I know I can’t be the only one who has done this— Wore the wrong outfit to the wrong event…sigh….Here’s how it happened…..

Not too long ago I attended a Women’s Expo. I’d been invited by a friend and sorta at the last minute accepted. I briefly read the flyer and although I didn’t know much about his inaugural event was excited to attend. In usual fashion I was on time and the venue and setup was very nice. After showing up and looking at the environment in horror I discovered that I was grossly under dressed. Well I guess I’m making it a bit dramatic but I was a good bit more casual then I should have been. Fortunately there were a few others there dressed a bit like me but boy did I feel like I stood out like a sore thumb. I’m a seriously professional woman but truth be told that day I didn’t feel like I looked it.  It’s in that moment that I was reminded that clothing can make you “feel the part” or leave you feeling left out. Fortunately for me this wasn’t a life or death moment and didn’t impact my career. It was just a extracurricular activity but even in that I can’t be exactly sure if it didn’t have a slight impact. It’s true what they say in life that sometimes you only get one chance to make a good impression. And more importantly then how people see you is how you see yourself. Oftentimes when we come unprepared in our dressing we may feel insecure and sheepish. We’re unable to let our true confidence shine through due to insecurities, etc. The best solution for these types of scenarios is to not put yourself in that uncomfortable position to begin with. This is not to say that one cannot dress freely and be confident. What I’m addressing are those professional settings in which professional dressing is more suited. In those cases it’s best to conform given the setting and professionalism required.

Here are some helpful tips that will keep you hip to the dress code and prevent any shocks when you arrive to your event.

1. Ask the event coordinator the dress code or attire beforehand

Going to the source is probably the easiest solution. He or She can get you straight fairly easy! Don’t wait until last minute because sometimes they’re not as accessible.

2. Look at past event photos to see what others were wearing

Sometimes past events are posted on FB and/or a website so you can easily see what others have worn and thus know how to dress.

3. Consider the time of day and the venue

If the event is being held in the evening at the Opera pavilion then that should give you an indication that the event may be a somewhat dressy affair. Now how dressy, you may not know but further inquiry would definitely be smart. Or the opposite may be true as well. If you’re meeting on a baseball field you might not want to go wearing your best heels. Remember you can stick out just as much for being overdressed as you can for being underdressed!

4. When in doubt wear the standard business casual

You can never go wrong wearing a business suit. If you find you’re overdressed you can just remove the jacket and you’ll have a nice top or shirt with your skirt or pants. You could also wear a nice dress and pair with a cardigan. Remember true business casual isn’t too flashy. It tends to blend in well in alot of different settings!

5. Bring a change of clothes

If Superman can so easily change in a phone booth then it’s no big deal for you to go to a bathroom and change. Plus you’ll feel more comfortable if you’re dressed appropriately.

Also keep in mind, just because you’re dressing for business, special occasion, or any event for that matter doesn’t mean you can’t allow your style to shine through. We’ll cover that in an upcoming post……

Take Home Message: But to prevent the kind of slight embarrassment I faced remember it’s always best to do your “attire research” before attending any event!