Tell me how I keep getting this wrong...

[Sheherezade]

Obviously, I've already made the fashion blunder. You can't save me. Still, I don't know if I'm just totally off base or if I've stumpled on a cultural difference.

What would you wear to the following event?

School Dad's Club fundraiser. Once a year event. Well attended (around 100-200 people). Saturday night 7 PM - 12:30 AM at a country club. Cocktails, dinner, dancing and silent auction. Theme every year is "Paint the Town Red" and it happens near Valentine's Day. Tickets sold to couples and mostly attended by couples (v. few go stag) ; $150/couple.

No fair second guessing since you know I got it wrong. :>

Did you wear capri pants?

[madeintaiwan]

150$ a couple, paint the town red, country club.. I would say it was on the fancier end. Shirt and ties and dresses. But my ILs just had their centennial dinner for their city and it was 100$ a couple and most people were dressed up, but the orthopod (and his wife) that we know (Dh grew up with his son) showed up in worn/rattty jeans and a blazer. It's so typical him. They are so laid back. I wouldn't worry about it. So.. what did you wear?

[Vishenka69]

I think I remember someone asking about what to wear to a red themed semi-formal event. On one hand it's a country club, on the other it's deep suburbs. I'd wear a dress but it keep on a simpler side.

Did you totally overdress? Or horribly underdress?

Okay, now I'm curious about the answer.

I have the gray suit that Lily's hubby would wear and a red tie I would've worn. DW probably would've worn a black dress.

Okay, I'm going out on a limb here with a prediction. Did other folks come in black tie garb (only a few replaced black with red bowties)?

And if this was the case, did they mention anywhere in the invite that it was black tie?

My guess is that everyone knew it was from previous years but that no one receiving the invite would be able to decipher that given the verbiage set forth.

ETA: My hunch about the black tie goes along with the info. about the silent auction as part of the evening.

[Michele]

I'd wear a red cockatil dress....b/c I love any excuse to dress up and wear red!

[DCJenn]

I'd go to the vintage store and get something completely over the top. Like the silver lame and red flowered (long) skirt I got for the Holiday party one year. Wore it w/ a bright red mens button down from the 70's and it was AWESOME. But, you kind of have to seriously like being looked at askance from the minions.

I always shop at the vintage stores for those occasions. You never have to worry about someone showing up in the same dress at the very least!

(my goal is to lose enough weight to fit into my black dress with the mink collar from college)

Jenn

I know, I know! I couldn't take the suspense while the site was down and asked Angie.

Nellie,

Is my guess about what went down -- warm or ice-cold?

[Vishenka69]

How long are you planning on keeping us in suspense? :waiting:

I haven't seen any posts from Angie since we've been back up. I'll let her tell you. I think someone came close.

She didn't wear capris. (I was just kidding).

Hmmmn.... the suspense is building....

The males in attendance didn't happen to be dressed like Herb Tarlek did they? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:F...er_on_WKRP.jpg

Or was it black tie like I thought?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:G...%281979%29.jpg

Or a laid back crowd, kind of "burnt" if you will:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Howard_Hesseman.jpg

Or absolutely staid and bookish (it was to raise funds for the school)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Richard_Sanders.jpg

[Sheherezade]

You guys crack me up.

It was a twin set and skirt thing with the men in sweaters and sports coats. I was expecting a more cocktail party atmosphere, but it felt like an after work event. On Saturday...in a community with toms of SAHPs. I'm still trying to figure it out.

I was in my black cocktail dress and red wrap . Couldn't find my capris. ;> I didn't stick out like a sore thumb, but I felt it. Everyone else was in twin sets, black pantsuits, and the rare dressy sweater dress/boots combo. This is the third Saturday evening event in Cleveland that I've over-shot. I'm starting to think the dress code is just different here - or with my crowd at least.

I think my black suit is going to be my new go-to....with a cami or silky shirt. At least with the after-work look, you always fit in.

Needing some distraction, Kevin?

Given the choice, I would rather overdress but it can still feel awkward. I like your black suit idea.