What to wear, what to wear...

[fuzzy]

What sort of dress would you wear to the following event?

My husband works in a small orthopedic group. We live in a rural area. They just hired a new doctor and the senior partner is having a recption at his house (which, I should mention is enormous, sit on top of a hill and overlooks a gorgeous lake) to welcome the doctor and his wife to the practice and the town.

Initially, my husband said it was to be a very informal event (he insists that he's wearing shorts), but as I learn more about the party/recption, I'm thinking he got his signals crossed some where along the way. It almost sounds like a mini-wedding recption to me!

The invitations are just like a wedding invite. There's going to be a sit down dinner with assigned seating and you had to select your entree (steak, chicken, or fish). It will be held in a tent. It will be catered. There will be an open bar. There will be a small band. The invites said the recption will be from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The hosts are great folks, but they are the type who would will wear a dress shirt and tie/dress and heels to a place like Applebees.

Any suggestions?

[lawyerlee]

I would check with any female partners or other wives to see what they are wearing, just to get more information about what others are expecting. But I think I'd either do the little black dress thing or a trendy blouse and skirt. Something pretty and dressy, but not over the top. I can't think of many times when I'd rather be underdressed than overdressed, and I think either of these options would let you melt into the vibe of a lot of different crowds.

Some ideas:

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/large/21913.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/large/20810.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/large/172266.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/large/9600.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/11621-SLT.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/large/9259.jpg

All of this stuff is from Nordstrom. I've seen some really pretty stuff on Blue Fly recently, too, that might fit the bill.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Lawyerlee, I lurrrve that fourth top you posted. Hmm... I might have to do a little shoppin' shoppin'...

[laura]

I like what LL posted. I would recommend wearing a dressier version of your normal attire. A dressier top and pants, a skirt/shirt, or a casual dress would do, I think. I wouldn't dress up AS much as for a wedding, but I wouldn't wear jeans either (or shorts ;)). Plus, the event being from 4-7 is automatically more casual than an evening event.

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/W1218l.jpg

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/W1312l.jpg

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/W929l.jpg

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/W1189l.jpg

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/W1123l.jpg

But I agree, I would try to speak to one of the other women invited to see what she's wearing, if at all possible.

[Amuse Bouche]

I'd wear a garden party dress (summery sundress, maybe with a cardigan), and your husband should wear khakis and a long sleeved button down shirt, with maybe a blazer, but no tie.

[fuzzy]

Thanks guys. The stuff you posted is kinda the direction I was going in, so I appreciate the validation.

your husband should wear khakis and a long sleeved button down shirt, with maybe a blazer, but no tie.

Hee. Hee. And that would also take an act of god. ;) ;) ;)

[lawyerlee]

Lawyerlee, I lurrrve that fourth top you posted. Hmm... I might have to do a little shoppin' shoppin'...
Cool! I'm trying to stick to a strict spending diet, so it helps if I can do some virtual shopping for other people. ;) :D

[Rose]

Cool! I'm trying to stick to a strict spending diet, so it helps if I can do some virtual shopping for other people.

Me too. The good thing is I never have anywhere to go so I get drool over these clothes and talk myself out of it since arts & crafts with my nephews isn't too fancy. But then I always get sucked into the shoes, cause in California you get to wear the cutest shoes with your jeans. :)