Departmental Holiday Party Dress Code

We have been invited to our first NSG department Holiday party at an attending's house this Saturday. My husband is actually on-call so I'm not sure we will be there for long but I have to admit I am not sure what the dress code is. I have already asked him to ask other female residents and/or nurses but I was wondering if the veterans had any suggestions. Are these things cocktail dress? Ballgowns? Cute jeans? I am hoping to have an excuse to go buy something new! Thanks!

[Michele]

The house parties I've attended have been more of the black pants or cute dress type. The on-call docs always come in scrubs....I think bc they are lazy!

[peggyfromwastate]

Meh, we have one of these coming up in 2 weeks. We've never gone because DH has been on call and I haven't wanted to go by myself (just not motivated to do that), but since the invite includes kids (I'm not bringing mine-- not to the attendings party- to the residents only, yes, but only bc there aren't attendings there!), I don't think it needs to be too dressed up. I even think cute Jeans are OK, but I'll probably wear black pants... Or maybe a long skirt, but it's COLD outside... No cute dress for me! LOL

[MDPhDWife]

I don't have any experience this since DH isn't in residency yet, but I would venture to say since UNM has such a laid back atmosphere you'll definitely want to avoid the ballgown. I'd shoot for a nice skirt and sweater.

[oceanchild]

You've got to find out from someone's who's been before. My husband's holiday party last year had lots of ladies in cocktail dresses or fancier. Meanwhile, I showed up for my work party (at an elected official's house) and was totally overdressed in a sparkly sweater and slacks.

[madeintaiwan]

DH's program dinner is at a Country Club. There is always varying dress there. The attendings and residents usually all wear suits or sport jackets. Even the ones that are on call. My DH is on call this year and he'll go dressed and then just change into scrubs at the hospital if he gets called in. The attendings/resident spouses wear cocktail dresses. I have seen some of the attending wives wear gowns. A lot of the office staff come a bit casual. I'm strongly considering wearing dress pants this year. The dinner is on Saturday so I need to figure something out. I'm tired of freezing my butt off and want to be comfortable. We currently have 7 spouses who are pregnant, so I figure that no one is going to be paying attention to what I am wearing.

[ides]

I'm thinking of rocking some jeans and a tshirt. Ha ha ha. No, maybe

My husband will dress up no matter if he is on-call or not. It's the Southerner in him. In fact he's the one who first suggested I wear a dress I recently wore in a very formal wedding. I can't imagine it is ballgown formal, I was thinking more along the lines of a nice cocktail dress but I don't have one that is sufficient for winter weather, mine are all sleeveless. If it was just residents I would wear jeans and a sweater but it's at an attendings' house and I really don't want to be worried about being dressed inappropriately in addition to worrying about sticking my foot in my mouth like I am apt to do. I will see if he got any suggestions at work. Looks like I might have to go shopping before Saturday!

My husband will dress up no matter if he is on-call or not. It's the Southerner in him. In fact he's the one who first suggested I wear a dress I recently wore in a very formal wedding. I can't imagine it is ballgown formal, I was thinking more along the lines of a nice cocktail dress but I don't have one that is sufficient for winter weather, mine are all sleeveless. If it was just residents I would wear jeans and a sweater but it's at an attendings' house and I really don't want to be worried about being dressed inappropriately in addition to worrying about sticking my foot in my mouth like I am apt to do. I will see if he got any suggestions at work. Looks like I might have to go shopping before Saturday!

I do love a Southerner's sense of formality! Do you care if it makes you stick out like a sore thumb? We're not in residency yet, but went to a few departmental parties back when my husband was working in a lab before med school, and we were chronically overdressed. We tried to follow the rules for attire based on time of event, location, etc., but apparently they didn't apply. Our first holiday party was at a country club on a Friday after 6. I wore a black lace cocktail dress. All the other ladies were in pants and cardigans or church attire. Oh I was mortified. I hate that people don't do dress up right anymore. I hope you get some guidance from experienced party goers!

[OrionGrad]

DH's holiday party is at a country club next week and I was planning on wearing a form-fitting sweater dress with a black blazer, black tights, and heels. I'm hoping it'll be a happy medium somewhere between cocktail attire and jeans, since I have no idea what anyone else will be wearing.

[SuzySunshine]

You have to find someone to ask there really is no way to know. Here the holiday party is at the country club and we all dress up but events at the staff's homes are much more casual...

[GreyhoundsRUs]

This is where being in a long residency is helpful Lots of other people who have been to the holiday party multiple times! I agree - you need to ask someone!

[GrayMatterWife]

Wear a chic, conservative, black (or other dark color) cocktail dress (think a sheath dress from Ann Taylor or something like that) with subtle but distinctive complementary jewelry, fashionable but not showy heels, and flawless makeup (you know, when it's done to make you look "natural"). Do not wear anything that will make you look outwardly sexy (but also do not look frumpy) and do not wear anything more expensive than any of the attendings' wives will wear.

And bring something appropriate as a hostess gift--a lovely bouquet, wine, something that like.

Good luck. I've got mine on Saturday.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

And bring something appropriate as a hostess gift--a lovely bouquet, wine, something that like.

Crap! Just got an invite to a "pre-party" at the res. directors house...

They had a party at the beginning of the year for all the 1's and 2's - but DH went himself, and I know he didn't bring anything...the pressure is on

[Thirteen]

Wear a chic, conservative, black (or other dark color) cocktail dress (think a sheath dress from Ann Taylor or something like that) with subtle but distinctive complementary jewelry, fashionable but not showy heels, and flawless makeup (you know, when it's done to make you look "natural"). Do not wear anything that will make you look outwardly sexy (but also do not look frumpy) and do not wear anything more expensive than any of the attendings' wives will wear.

And bring something appropriate as a hostess gift--a lovely bouquet, wine, something that like.

Good luck. I've got mine on Saturday.

This is actually VERY sage advice! Classic and beautiful, but not overly done. The attending wives always wear like really, really nice floor-length gowns. And big jewelry. Expensive, big jewelry. The residents (if not in scrubs!) are usually business slacks and shirt/tie. I have worn a black simple cocktail dress with pashmina and flats (2nd yr) and a dark navy cashmere sweater with black pencil skirt and small-heeled black pumps (1st yr). Make-up is always evening, but still natural-looking. I have a few nicer pieces of jewelry, but I usually just choose one (so to fly under the radar) as a focal point. (e.g. a single pearl droplet necklace, small diamond studs, etc).
Good luck!