Dressy Casual Dress Code

My company sent us an invite for the Holiday Party, where the dress code was: Dressy Casual. I heard the word “dressy” and thought: “Oh, great. So…formal!” Then I heard “casual” right after and I was like: “Wait, what?” Such a contradiction.

The way I understand it is that you take a simple look and kick it up a notch, opting for casual materials versus fancier pieces like satin and sparkles. You can work with a piece that is already in your closet, like a maxi dress, and lean into accessorizing.

Remember, you’re outside of working hours and not in your workspace, but you’re still being watched.

Always keeping a professional and well aligned image is the key to professional success. Avoid cleavage too evident or clothes that are too tight and bet on classic pieces, but that differ from your day-to-day productions – a neutral color wide-leg pants with a silk blouse, for example, and high heels would be a great choice.

Speaking of high heels, they can turn any simple outfit into more a sophisticated look. On the other hand, sneakers do the opposite, leaving any look informal and, therefore, should be avoided.

Maxi dresses: Due to its versatility, the maxi dress is a wardrobe staple. It can be dressed up or down, making it ideal for all occasions.

Jumpsuits: They can seem formal, but the pants are playful, which means they fit better into a “trendy” category than a formal or casual one and therefore apply to both.

Tops: Ditch the t-shirts and opt instead for chic tops.

Blazers: A well tailored blazer is all you need to make an easy daytime look feel evening-appropriate. Throw it on over your white shirt and neutral chinos and that outfit will carry you from day to night.

Cocktail dresses: although they’d be better for something you think would skew more dressy, they are usually safe to a dressy-casual party taking place at night.

Don’t forget accessories!
One of my favorite ways to level up a casual outfit is with accessories. They don’t need to be expensive. Scarves, belts, and jewelry provide extra detail, and simply switching to a more structured handbag can step up an outfit.