Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
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Maggie Kern is a personal stylist, closet-organization specialist and fashion blogger at www.polishedclosets.com. Oh, What to Wear? Dress Appropriately for Special Events with these Simple Tips By Maggie Kern RECEIVING AN INVITATION TO AN EXTRAVAGANT EVENT, while initially exciting, often brings up the question of what to wear. Dressing for a cocktail party, a black-tie event or a charity gala can be challenging for both men and women, especially during the winter months. What is appropriate? Can you be overdressed? How do you stay warm? Most importantly, can you still comfortably dance the night away? The upcoming Ballantyne Ball on Valentine's Day at The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge is the perfect event to showcase your black-tie know- how. It is also a masquerade ball, so you and your date can inject a bit of mystery into the evening as well. Here are a few tips on appropriate attire for special occasions: Business Casual For men, this means slacks and a button-up shirt; no tie is necessary. To women, this attire's name is completely non-descriptive. The last thing you want to wear to a non-work outing is a boring work outfit. Business casual for women generally means not wearing jeans. Slacks, a skirt or a dress is acceptable as long as these items are more on the casual side. Consider matching separates, like a blazer and wide-leg trousers, for a fashion-forward look. Cocktail This attire is one of the easiest and most versatile. Men can simply wear slacks and a button-down shirt with or without a tie, or a bowtie depending on your personal style. If you choose not to go with any neck accessories, wearing darker slacks makes your look appropriate. Women can wear "cocktail dresses" to these events. Generally, a short dress is appropriate in a material other than cotton — think lace or silk in a subtle and sophisticated pattern. For a dressier feel, wear neutral colors in a classic shape. Pair your dress with heels of any height and a clutch — and you are ready. Black-Tie Optional When dressing for a black-tie optional event, it is always safe to overdress. Men should stick to a black tuxedo, while women should wear a long dress. To stay warm, wear a fur (or faux fur) stole or a cashmere wrap. Keeping accessories subtle, such as a neutral shoe and clutch with minimal jewelry, will differentiate this attire from full-on black-tie attire. Black-Tie Black-tie events call for making a head-to-toe statement since they are the dressiest and most sophisticated events. Men's attire doesn't have to change much from black-tie optional, but if you want to show off your fashion know-how, try a rich-colored suit, such as a deep green or subtle plaid. Women, you can break out your ball gown, glitzy jewelry and highest heels. The upcoming Ballantyne Ball is the perfect event to showcase your black-tie know-how. It is also a masquerade ball, so you can inject a bit of mystery into the evening as well. BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE 55 WINTER 2014-2015