Evening Attire

You’re attending an event requesting “evening attire”, and regardless of your closet’s

contents, you’re unsure what’s appropriate. Don’t panic, with a few guidelines, you’ll

find it’s easier than you think.

For men, it’s straightforward: black tuxedo or dark suit and tie. Here, tie color, studs,

and dress shoe finish are the biggest choices. For women, it’s a bit more complicated,

but not impossible.

Overall, you can never go wrong with a full-length dress, however factor in the event

type and locale. Gowns generally come in two lengths, floor, or tea (an ankle hem).

Also, there are two main types—evening or ball. Ball gowns are full skirted (think

Cinderella) and are appropriate, but sometimes a lot to manage.

Second, when shopping for a gown, fabric matters. Beautiful lightweight fabrics like

sateen are unforgiving as they draw the eye to every flaw. For example, a simple full-

length slip dress favors the statuesque. Third, details and fit are your friend. Dress for

your body type using the gown’s details to highlight your best features using gathers,

sequins, or color. Typically, these elements are easier to find in gowns than in regular

clothing.

Finally, a cocktail dress or a glittery top and nice skirt or flowing pants with heels are a

good last-minute alternative. In this instance, your accessories matter—they must be

eye-catching and a bit over the top to work in place of a gown. A black sheath with a

chiffon top works too by adding sparkling heels, a belt, and jewelry.

See, your options are not as limited as you once thought!

Tammy’s Truism: When in doubt, choose a longer length gown, using its details to

your advantage, and invest in shapewear.