Dressing With Style for a Barbecue

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

How does one put herself together with style when going to a casual outdoor event like the barbecue?

The typical American BBQ is usually a busy, active, and messy outdoor event.

When getting ready, you should keep a few things in mind:

Dress Comfortably for ease and movement: You want to be relaxed and have freedom to move around.  A look with too many extras and constricting pieces may get in your way.  (We love knits and stretch for these types of casual events.)

Ralph Lauren

For the creative personality, think leggings with a flowing tunic dress; or for a sportier look, try leggings with a light sweater set.  A more traditional style can pair a sweater set with cotton twill crop pants.

Choose colors for the outdoors:

Remember the word messy when dressing for a BBQ.  You may get food on you, and possibly a little of the outdoors as well.  So white is probably not the best choice, but have fun with color!

A cool jean look is perfect for a BBQ.

For a dressier appearance, try an easy jersey dress with a pop of color.

A sleeveless blouse with a pretty detail matched with a colorful short is a simple feminine look.

Dress appropriately for the weather:

If it’s going to be hot, light fabrics are best, but you also want to guard against sun damage to your skin, so think about hats and possibly a covering to protect your arms and shoulders.  For day-to-evening BBQ parties, the temperature could drop, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers!

Mix and match a tunic with a cardigan and cool cargos.

Tie colors together with a fun hat.

A short-sleeve sweater set with Bermuda shorts is an elegant, put-together look.

A printed dress can be very cool in hot weather and make a dramatic statement.

Be thoughtful about your shoes and other accessories.  Don’t go with the easy option of athletic wear.  Your selections need to be easy, comfortable, and casual, but with something special— that’s what makes it chic.  Remember that your accessories can really make a simple outfit pop!

Try interesting ballet flats, or flat sandals.  Low to medium wedges are also a good choice.

Hats can be a very functional item at an outdoor BBQ, and what a terific way to ramp up your look and turn casual into casual-chic.

Scarves can get in the way at a BBQ, but fun and unusual belts add a nice touch to complete an informal outfit.

Jewelry should be simple:  one focus piece without a lot of ornaments to compete against it.  Again, this is a casual affair, so go for playful costume jewelry such as a pendant necklace or a beaded cuff bracelet.

What is the best outfit you’ve ever seen or worn yourself at a barbecue?  What made the outfit your favorite?

Social Functions
By Diane Parente, AICI CIP

Every professional attends a variety of social business functions during the year, whether an office party, conference dinner dance, or cocktail reception for important clients. What you wear to these events can be challenging. You want to look special, but also have an air of professionalism.

Your professional image always needs to reflect you and your company. The mistake many women make is to have two different personalities, conservative business and daring evening. You want to avoid garments that are too outrageous or alluring, staying instead with tasteful dinner dresses, dressier suits, and pantsuits. Many businesses continue to discuss business even during a social function.

Generally, after-five refers to business attire slightly altered for evening by adding higher heeled shoes, drop earrings and freshening your makeup and hair. Occasionally you may prefer to wear dressier clothing, substituting a colorful dressier top and a distinct belt and shoes. Dinner dresses, suits or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for most formal occasions that are labeled black tie. One suggestion is a basic black dinner dress in wool crepe with a modest scoop neckline worn with a slightly fitted jacket and expensive looking jewelry. You can substitute any darker color for black. Hemlines can be longer for more formal occasions. If in doubt as to what is appropriate, contact the hostess to ask what she will be wearing and take your cue from her.