STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i know you girls are over me, but

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

no pic, tara...

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

i don't think it's too casual at all, but i am not a long-dress type of person. plus i live in LA, so i think that an all-purpose short black cocktail dress is appropriate for all black-tie occasions (and i know that in some other places it isn't...).

shopgirl82 · Chanel

that dress runs small.

Hermes

I go to a fair amount of black tie events. A general rule of thumb is black tie = formal. Formal used to mean full length, but as etiquette laxes, it's not so tabu to go shorter anymore apparently. As a matter of fact, I am going to a black tie event on March 18. It's a "ball" at the Ritz honoring international consuls, so I am planning on wearing full length (those who wear cocktail length or *dressy seperates* at this event - and I know this will sound snobby - appear to lack status/sophistication/refinement - but this is for a ball situation. From my experience in the Detroit area, black tie means full length, even for an event on a yacht or more casual environment. But I do understand shorter lengths are acceptable elsewhere...

according to www.fashion.about.com

Party definitions

From Cynthia Nellis,
Your Guide to Women's Fashion.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Black tie, formal, dressy casual and more!

Banish pre-party jitters about attire with our quick reference to dress codes for social events.

Black Tie means formal. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

White Tie means ultra-formal. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Ultra-formal means White Tie. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Black Tie Optional means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Black Tie Invited means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates (maybe a long lace or sequined skirt with a sleek cashmere sweater).

Semi-formal is the trickiest of all dress codes. Usually it means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

Dressy Casual usually means no jeans or shorts. Similar to business casual, but a tad dressier.

Casual generally means anything goes.

Informal can mean the same as casual. However, when associated with a wedding or other special event, some form of decorum and good taste should prevail. A dress for her or a nice pair of slacks and shirt for him are informal, but respectful of the event.
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tara t · Marc Jacobs

detroit, that's what i was afraid of. i know i should probably get a floor length..

are these any better?

Hermes

ooh - the car wash flap one is cool... actually, both are... I may take a peek at those myself - need to get a dress myself and the clock is ticking...

Hermes

you know - if you wore that pink one, you would turn all heads... the black/white one would be nice - but lacks the impact.... Now *I* want the pink one...

what event are you going to again?

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i'm calling BCBG to see if they have it in any other colors ! i'll report back.

a sertoma ball. my darling butthead is involved.

dewdk · BCBG

i agree with detroit. these days people feel like anything goes at evening events, but black tie, espically a BALL usually means floor length. i always say better to overdress then underdress. by the way i like the pink dress and after this event get it hemmed to a shorter length and you've got a great funky sweet sexy dress for other events. hth

tara t · Marc Jacobs

okay. i got the pink dress. now shoes and bag. headache.

detroit, the dress only comes in pink. i'm keeping my fingers crossed that it looks okay.

Hermes

cool - I think it's going to look great - all you need is a good push up halter bra and good posture...

I agree with dewdk - that could be a great dress to shorten - would look so cool over jeans or alone...

I like the silver shoes with it - even though you didn't ask, I'm going to take a quick peek around if you don't mind... I like how she has simple silver hoops with it too - you need some type of jewelry with it and those are just right...

tara t · Marc Jacobs

please take a look for me... there are a few shoes at zappos.com that are cute, but i'm unsure of. i only have one issue w/ shoes, they can't go around my ankle. i had surgery on it awhile ago, and it still swells. beautiful, huh?

tara t · Marc Jacobs

Main Image

one of these?

Hermes

just took a look at shoes at zappos... (please excuse the random stuff )

pewter - I kind of like that they're not silver... but they almost don't seem simple enough...

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2384339/c/8296.html

OMG - these are wild - I kind of like them in a way... NOT a suggestion - just thought I would share *interesting*

these are interesting and they give you a little pink sparkle

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4532267/c/632.html

I like these because they are so simple and the overlapping sequins echo the overlapping flaps of the dress

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2705556/c/632.html

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3108364/c/29785.html

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3044521/c/10932.html

ooh - I like these - but man - they're high

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1878494/c/632.html

these are nice and only $46.90

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2127374/c/3397.html

these would be perfect

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4013362/c/7792.html

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=44784&subForumID=102212&action=reply&commentPage=0&topicID=2243840&commentID=2243840&abKey=c89d7c160369e8071d9e4819f4321608&topicPage=

-- Edited by detroit at 16:06, 2005-03-02

tara t · Marc Jacobs

the girl @ BCBG i talked to said these matched perfectly, but i thought it was weird becasue of the suede

she also suggested these

and i like these, but i don't think that they are metallic, and i thought just plain leather would be weird.

detroit, i think i like the bebe shoes you posted. do you think you may get this dress too? what is your event?

tara t · Marc Jacobs

both on ebay BIN for 8.99

dewdk · BCBG

glad you got the dress i think it will be perfect. make sure you get a good supportive bra i belive you mentioned you have a larger chest. . .

here are some ideas for your accessories and shoes. i went to pretty standard websites so you know you can wear their sizes or get things shipped quickly. also since you splurged on the dress i thought going low on the extras was a good idea. hth

these earrings:

Faux Pearl & Crystal Earrings

this braclet along with any thin woven silver braclet you have on hand:

Bonnie J Faux-Pearl and Crystal Bracelet

these shoes in silver:

this purse in silver :

Hermes

the simplest silver clutch would be perfect (like shown in the picture of the dress) but I had to have some fun and post these anyway...

only $968 - whatta bargain

http://couture.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4487325/c/24726.html

another pricy one...

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3503002/c/31069.html

I LOVE this bag - even though it doesn't go with your dress - just thought I'd share...

http://www.ebags.com/whiting_and_davis/stripes_metal_mesh_frame_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=48161

Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: tara t
" both on ebay BIN for 8.99"

I like the irredescent one - even though it echos the flaps - it does it in a different way with the ovals vs. rectangles... I like the pairing of round shapes with the square shape of the flaps of the dress...