|
Clothes
Dress Code Decoded
Gentlemen
Choosing a Tux
How to Tie a Tie
Ladies
Choosing a Dress
Choosing Your Shoes
Clothing Emergencies
How to Fix a Run in Stockings
Your Shirt is Caught in Your Zipper
You're Splashed by a Taxi
How to Remove a Lipstick Stain
How to Remove a Wine Stain
How to Remove a Sauce Stain
Your Clothing Rips
Your High Heels are Killing You
Dress Code Decoded (from
http://fashion.about.com/)
- 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 event (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.
Choosing a Tux: Can I just wear a
black suit? (from
Men's Wearhouse):
Your black suit is not a tuxedo, no matter how
you accessorize it. If you're not sure what makes a tux a tux,
here's what you should look for:
- Pants. They will always
have some kind of satin stripe running down the outside of each
leg. They will never have belt loops. And tux pants rarely have
cuffs. Plain bottoms are the way to go
- Jackets. Tuxedo jackets
have satin lapels, whether shawl (traditional) or notch (more
modern). Satin-covered buttons are also a must.
- Shoes. It's simple.
Tuxedo shoes are patent leather shoes. Always have been. Always
will be.
- Shirts. A dress shirt is
not a tuxedo shirt. Look for pleats or a textured "bib" on the
front. Vertical ribbing is most common, but any distinctive
texture is usually acceptable. Except the aforementioned
ruffles. French cuffs are preferred.
- Cufflinks and a
stud set (in lieu if your top four shirt
buttons) are standard components of a tux. A pocket silk is a
popular accent. In a wedding, pocket silks are often replaced by
a boutonniere. Sometimes men wear both, but this tends to crowd
the lapel area. Use discretion.
- Socks. Formal
dress socks please. No light colored athletic socks.
How to tie
a tie
Visit this website for a graphic
demonstration:
http://www.menswearhouse.com/how_to_tie/html/bow1.html
How to Dress for a Black-Tie Affair - Women (from
ehow.com)
- Select a style and cut that flatters your
figure, highlighting your assets and minimizing any problem
areas.
- Look for full-length skirts and dresses;
lengths that hover around the knee are usually considered
semiformal.
- Consider the material and texture. Silk,
satin, embroidery, beads, rhinestones, velvet and metallics are
all well-suited for formal attire.
- Evaluate your options if you decide to
wear a two-piece ensemble. Pair a beaded stretch top with a
full-length, slim velvet skirt, or a silk organza blouse with a
full satin skirt that hits at your ankles.
- Remember that your dress options are
unlimited. Consider spaghetti straps or a jewel-neck collar; a
plunging back or a revealing front neckline; and side or back
slits. Some events may call for more conservative attire, so
consider this when making your selection.
- Choose colors that complement your
complexion. Black isn't the only evening color. Deep reds and
plums, crisp pastels, and silver and gold can all look equally
stunning.
- Invite a trusted companion to see you in
the outfit you're considering before you make the purchase.
- Consult with your date to ensure that his
tie and cummerbund match the color of your ensemble. Black
complements everything.
- Wear underwear that will remain
discreet. Check to make sure that bra edges and straps will
remain concealed throughout an evening of sitting, standing and
dancing
How to
Select Shoes (from ehow.com)
- Consider the color of your dress. Decide
whether you would like to match the color of your dress or
whether you prefer to contrast your dress and match your shoes
with your handbag.
- Consider the fabric. For a flowing,
lightweight silk dress, consider strappy sandals or mules. For a
heavier fabric such as velvet or a heavy silk, consider
patent-leather, supple-leather or velvet shoes.
- Complement the embellishments in your
dress with those in your shoes. If your dress has embroidery,
rhinestones or appliqu?s, look for textured shoes with similar
decoration. If your gown has gold or silver accents on a solid
background, gold- or silver-toned shoes make a great contrast.
- Take a moment to focus on the length of
your dress. Evaluate whether it will sweep the floor without a
few extra inches.
- Think about the height of your date. If
you need a few extra inches to reach him, look at mid- and
high-heeled shoes. If you're evenly matched in height, look at
ballet slippers or low-heeled mules.
- Remember to consider comfort when you are
shopping. You might find a very beautiful shoe that will be
perfect for a sit-down event. If your activities call for a few
hours of dancing, however, buy shoes that can get you through
the evening as comfortably as possible.
- If you wear stilettos, give your feet a
break when you sit down for the performance or dinner by
slipping off your shoes. Your calves and lower back will thank
you in the morning.
- Treat yourself to a pedicure if you
choose open-toed styles.
You have
runs in your stockings
- Use clear nail polish around the edge to
keep the run from spreading. Hairspray may also work.
- Move the rip so that you it's not
as obvious:
- If it is at your toe, stretch the toe
out further and tuck the excess fabric under your foot so
the rip cannot be seen.
- If the rip is down the front, twist
your pantyhose to your inner thigh so that the tear is less
visible. Be careful as you twist to avoid ripping it
further.
Your
Shirt is Caught in Your Zipper (from Worst Case Scenario
Survival Handbook: Sex and Dating)
- Grasp the shirttail: For internal snags,
slide your hand inside the front of the pants above the zippered
area. Otherwise hold the material that is sticking out.
