How does one dress for a real, serious art auction?

Just guessing: business professional. I would wear a skirt-suit, with or without the jacket. Two reasons: one, I find it is better to be over dressed than underdressed, two, dressing nicely gives a kind of confidence. In this case that confidence can easily be “I belong here, I am just as important as anyone else here”.

Edited to add: I would bring the jacket, but use it as a way to dress up or down depending on the crowd.

whatever you wear, make sure you bring one of those long cigarette holders, a la Audrey Hepburn. maybe a monocle.

No Armani in the back of the closet? In NYC it used to be understated elegance, but those guys also bid. Stick a scarf and earrings in purse if you want to dress up or down. Shoes matter…no sneakers.

Do what the people who are wealthy enough not to care do – wear old jeans and a Tee shirt. I go to quite a few art auctions and there is no dress standard, there are too many potential buyers (or their agents) who will dress how they please. The truly wealthy don’t have to impress. One of the wealthiest men I know drives a ten year old Toyota. He is worth at least half a billion.

Wear whatever you want. If you feel like stylin’, go stylin’. If you feel casual, go casual. They are only interested in your money, not your attire.

clothes would be good….

I worked at an antique auction for several years, just wear whatever you would wear to have lunch with a friend. i promise it wont matter what you have on as long as you pay your bill at the end of the night ; )

If it were me, I’d wear a simple black sheath-type dress with black flats. Practical and both dressy and somewhat casual. Something that you’d wear to work.

Can never go wrong with a little black dress.

I would consider making a dress out of money

Auctions can be stuffy and formal in New York, especially “important” art or jewelry auctions at the major houses, but the fashion is dictated by the attendees, not by the auctioneers. When I was buying regularly, and was thus considered a “good” customer (good means you spend money) I was always treated with the greatest of deference whatever I wore.

Now I’m lucky to get a nod hello. It’s just a business. Wear what you like.

Thanks for great advice! To clarify, my question is not really about being dressed for the occasion so much as about being let in. I can hardly imagine that a collection that would have people standing in line for tickets at the De Young would just be open to the rabble without some sort of cachet. As a member of the rabble, I just want to see the display and don’t care about taking a seat in the auction hall.

I can’t manage sleek elegance, faux or otherwise, so I guess I should try for slightly bohemian.

Great idea, @quasi. Can I borrow yours?

Auctions are commercial enterprises, and even at the de Young, except for the swells and the board members and the high rollers it will probably be first come first served. Just look stylish.

@Jeruba; I said “understated elegance,” and not “sleek.” Listen to the pro ^^.

Around here that means not wearing pjs and flamingo slippers.

You’re right, @gailcalled. Understated I can do. No flamingo slippers.

I hope I have the nerve to do this. It’s part of my philosophy not to pass up extraordinary opportunities as long as they’re not harmful or illegal.

Auctions are fun!

@pdworkin, what do I need to know to get through this safely without buying a Rembrandt?

No auctioneer has ever taken an “accidental” bid. “Secret” bid signals are carefully agreed upon in advance, and when they don’t know you, you will have to hold up your paddle and wave it to bid.

Dont wave it, they need to be able to read the number.

They’ll ask.

annoying the auctioneer is never a good idea.

I won’t be bidding! I promise to sit on my hands.

Update September 6th: I did it! I went with my most adventuresome friend. What a thrill! I haven’t had a buzz like that since I just about can’t remember when. Thanks for the coaching!

What’d you wear?

I went casual and slightly bohemian: black top with ¾ sleeves, black-lavender-tan print long skirt, very nice black faux-suede sandals, good amethyst and gold earrings, gold chain, small black purse.

Everyone there except the auctioneer (in a suit) was dressed casually, but there was a considerable range from J. Crew casual to Target casual.

In order to see the display, we had to register and take a bid card, so we did. And…

GUESS WHAT

Lol, did you get auction fever?!?

I bought a Rembrandt.

(I knew that.)

Really? I’m actually kind of hoping this is a true statement despite the fact I suspect it is a joke.

It’s an engraving. It cost less than a car but more than a pizza. I was swept off my feet. I’d better not go to any more of those.

@gailcalled, what did you know??

That’s so exciting!! Does it have a title that we can look up? Congratulations! You own a piece of art history now.

@Jeruba; I knew that you wouldn’t get out of there empty-handed.

Oh, dear, @gailcalled, am I truly so transparent? I did literally sit on the bidding card. And then…and then…

My quiet corner, in my purple-walled room. The space opposite my desk, where I like to read and nap.

It turns out that I was intoxicated not by an actual Rembrandt etching, as I had thought and honestly believed—this—but a numbered 19th-century engraving of the etching by a French master engraver. So I don’t actually know whether it is worth anything or not. I have papers to authenticate that it is what it is, but alas, when the dazzle passed, I realized that it is not a genuine Rembrandt after all. However, it is beautiful and gives me goosebumps, and I will display it proudly. And the thrill of bidding and winning was like almost nothing I have ever experienced before.

I love your sense of humor & humbleness about this,Just be yourself,dress nice.But comfortable.I am an artist also,i have been compared to Matisse,but besides this.
Even i can get this way about what to wear.The most important thing is to be comfortable.Because it will show if you are not.Enjoy yourself,and the art.Talk to people,
And remember you are just as good as anyone else,there is not any little i’s or big U’s.
When you go into a place like this,you must have confidence in yourself or you will look like a duck out of water and attract more attention then you ever wanted.You must look the part.If you go to an amusement place,you are sporty,you go swimming you wear a swim suit ,so on and on.If you really want to be sure,call the auction house and speak to someone and ask what would be appropriate for that event.