What to wear to a client dinner
Dress polished but not stiff: a blazer or jacket, a dress or good trousers, quiet colours and closed shoes. You want the client to remember the conversation, not the outfit.
Three outfits that work
Navy dress, grey blazer, block heels
- navy knee-length dress
- grey blazer
- black low block heels
- brown leather handbag
A knee-length dress with a blazer looks businesslike and works from the office to the table.
Navy blazer, open-collar shirt, wool trousers
- navy blazer
- white open-collar shirt
- grey wool trousers
- brown leather shoes
A navy blazer with an open collar is smart without a tie, and the trousers hold their line through a long meal.
Burgundy midi dress, longline jacket
- burgundy long-sleeved midi dress
- charcoal longline jacket
- ivory hijab
- black flats
A long-sleeved midi dress with a longline jacket is dressy, covered and comfortable in a chair for hours.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | Light fabrics and short sleeves under the jacket; take the jacket off when the table does. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | The outfit as planned, with a light coat for the walk to the restaurant. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A wool coat, closed leather shoes with grip and a scarf you can leave at the cloakroom. |
Do and don’t
- Choose the restaurant first and match its mood
- Keep colours calm: navy, grey, burgundy
- Wear clothes that do not mark easily
- Keep jewellery and scent light
- Wear anything you have to adjust at the table
- Pick a strong print that draws focus
- Wear trainers unless you know the venue is casual
- Leave your phone loud
Check the night before
- Check the restaurant, its dress code and the time
- Press your shirt or dress
- Check for stains on the jacket
- Polish shoes
- Bring a spare top or tie in case of spills
Questions people ask
Do I wear a suit to a client dinner?
Not necessarily. A blazer with trousers or a dress is enough; a full suit is for formal restaurants or conservative sectors.
Is a tie necessary at a client dinner?
Seldom. Bring one in your pocket if the sector is conservative, and put it on if the client wears one.
What if the restaurant is casual?
Keep the blazer but swap the shoes for clean leather trainers or loafers. You can always dress down by taking the jacket off.
What colours are safest?
Navy, charcoal, grey and deep burgundy. They look calm in candlelight and in an office lobby alike.
Pick Client dinner in FeinLens and see what you already own
FeinLens builds complete outfits for this occasion from photos of your own clothes, dressed for the forecast where you’ll be.
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