On Tuesday I have the wonderful opportunity to go to a lunch hosted by Gaynor Linden, one of the world's leading pointe shoe manufacturer. I am excited to get to know the company better and meet other local artists and teachers. I am especially excited to eat this lunch at the amazing Il Fornaio. Il Fornaio is an upscale Italian restaurant in Sacramento (with many locations elsewhere) who's waitstaff wear long white aprons and know how to properly pull out your chair.
image via Gaynor Minden
Here's my question:
What do you wear to a business lunch at an upscale restaurant? I don't want to dress too formal or stiff but I also don't want to be too casual. So what do I wear: Professional or fun?
Professional:
Modcloth CFO Dress
Fun:
Modcloth Ode to Joy Dress
(I'd wear something underneath, of course.)
Professional:
Fun:
Ideally I'd have this in my closet...
$158.00 worth of perfection
I swear Anthropologie has an answer for everything.
But since I don't have this wonderful gem,
what side should I lean toward?
Professional or fun?
Have you ever gone to an upscale business lunch?
How about a day wedding?
(Those freak me out also)
How did you dress? Any tips on accessorizing?
(Can you tell I'm mildly freaking out?)
49 comments:
That stunning Anthropologie dress would be perfect...I would probably go with more professional look but still comfortable so you can enjoy yourself.
How fun is that:) Enjoy it,sweetie
Happy Monday
What a wonderful invitation, Tiffany! Although I personally like the 'professional' dresses here more, you should definitely wear something you feel happy and comfortable in - you don't want to be bothered with a dress that feels 'alien'. Enjoy!
I say perhaps slighty professional, but fun! :]
Profunssional? ;)
I vote for something like the blue dress. Professional with a twist of fun. Because dancers can get away with that. :]
The best thing to do is dress so you're comfortable and feel like yourself. Honestly, these fun dresses are gorgeous and I wouldn't hesitate to wear either of them to a professional lunch. (I also think I need to get back to Anthropologie and try on a few new dresses.) Your lunch date sounds like fun -- I hope you enjoy it and find the perfect thing to wear (I'm sure you will).
I think that the professional on each one lol
I would go for casual chic. A confortable but not very professional dress. You can dress it up a little with accessories: a nice neclace or bracelets and shoes.
What about professional but with fun accessories?
I'd go with the professional look but maybe thrown in some fun shoes. An I'm-serious-and-professional-but-know-how-to-have-fun-in-a-professional-adult-way-and-not-fun-in-a-Jersey-Shore-way look. I should probably patent that.
I'd pick the first "Fun" dress and accessorize it with a large clutch (more polished than a slouchy shoulder bag) -- and a pair of great earrings and heels. Does that help at all??
My vote is professional with kick ass fun accessories ;)
Congrats! This is very exciting and you deserve a "proper" luncheon, lol.
Have a fantastic week!
i like the o=white one with th belt xxxx
I have to do them too much (joy), and always tend to more professional dress but - depending on the host(s) - with fun accessories (bright scarves, belt or bag, funky wrist candy). Maybe something like that for you?
I'm with Jude- professional with some personality.
Those fun dresses you've chosen look appropriate for an upscale business lunch! The good thing about being a professional woman is that our dress code isn't as formally mandated as a man's. There's a lot more leeway. And I think there's definitely a middle ground between professional & fun - so you can go professional with quirky touches of personality, or you can go fun with obvious professionalism (ie: nothing low cut or too short on the bottom).
And with accessories - I'd say, go demure...but choose pieces that make you happy & comfortable.
Be sure to tell us how it all goes!! :)
xo.
I would lean towards fun... I love the Modcloth Ode to Joy Dress! With a cami underneath and nice shoes there isn't anything unprofessional about it. Also, the color is gorgeous!
I would go with a professional dress paired with fun accessories!
FUN FUN FUN!
I am so on the fun wagon!
Everyone likes unique people and I think the fun dresses show that more.
Plus it shows you don't take yourself TOO seriously-
hmmm. i think i would lean towards a professional dress with fun and fabulous accessories. but that is just me! accessories give everything personality to that ya don't end up looking like you work at a bank (THE HORROR!)!
wow, i would love to be a good ballet dancer, but i'm not elastic enough i guess ;(
like to follow eachother? :$
Go fun. That second dress looks like the right mix of elegant and fun.
i think they are all beautiful and all appropriate! i think it is all about how you carry yourself! you will rock any outfit!! you are beautiful!
