Impromptu state dinner invitation? Here's what to wear.

Imagine, for a moment, that your BlackBerry buzzes. The subject line of a new e-mail reads "state dinner." A friend has a connection at the White House, and he wants you to join him at Wednesday's soiree for China and President Hu Jintao.

What do you do?

You say yes.

What do you wear?

That's another story. We asked a hodgepodge of Washingtonians how they'd dress themselves at the last minute for the opulent affair.
NANCY PEARLSTEIN

Owner of Georgetown clothier Relish

"I think I would wear something from Italy, just to make a statement. I appreciate the fact that Italian clothing has more of an artisan, sartorial approach as opposed to the fast fashion being produced out of China now. I would probably wear a Jil Sander. For this particular spring season she did some beautiful long skirts that were in very bright colorations. I'd add some kind of very casual T-shirt kind of top, or a short blazer."
MILES GRAY

Managing partner for H Street NE bistro Smith Commons

"A Tom Ford tuxedo, because I like his work at Gucci as creative director. A simple white shirt, probably from Hugh & Crye. Otherwise I definitely like to be creative and forward-thinking, simple palette like black with bursts of color - through a pocket square or the socks. When you see somebody's socks, it tells you a lot about them. I'd wear something fun. I actually have a pair of red and white Dr. Seuss-type socks. Give them a burst of red to say, 'Hey China, thanks for carrying our debt.'"
JOHANNA COX

Senior writer at Keybridge Communications and former writer for Elle magazine

"At an event like this, it's important to remember it's not a party; it's a formal diplomatic event with party aspects. I would pick something that projected a powerful but understated image. There are a couple designers who immediately come to mind: Haider Ackermann is one I really love. His last collection was exactly that - elegant and statuesque and formal but also very modern and elegant. Lanvin is another one. . . . Everything in my closet is black. I like to get the drama from the texture and cut and silhouette and makeup."