Fashion Goddess Rules - Appropriate Evening Dresses For Corporate Events

Some of the most common questions I get all seem to fall into one category: "What are the guidelines regarding appropriate evening dresses for corporate events?" Fashion Goddess Rule #47 is: Corporate event gowns shall be neither too risqu矇 nor too cabaret.

Too Risqu矇 - Front

You have a great bosom and you don't see a problem with showing it off. That's fair. But when you're attending a corporate event, you want positive feedback, not people gawking at your rack.

It is possible to give the suggestion of voluptuousness without full disclosure. If you're a fan of evening dresses, is an excellent example. It's a Grecian style gown with a low-cut neckline. Not too low but just low enough to intrigue.

Too Risqu矇 - Back

You could be mistaken for Jennifer Lopez from behind. I'm jealous! But when you're attending a corporate event, you want to stimulate with your mind, not your behind. It's okay to wear a form-fitting gown as long as the outline of your physique is left up to the imagination.

If you own any, or have your eye on any designer evening dresses, you're in luck. This dress has a way of fashioning a loose fitting gown out of clingy material. So as you walk, there is a hint of a curve here and a hint of a curve there.

Too Risqu矇 - Bottom

You have spectacular legs, why cover them up? Okay. But when you're attending a corporate event you want to network with your eyes not your thighs.

If you can bend over to retrieve a dropped business card without showing all of your business, you're golden. If you can cross your legs without your co-worker's eyes crossing from shock, AOK.

A lot of evening gowns manage to marry mini lengths with maximum sophistication. Case in point, this falls about six inches above the knee in a smart ensemble of black stain ribbons.

Too Cabaret - Best Color Choices

By too cabaret, I mean too dramatic, theatrical, showy, etc. This rules out flamboyant colors like red, yellow, orange, and also loud prints and patterns. Stick to neutral colors like mauve, beige and ivory. And black is always safe.

One exception, if you work in an arts-oriented industry, you can get away with an artistic print. For example, if you are a curator at a museum or are an art gallery owner, you may like these amazing evening dresses. Specifically, it reminds me of an abstract Picasso painting.

Too Cabaret - The Right Embellishments

I am often asked how to go about buying an evening dress online when you can barely see the details. You must utilize the zoom function on the product pages. This is especially important when shopping for corporate events. Zoom in and weed out anything with overtly flashy details.

If you're looking at designer evening dresses, the slip dress will be ideal. If you're browsing couture evening dresses, some have a teaspoon of sparkle.

Too Cabaret - How Much Skin?

I am a fan of splits in dresses. And a well thought out see-through panel can be quite captivating. But these are not appropriate for corporate events.

No exceptions. No back or side splits and no heart-shaped cut-out over your belly - not if you want to keep your job and/or be respected. Both designer evening dresses and couture evening dresses focus on feminine lines without actually revealing them.