What To Wear To a Dinner Party

What To Wear To a Dinner Party

Dinner parties are amongst our favourite sort of social occasion: good food (at least when we’re not cooking, ahem), lively conversation, and free-flowing booze. But what are appropriate dinner party outfits for guys?

Smart Dinner Party

If your host has requested that you dress smartly – often known as cocktail attire – then they will be expecting you to wear a suit of sorts. Mid grey and darker dyed suits are most appropriate for the evening, although you could opt for a khaki coloured suit if the event takes place during the day. Wear with a slim fit shirt in a plain, light colour, leather dress shoes and a matching belt if you want to stick with the classics (just don’t wear your work clothes: invest in a party suit that is slicker and sharper).

Unlike the more formal white tie and black tie, however, a dinner party dress code does leave some room for interpretation. Whilst you should stick with a suit as the foundation for your outfit, you don’t necessarily need to be traditionally turned out. How about replacing a shirt with a turtleneck sweater, for example? Choose a roll neck in a dark, neutral colour – black works, though darker blues and maroons are less severe – and layer a blazer over it for a not-too-dressy, not-too-casual take on cocktail wear. Or why not replace suit trousers with smart jeans (dark, not light) for a meticulous medium? Ideal if you’re unsure about the dress code.

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge attend ARK Gala Dinner

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge attend ARK Gala Dinner

Steppin' Out...

Perfect Couple: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--Prince William and "Kate"--attended the 10th Annual ARK/Absolute Return For Kids Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace in London. Of course, what was on everyone's minds--at least we the Fashion Watchers--was what the newly-titled Duchess of Cambridge would be wearing. Well, kids, she did not disappoint.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Jenny Packham to the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

She wore a rose-colored silk tulle and Swarovski-crystal beaded high-neck gown with fluttery sleeve details, by British Designer Jenny Packham. Packham, in case you didn't know, is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art. Her designs are favored by many Red Carpet actresses (Sandra Bullock for example) and is a constant presence at the top Awards Shows.

The gown--which retails for 3,147 Euro (about $6300) is currently SOLD OUT in the UK (of course). Her side-bow detailed pumps were by LK Bennett (see close-up above of the shoe--and the rolled-up hem of her beaded gown).

Also in attendance were Elizabeth Hurley, who wore a light gray one-shoulder side-gathered gown by Italian Designer Roberto Cavalli. She looked AMAZING! The gown with that side-slit, hair and those platforms did look a bit "Miss Universe Evening Gown Competition" but well, as you guys know: I LOVE THAT!!

Prince Pavlos of Greece with his wife Princess Marie-Chantal Miller: Wearing what clearly was the color of the night.

English model Laura Bailey wore Valentino Spring 2011. You may remember her from way back in the day when she first became famous as actor Richard Gere's girlfriend.

British model Saffron Aldridge wore a beautiful "Mermaid"-shaped lemon-yellow gown with drop-shoulder sleeves. Interesting Family Side Note: Her half-sister is Victoria's Secret Model Lily Aldridge (who is married to Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill), and her half-brother is Miles Aldridge who is a fashion photographer married to Kristen McMenamy.

Wackiest Outfit Award goes to:
British actress Katrine Boorman, wearing this bright yellow get-up and flower-detailed hat. One word: Mess. Is she going to spend a week in Positano in this bright yellow cotton sun-dress? Or is she going to a Garden Party in West Hollywood? I don't think she even knows. And I haven't even begun on those shoes! Oh Katrine....

Worst Dressed Award goes to:
Sophie Dahl: When you are going to an event that you know Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will be attending, don't you think you need to step it up a teeny-weeny bit? Would you like to greet William and Kate in this ensemble? Here's the answer: NOPE! Poor Sophie, she looks like a shop girl at my local H&M who is just about DONE with her 10-hour work day!!!

The Always Picture Perfect Award goes to:
Tom Ford: Seriously. Just look at him! That deep-purple velvet jacket of his (Tom Ford I assume?) is scissor-SHARP! The cummerbund (it's officially BACK!!!), the pants, the patent leather shoes and that perfect bow tie! Jesus, does this man EVER get it wrong?? I doubt it.