What to wear for meetings?

Dress Code for tonight: Smart Casual

When you receive an invitation with a dress code, do you ever feel anxious about the word “smart” before going to the ball!?

Some freshmen may dress up in a really “smart” style, yet it might not be a smart idea… it’s one of the many paradoxes in business - to welcome people being casual at a formal occasion. So, what should we wear?

Generally speaking, there are 6 – 10 dress types, from very formal “WHITE TIE” to very informal “CASUAL”. As for international conventions, they usually require three types in one 3-day conference.

今晚服裝建議 (Dress Code)：Smart Casual
在華人世界很少有機會收到這樣一張有著Dress Code的邀請函，但如果您收到了，您知道該怎麼穿嗎?
有些人或許會穿著太過專業幹練的樣子，但其實這一點也無法顯示出你的"聰明"!   Smart Casual本身就是個很矛盾的詞，它希望來參加的人可以很輕鬆隨興，但...在一個正式的場合?!  所以，到底該穿什麼呢？
一般說來，Dress Code有差不多6-10種，從非常正式的WHITE TIE到非常隨性的CASUAL。但對一般參加國際會議的人來說，通常會需要其中的三種來應付三天以上的會議行程。

                    
Source: StyleCaster

Arrival / Opening Day

Upon arrival, there is often an opening ceremony with senior and highly respected members of the organisation (of course sometimes delegates arrive one day early, which we exclude here). Accordingly, it would show respect to dress for BUSINESS. Furthermore, as first impressions play count, it’s the right time to impress people… but, of course, try not to be overstated! Prince William and his wife, Kate, set the best example.

For HIM:

Dark business suit + dress shirt + conservative tie + dressy leather shoes & dark dress socks

         Optional: Wear a matching vest

For HER:

Suit or business-style dress or dress with a jacket + heels (low or high)

首先是抵達的開幕日。通常抵達當天會有開幕儀式 (當然也有很多是前一天抵達，我們就暫不列入討論)，會有許多大頭出現，最好的方式是穿得正式一些、商務人士的感覺，以表示尊敬；更甚者，第一印象的重要性大家都知道，所以試著讓其他人留下一個好印象！讓我們來看看威廉王子跟凱特王妃是怎麼穿的。通常素色套裝是最適合的；男士請記得打領帶喔。

      
Source: DailyMail - Pinterest

Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner usually comes on the first night or the final evening, which is obviously to welcome or say farewell to all the delegates and gives the chance for them to know each other better. The dinner can be in many forms, from round-table catering to standing buffet. Depending on its theme, you might be required to wear BLACK TIE or SEMI-FORMAL.

BLACK TIE
For HIM:
Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers
Formal white shirt
Black-colored studs and cufflinks
Black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill)
Black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest
Dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional)
Black patent shoes and black dress socks
No gloves
In summer: white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe

For HER:
Formal - (floor length) evening gown
Dressy - cocktail dress
Dressiest - little black dress

SEMI-FORMAL
For HIM:
Dark business suit + dress shirt + conservative tie + dressy leather shoes & dark dress socks
       Optional: Wear a matching vest

For HER:
Short afternoon or cocktail dress or a little black dress or long dressy skirt & top, or dressy separates

Still have no idea? Let’s see below… Mr. and Mrs. Obama are the perfect models!

晚宴。通常是第一晚或最後一晚，用來歡迎或歡送與會者，大家可以趁這個機會好好地了解彼此。晚宴有很多種形式，像是圓桌式或無座的雞尾酒會型式。根據不同的主題，您可能會被要求穿得較為正式一些；比較輕鬆型式的晚宴女性通常一套黑色小洋裝，即地的晚宴服則適合非常正式的晚宴；男士的素色西裝配上領結就可以去正式的晚宴、領帶會顯得較隨興一些。讓我們看看美國總統跟第一夫人如何詮釋這樣的正式服裝。

    
Source: Vogue UK - Mrs. O

Session / Meeting Day

Now that you have these big days prepared for, you will also need something comfortable for the serious but less formal meeting. Some may dress too casually, in a homey outfit while others may wear a dark business suit to “stun” people. What is recommended is SMART CASUAL or BUSINESS CASUAL, terms which could confuse many, however, they are rather like your work outfit on an ordinary day.

至於一般的會期，只是參加討論或演講時，雖然依舊是嚴肅的場合，但可以讓自己輕鬆一點。不過，太居家的服飾還是不適合的喔；如果太正式也有可能讓人印象太深刻。所以SMART CASUAL或是一般商務的穿著就可以了。不懂嗎?   那可以想像上班跟老闆開會時穿什麼比較適合，大概就差不多了。下面請出國際巨星為大家走秀一下。

For HIM:
Dark business suit + dress shirt + conservative tie + dressy leather shoes & dark dress socks
       Optional: Wear a matching vest

Seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis
Dress shirt with optional tie, or casual button-down shirt
Open-collar or polo shirt
+ loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks

Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks
Dress shirt, casual button-down shirt
Optional tie

Open-collar or polo shirt

                 
Source: imGur - tumblr - USWeekl

          
Source: ULTRALINX - PINTEREST

             
Source: Pinterest - INStyle

         
Source: People - Postris

             
Source: Pinterest - Tumblr