The older I get, the more I value dinner parties with friends and family. They’re a fun way to go out, but I think you can connect better with people when you’re seated for dinner. It’s less mingling with small talk, and more actual conversation! Dinner parties can also be the perfect opportunity to dress up! Sometimes, I find myself wondering what to wear, so I thought a guide of sorts might be helpful. We’ll cover what to wear to all different dinner parties, whether you’re going with close friends, to a wedding dinner party, or to a dinner party for work.
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I love this dress for a summer, spring, or early fall dinner party. You can dress it up or down in so many ways! It also comes in denim.
What to Wear to A Dinner Party
What to Wear to A Casual Dinner Party
Okay, I know I said dinner parties are a fun occasion to dress up, but there are plenty of times you just need something cute and casual. So, let’s start there!
Blazer and Pants Outfit
If you aren’t sure what to wear to a casual dinner party, jeans and a blazer will never fail you. But, I also love the flowy, satin pants that are everywhere right now. They’re a step above jeans but you won’t be overdressed. I bought this pair and love them! You can see a few ways I’ve styled them here.
What to Wear to A Work Dinner Party
When it comes to a work dinner party, the dress code matters. I’ve found that most of these are similar to an office dress code unless you’re attending a special event.
Gorgeous Dress That Goes With Any Shoes
This dress is a showstopper without being overly bright or using tons of patterns. It’s just perfect! I love this option for a work dinner, but it’s also one of those dresses you can wear again to a dinner party with girlfriends by styling it in a totally different way. For work, you can even add a layer. When you head to dinner with friends, wear it as is with fabulous jewelry and heels – or boots!
Tailored Skirt With Work Appropriate Leather Jacket
This outfit is just so chic! The leather jacket is a statement piece, and the skirt has a classic print with a subtle ruffle hem. Still, this outfit isn’t overwhelming. It’s just a classic! If you want to take off your leather jacket at the dinner party, I would also wear the cardigan that goes with the shell. They’re not bulky, so they’re easy pieces to layer!
Cardigan Set With Comfortable, Chic Pants
Aritiza makes the best work pants in crepe, and they come in tons of colors. These pants, and crepe in general, are comfortable, and they don’t wrinkle all that easily in my experience. I love all of these pieces because you can wear them as separates too. This cardigan and shell are cotton, so you can wear them all year with a skirt or jeans. And, the pants also have a matching blazer. Click here to shop this look. You could also wear heels or sandals to step up your outfit!
Casual Business Dinner Outfit With Jeans
If you’re heading to a more casual business dinner where you want to wear jeans, clean cut, dark denim is perfect. I just picked up this pair from FRAME, and they’re perfect for a dinner party outfit to be with your colleagues. They more closely resemble trousers, and you definitely want to avoid any type of distressed denim for work looks. I also own these jeans in two different washes that are more casual, but the fit is perfection, which is why I included them here! Click here to shop this look.
What to Wear to A Business Dinner Party For Your Significant Other’s Work
Okay, this is slightly different than what you might wear to your own work dinner party in that you are heading to a business dinner party hosted by your significant other’s place of work. The dress code can feel more difficult because you may not know anyone to chat about your outfit with, and you don’t see this group of people every day to know what people typically wear! Enter – reliable outfits!
Tailored Vest With Flowy Pants
You can always wear a dress, but I love the look of pants with a tailored vest top, whether it’s a long sleeve option or a sleeveless one. This is a very on-trend look that is still classic. I’m using this photo below so you can see how this type of outfit looks in general. I’m wearing linen pants, which are one option, but if you’re out of linen season or just feel like you need something dressier, satin or silk pants are perfect! You can shop my outfit below by clicking here.
I own and love these brown silk pants pants and these woven leather boots, and I love wearing them together. You can see them on me here. I also love wearing the brown pants with these classic brown loafers.
I also own and love these flowy pants. They have a small elastic waistband, which is perfect for comfort. Plus, no one will ever know your pants have an elastic waist since the waist is subtle.
Chic Suit With Flowy Pants And matching Blazer
These pants, which I’ve seen in store, are actually perfect for work and most work events where it’s a professional dress code. There’s a matching blazer, and the tops that you can style with these pants are pretty endless. I styled the pants with a white cashmere t-shirt under the blazer, but you could also do this fun blouse, for example. You can dress them up with heels or boots, or wear them with flats.
