Ladies' formals

[Kishtu]

Sorry if there is another thread about this, but I had a search and couldn't find one that I could hijack! (I'm all over the Lounge like a rash today aren't I?)

Basically I'm (fingers crossed) going to my first black-tie formal dinner in December. I have no idea what to wear, would like to make something vintage-y, but don't know what formal dress requirements are. It's a dinner and Christmas gala for the Royal British Legion, so very traditional.

I would ideally like to make something with a full skirt and separate bodice (50s style silhouette) to be worn with a small bolero jacket, and rather fancied a creamy silver silk fabric (I'm a deathly pale redhead) but would that be appropriate? not too bridal? - it's more silver than cream, but I don't know the rules on light colours for formal wear. I also wouldn't want to take the jacket off as I have really scarred upper arms - would that be okay?

See, I'm a total ignoramus!

 

[Josephine]

I have my husband's grandmother's Emily Post book (revised 1960), and it says ...for cocktail and dinner parties that are more formal, a silk to satin cocktail dress. A true dinner dress which is long, but is not made of as dressy a material or cut as low as an evening gown. It maybe made or wool or velvet in winter. It is worn at formal dinners ... and to any party that is "black tie".

Evening dresses are sleeveless, sometimes strapless, low cut in back and usually in front, and made of the most elegant material - satin, brocade-- and with endless variations in decoration and embroidery. Hats and veils are never worn with dinner or evening dresses.

I would think a 50's silhouette with a bolero would be fine, and the creamy silver too as long as you hold of on the lace. Emily also says when in doubt, dress plainer.

 

[Kishtu]

And a bib probably wouldn't be a bad idea if I'm wearing a light colour as my friend always used to say (about someone else mind!) "you'd only take her somewhere twice - once to go, and once to apologise!"

Thanks Josephine, that's a big help. I will probably still feel like the country cousin - aw, this old thing, it's just a little something I ran up from an old pair of curtains - but at least people hopefully won't be asking why I've come in fancy dress!

Does the book have anything to say about jewellery? With it being near Christmas, diamante is a constant temptation.... but I do have some baroque pearls which are very understated...

 

[KittyT]

A light-colored dress should be fine, as long as you're not wearing white shoes with it after labor day.

 

[Kishtu]

I wouldn't dare, Kitty.... not with feet the size of mine I'd look like I was wearing barges!

What do you suggest? I haven't got anything even light coloured, but with four months to go could probably find something sparkly... sandals in December are a bit of a non-starter I think (brrrrrrrr!!)

 

[Josephine]

Does the book have anything to say about jewellery? With it being near Christmas, diamante is a constant temptation.... but I do have some baroque pearls which are very understated...

For some reason I thought I had read that one doesn't wear pearls in the evening, but my book doesn't say anything about that. It only says, boiled down, that the choice of jewelery is only limited by the good taste and the budget of the wearer.

I did a quick Google search and where I could find info it said pearls at night were fine. I would wear more than just one strand though, if you have a V neck as it is evening, and Christmas, so it should be taken up a notch.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

A light-colored dress should be fine, as long as you're not wearing white shoes with it after labor day.

We don't have Labor Day, but wearing white shoes in British winter time is a no-go for more practical reasons!

 

[Josephine]

I do remember reading that women shouldn't wear watches after five, or diamonds before five, so watches with diamonds on them shouldn't exist in our time and space continuum.

 

[KittyT]

I wouldn't dare, Kitty.... not with feet the size of mine I'd look like I was wearing barges!

What do you suggest? I haven't got anything even light coloured, but with four months to go could probably find something sparkly... sandals in December are a bit of a non-starter I think (brrrrrrrr!!)

As the holidays approach, stores usually start carrying a pretty decent range of metallic shoes, which are perfect for the holidays!

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I think that a silvery fabric for that time of year will be very nice. It's the holiday season, things should sparkle!!
I don't know what the rules are for jewelry either. But, I have heard about the diamonds after dark, pearls for the day thing. I don't think women follow these rules too strictly anymore. I say, if pearls look good with what you are wearing, then wear them!!

Kitty's so right about the Holiday shoe comment. At about the end of October, at least around here, the shoe departments are filled with formal shoes. Last year I had a black tie event to go to around the holidays and I had no problem finding a pair of strappy formal sandals. I think that it's OK to wear strappy shoes with a formal gown, even in the winter, as long as you don't have to do too much walking outside! I'm not sure what the rules used to be about wearing opened toed shoes or sandals in the winter, but I know now they are readily available and worn.
Have fun and take lots of pictures!!

 

[GoldLeaf]

I wear a size 11 to a size 12 US, so I understand your pain. You may be able to find a nice pair of closed toe heels in a silvery color around the holidays. I saw ivory shoes with lace around Christmas last year.

Last year for Christmas Eve service I wore cream colored pants with a deep red, crushed velvet long jacket, and black high heel boots. I was a communion assistant, but the power went out, and we had to light EVERYTHING with candles. So we weren't allowed to wear robes because of the TONS of candles, they didn't want us catching on fire. Glad I dressed nicely!

I think you can wear black with cream if they are tastefully done. Black shoes with a silver accent or a silver clip-on would work too. Or a sling-back that would have less fabric, so the black wouldn't be as solid.

I love the idea for your fabric. I adore ivory/cream/silver at Christmas. It is classy and elegant, but not as traditional. I think you would look stunning!

As for jewelry, I think wearing diamante would look smashing, but then again, I like to be flashy

Hummmm .... I wonder if I will still be pregnant at Christmas this year. I should be, but who knows! Gosh, now what do I wear? lol

 

[Kishtu]

Thanks everyone. I'm actually looking forward to making the dress - it's hard to describe the colour and do it justice - the colour is called Mercury, but it's not as silvery as that sounds.... it's a warmer, creamier, almost brown-er silver. Hmmm. That sounds awful

http://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/product.htm?productID=698

NOT the greatest photo ever, but imagine that a couple of shades lighter to allow for bad photography, and that's pretty much the shade. I got a sample by accident a few months ago and thought "I WANT IT!"

Does formal wear require gloves, or are they optional with long sleeves?

 

[Kishtu]

By the way - GoldLeaf, I love the idae of the clip-on fancy bits to the shoes. Funny enough, I have a pair of black suede slingbacks that I wore with the Dress Of Doom in my avatar, and I slipped a spiky diamante brooch over the front strap of each one. Not that anyone, including me, could see my feet

Keep those ideas coming, though, because it's starting to come together in my head!

 

[KittyT]

Does formal wear require gloves, or are they optional with long sleeves?

No, gloves are not required at all, at least not for formal wear today. Of course, it depends on how authentic you want to be with your look!

As a general rule, the shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. With long sleeves, short wrist-length gloves can be worn. There are several glove threads here if you're looking for more info:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/search.php?searchid=685181

 

[KittyT]

By the way - GoldLeaf, I love the idae of the clip-on fancy bits to the shoes. Funny enough, I have a pair of black suede slingbacks that I wore with the Dress Of Doom in my avatar, and I slipped a spiky diamante brooch over the front strap of each one. Not that anyone, including me, could see my feet

You can definitely find vintage shoe clips on ebay, or make your own of some fabric matching your dress!