How to Dress for Dinner

How to Dress Nicely for Dinner

Here are tips on how to perfect your outings when going for a night out dinner with your friends.Follow keenly and hope it will help you to stay on top of your game easily.

There are times when you must dress up for dinner.

Although dinner is usually a casual affair, there are times when a little extra attention to your wardrobe is appropriate. If you are going out for a dinner date, business meeting or other special event, it is usually expected that you will dress in at least semi-formal attire. The rules of semi-formal attire are obviously different for men and women, but the overarching guideline is the same: You should look nice without being overdone.

Instructions

1. Women

   • 1
     Go through your closet and choose several pieces of semi-formal clothing that you might like to wear. Semi-formal clothing includes dresses, nice skirts, blouses, fancy tops, business jackets and dress pants. Don't worry about mixing and matching pieces to create an outfit just yet.
   • 2
     Examine the quality of each piece of clothing. Since semi-formal attire can be very similar to casual wear, one of the best ways to distinguish between the two is on the basis of quality. If any of the pieces that you chose are stained, frayed, washed out or poorly made, return them them to your closet.
   • 3
     Try on the remaining clothing. If it does not fit you well, it will highlight figure flaws and make you look poorly groomed. Return anything that does not fit to your closet.
   • 4
     Consider the colors of the remaining clothing. Is there one piece of clothing that really makes your complexion glow or helps to bring out the color of your eyes? This is the piece that you should wear and build the rest of your outfit around.
   • 5
     Consider whether or not you will need to coordinate an outfit. If it is a dress, your outfit is almost complete. If you have chosen a skirt, dress pants, shirt, blouse, or jacket, you are going to need to match it with other clothing.
   • 6
     Look through the clothing that you found to be good quality and nicely fitted. Does anything match the piece you selected? If so, this is what you should wear. If you are unable to find something, return to your closet. When trying to find something to go with your outfit, look for the best match, quality and fit possible.
   • 7
     Consider whether or not you will need outerwear. If so, pick out a high quality jacket or sweater that fits you well and compliments your outfit. Jean jackets, cashmere sweaters and pea coats are always excellent choices.
   • 8
     Pick out jewelry to compliment your outfit. In general, you should wear at least two pieces of jewelry, but no more than more four. The jewelry should be simple, but high in quality. Pearls, silver or gold chains, delicate beads, small hoop earrings, an understated ring and/or an attractive bracelet are all excellent choices. Avoid flashy costume jewelry.
   • 9
     Choose your shoes and purse. The two should at least compliment one another, if not match. Simple brown or black, closed toe heels are always a good option. You may choose another color, provided that it goes with your outfit and matches your purse. In general, stick to leather purses. Avoid purses made from canvas.
   • 10
     Do your hair and makeup, spending a little extra time to make it look really nice. Evening makeup should be darker and more dramatic than daytime makeup.

   Men

   • 1
     Go through your closet and choose several pieces of semi-formal clothing that you might like to wear. Semi-formal clothing includes long sleeved button-down shirts, short sleeved button-down shirts, dress slacks and ties.
   • 2
     Examine the quality of each piece of clothing. Since semi-formal attire can be very similar to casual wear, one of the best ways to distinguish between the two is on the basis of quality. If any of the pieces that you chose are stained, frayed, washed out or poorly made, return them them to your closet.
   • 3
     Try on the remaining clothing. If it does not fit you well, it will make you appear poorly groomed. Return anything that does not fit to your closet.
   • 4
     Consider the the remaining clothing. Is there one piece of clothing that looks really good on you? This is the piece that you should wear and build your outfit around.
   • 5
     Look through the clothing that you found to be good quality and nicely fitted. Does anything match the piece you selected? If so, this is what you should wear. If you are unable to find something, return to your closet. When trying to find something to go with your outfit, look for the best match, quality and fit possible.
   • 6
     Consider whether or not you will need outerwear. If so, pick out a high quality jacket or sweater that fits you well and compliments your outfit. Suit jackets, sport jackets and cashmere sweaters are always excellent choices.
   • 7
     Choose socks that will match your slacks. Black socks are appropriate for gray or black slacks. Wear brown socks with brown or khaki slacks.
   • 8
     Choose dress shoes that will match your slacks. Black shoes are appropriate for gray or black slacks. Brown shoes are appropriate for brown or khaki slacks. Do not wear sneakers.
   • 9
     Carefully comb your hair and shave. Spend a little more time on this than usual to make yourself look tidy and neat.