Suiting Dress
A suit dress is perfect if you don’t love separates! Plus, they’re always appropriate and there are a lot of super chic options. When I worked in an office every day, I always had a few suit dresses in my work wardrobe that I relied on a lot. You can wear these dresses with any shoes. You can also layer a suit dress, whether you choose a button up underneath or a cardigan to wear over the dress.
What to Wear to A Christmas Dinner Party
For the tartan lovers
If you like to feel festive at a Christmas dinner party, who could blame you! I love that. I find myself squarely in the neutral category, but there is something about Christmas and the holidays in general that makes me enjoy festive clothes! This tartan dress also comes in red tartan!
What to Wear to A Birthday Dinner Party
Midi Dress Perfect For A Birthday Dinner
If you’re a birthday dinner guest, this dress is super cute without being over the top. I love how it’s also perfect to wear throughout different seasons, and it’s especially perfect for transitional weather. The color means you can wear it with boots, sandals, or flats too. I styled it with a pair of slingbacks from Sezane that I’ve been eyeing for years!
What To Wear To A Cocktail Dinner Party
Subtle Print Mini Dress And Subtle Print Ankle Length Dress
The pattern on this dress and the colors are perfect for cocktail dinner party events. They’re gorgeous, and they feel appropriate for dinner hour. I love them both, and particularly love the little cap sleeve on the mini!
What To Wear To A Country Club Dinner Party
It’s always important to check the dress code before going to a dinner at a country club. Sometimes jeans are allowed, but sometimes they aren’t!
Casual Dress Outfit For A Country Club Dinner Party
If you’re heading to a country club for a simple dinner party with friends when it’s warm out, I typically just wear a dress of any kind. If you like the style of Hill House dresses, I love this maxi option because it’s a little more elevated and chic than the classic midi. If a nap dress isn’t your vibe, a mini dress is also appropriate! I’ve worn both to country club dinners.
Fun Pants Set For A Country Club Dinner Party
If you’re heading to a dinner in the colder months, flowy pants are the perfect option. They’re a step above jeans, but they’re still comfortable. I love this matching set!
What To Wear To A House Dinner Party
Denim Dress With Western Accessories Or French Chic
Is there anything more classic and on-trend than a denim dress? I’m obsessed with this one! It’s the perfect midi length, and it doesn’t look like too much fabric. Plus, it’s the perfect cut to wear with a belt. You can style this in so many ways – think of how versatile your jeans are! You can wear it with a belt, you can wear a blouse or turtleneck under it, style it with boots, kitten heels, or slingbacks. The options are endless! These are some of my favorite outfits in this post!
Matching Set For A Pajamas Dinner Party
A matching set for a pajamas dinner party actually sounds like my favorite type of dinner party. I just got this set in from Alex Mill, and I’m obsessed with it. I’m wearing my normal size medium pants, and a size small cardigan. The cardigan is ever so slightly cropped, so just a style note in case that a cropped cut is not for you. I’ve been wearing it around the house so far as I’m currently sick (ugh!). But, I’ve worn it with just the cardigan as well as a black tank top or t-shirt that easily tucks into the pants.
What To Wear To A Wedding Dinner Party
Wedding Dinner Party Dress
You could wear the same outfit ideas above for a cocktail dinner party for most weddings, but here are a few other dresses I love that work for a wedding dinner party.
What To Wear To A Fancy Dinner Party When It’s Cold
If your invitation is a little vague and you just know it’s a fancy dinner party, a dress or silk pants will never fail you! This velvet dress is perfect because it works for formal dinner party or cocktail dinner party dress codes. You can’t go wrong.
Fancy Dinner Party Dress
This black velvet dress will be a winter staple in your closet for any holiday parties or a fancy dinner party during the colder months. You can style this in so many ways, whether you want to wear it with boots or heels. If you’re heading to a black tie event, I’d go with the mules! You can also wear tights with this if you want to add an extra layer of warmth or feel it’s appropriate.
Did you find any outfit ideas to wear to a dinner party? Let me know what you think! XO!
