Like most women, I stress about what to wear to certain events, but am usually happy with whatever I end up choosing.
But have you ever arrived at a function, only to wish you’d worn something completely different?
Fortunately it doesn’t happen to me too often. (I’m not sure if that’s the benefit of maturity, or purely that I don’t get out much!)
But – recently I went to a party and pretty much as soon as I arrived, I wished I’d picked a different outfit.
It wasn’t that I’d got the dress code wrong – I’d texted to check and learned it was “smart casual”, and my outfit definitely fell in that category.
Trouble was, I made the mistake of going for “business” smart casual rather than “party” smart casual – I’d misread the cues.
As it was an office-warming party for a client, kicking off at 6pm on a Friday night, I thought it would be a case of people heading there straight after work and just wearing whatever – more business than party. That was fine by me, as even though I work from home I have a number of smart casual business outfits.
My choice was a leopard print dress that I have previously worn to client meetings, networking events and other work-related functions, and feel comfortable in.
(A side note: I really struggle with what shoes to wear with this particular dress. For some reason, any of the heels I own just don’t work with it – they make it feel a bit too much like hooker-style. At the same time, plain black flats don’t really do anything for it either. I ended up wearing sandals but felt they had a bit too much of a hippy vibe – which is fine with some outfits but not with this one. So any suggestions on appropriate shoes are most welcome!)
However as soon as I walked in, I realised that most people had ditched their work wear for more party-like attire.
If only I’d realised, as I definitely have a party frock or two in my wardrobe that I really wished I’d worn instead!
I also realised that I don’t know much about the latest fashions. I must live in a bit of a bubble, but I had no idea that culottes, wide leg pants, and jumpsuits were such a thing! I felt a bit staid and matronly in my more business-appropriate attire.
There was nothing wrong with what I was wearing, and I’m pretty sure nobody else had an issue with it. I just would have felt more comfortable in something else.
Do you ever feel like you’ve worn the wrong thing? Or do you have any suggestions for shoes to go with my leopard print dress?!