1. Dress modestly!
While you have every right to show off your body, make sure to do it tastefully. While the type of event definitely impacts the level of discretion you should show, it is best to consider what your grandmother and your grandchildren would think of your outfit. The pictures from that event will be around for years, and you do not want the little ones seventy years from now to think that grandma was a bit of a hussy. Dressing modestly does not mean looking frumpy. You can look wonderfully decorous without looking like a nun. Stripper shoes are never EVER okay.
Professional:
It is best to think about hemlines and necklines that would be appropriate in a church when dressing professionally. If you have some décolletage showing, that's fine, but keep your arms and legs covered. Just above the knee skirt? Full coverage on top. This applies to casual Fridays too! Keep the cleavage at a minimum and keep skirts to just above the kneecap or below. Forbes has a great article on what not to wear.
Wedding:
Potentially the most important dress you will ever wear. Sheer corset bodices? Save them for a more *ahem* intimate setting. The guests at your wedding do not need a peek at what you will be wearing on your honeymoon. There is nothing wrong with capitalizing on your youth and beauty as a bride and choosing a figure flattering gown, just make sure that if you as a young girl had seen you in your wedding dress, she would think "glamorous", not "sleazy"? Also, you have already got the person you are marrying. No need to dress suggestively, the time for that has passed.
Prom/Graduation:
This is a momentous school event. Your teachers will be present. A cutout here or there is fine for prom if that's your style, but full midriff baring gowns, thigh high slits, and plunging necklines likely do not represent the person you want to be viewed as in an academic setting.Your mom will probably be sending the pictures of you around to the rest of your family. Do you really want the cousin you haven't seen in years to harshly judge you based on one wardrobe choice? Cousins are judgmental. Remember that.
2. Consider timelessness
The most successful outfits would not look out of place 60 years ago, nor will they look dated 60 years in the future. A classic coat, sheath dress, oxford shirt, tailored pants, these things will never go out of style. Love what the first family wore at the inauguration 2013. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, could not possibly have looked more perfect on her wedding day. Her gown was modern and flattering, but it was incredibly classic, and mirrored the elegance, grace and tastefulness that Grace Kelly exhibited in 1956. Either of their gowns could be worn at just about any time in recent history, and could be worn at any time in the foreseeable future. When you look back on the event, you don't want to wonder "what was I thinking?" and remember that what is on trend now is probably not going to be on-trend in the future. For example: 80s dresses might have been an acceptable look at the time, but if you wore them now, it would not go over quite so well.
3. Fit and fabric are key
Looking good on your big day is not only about what you are wearing, but how you are wearing it and how it looks on you. A cropped peacoat may look lovely on someone else, but if it doesn't look right on you, then it's time to reconsider what you are planning on wearing. Many department stores offer free personal shopping consultant services, so make use of them!
Tailoring can make a so-so outfit outstanding. Blazers should always be tailored, as should formal dresses. It is incredible to see how much of a difference tailoring can make! A personal example; my dad had an important conference to go to a few weeks back. He has recently lost over 30 pounds and was still wearing the suits from before his weight loss. As he tried on the suits, he looked sad and frumpy, and it was not good, but then he took a few of them to Nordstrom's to get them tailored (I have a love affair with Nordstrom's that I'm sure I will share in a later post). When he got them back, he looked like a new man. The suits looked slim and crisp and made him look ten years younger than he actually is.
Fabric is also something to consider. A dress might look lovely in the store or online, but when you get out into the real world, if the fabric or construction is poor, it will show. It is better to get a simple dress with lovely fabric than a super extravagant dress made of pure polyester. Shiny fabric that is stiff to the touch won't move or photograph well. Also, if you are doing a figure skimming dress, make sure that it is lined. Otherwise every bump will be visible, and that is not a good look.
4. Less is more when it comes to accessories and makeup
The way you look for an event is important, but more than anything, what matters is how you feel. All eyes should be on you, but not because of how great your shoes look. People should notice you in your entirety. Keep makeup understated. The first thing people notice should not be your eyeshadow. Accessories should contribute to the overall outfit without being distracting. That doesn't mean that you should forgo a pop of color, it just means that the color should compliment the rest of your ensemble. Wear what looks good and feels good, because if you feel positive about yourself, that will be the first thing that people observe.
No comments:
Post a Comment