code: dress

good morning y'all... so i was out yesterday (brunch and drinks) with a couple of friends and talking about this whole fashion blog thing... yes, i'm still excited and i'm still going to churn out posts and material that you find useful... in other words, i am finally going to take blogging seriously and looking at developing my unique voice... i hope you will be with me every step of my growth! 

since things on the online @dition are going to be more 'serious', i thought, 'why not have a post about serious fashion?' first up, what is 'serious fashion'? 

hands up, those of you who have gotten invites to a black tie event and have NO clue what to wear? i'm definitely one of those who dread black tie / formal events... or basically anything with a dress code...

image from heartnhome.com

here's what to wear at a black tie event (thanks to my friends from Wikipedia...)

the traditional components for men are:

• A jacket with silk facings (usually grosgrain or satin) on a shawl collar, peaked lapel or notched lapel. Many current fashion stylists and writers see notched lapels as less formal although they (like peaked and shawl) have been used since the first evolution of the garment.
• Trousers with a single silk or satin braid covering the outer seams
• A black cummerbund or a low-cut waistcoat
• A white dress shirt (a marcella or pleated front is traditional), French cuffs and cufflinks, and a foldover or winged standing collar. (Old style detachable collars, winged, are also acceptable to the code, although extraordinarily rare.)
• A black silk bow tie matching the lapel facings
• Shirt studs and cufflinks. Studs are often dispensed with today.
• Black dress socks, usually of silk or fine wool
• Black shoes—traditionally patent leather court shoes (pumps); now often highly polished or patent leather Oxfords instead.

for the ladies... no one sums it better than on fellow fashion blog, Shes Daily:

'Dressing up for a black tie event is a difficult task for women compared to men, as the confusion remains over what exactly the attire includes and what it excludes... While choosing black tie attire, remember that your choice will depend on the type of party. More lavish the party, the more formal dress you will need. Your little black dress can be fine for a drinks party but not for a more formal event, which includes drinks and dinner. So, it's best to pick for full length skirts and dresses. Knee length dresses are generally considered semiformal.'

image from getty images

alternatively, you can do what i do... try to not turn up at all! (just kidding...). final note, don't be fooled by the images i selected... the women are all in black because i am just trying to keep to theme... BAM!