What to wear for an art gallery opening?

Mar 15, 2003
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Platonic date, that is. My wonderful neighbor/friend invited me to be her date to an art opening at the Czech Embassy. Sounds like a big deal deal so I'm thinking I should dress nice without over doing it. Suggestions? I have no chance with this girl but i think the world of her, so I want to look snazzy and appropriate.

Pic of her 1
Pic of her 2

Me

Update:
Went dressed in black slacks, my favorite blue shirt, and a black blazer. Didn't look or feel out of place. She wore a chinese style dresS. Was an interesting night, met some nice people and might go karaoking with some people I met there tomorrow - groovy.

Here are awful cell phone pictures:
Pic 1
Pic 2
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
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black suit, white shirt, no tie for casual. dark colored wuit w/tie for less casual.

you should find out if it's a black tie event though because then you'll need a tux.

EDIT: actually the safest bet is: black suit, white shirt, black tie because it could hopefully pass for a black tie event, it would be fine for a non-black tie but formal event, or you could remove the tie for a more casual look.
 

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
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Call the Czech Embassy and ask - or ask your date. You don't want to be that one moron that's dressed wrong.

 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: loup garou
This opening? Wear a suit. Too early to be black tie. You won't be overdressed because you'll get a lot of people direct from the office wearing suits.

I don't know the event, had a 2 minute phone conversation and she's not available until 5-ish, so I can't ask her directly. But that sounds right because she's a F.I.T. graduate.

Thanks for doing the research, had no idea it was going to be so hoity toidy.
 

Fike

Senior member
Oct 2, 2001
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I would say an actual suit is optional, but make sure to look comfortable and smartly dressed. Black is a good color. I would steer clear of anything too wrinkly, but remember that artists can be notoriously shabby dressers. My father has been in the art scene in Wash DC for decades, so I have been to a few of these things. Being comfortable in how you look is more important than matching some norm for dress. If you are trying to impress, make sure it looks like you put a little effort into your attire. Remember that some people can look like cr@p in a suit and that is no better than a stylish pair of jeans and a nice button-up shirt.
 

badmouse

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2003
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Wear black. Example: Black jeans, solid black T shirt, black jacket. Extra points if the black jacket is a vintage 50's suit jacket - subtle, but offbeat.

Suit is just fine. Have a good time.

 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: Don Rodriguez
OMG Freedomsbeat posting about a myspace girl!???

Did hell freeze over!!??

She's not a myspace girl, she' my neighbor/buddy. EVERYONE is on myspace so it's much easier to grab pictures from there vs. having to awkwardly ask my friends if I can take pictures of them.
 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: dopcombo
I was thinking stylish jeans and a nice dress shirt... but that's just me.

Oddly, that's what I was thinking too but now i'm thinking thta would be inappropriate.
 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: Fike
I would say an actual suit is optional, but make sure to look comfortable and smartly dressed. Black is a good color. I would steer clear of anything too wrinkly, but remember that artists can be notoriously shabby dressers. My father has been in the art scene in Wash DC for decades, so I have been to a few of these things. Being comfortable in how you look is more important than matching some norm for dress. If you are trying to impress, make sure it looks like you put a little effort into your attire. Remember that some people can look like cr@p in a suit and that is no better than a stylish pair of jeans and a nice button-up shirt.

I was thinking:
1. black suit jacket (with a mild cross stitch, barely noticable), black shirt (solid), black or gray pants.

2, same suit jacket, black pants, gray turtleneck

Would that work? I'm not sure if turtleneck and suit jacket would work.

I also have my favorite blue dress shirt but dont' have a tie that would work with it. Actually don't have a tie at all, luckily my dad lives a few minutes away..
 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: Chunkee
she is pretty tasty....close the deal after the outing...

post some pix...

jC

haha... not going to try to ever hook up with her. No, not because I'm gay or because I don't dig her. I think she's a great person too, but she's worth more as an entry to meeting more hot people. Not that I will or have used her - but, if I meet a nice girl through her the, well, I won't complain. ;) Long term goal there...

Tonight, i just want to meet some cool people, drink free alcohol, and look snazzy enough for her not to wonder why shy invited me along.