What to Wear to a Fundraising Event
Fundraising events can run the gamut from very casual to black tie affairs. Many community events and group fundraisers don’t require fancy dress, but you’ll still need to look polished and pulled together when attending.
Get Dress Clues From the Invitation
It’s very common for a local business to be invited to fundraising events, or even have a place of honor from its sponsorship for the group that is hosting it. The invitation itself can be a great clue for what to wear. If it’s an active event like a walk-a-thon, pitch-off, fair, or festival, casual wear fits the bill perfectly. If it’s a casual but sporty event, like a night at the races, auction, or sit-down dinner, a dress-casual outfit can be a good approach.
Dressier events like galas and formal dinners or concerts will call for cocktail or evening dresses and suits. Casual postcard or email invites have a relaxed look that will likely mean the dress is casual. A formal mailed invitation will signal an event that calls for more formal attire.
Relaxed and Outdoor Fundraising Events
The most casual fundraising events are outdoors, so casual attire is the best bet. These are often relaxed family-friendly events. Business owners and employees can look smart and stylish in outfits like a business uniform shirt and jeans; cropped pants and a lightweight blouse; shorts and casual logo tops or tees; or even casual dresses. For active events, such as when walking or another activity is required, apparel items like stretch denim, leggings, or activewear shorts, pants, and tops are usually acceptable. Casual company hats like baseball caps and relaxed embroidered tote bags or slings make great accessories for these types of fundraising events. Walking sandals, casual flats, canvas shoes, and athletic shoes are all appropriate for more relaxed fundraisers.
Dressing for Casual and Semi-Casual Fundraisers
Fundraisers that take it up a notch call for outfits that look smart and professional, but not over the top. Outfits like khaki pants and company polo shirts, neutral pants or capris with button-up long- or short-sleeved tops, or casual skirts with blouses or dress-casual tops are all good choices. Depending on the event, you may take it a step further, such as a simple dress with a logo jacket or blazer, sport coat and dress pants, or trousers with a sweater set or work logo top and a smart jacket. Basic or simple jewelry and professional-but-fun accessories like patterned scarves or two-toned bags work well with these outfits. Shoe options like loafers, nude flats, short heels, and neutral dress shirts will complement these easy and stylish outfits for fundraisers.
Upscale Events
For more upscale events, you’ll need to take a more formal approach. Women may opt for pantsuits, skirt suits, dressy skirts with matching custom dressy blouses, or, for the most formal fundraisers or gala events, cocktail dresses, dressy separates, or evening dresses. Men may need to wear a sport coat and trousers, a shirt and tie with a great jacket, a full business suit, a suit with a vest, or even a tuxedo for the most formal venues. If the event is very formal and you don’t own the necessary attire and won’t need to on a regular basis, there are a variety of options to choose from, including renting a tuxedo or evening gown, borrowing the items, or opting for gently used formal wear from auction sites or consignment stores.
Combining Dressy Looks With Logo Wear
It’s always a great idea to promote your business or band, especially if you are helping, donating to, or sponsoring a fundraising event in some way. In some cases, the attire options may not be totally clear, or it’s a little dressier but you still want the option of logo apparel. In these cases, it’s possible to get creative with the fundraiser outfits so they look stylish and show off a great brand with custom business branded clothing. Consider pairing a fun logo polo or tee with a pair of dressy pants and a smart jacket. Dressy separates get a unique edge with a custom embroidered blouse or work jacket. Pair a fun print blouse with simple custom work pants or a skirt and some stylish accessories. Create a mix of cool and casual by pairing an embroidered sweatshirt with a print skirt, or a custom button-up top with a pair of dressy wide-legged pants.
Supporting the Community in Style
Giving back to the community is just one of the ways small businesses are integral to the places they live in. No matter how big or large the fundraiser is, or what type of event is taking place, there are lots of stylish and appropriate options for attire that business owners, employees, representatives, and volunteers can wear to make an impression.