If you have been invited to your manager's home, look above all at the type of evening and the company culture. A blouse, knit, polo or shirt with trousers or jeans can all work. When in doubt, ask about the dress code and choose clothing in which you can sit and walk comfortably and, if needed, take your shoes off.
A special invitation
An invitation to dinner at your manager's home is a sign of trust and appreciation. It can be a meal for the whole team, drinks in the garden or a dinner for a few people with partners. However relaxed the atmosphere is, you are in a sense still at work: your colleagues and your manager see you in a different setting, and you want to keep that impression positive. Clothing helps with that. Too formal feels distant in someone's living room, too casual can come across as disrespectful.
What the setting tells you
| Type of invitation | Dress code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Team barbecue in the garden | Casual but polished | Polo or knit top, chinos or jeans, smart sneakers |
| Dinner for a small group | Smart casual | Blouse or shirt, trousers, loafers |
| Dinner with partners | Smart casual, slightly more festive | Satin-look blouse, flared trousers, lovely shoes |
| Drinks after a milestone | Work outfit, slightly looser | Your office outfit without tie or blazer |
If you are unsure, feel free to ask a colleague what the custom is, or your manager themselves. A question like "Should we dress smartly or is it relaxed?" is rarely thought strange.
For Women
The white regular-fit Cordelia blouse can go with the black Daphni. For Daphni, the product description and fit data currently do not use the same fit term everywhere, so check the current product page for the exact cut.
For a more informal evening, the burgundy Lenora, a slim-fit fine-knit T-shirt, can be combined with white, black or other trousers.
For Men
For Men, the brown Montgomery works with the taupe grey Ulysses. Montgomery is slim-fit and comes with the size advice to go one size up from your usual; Ulysses is currently slim-straight.
Leave the tie and blazer at home, unless your manager explicitly indicates it is a formal dinner. A shirt with an open collar or a good polo is more than enough in someone's home.
Practical points
- Shoes off: in many Dutch homes that is not customary, but it does happen. So make sure you have smart, clean socks without holes.
- Sitting on the sofa or at the table: choose trousers or a skirt in which you sit comfortably, even on a low sofa.
- Garden or terrace: take grass and gravel into account; stiletto heels sink in.
- Children or pets: possibly choose clothing you do not mind if a stain lands on it.
- Perfume: keep it subtle. In a living room and at the table, a strong scent is quickly too much.
The gift for the host
Never come empty-handed. A bottle of wine, a lovely bunch of flowers or something nice to go with the coffee are classic choices. If you come as a team, a joint gift is often the nicest. Preferably give flowers with a vase or in a bouquet that needs no care, so the host does not have to look for a vase in the middle of the bustle.
What you had better leave
A few things go down less well in this setting. Avoid sportswear or a hoodie, even if it is a barbecue. An outfit that is too revealing or too flashy for a party also usually fits less well, as does clothing with large logos or slogans. The other extreme, a full suit with a tie, quickly looks stiff in a living room. The aim is for you to look polished and relaxed, so that the conversation is about you and not about what you are wearing.
The conversation and the rest of the evening
A dinner at your manager's home is often also a moment to get to know each other better. You want to be able to concentrate on the conversation, not on trousers that pinch or a blouse that keeps shifting. So choose pieces you have worn before and know are comfortable. A new garment you had better try out on an ordinary day first. And think of the way home: for an evening in May, bring a light cardigan or jacket for when it cools down outside.
You will find more inspiration in our collections Dinner & Dates for Women, Dinner & Dates for Men and blouses for Women. You can read more about the soft drape of the Montgomery on our page about modal.
Shop the look
Cordelia: blouse with V-neck, white
Daphni: trousers with pleats and flared leg, black
Lenora: fine-knit T-shirt with tweed look, burgundy
Montgomery: softly draping modal polo, brown
Ulysses: slim-fit herringbone trousers, taupe grey
Frequently asked questions
How smartly should I dress at my boss's home?
Match your outfit to the type of invitation and the company culture. Smart casual is often usable, but not required.
Can I wear jeans?
Yes. Jeans can also work perfectly well at a dinner at home if it suits the atmosphere and company culture.
What do I bring as a gift?
A gift is optional. Think of flowers, something nice to eat or a joint gift if that is customary within the team.
What if I bring my partner?
Match your outfits a little in style and formality, so that one does not look much smarter than the other. Colours do not have to match; a similar level of polish is enough.
