned, that's ALWAYS acceptable.

Good lord... that's... WAY too "acceptable"... I need a drink now... :D

[miss_american_pie]

55. I love it

But this is what I wore to my husband's office party, so grain of salt and all.

[Guava Jelly]

58. You look smashing m_a_p

a real heartbreaker!

[tigereye]

59. what a nice pic, MAP

you are a lovely couple!

[jakefrep]

56. If you get kicked out, come to my office party...

...it would certainly warm up the proceedings.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

61. depends on how conservative they are...it maybe too short..

though i personally love it...