Take Your Holiday Dressing Up a Notch, Part 1

When I post photos of gorgeous vintage evening gowns and party dresses here on my blog or on my Facebook or Pinterest pages, one of the most common reactions I get is, "Why don't we dress up like this any more?"  It is a shame that our society has become so casual that a pair of jeans and a t-shirt will suffice for most social occasions.  Instead of bemoaning that fact, however, why not become part of a change back toward more formal dressing?  An easy way to start is to amp up what you wear to all the holiday parties and get  togethers you'll be attending in the next month.  This week, I'll be looking at ways to accomplish that.

Jacques Griffe velvet gown, 1949

One of the easiest ways to make your look more dressy is to choose a formal fabric.  Instead of wearing a simple knit top or sweater with your jeans, wear a top in velvet, satin, taffeta or lace.  Any of these fabrics will make a more luxurious statement.

Carven velvet evening gown, 1949

Velvet is one of those fabrics that instantly transmits a lush and sophisticated feel.  If you don't want to wear head-to-to velvet, use it in your accessories.  But if you do choose a velvet dress, keep the accessories simple because this fabric makes a fashion statement of it's own.

Velvet has been very popular at Couture Allure this season, and most dresses and coats in this wonderful fabric are already sold, but I do have a few pieces left if you want to experience what a more formal fabric can do for your look.

1950s Suzy Perette velvet dress

1960s velvet dress with gold braid trim

1970s velvet patchwork skirt

Vintage Evening Gowns - 1955

That's me in the center, with 2 of my sisters at the black-and-white formal wedding for our other sister. I'm carrying a 1930s rhinestone evening bag.

I've been seeing a lot of photos in the last few weeks of lovely young ladies in their prom finery. It got me thinking about the excitement of shopping for just the right gown, all the trying on and the dreaming of how beautiful one will look on the special night. And then I wondered, why is it that after our prom years, we women have so few opportunities to dress up for a formal affair? In the last 30 years, I have only worn a true formal evening gown 3 times - once at each of my children's weddings where I was the mother of the bride and then the groom, and once at my sister's black-and-white black tie wedding, shown above. Each time, I felt truly beautiful, and I had so much FUN!

Why don't we have more formal occasions to dress up for? Have we just gotten too lazy? Do we just not care anymore? Why is it OK to wear jeans to the opera? Why is it OK to wear a cotton mini-dress and flip flops to a wedding? I mourn the days when certain social affairs demanded that we respect ourselves and others by dressing up to honor the occasion.

And so, dear readers, here is a call to action! Why not plan a party or get-together and make it a formal affair? Here are some ideas, presented with stunning evening gowns from 1955.

Mme. Grès

Celebrate your next big birthday with a black tie party.

Jean Patou
Plan your own grown-up prom with dinner and dancing to the old standards.

Balenciaga
Instead of a barbeque, how about a formal garden party?

Jean Patou
Attend a local formal fund raiser for your favorite charity.

Mme. Grès
Arrange a small formal dinner party at the best restaurant in town.

Pierre Balmain
Plan a very romantic at-home evening for two with your special someone.

Christian Dior
Have your own red carpet party on Oscar night.

Got any other ideas? Please add them in the comments.

Oh, and by the way, if you need a formal evening gown, I have a fabulous collection of vintage stunners at Couture Allure!

All photos by Pottier, except the first, which was taken by my husband.