I bemoan the fact that we have lost the ability to dress up.  With the holidays out-of-the-way and fundraisers and galas going into full swing, I think it is high time that we eschew the casual attitude that we’ve adopted over the years of austerity and turn it out properly in order to remind ourselves that we still can.  In my book “formal attire” means long dresses.  I could care less if all of Hollywood thinks cocktail dresses are formal–there is nothing more unseemly than a short dress on a red carpet.  Furthermore, for anyone who has not yet grown out of “prom hair”, up-do’s with cascading ringlets, get over it now–it was not attractive when you went to prom and it will never be attractive even if you are of prom age.  Lastly, women creeping up in age, don’t cower into a soccer mom dress–taffeta, high neckline, cheesy matching jacket– if you need a little help from your friends (i.e. Botox, Restalyne, hair color, facials, Spanx) get it.  Then suck it up and show me that you can turn more heads now than you did when you were 25.

Gilded

A full-on gold dress is never too much if you are either blonde or dark-haired with olive skin.  Well, my ideas of “too much” may differ from yours, but what I mean is you will turn heads without seeming garish if you play into contradictions.  I like younger women covered up in gold and older women discreetly showing some skin.  A young leggy blondes (think Blake Lively) in a gold lame long-sleeved gown (see photo below), a pair of stellar earrings and a cocktail ring is breathtaking.  

Badgely Mischka collection sequined gown with cowl back, available here.

Oscar de la Renta earrings, available here.

However, if you are of “mom age”, you look old enough to have children, go for something a bit more tailored as the Badgeley Mischka dress above can turn marmish very quickly .  Instead, try a drapey asymmetrical dress like the Lanvin gown below.  With so much lame you won’t want a necklace competing with your dress.  A simple-ish pair of clip on earrings and bangles or a cocktail ring is all you need.

Lanvin gold lame dress, available here.

Bijoux Heart earrings, available here.

If Marilyn Could, So Can You

White gowns are not only reserved for weddings and skinny women.  As long as the fabric is season appropriate, there is no reason why one couldn’t wear a white dress to an event requiring formal attire.  In order to avoid looking like you’re about to walk down the aisle however, I would play into clichés.  Exaggerate old Hollywood glamour with a dress reminiscent of the 40′s, 50′s or 60′s and make sure to be dripping with diamonds.  Alternatively, play up the Grecian look with a draped white gown and gold leafy or Egyptian Revival jewelry.

Lanvin silk falle gown, available here.

Kenneth Jay Lane graduated cushion cubic zirconia necklace, available here.

BCBC one shouldered gown, available here.

Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, available here.

The Anti-Wall Flower

Floral prints are hard to pull off for formal attire unless the event is in the tropics.  Long floral dresses tend to look either too Laura Ashley casual or too tropical for urban settings.  For those who like a little flourish, try embroidery instead but keep your jewelry sleek.  We wouldn’t want you looking like a tangle of weeds would we?

Monique L’Huillier gown, available here.

Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, available here.

Sporty Spice

Not a girly-girl?  That doesn’t mean you can’t wear a gown.  Geometric shapes and color blocking is very au courant and such styles lend themselves well to tomboys, jocks and athletic girls.  I never thought I would say this, but this look is best left alone–I would not wear jewelry with this dress.

Stella McCartney gown, available here.

Lady in Red

I never used to wear red until a few years ago.  I always thought it was because red looked terrible on my complexion until I realized that it was only certain shades of red that didn’t suit me.  Thank goodness orange-reds are so popular in everything from lipstick to clothing!  Try on different shades of red until you find one that suits you.

Lanvin silk charmeuse gown, available here.

Percossi Papi earrings, available here.

Anything But Basic

A slutty black skin tight dress is so predictable.  There is nothing wrong with being risqué, but one can never recover from a reputation of predictability.  If you want to ruffle a few feathers, surprise is key.  Walk in all covered up to your neck and then give people whiplash as you pass by.  With so much fabric going on in the front you will want to forgo necklaces in exchange for big earrings and a funky bangle (or five).

Maison Martin Margiela exposed back satin drape jersey dress, available here.

Herve Van Der Straeten cuff, available here.

Getting dressed for an occasion is vital to a woman’s life–it reminds us not to let ourselves go.  If one has to put oneself together often, one will never fall into the lethargy of a life in elastic waistbands.  Some may call this vanity; I call it self-preservation.  Perhaps it’s high time dress up and parade around the house until you get the hang of it again.

Big Kiss and Bigger Diamonds,

JZP

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