While it's an upscale business luncheon, it's also a ballet brand. I think a classic silhouette in a great color is a nice way to be professional but feel like yourself.
And besides, you won't want to be wearing something so constricting that you can't enjoy lunch!
the last one, without doubt.... ballet is fun !
And I'll be really interested to hear what you make of the brand because I'm writing a piece at the moment which touches on them.
I think even your fun choices are quite professional. You really can't go wrong with anything you chose here.
I'm by no means a fashion expert but I'd err on the side of professional. That last one really is perfection and the RedCarpet Dress looks pretty darn good, too. I'm sure if you have something professional, you'll be able to add your own touch and make it fun as well!
I thought the blue dress more appropriate, good look!
I've never been to a professional business lunch let alone one at an upscale restaurant but I say go for a professional look that's still you, fun and professional! Hope you have a wonderful time, don't stress over it too much! :D
Wear your pointe shoes! JK, I always like to be professional, but I know whatever you pick will be gorgeous! XX!
Have fun with it!! Dance is an artform so dress artistically! In fact, something inspired by ballet would be perfect (the teal dress with the wrap & tie is and the next 'fun' one sort of reminds me of a skirt over a leo). Just my opinion! :D
1st fun.
2nd professional
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Definitely err on the side of professional with a favorite piece of jewelry that shows a bit of personality. Have fun!
Enter to win an Acanthus necklace! (prize valued at $85 - 100)
I'd go with something that is professional yet shows that you're not super uptight.. A fabulous accessory or the first fun dress with fab clutch and some classic heels.. Just go into that meeting and own it, you'll be gravy!
xo tash
Oh, how exciting! I like the dress with the ruffles -- classic and chic, but fun! I think it also depends on how you style the outfit, since you can definitely dress-down a more professional look (or vice-versa) with shoe and accessory choices...
PS - YES, def have been to Tres Hermanas (love their salad dressing)... But truthfully, I prefer Ernestos!!!
Bean dip = love :)
the modcloth dress could be both professional AND fun if you play up the accessories and wear some pretty lacey tights. I would say some layered pearls+rhinestone statement necklace?
http://www.diyainherstilettos.com/
I work in the Wells Fargo building and get salads/sandwiches from their express counter all the time! :) We occasionally have biz lunches there, but I'm always in my work clothes. You could even get away with jeans, but I LOVE the fun dress!
i like both the professional dresses. i'd be careful with the second one though, the neckline looks trickky. you can play them both up with accessories and wavy hair. have fun at the do!
thanks so much for your sweet comments and i also read that article in glamour and I relate so completely to what you wrote.
Ooooo, this sounds like such a fun afternoon.
I vote for leaning toward professional in your dress but maybe do some "fun" shoes?
oh wow, what an awesome opportunity! i vote professional but make it fun by having color shoes or accessories!
oooooh i love all of those dresses!! just dress in whatever you feel the best in!
I generally am a sucker for the classic black dress.... however in this case Im gonna go with FUN! YAY!
good luck :)
Here, I like the white type of professional and the blue type of fun! :) My first reaction was to say, go for the fun side, but you want it to be professional too. You can always dress down the professional with some fun jewelry, hair clips or accessories... Good luck! and Enjoy!!
I vote for fun, leave stodgy professional at the curb. The flirty ruffle neck turquoise dress is divine, as is the polka dot one. Maybe rev up some things in your closet with new accessories (and it's cheaper than buying a whole new outfit). Maybe a scarf, I just bought 3 at H&M last weekend, & even though it's been around 105 degrees here, I bought 2 sweater jackets, too.
Enjoy dressing up & going out!!!!
I also vote for fun, but most important, dress in what will make you feel the most comfortable and confident.
Have a wonderful time!
xo
I vote for fun! Loving that Anthropologie dress! Have a sweet day!
wow, congrats! i am a little behind but i hope you chose fun and i can't wait to hear about it!
I like the very first and second dresses the best! Personally, I lean towards professional so I do not worry about being underdressed. Then, just jazz it up with some great earrings or necklace with some color. But both that black dress and the blue-green one are awesome and crisp!
you should wear a dress that makes you feel comfortable... if you don't then no matter how great the dress is you are going to feel bad in it...
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