(no subject)

[eliyes]

I have just saved about 8 pages of info about the differences between black tie and white tie formal fashion. It is remarkable how little about the female end of that there is out there. Apaprently it's differnet from country-to-country and from year to year, etc. So far the best guidelines I can find are:
white tie = floor or ankle length shirt, low shoes or flats, decollete, gloves, simple=elegant jewelry, no gaudy patterns of fabic but plenty of fiddly trim.
whereas black tie = WHATEVER YOU WANT THAT IS NOT JEANS. Skirt lengths vary wildly, pants can be worn, heels are often higher, jewelry is bigger and possibly smarlier, gloves are not required.

Strangely, I still find thw white tie more confusing, especially as it seems more lax in America. Granted, America these days seems to use white tie very rarely.

Comments

[taichara]

It does help to remember that with the black/white-tie functions, it's one of the few fashion-related settings where the pickiness over what the guy wears is actually much more regulated and "important" than what the chick wears.

So of course there's less by way of guidelines for the chicks, because they have a great deal more wiggle room.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Although I am sure they are judged all to hell by the other women and, depending on the occassion, various magazines.

I'm feeling nervous on behalf of fictional characters. I may let her wear the tux after all. Also thinking of downgradingparty to black tie, since apparently white tie is so rare. But the leader of the country she's currently in will be there, and possibly also ambassadors of other countries. Hm.

HOW 'BOUT SHE GOES NAKED *brick'd*

[random-redshirt.livejournal.com]

"black tie = WHATEVER YOU WANT THAT IS NOT JEANS."

I approve of this phrasing (and would like to remind a few of my fellow ladies of this). :3

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

(Because they have worn jeans to black tie, or to reassure them...?) But you still have to be in fashion. But, depending on venue, not the cutting edge of fashion. And it depends on season. And country. And occasion (if it's a wedding situation, the rules change a little). I think the best black tie advice I saw was "check with the hostess to see what she wants".