- Pull the stuck fabric taut and upward
- Guide the zipper down with your free
hand. Apply steady force to the zipper: pull but don't yank too
hard. Be careful not to pinch your fingers. Also be careful to
keep the garment away from the body, so the teeth of the zipper
don't bite your skin.
You're
Splashed by a Taxi (from Worst Case Scenario Survival
Handbook: Sex and Dating)
- If you're splashed with water, head to
the nearest restroom and use the hot-air hand dryer. Stand very
close to the dyer and rock from side to side, using your hands
to billow and fluff whatever garment is wet.
- If you are splattered with mud, add a
dash of salt to a glass of club soda from the closest bar and
dab it onto the dirty spots. The soda will work on the mud, the
salt will lift out any oil from the street that was mixed in
with the mud.
How to Remove Lipstick Stains (from
ehow.com)
- Dab stain with denatured alcohol using a
soft, white cloth.
- Rub dishwashing detergent gently into the
stain with your finger.
- Try using a stain stick and leaving it on
for several minutes before washing, if the mark is stubborn.
- Wash fabric as usual.
- Ask your dry cleaner for help if all else
fails.
- Tip: If you are out and don't have access
to alcohol, leave the stain alone until you get home. If you're
desperate, try dabbing it with cold water.
- Warning: Remember to dab, not rub, as
rubbing can ground in the stain.
How
to Remove Wine Stains (from Worst Case Scenario Survival
Handbook: Sex and Dating)
- For white wine, wet a cloth napkin with
cold water and dab the stain. Avoid hot water, which will set
the stain.
- For red wine, soak a cloth napkin with
white wine and apply to the stain. Then dab the stain with cool
water
- Rub toothpast - the white, pasty kind
only - onto the stain to make it easier to clean later
- If you spilled the wine on your date,
apologize, offer to pay the dry cleaning bill, and immediately
pour or order another glass of wine.
How to
Remove Sauce Stains (from Worst Case Scenario Survival
Handbook: Holidays)
- Remove excess food as soon as possible:
use a spoon or blunt knife to scrape the stain. The longer a
stain sets, the more difficult it is to remove.
- Apply a detergent solution: mix one
teaspoon of clear, mild liquid dishwashing detergent with one
cup of lukewarm water. Do not use detergent that contains
bleach. Apply the detergent solution to the stain: Do not rub
the stain. Work from the edge of the stain in, gently blotting.
Rinse the stain with cold water and blot dry. If stain comes
out, go to last step.
- Apply an ammonia solution: If the
detergent solution does not work, mix one tablespoon of
household ammonia with ? cup of warm water. Blot the stain with
the ammonia solution. Then rinse with cold water and blot dry.
If stain comes out, go to last step.
- Make a vinegar solution: Mix 1/3 cup
white vinegar with 2/3 cup cold water. Blot the stain with the
vinegar solution, then rinse with cold water and blot dry. If
stain comes out, go to last step.
- Apply commercial enzyme detergent: Enzyme
detergent is available in grocery, drug, and hardware stores.
Blot the stain, rinse with the area with cold water.
- Blot dry: Place a ? inch thick pad of
white paper towels over the stained area and weight it down with
a flat, heavy object-a thick book works well. Change the
absorbent pad until the transfer of the stain is no longer
visible on the pad
- Launder according to manufacturer's label
What to do if your
dress/pants/bra rips (from Dating for Dummies)
- Find or borrow a jacket, sweater, shawl
etc. to tie around your waist.
- Borrow a safety pin.
What to
do if your high heels are killing you (From
the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists)
Lucky for all divas, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
have discovered the 'G' Factor of High Heels, offering four easy
tips to help women enjoy wearing high heels without damaging their
feet:
- Glamour - Let high heels
give you that extra 'sparkle' and save wearing them only for
glamorous, special occasions. Try limit wearing them to around
three to eight hours, and the height of heels, even for the most
'A-list' of events, shouldn't be so high you have trouble
walking! For everyday wear, heel height shouldn't be more than
4-5 cm's.
- Glide - Don't look like
you're rushing to catch a bus. slow down, take smaller steps and
shorten your stride when wearing high heels. Put the heel down
first and glide! Not only will this minimise damage to your
feet, but will give you that sexy high-heel wiggle! In fact,
Lady Di wore low heels as her long legs and slender frame didn't
allow her to wear high-heels and glide elegantly.
- Guide - Let the experts
guide you into buying the right size shoe. According to leading
podiatrist, Trevor Prior, 90 % of his patients wear shoes that
are too small. Sizes vary according to the brand and style, so,
be sure to have shoes correctly fitted and check that there is
up to 1/2 inch of space in the shoe beyond the longest toe and
that the shoes are not too narrow. Also, nip any foot related
problems in the bud to avoid them getting worse and before they
impact on your lifestyle - use the guidance of experts such as
your local podiatrist for advice.
- Give - Give your feet
some extra special attention during, and after wearing high
heels. Exercise the calf, heel and foot muscles by stretching
them out to increase circulation and help them relax - you can
even do it whilst standing at the bar waiting for a drink! Give
your feet a moisturising massage when you get home (after
bathing!) to again help your foot muscles relax and put back
some of the essential moisture you lose wearing backless, or
open-toe heels.
~ Provided by the Class of 2005 Senior Ball Committee
~
|
