AS THE PARTYinvites start rolling in, men
and women face a similar dilemma.
The 8220office party8221 is loaded with hierar-
chical and social issues, and appropriate
dress choice can contribute towards a positive
outcome. Not every occasion calls for a new
outfit. A few key pieces can effortlessly trans-
form your look to create the desired party
effect.
Choose styles that make you happy. This will
reflect in your posture and enhance your over-
all appearance. It will also guarantee a good
time without having to revert to over-use of
cleavage or glitter.
F
or her: Jazz up a basic black skirt or
trouser suit with a sparkly bustier or semi-
sheer silk shirt (Harvey Nichols, Pink, Ware-
house, Mexx). If the occasion calls for a bit
more glam, replace the suit with palazzo or
tuxedo-style trousers and add a silk or
sequinned halterneck top or tunic (Coast,
Principles).
W
ear distinctive heels or strappy sandals 8211
don8217t forget toenail polish 8211 and team them
with an oversize clutch bag. Go for extreme
eyes in current shades of green, blue or grey.
White Tie
means ultra-formal.
Men wear full dress, with white
tie, vest (waistcoat), shirt and
cummerbund. Women wear
long gowns.
Black Tie
means
formal. Men wear tuxedos,
women wear long dresses or
dressy evening separates.
In Edinburgh,
Formal
usually means the same as
Black Tie, but in trendier cities,
it could mean a black shirt, no
tie with a tux. Women wear
cocktail-length, long dresses or
dressy evening separates.
Black Tie Invited
or
Optional
means you can
replace a tux with a dark suit
and tie. Women wear cocktail,
long dresses or dressy evening
separates.
Creative Black Tie
leaves
room for interpretation. He can
team a tux with a black shirt,
no tie. She wears long or short
dresses or evening separates.
Semi-Formal
is tricky.
T
uxes and long dresses are not
required, but an evening
wedding (after 6pm) would still
dictate dark suits for him, and
a cocktail dress for her.
Cocktail Attire
means short,
elegant dresses and dark suits.
Dressy
and
Business Casual
usually means sleek trousers
and dressy shirt, no jeans or
shorts skirts.
Casual
generally
means anything goes.Seasonal tips from
Danit A Levi
deliver you seamlessly to the office partyW
ARDROBETHERAPYWINTER
THEPULSE
l
51
Then true red lips, Forties style. Remember to
reapply after the second drink8230
F
or him: Opt for quality jeans in slate
or dove shades (Rock&Republic, Gap,
F
at Face, Jack Wills). Team them
with a velvet jacket 8211 sharper and
slicker than leather 8211 with a dou-
ble vent in the back. Replace a
white shirt with black or charcoal,
or stripes (Gap, Abercrombie &
Fitch, Zara) 8211 they8217re cur-
rent, trendy and suit most
men without looking as if
they8217re trying too hard.
Try a waistcoat 8211 if the
waist allows. It8217s a good way
to add colour to an outfit and
e
xpress your style as part of
your suit or as a stand-alone.
Still the boss? Keep your
suit but loosen the tie, and
fold your sleeves to the elbow
to project openness and
approachability.
F
or more style advice see
www.dressyourway.comCracking
the codePICK AND MIX
A black skirt can
be matched to
great effect with a
silk shirt, or bustier,
and an oversize
clutchbag.
W
aistcoats add
signature styleClockwise from Principles,
Topman and ASOSDress up to
show outP51_Pulse_Nov_ 9/11/07 3:24
pm Page 51
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