Tonight is the school cocktail party which welcomes new families to the school. We don’t get out much and I’ve met some really lovely ladies at the school so I’m sure it will be a nice night. But I did have a moment of doubt with the dress code……. a sign I don’t get out much. Smart Casual.
You see casual was throwing me there. I was thinking cocktail party and smart casual don’t really go together. Normally I get dressed up to go out for dinner, to weddings or family events but Smart Casual threw me for a bit. This would be a great excuse for a new dress but clothes shopping is still a tad depressing for me and best avoided till I’ve lost all my baby weight. So I had already planned to wear this little country road dress which I can just squeeze into but then I was thinking is that too fancy, will heels make it not smart casual.
the last time I wore my dress – almost 2 years ago!
And I was tossing up wearing a silver sandal so I put it out on facebook and a very nice reader said smart casual needs a heel. And that is why I need……….. 1. get out more and 2. have dress codes explained to me. And now retro daddy needs to sort out his wardrobe as I told him jeans were not on. Apparently they need to be crisp, show no wear and you need a sports coat with it (thank you wikipedia). I have a few outfits in mind for him and have ‘advised’ him that he better not leave it till 7pm to think about what he’s going to wear!
So tell me………….are you in the know with dress codes?
I have absolutely no idea with dress codes. I rarely get out!
Dress codes freak me out too. For blokes I think shirt light coloured pants, possibly jacket but no tie, but when getting myself dressed I have no idea. I just love that dress my sister has the exact same one.
I’m clueless. And I don’t even own a pair of heels unless you count the teeny tiny ones I wore at my wedding!
my gumboots have a bit of a heel. i think they’d be too big for you though!
x
I have no idea and my fashion is very plain. After having babies I found it hard to get into anything I liked withouth still looking a few months pregnant. However, I think by flicking through magazines I can try to put something together or buy something appropriate. That being said, I hardly get out so I don’t need to deal with dress codes unfortunately.
I would not have a clue with “smart casual” of course there really aren’t many I would have known what to do with. When I do get it out, which isn’t often, there really isn’t a code! In fact, Wal-Mart really doesn’t care what you wear LOL just teasing but not too far of a stretch.
Enjoy your evening out! Don’t stress
Happy stitching, P
I think it really depends where you live. Your CR dress would do fine anywhere though. In Qld here, smart casual means wear your best thongs :-)))
I guess smart casual depends where you are; it’s not quite the same in Sydney as, say in Paris or NYC. I think your dress is exactly right and you could easily wear flats, just not flip flops. Your hubby could wear chinoes and a polo shirt. I hope you’ll have a great evening.
I think the dress would be perfect for an evening school event. I find dress codes tricky, especially for my husband who dresses for his outdoor job each day
You look really lovely – perfect for the occassion.
I suspect that dress-codes are not as strict or well-understood as they once were. I recently went to a swanky formal function, where the invitation specified After 5 (no denim), which I found very amusing!
Glad to see that it’s not only me who is a little dress-coded challenged and I stress about it for weeks. We currently have an invitation to 2 weddings….one is the dreaded ‘Smart Casual” and another is “Formal”. With the Smart Casual – I found myself asking the bride – do you want a tie, are you saying jeans, do you want the boys to wear a coat?
As for the Formal….is this black tie? My husbo would NEVER forgive me if I got him into a penguin suit and he was the only one!!
One thing I have learnt over the years is to simply ask the bride/host/organiser what she is wearing….and then 9 times out of 10 you are safe….!
PS I think your gorgeous silver sandles would be beautiful with that dress with some silver accessories….I really don’t think that Smart Casual needs a heel. But that is just the Mama talking in me…comfort before fashion!! 😉
i am clueless… haven’t been out in such a long time… but i definitely think it depends on where you live!! in sydney, northern beaches i would think it means you need to dress up a bit! (whereas where i’m living now it would probably mean no thongs, no shorts
i reckon when in doubt wear a pretty dress or a pretty skirt and dressy top… it’s always better to be a little over dressed than too casual (although definitely don’t bring out the mega formal wear)… i think your little black dress will be perfect…
I don’t follow dress codes and never have. I wear what suits me and have my own idea of ‘good’ clothes and ‘casual’ clothes. Nobody has questioned me yet on what I was wearing or prevented me from attending though sometimes I think other attendees think I’m a little eccentric!! Lol, gives them something (someone) to amuse themselves with I guess.
Your black dress looks perfect for you and can be dressed ‘up’ or ‘down’ according to what you accessorise it with. Have fun and don’t worry if retro daddy wants to wear jeans just make sure they are his best pair and he teams them with something other than running shoes/thongs and wears a nice shirt with a collar and a subdued tie as ties seem to elevate most outfits to smart casual these days!
