To a business dinner you usually wear polished clothing in calm colours. Think of trousers or a skirt with a blouse or shirt and possibly a cardigan or jacket. Choose plain fabrics, keep accessories small and dress slightly more formally than your colleagues at the office. This way the outfit stays appropriate for a business setting.
What a business dinner asks of you
A business dinner sits between office and party. You are there to work, but the atmosphere is personal, and your clothing has to cope with both. Usually choose something smarter than your daily office wear, unless the invitation indicates otherwise. Fit and grooming matter more than fixed colour rules.
If in doubt, you can take the location or host as a starting point. The attention is on the conversation, not on the outfit. Also read our pages on Signature Occasions for Women and Signature Occasions for Men for more ideas about dress codes.
For her: three options
- Blouse and trousers: Rosamund is a blouse with lavallière collar and satin look in white, made of 96% acetate 4% elastane. Wear her with Arabelli, high-waist pleated trousers in black.
- Skirt and top: a black knee-length skirt with a plain top in a light shade and a jacket, for anyone who prefers not to wear trousers.
- Trousers with cardigan: dark trousers, a soft blouse and a fine-knit cardigan you can take off if the restaurant is warm.
You will find more options in the collection Dinner & Dates for women.
For him: three options
- Shirt and trousers: Hamilton is a shirt with Italian collar in white, of 100% cotton. Wear it with Frederick, pleated trousers with a brushed inside in black.
- Merino polo under a jacket: Trenton is an open polo of 100% merino wool in black. A tie is only needed if the dress code asks for it.
- Cardigan instead of jacket: Maximilian, a wool cardigan with tailored cut in beige, gives warmth and a polished look.
For more inspiration, take a look at Dinner & Dates for men.
Colours and materials
Navy, black and charcoal are calm choices for a business dinner. White and cream work as a light counterpart, especially in combination with dark trousers. Choose large prints or bright colours only if they suit the company culture and location. At a business dinner it is about what you say, not about what you wear.
Choose materials that stay neat even after hours of sitting. How quickly a fabric creases depends on material and construction. A cotton shirt stays crisp if you have ironed it well.
An example evening: what do you wear where?
Say the dinner starts at seven and you come straight from the office. Wear your daytime outfit, but make it more formal with one change. For her: put on a blouse with a collar and add a piece of jewellery. For him: replace a polo with a shirt and bring a jacket. This way you do not have to go home and still do not walk in wearing your work clothes.
Anyone who can change at home has more room. Then you choose an evening look in darker shades, with a softer fabric and a shoe with a little more shine. Take the weather into account: a business dinner in autumn calls for a coat that goes with your outfit and that you can leave in the cloakroom.
Accessories and shoes
- Choose shoes that are clean and well kept.
- A belt in the same colour family as the shoes keeps the outfit calm.
- Keep jewellery small: a watch and a fine necklace are enough.
- Choose a bag that suits the formality of the occasion.
If you are the host yourself
If you are organising the dinner yourself, you dress as polished as your guests, or slightly more formally. You are the face of the evening and your clothing sets the tone. Choose an outfit in which you can stand, walk and sit without thinking about it. Also choose fabrics that do not crease quickly, because you will be walking back and forth all evening. Make sure your shoes are comfortable: an evening of standing and walking around is long.
With an international company it is wise to first look at how formal the interaction is. In some cultures a tie or skirt suit is the norm, in others a calm blouse or polo works perfectly well. Ask beforehand if need be. It shows respect and prevents a mistake.
What you had better leave
- Necklines that are too deep or skirts that are too short, which distract attention from the conversation.
- Strong perfume, because at the table you sit close together.
- Creased or stained clothing, even if it is less visible.
- A fit that is too loose or too tight: clothing that fits well gives the most confidence.
Behaviour at the table is also a matter of clothing
Wear something you sit comfortably in. Trousers that pinch or a blouse that comes out of your trousers distracts you. Test your outfit beforehand by sitting for an hour. This way you know for sure that you will not have to tug or shift during the dinner.
Look at what is known in advance about the restaurant. A smart place asks for a jacket or cardigan, a brasserie leaves more room. If you are the host, you arrive early and dress slightly more formally than your guests. This sets the right example straight away.
Do you want to bring an extra layer? A cardigan or jacket over your chair is useful in a cold restaurant and gives you something to hold on to if someone takes a photo or if the staff turn the heating down. This keeps your outfit in balance all evening.
Shop the look
Rosamund: lavallière blouse, white
Arabelli: high-waist pleated trousers, black
Hamilton: shirt with Italian collar, white
Frederick: trousers with brushed inside, black
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Maximilian: wool cardigan, beige
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wear a jacket to a business dinner?
Not always. A cardigan or a polished knitted piece is often enough, unless the host names a formal dress code.
Which colours are the safest?
Navy, black, charcoal and white or cream. Avoid large prints and bright colours.
Is a tie necessary?
Usually not. A shirt or an open polo under a jacket is polished enough.
Can I return my order if it does not fit?
Yes. Check the current return conditions on the returns page.
