I guess only women go to "cocktail attire" company parties. Or did those instructions apply to men as well??

The dress for us men: Bring a fat wallet for the blood sucking, money hungry, females that know how to bend over and flash their cleavage, lift their skirt, and tell the dumb ass how smart and cleaver he is ... we fall for it every time.

Wow, Bill - what company do you work for and how does a busty young thing like myself get a job there?? LOL

In response to James, men have it much easier than women do. You can wear any suit, tie combo to a cocktail party (even the same one you wore to work) and look dashing.

I am guessing that most of the heterosexual female co-workers that you are encouraging to look amazing and "wow" their friends at the office are either single or in non-mongamous relationships with male partners, who, unless they work for the same company, will NOT be present. Question: While their female partners are flashing flesh, e.g., full arms, backs, collar bones, breast/cleavage, toes, calfs, knees, thighs [when sitting], what is the male partner allowed to do at his party while completely covering all of his flesh?

Wow Bill, a little bitter huh? Interesting company parties you must attend. For men, wear something clean and wrinkle-free (i.e., jacket). That doesn't include jeans, khakis, t-shirts or polos.

Dee

A bit bitter Bill? Who peed in your cheerios?

black hose? How 80's....black hose also makes legs look thicker...so if you have thicker calves stay away from the black hosiery, best to go with a nude or sheer for a more slimming effect on the legs. Black normally is slimming, but not with hosiery. I also think I would steer clear of strapless for a work related cocktail party. Also, just in case, be cautious of any "cocktail" dress that happens to show off tattoos if you have them, although might be fun in other circumstances, not appropriate for office gatherings either.

In your article, you folks said, "Wraps come in cashmere, silk, fur (real and faux), velvet, and just about any other fabric combo you could imagine." Well, haven't you all heard that recommending the wearing of murdered animals will get you into BIG public relations trouble? Yes, you tried being sly about it by sticking in parenthesis, but the do-gooders at PETA are going to be all over you. They say, "death is never in style". As for me, I'd wear a dead 'possum.

Hey what are the guys suppose to wear. Nobody wears a suit anymore. Suits are for semi-formal, weddings and funerals. And a for a tie, I would like to see women wear one around there neck all night and see how comfortable they feel.

COCKTAIL ATTIRE DEPENDS ON THE HOUR. IF YOU HAVE AN INVITATION THAT IS FROM 6PM TO MIDNIGHT--WELL THAT IS
DIFFERENT FROM A COCKTAIL BRUNCH. THE MOST SECURE DRESS
IS WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU--LONG, SHORT OR WITH RUFFLES.
A SIMPLE BLACK DRESS WITH A COCKTAIL JACKET IS VERY
GOOD --YOU ARE ALWAYS DRESSED WELL. WHAT MAKES YOU SHINE IS
WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR.

OK, maybe I'm a little younger than the writer of this article...or maybe just a little more hip...but I'm in advertising and WE DON'T WEAR PANTYHOSE!!! EVER! It's much more "stylish" to go bear. Get yourself a great sunless tanner (not the orange color kind) and let your legs speak for themselves! Hose only take away from your fab dress. And whoever heard of wearing hose with open toed shoes??? I'm 38 (not exactly a spring chicken) and I think my grandmother wrote this article. Wake up Grams!

So, Bill... did you mean "cleaver," as in what you seem to want to do to those young women? Or, did you mean, "clever?" Perhaps if you were clever enough to spell, you would not fall for such shallow women?

The one time of year that a ladie will be able to really show off at the office is now. Ladies take advantage of this. Having the right look will increase your "stock". This is definitely NOT the time to dress down. Simple elegance is the order of the day. You may just meet your next significant other.

Yeah, sure a one piece "cocktail" dress is great -- if you happen to look like the size 2 model in this article.

Hey, Mary--I'm a few years older than you and I can assure you, this bare leg thing is NOT flattering! In fact, the typo "bear" in your post is entirely appropriate. Only a few women (girls, really) have the legs to go bare--hose fixes a myriad of leg problems from blemishes to "five o'clock shadow" to knobby knees to weird ankles. Not to mention that stockings (as opposed to panty hose) are VERY sexy for one's significant other (or just to give you that extra "flair" because you know you have them on). And panty hose can be very slimming--something that most of us who are 30+ can take advantage of.

The retarded comment "BILL" made still has me laughing out loud. Hey Bill, is it the women's fault that MEN are stupid enough to "fall for it everytime"?? Instead of making the nasty comments directed toward women, try being a little less gullible and superficial. You might just find a woman that likes you for you. (If that's even possible with your sarcastic personality!) And of course I'm sure BILL has no idea that MEN use women just as frequently, DUH.

Bill, Ask your doctor for some haldol. It is a medication that helps with paranoia and delusion.

Hey Mary, this is your Grams here! I'm a very young, emphasis on the young, 65 year old. I don't know what ad agency you work for, and I really don't care how hip you think you are, go bare legged in 20 degrees and you'll freeze your tush off! Weather doesn't play favorites with age! Maybe we just have a little more sense than you! If you wear the right kind, color of hosiery, nobody is going to notice whether you've got them on or not! A great pedicure helps take of that! Along with a great personality! Make sure you're a "wearing" a nice smile, that'll get you noticed before anything else!

Folks these are just some suggestions that maybe helpful to some, if it don't apply to you, then don't use them, there is no need to flame the writer or add negative comments just because your opinion is different.
Have a nice day.