What do DH and I wear to a gala dinner??

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

We were invited to a formal auction for Lydia's school. It's at a swanky hotel downtown and it's actually called "The Formal Auction." So I figured I'd need to buy a nice dress and DH would need to wear a suit. But today I got a letter from the superintendent of the school, thanking us for accepting their invitation to the "gala dinner." Gala dinner?! Now I'm nervous!! Do I need a super fancy dress?? I had planned on going to Macy's to get some nice but not FANCY. And do I need to get my hair done? Like an up do? Should DH rent a tux? Gah!! Are we grown up enough for this??

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2014

LOL...I'm 40 and I still catch my self wondering if I'm "grown up" enough for stuff.

Do you know anyone else who's going? Could you casually ask what they plan to wear? Where do you live? (Not trying to be creepy by asking but locale sometimes lends a clue.)

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2014

Just looked back and saw that it's a school auction. What are the demographics? Lots of rich people, or more middle-class?

Lilly&Co · March 2014

If you have a classic black dress and are able to dress it up with a nice necklace or statement earrings. That would be appropriate.

Editing to add point: I would get my hair blown out. Does your town have Drybar? they do an amazing job for 40 bucks.

bhuffman · March 2014

Gala does make me think tux... I agree with Hizzo that you should ask others going what they are wearing.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

As a general rule, I think it is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. You could get a really simple floor length gown so you can blend in if everyone else is in cocktail attire. Something like this (imagine the model isn't standing at a weird angle):

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lauren-ralph-lauren-sequin-lace-sleeve-jersey-gown/3389311?origin=category

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

Unless it says "black tie", I would not go tux

H and I went to a "gala" charity dinner with cocktail hour and dancing. I wore a short navy cocktail dress and it was fine

Lilly&Co · March 2014

This to me is Gala Wear

.https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-embellished-mesh-mermaid-gown/3541015?origin=categorypersonalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=2099&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_6_D

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

That to me is black tie, not necessarily gala. Unless the invite says black tie

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

Sorry I posted and ran - bath night. Ok. Before being invited to the auction, I asked a bunch of the preschool parents if anyone was going. Not one person is. A few who have older kids at the school said not many parents attend, it's mostly people in the community who "have money" and want to support the school.

Yes, we live in WA, Lala. The event is at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma. It's a very nice hotel. DH and I stayed there the night of our wedding. And I went to a retirement dinner for a co-worker several years ago.

Roses, I want that dress!! But I feel too immature to pull it off!

bhuffman · March 2014

Is it an annual thing? Could you check your local paper website for last tear's coverage? We live in a small town and the school swanky fundraisers are covered in our little paper.

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

Was there an actual paper invitation? That would answer all questions

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

eaglesfan700 said:
Was there an actual paper invitation? That would answer all questions

No paper invitation. The school principal asked me a couple weeks ago if DH and are going. I told her no. She asked if DH and I would attend as her and her husband's guests. The tickets are $100 each. The letter we received today was from the school super intendantant, saying he was happy DH and I are attending "this gala dinner to benefit our school" and he looks forward to meeting us. I'm sure it was just a form letter every attendee received.

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

bhuffman said:
Is it an annual thing? Could you check your local paper website for last tear's coverage? We live in a small town and the school swanky fundraisers are covered in our little paper.

I Googled but found nothing. Yes, this is an annual event.

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

I would just ask the principal if it is black tie or just formal

rosesandpetals · March 2014

I would wear a floor length gown. Go to nordstrom and try it on! That's the best part of going to parties, the dress shopping

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

I was thinking about asking the principal but I was hoping you ladies could help me out

But I really like @eaglesfan700 's suggestion for how to ask - black tie or formal? I woulda been all "Does DH need to rent a tux? Do I need a super fancy dress??" WTF is wrong with me?!

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

Let us know what she says! Now I am curious!

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

There's no school for the preschoolers this week because of parent/teacher conferences. But I'm gonna call the principal tomorrow. I need to know so I can shop this weekend! It's on the 29th!

notkateanymore · March 2014

I would bet it's cocktail dresses and suits, UNLESS it says black tie. I really doubt a school auction would be black tie, but odder things have happened. Can you ask other parents that have gone before?

cactus5 · March 2014

All of the school auctions I have been to I have just worn cocktail attire and my husband has worn a suit. There are women in gowns though, but I can't remember any tuxedos. The invitations always have attire listed though, just call.

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

I ended up emailing the principal this morning. She says definitely not black tie but formal. Sooo that means suit and tie for DH and nice dress for me, right??

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