When I was working on last week’s “10 Things” post, I went back and did a lot of reviewing of old style and outfit posts. And in thinking about #10 (wear what pleases you), I’ve realized that I most often go astray with my style when I try to create “interesting” outfits. Simplicity and casual glamour are my groove.
Above: bracelet |nails (color is Rouge Puissant) | jeans | shoes
My British friends have some of the best words. I love one that Alyson at That’s Not My Age uses, “faffing”. It means “fussing” or “dithering” and it’s anathema to me. When I find myself faffing, I know I’ve gone astray. I often rely on accessories to add impact without faffage. Simple and bold suit my style these days.
This has been on my mind lately as I’m planning to attend my first blogger conference in April. It’s outside of my comfort zone, and easy to get caught up in feeling as though every outfit has to be Unique and Special. I’ve put off thinking about it for as long as I could, but I need to get on it.
Sticking With What Works will cover me for the daytime and two of the evening events, but it’s the third, a party with a Black Tie Optional dress code, that has me a bit flummoxed. It’s not like I have a handy What Works formula in this instance, as I haven’t attended anything that formal in over two decades (and the last time I did, I just borrowed a dress from a friend). I keep wondering “what would Emmanuelle Alt do?” and think she’d probably just throw on a le smoking over her black jeans, add some killer heels and go. But she’s EA, so she can get away with it. My friend Karen says go with a cocktail dress.
What I do know:
- I’m not going to run out and spend oodles on a gown or dress I’ll never wear again. (The likelihood of another Equally Fancy Dress event on my calendar within the next decade is slim to none.)
- I tend to run cold, so I’ll need either sleeves or a jacket
- I need to stay in the realm of “fancy, not fussy.”
- After having recently shopped with a friend for her Special Event, I know that something has to click right away. As with travel, if you’re going to be a bit out of your element, you want to feel like your best true self in what you’re wearing.
I have one thing on hold that I’m going to go try on in the next couple of days, and a couple of other ideas.
Do you often have formal or fancy dress occasions to attend? If so, do you follow the dress code to the letter, or give it your own spin?
