Work party attire help

[covergirl82]

So DH was invited to a "pre-holiday" party on Nov. 7 at the CFO's house.  Dress is casual and everyone invited (and spouses/SOs are invited) is a director or executive in finance and the CEO is invited too.  We work at the same company now (I've worked here almost 10 years), so I'm sure some of the people there will recognize my name and I'm sure it will come up at some point that I work in HR.  I'm nervous in general about going (because my team, compensation, I feel has a reputation of being the department of "no"), so I want to make a good in-person impression in terms of attire.

Even though the dress code is casual, I'm hoping for some suggestions or tips on what to wear.  I want to look nice, but don't want to overdo it.  What about a nice blouse with dark jeans and nice booties?  And I can wear some of my nicer, but subtle, jewelry.  Any other ideas?

I know I'm asking way in advance, but I want time to go through my closet and time to shop if need be.

[twinmomma]

I'm always paranoid about jeans in a "casual" setting, unless I know for sure others are wearing jeans. I'd lean more towards a shirt dress/tunic/leggings kind of combo to feel a bit more put together.

[larzhope]

I'm just going to slide right in here... I have been in a very similar situation before - I also work in HR with an H that is higher up in a different function and we have worked for the same company (don't currently) where I am often invited to his holiday parties. I would go with a more casual sweater dress with leggings and booties. that way it is kind of a "border" outfit of being casual yet still cute.

[covergirl82]

twinmomma, I have that same concern about jeans, which actually was kind of a reason I asked. So that makes me wonder, too...what should DH wear?

Maybe I'll see if DH can ask his upline (a VP) and his coworker (director) what people wore last year. I am still interested in hearing ideas from WPs.

[k3am]

I think it depends on where you live and what industry you're in. My area, dark jeans paired appropriately are just fine for dressy casual. I think it all depends on what you pair them with and how you accessorize.

For men, I actually feel the same way. Anything other than jeans is not casual by any means, but a dark wash, untucked button down, and nice shoes make for a easy level of dressy casual.

[mommyatty]

I think guys can always get away with nice jeans and a blazer. I like the tunic, leggings, and booties idea. But I also think dark jeans, boots, and a sweater or shirt/cardigan or shirt/jacket is safe for a casual event.

[sdlaura]

I'd go with slacks rather than jeans - just because if I'm not sure, I'd rather risk be overdressed than underdressed.

[phdmomma]

The last "casual" event I was invited to I overdressed for, which is good, because the host wore a suit and tie. I wouldn't wear jeans.

[waverly]

I am leaning towards a casual dress with tights and booties.

[divanerd]

Not sure what the weather is like but I would wear a sheath dress or pants and a nice blouse and statement necklace.

If you do wear jeans just wear a nice blazer jacket, tank shell and statement necklace.

I also work in HR

[covergirl82]

I need to post pictures, but I found an outfit over the weekend. I went to a boutique in my town and got a black jacket and long-sleeve black and white printed fit-and-flare dress. I ordered some kitten-heel booties online. I'm planning to wear black tights (so it will be a lot of black and white, but oh well) and get a fun statement necklace for a pop of color. If I find a pair of colored pants I really like, I may wear pants and then a nice cami or shell instead of the dress (and I'd still wear the jacket and booties).

Jacket - this is not the exact jacket, but the style is similar (although the jacket I got is cloth with a small quilt-like texture): www.amazon.com/Jack-Dakota-Womens-Adalyn-Jacket/dp/B074545XLD/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=bb+dakota+moto+jacket&qid=1568637647&sr=8-31

Booties: www.macys.com/shop/product/alfani-womens-harpper-kitten-heel-booties-created-for-macys?ID=9271124&cm_sp=search-improvement-_-autocomplete-product-rec-_-n&ackws=alfani%20kitten%20h&kws=alfani%20kitten%20heel

[divanerd]

Cute look covergirl82