the unofficial d.c. summer reception survival guide

by sarah selip | may 20 2024

It’s finally time for patios, cocktails, and Washington D.C.’s famous reception season.

This means we made it, folks, through grueling winter winds, gray skies, and that weird freezing cold outside-but-disturbingly-hot-inside-the-office weather.

And, THANK GOD, because I hardly have closet space as it is, I’m jazzed to take my winter jackets and parkas to my hometown closet (read: thanks, Mom!) for the next few months.

But, hear me out, as excited as we all are (especially Hill staffers, because 118 has been a trip and a half) to drink some endless rosé with our friends at invite-only happy hours with open bars, it’s my due diligence to play mom again.

After my Christmas Party Season Guide went viral, I started to get requests for a spring-summer 2024 edition. You’re welcome.

Let’s get into it.

Rule #1: DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT underestimate D.C. humidity.

I actually hate the fact that I’m even writing this right now because I’m dreading just thinking about the forthcoming humidity. Summer in D.C. is one of the best times of year, but ask anyone who has been here for even a week — it feels like swimming in the swamp.

You will get sweaty, and it might get miserable. That being said, I always keep a few things in my bag for these situations.

Some of my favorites to handle the humidity:

Amika Humidity Spray — I bought this right before Taste of the South in 2023, and, even though I put my hair in an updo, it kept my flyaways in check. I use it throughout the year, but it’s a game-changer if your hair frizzes out the second it heats up.

A large claw clip — I hate wearing a hair tie around my wrist… it throws off the vibe of the outfit and makes you look a little unprofessional. Even though it’s late Spring, the heat will want to throw your hair up.

Wrinkle release spray — happy hours, receptions, you name it. This is the perfect way to refresh your outfit with minimal effort. Especially with linen, which wrinkles like crazy.

Rule #2: Mosquito season is upon us… prepare accordingly.

We live and work in an actual swamp, which means you will get bitten. (I wanted to write that in the “you will get wet” voice but it doesn’t translate as well through writing)

I’m one of the lucky few who gets hundreds of bug bites per summer, and I have learned this the hard way and then some time and time again. The old adage, “they’re attracted to your perfume!” doesn’t apply in This Town. They’ll come after you regardless. Please, please, make sure you keep individually packed mosquito wipes in your desk and bag.

Here’s a good recommendation.

Rule #3: Deodorant. Wear it. Reapply it. Bring it with you.

Nobody wants to be that person at the reception — first impressions mean everything, especially in This Town.

One’s sense of smell is directly tied to memory — more so than your other senses. In other words, don’t be remembered for smelling disgusting.

This tip applies to both my male and female readers… Wear it to work, reapply throughout the day, keep a travel size in your purse or bag, and ask your most brutally honest friend to tell you when it’s time to reapply.

And, as great as natural deodorant sounds, D.C. summers require aluminum. You heard it here first, folks.

I’d stick to a spray-on deodorant, because your usual stick’s formula might melt off. Individually packed wipes are also a great bet.

Rule #4: Resist the urge to drain the open bar.

One to two drinks at the first happy hour may not seem like much, but if you keep that up when reception hopping… it adds up. You don’t want that (or having your friend carry you out of the party) on your record. And, nobody cares if you’re drinking or not, as long as you’re holding some sort of drink. It doesn’t have to be alcoholic — we all have reasons for not drinking that night.

Rule #5: Linen, linen, and more linen.

You’ll feel like you’re in your Coastal Grandmother era and you won’t sweat to death. Win-win. If you don’t have it, it’s everywhere this season. Zara, Madewell, Abercrombie, and H&M all have great budget-friendly collections this year.

It wrinkles easily though, so a release spray will be your friend.

Rule #6: An after-hours reception isn’t a darty.

An after-hours reception isn’t a darty, and, I can’t stress this enough: If you were invited to a reception through work or work email, it is a work event.

When planning your outfits ahead of time, keep your hemlines in mind—if you bend over, are you flashing half of This Town? As for footwear — can you walk a mile in them, stand for a few hours, or are they only sitting shoes? Did you break them in? Remember, if you get blisters, you’ll suffer for at least a week.

A few recommendations:

If you’re prone to outfit malfunctions, this is a good tool for a quick, easy fix.

Fashion tape is my holy grail — I almost always kept it in my work bag.

And, these heel liners have saved my life and my shoes many a time, and these adhesive stickers for the bottom of your shoe make sure you don’t wipe out.

Rule #7: Plan ahead for the best receptions and events.

Seersucker Thursday, that is all.

Rule #8: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

At work, at happy hour, during the reception, after the reception, and the next morning. This goes for handling the heat/humidity, and not getting sloppy.

If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a happy hour. Cheers! And don’t forget deodorant.