You will look great! I have no idea about dress codes and it doesnt help I dont even have anything very nice and I have never owned a heel-even wore thongs for my wedding (was on the beach though)
Dress codes are scary but I think since you haven’t been out in a while that it’s nice to be over dressed rather than under (as in dressing up is sucha treat). I think you’re black frock with either shoe choice would be perfect. Have a great night!
I have no idea either… just hope I get it right!
No idea and booked to go to a wedding next weekend that had no dress code on the invitation !!!
STRESS!
I would downgrade the ‘smart casual’ for the bloke to no sports jacket, but a collared shirt and a pant rather than jeans. But that could just be me. What do I know about dress codes?!?
Your dress is lovely BTW!! x
absolutely not…….blue jeans and t-shirts with sneakers is what I wear always. If it needs more than that, I am not going.
I believe wear what you feel comfortable in (no not trackies and singlet comfortable) but something that fits well and makes you feel nice. perhaps a long dress with flats is fine or heels since it isn’t often us mothers have the excuse to wear them, but whatever it is wear it with confidence and you will be fine. country road dress is lovely- you would rather be on the smart side of casual anyways xx
Bah! I hate ‘smart casual’! What the hell does it mean? I always end up being over dressed & I’ve learnt to be ok with that
You looked lovely! xx
hehe no have no clue! But I like your dress
Going out….what is that hahahahaha Enjoy and you look amazing. Have fun and mingle, mingle, mingle.
Dress codes mean so little these days to most people too…. I’ve been to places that indicated formal and seen people in their ‘good jeans’.
A good friend once told me if in doubt (or in situations where they try and enforce a dress code), always over dress! If they asked for ‘shirt and tie’ he’d wear a three piece suit!
And there is nothing wrong with looking like the best dressed gal in the room.
I have a book “Things a Women Should Know About Style” written by Karen Homer, and she says”An all purpose, annoyingly ambiguous dress code that has become the norm for drinks.A suit is too smart and jeans too casual. Chanel-style smart pleated trousers and a cashmere sweater are the height of smart casual chic”.For cocktail she says ” Strappy dress or trouser suit and heels depending on your mood” I feel the author may not have children (cashmere). Hope this helps.
That little black dress is just perfect and you just can’t go wrong with a little black dress. The important thing about dress code, I think is that YOU feel compfy in it! If you feel well in a pink vintage froufrou dress and that speaks cocktail for you and you love how you look who really cares what the others are wearing!!:)Wear it and wear it with confidance and you’ll be the glamour lady!
Having said that and having grown up in Melbourne I think smart casual in Ozzie lingo simply means ; don’t wear your thongs and shorts.
When in doubt keep it sober and elegant as the French do so well. Your hubby could realy go with a (nice) pair of jeans a light coloured shirt (I love crisp white coton) and a formal blazer,leather moccasins (no socks please, for the total French or Italian look) and he would really play the part of smart casuel! Oh and don’t forget to wear your beautiful smile xx IRIS
We were invited to the tennis (the women’s final at the Australian Open) as a corporate entertainment thing – so dinner at a restaurant beforehand. No dress code was mentioned and I struggled to reconcile corporate/evening/dinner with sports event! I went with a smart black skirt, silver tank and cream linen cardigan, but opted for a flat shoe.
I think your LBD looks perfect – and personally, I don’t think smart casual requires a heel, but like everyone else has said, wear whatever you are comfortable in, smile, and your confidence will carry you!
For my husband it’s easy, military dress codes are down to how many millimetres your medals sit above the pocket etc, for we ladies, i have some set standards which are fine but when you’re between sizes, babies, breastfeeding & consider you might need a pashima to throw a baby under to feed . . . oh i’ve been stuck in a frock & a baby to breastfeed before, impossible!! Like me, you married way taller so heels are always a must!!
Love the photo, who took it, the twins?? He he, love Posie
Gah! Dress codes always throw me for a loop! That black dress is adorable and looks fab on you!!! You look amazing for having just had sweet baby girl and so you shall be fine, Momma!!! Enjoy your night out!
Dress codes probably have different meanings to different classes or groups of people. What is dress to a bogan would nopt be dress to Susan Renouf. So I guess it is about getting to know the people around you and sharing thoughts with a close friend about what to wear. Cherrie
I have that dress too and I love that I can dress it down with a cardigan and flats or dress it up with some bling and a pair of wedges (I don’t do heels well!)
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