what to wear?

alli2672

DH's department is having a winter party (it is the holiday party, but it's much cheaper to have it in January) tomorrow night in a sign museum.  We got a formal invitation, and it starts at 7:00pm. 

I was thinking this was a formal party, and I was going to wear a long dress, but I looked at the invitation again, and the dress is listed as "business." 

Anyone know what this means? 

 

nsees

I would equate business with semi-formal.  In the business world, it means suits (but not tuxes so a step below formal...in my reasoning.) Instead of a long dress, I might go cocktail.  Do you know any of the other women that will be attending that you could consult?

littlemermaid

"Business" dress to me means, dress pants and a blouse, or a pant suit, or a skirt with a blouse.

Rebekah1021

I would wear my standard black dress with pearls.

Notwifezilla7

Rebekah1021:

I would wear my standard black dress with pearls.

This! Can't go wrong w/ a LBN!

alli2672

Thanks so much.  I don't know any other women who will be going, or at least not well enough that it wouldn't be weird if I called. 

DH will wear his suit.  I don't really have a standard black dress.  I do have sort of a shift that I wear under suit jackets.  Maybe I can dress that up with some accessories and heels.  

axr8111

I'd probably wear a cocktail type dress. 

Whenever my old company said this, it meant men in suits and ties (rather than just slacks and a nice shirt) and women in either a full business suit...or cocktail dress. Women in my company usually opted for the simple black dress or other conservative cocktail dress. I think companies put business rather than semi formal so that it implies a bit more conservative dress so you might not want to wear a tight short red dress with a ton of cleavage.