Q. Hi Jordan!
Just wondering if you could possibly do a post on outfits to wear for press trips – I find dinners are always hard because you don’t want to fancy it up too much but not sure if jeans and heels/boots is appropriate. And with the weather being not spring and not quite winter anymore, it’s incredibly hard to come up with any ideas!!
– Amanda (Natural Mommie)
A. Hey Amanda!
I’d be happy to, of course! While you asked specifically about press trips [FYI, Amanda and I met on a press trip in Mexico last summer], this advice really works for any casual business trip dinner. First, a lot depends on your field, of course – those in anything even resembling a creative field can go far more casual than those in a more conservative field. Basic rules apply – e.g. don’t wear anything that the principal would have sent you home for wearing in high school – but other than that, I think the nice thing about business trips is that they give you a chance to showcase your personality and get to know your colleagues in a different light.
For a casual dinner (no clients), I’d go for jeans (respectably unripped/tailored ones are totally fine unless, as I said before, you’re in a very conservative field) with a beautiful, feminine blouse, mid-height heels, wedges, or pretty flats, and some interesting accessories (Ann Taylor and Anthropologie are making gorgeous jewelry right now).
My idea of a perfect casual business trip dinner outfit:
1. Anthropologie Paint-Box Blouse ($49.95)
2. Anthropologie Finely Braided Belt ($28)
3. Aldo Stenn Wedges ($49.98 on clearance)
4. Anthropologie After The Rain Earrings ($32)
5. Hudson Milman Flare Jeans ($198; can be found for way less with a little hunting)
6. French Connection Rope & Chain Bracelet ($32.27)
Have fun on your trip!
-J
