Closing dinner dress code? Forum

[Anonymous User]

What’s standard attire/dress for men at a closing dinner? FWIW, dinner is at a nice restaurant in a Vegas/Miami type of city.

Blazer and slacks? Full suit, no tie? Blazer and slacks with tie?

[dyemond]

Depends in part on the client--VC, PE, strategics, pubcos will be different. If you've got a decent relationship with the partner on the deal, and the partner is male, no harm in casually asking what they think -- something like "you going with a suit or do you think we can get away with a blazer and slacks?"

Normally I'd say nothing wrong with a full suit with your tie in a breast pocket, but being in Vegas/Miami definitely adds a different vibe.

[Grazzhoppa]

Blazer and slacks, no tie seems right to me.

[Anonymous User]

Depends in part on the client--VC, PE, strategics, pubcos will be different. If you've got a decent relationship with the partner on the deal, and the partner is male, no harm in casually asking what they think -- something like "you going with a suit or do you think we can get away with a blazer and slacks?"

Normally I'd say nothing wrong with a full suit with your tie in a breast pocket, but being in Vegas/Miami definitely adds a different vibe.

Agree with all of this. Generally, the tie in the pocket is a must/minimum. Whether that's a client meeting, a site visit, or a client dinner--you want to be as relaxed (as possible) and will likely have enough to worry about without spending the entire dinner kicking yourself for being the only male without a tie on.

Anecdotally, I have been in plenty of situations (including interviews) where I have been lightly chided for being overdressed. In most of those situations, I've then taken the first opportunity to drop the tie and be more comfortable, while also having experienced an "ice breaker" that made me feel like I could lighten up. I can't say that the situations where I was underdressed felt quite as nice.

ETA: But yes--asking a partner (or even other associates who may be attending) is always a smart move if the relationship is there to support it.