What to Wear to a Charity Function

Kenneth Cole Video Style Guide – What to Wear to a Charity Function

Big time charity parties are almost always a terrific time.  Everyone is dressed to the nines, and most non-profits know how to throw a hell of a party.  Plus the cause, whatever it may be, gives you a guilt free way to spend a little more than normal.  These types of shindigs are the focus of the latest Kenneth Cole What to Wear video style guide.  What they got right and what they got wrong (again) after the video:

What they got RIGHT:

The Suit – Kenneth Cole New York 2-Button “Stone” Suit – $350.00

Kenneth Cole knows how to make an updated suit.

Kenneth Cole knows how to make an affordable suit.  The lapels are slim but not skinny, the pants are always flat front, and the two button jackets come with just enough of a contour that some might be able to wear them off the rack.  If you’re a bit athletic, get the sides taken in and people will ask where you got it.

The Watch – Kenneth Cole Slim Watch – $125.00 | Skagen Black Leather Watch – $59.00

The time piece is a good pick.  Light suit, white watch dial.  Black leather band and silver accents gives it a serious business look, but the suit you’re wearing is fun enough.  The only issue with the watch is the price.  You can get a good quality Skagen, that has a less trendy silhouette, for half that.  I’d take the Skagen any day.

What they got WRONG:

The Shirt – NO: Casual Red Shirt – $59.50 | YES: M. Kors Blue Substantial Collar – $34.99

I don’t have a problem with adding some color to the outfit. My point is that if you’re wearing a suit, you need to wear a shirt that’s formal enough to have collar stays.  This one doesn’t.  About an hour after you arrive to the charity event, your collar will have pancaked out underneath your jacket, and you’ll start to get swallowed up by the suit.  So a real dress shirt, but make sure to skip the super-spread collars.  You want the points of your collar to stay within the lines of your suit lapels.  Michael Kors makes great, affordable, substantial collar shirts.  Get it tailored up and you’ll be bulletproof.  And would it kill you to wear a tie?  If you want to keep it relaxed, stick with an appropriate summer knit.

The Shoes – NO:  Tele-Vision Sneakers – $88.00 | YES: Calvin Klein Rink – $91.90

Waite a minute… the Kenneth Cole style guide suggests dressed up Vans to an important event?  That sure sounds awfully familiar.  Sneakers with suits is a dying fad, and if you’re going to take part at least make your footwear a classic pair of American sneakers.  Not a skate inspired shoe.  You do want to be taken seriously right?  Sneakers just can’t make that happen.  Wear a low profile loafer like the Calvin Klein Rink and you’ll get treated much differently.  Modern in the toe with a retro penny loafer strap.  Wear them without socks for full summer effect.

A smart man once said of dressing for a charity event:  “You’re attending to help raise funds and awareness, not strange looks.  Your outfit should be respectful and respected at the same time.”

Y’know who said that?  Kenneth Cole.  It’s on the front page of their charity function style guide.  Sneakers with a suit will get you plenty of strange looks.  The quote is good advice, just make sure you take it.

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