Crack the dress code

Oct 18 2007 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

Invited to a party but don’t know what to wear? Laura Davis solves those fashion dilemmas

THE dress code “cocktail” does not mean turning up in a Pina Colada costume with a slice of pineapple as a hat and a giant cocktail cherry poking out of the top of your cleavage.

Just as the hideously vague instruction “creative tie” – thank the Americans, natch, for that one – is not an opportunity to replace a smart black bow with a recently deceased flatfish. Obviously.

Every girl knows that wearing white to a wedding is a terrible faux pas, and that a little black dress can be relied upon when invited for drinks.

But what do you pull out of the wardrobe when the invitation cites “lounge suits”, and what is “creative tie” anyway?

You don’t want to suffer the fate of musician Billy Joel’s wife, who was turned away from rapper P Diddy’s annual White Party last month after turning up in a cream-coloured dress.

“Dress codes are a very delicate subject,” admits event organiser Antony Greenberg, founder of Mossley Hill-based OWL Event Management.

“What people want their guests to wear depends very much on the individual event.

“A dinner we held on Friday was black tie and ballgowns, and nine out of 10 did come in black tie but some came in suits, but we’re holding a dinner soon that will be a similar event at a 4-star hotel in Manchester and, because it’s for Adidas this time, I’d be very surprised if anyone wore black tie.

“I would assume most people would wear shirt and jeans or shirt and trousers, and the girls would probably wear what they would go out in on a Saturday night.”

Even more complicated can be when there is no dress code at all. The recent launch of Print, a bar/restaurant, private members club and hotel, on Liverpool’s Stanley Street, was one such occasion.

“It was quite interesting because you got the girls who want their photo in the paper or to meet a footballer and they get dressed up to the nines, but you also get people who’ve come straight from work and then you have really trend-conscious people who have a pair of jeans with 15,000 rips in it,” says Antony, 27.

Also more common these days are codes that don’t actually specify what they mean, such as “dress to impress” – can you be as impressive in a pair of jeans and glitzy top as in a floor-length gown?

Antony believes more creative instructions add to the sense of atmosphere.

“We did the Merseyside Young Professionals Ball on Friday and put ‘dress like it’s going out of fashion’ and it got a really interesting response.

“It created a big talking point about the event – we had all these people ringing up and asking what they should wear.

“Most people came in black tie.”

Antony recommends doing a bit of research before deciding what to wear for an event.

“I’d think about what you’re being invited to, where it’s being held, what time of day is it, what time of year is it?

“But, if all else fails, speak to the host, or ask your friends what they’re wearing.”

lauradavis@dailypost.co.uk

Stylish solutions

WE’VE all experienced the awful feeling of dread you get on your way to a social event when you haven’t managed to pin down fellow invitees on their exact choice of shoes, never mind skirt length.

To prevent the worry from taking the edge off that favourite female pastime of getting ready for a big night out, here are a few clues to what dress codes really mean:

BLACK TIE: Easy for men – the James Bond look in a traditional tuxedo, with a chance to add a bit of flair with a colourful cummerbund or cufflinks. Women should wear an evening dress, which can either be short or long depending on personal taste and the occasion.

BLACK TIE, LONG GOWN: While this instruction rarely appears on an invitation, some couples choose this for their wedding to ensure everyone puts on their best red carpet-style gown.

US comedienne Joan Rivers insisted on specifying this dress code for her daughter Melissa’s New York wedding.

BLACK TIE OPTIONAL: One of the most bewildering directives for guests – do you launch yourself into the occasion in a full tuxedo, or dither about on the fringes of “formalwear”?

Antony believes at least half of the guests would be likely to wear black tie as people tend to enjoy an opportunity to dress up. If this is not for you, then play it safe in a smart suit.

WHITE TIE: The most formal look of all, this was President Bartlett’s choice of attire for posh events in the hit US series, The West Wing. Men wear a black tailcoat and trousers, a white dress shirt, white stiff wing collar, waistcoat and bow tie.

Women should take the opportunity to wear an expensive-looking long gown.

CREATIVE TIE: Mainly restricted to the US, this means dressy and can see men wearing a patterned cummerbund or bow tie, while women can wear pretty much what they want as long as they are dressed up.

LOUNGE SUITS: Consider whether this is a daytime or evening event, and also who the host is. For women, if it’s a business launch, go for something smarter – a pair of trousers or shirt with a nice top and heels. If it’s more of a party, wear a skirt or cocktail dress or swap your plain top for something more eye-catching.

SMART/CASUAL: This could be anything from a pair of smart jeans with a dressy top or a skirt and blouse, keep accessories simple.

CASUAL: Anything goes, but it’s still best to leave your shellsuit at the back of the wardrobe!