The black tie dinner I attended a two weekends ago (when the license was misplaced) was quite the experience and not just because the hubby dressed up in his newly purchased tux. Men have it so easy when it comes to finding the proper clothing for these types of events. Slap on a tux and away you go.

Women, on the other hand, first must understand if the event is black tie, formal, semi-formal, or casual just to pick the proper dress length, shoes, degree of make-up, and hairstyle. Of course, being a Levi’s, t-shirt and sandals wearing hippie type who rarely wears make-up or does more to my hair than wash and brush it – I was way out of my league. So yes, I did traipse around town visiting all the swanky stores to determine what length the dress needed to be, what colours were appropriate, etc. What can I say? When other people dress me I can clean up quite nice.

aside: My visiting (Scots) aunt helped me pick out the pant suit I often wear on interviews and a helpful store clerk helped me pick out the skirt suit. Blouse, shoes, accessories and all…

I was originally planning to wear the black dress my mom had given me for Christmas, but was hoping that I’d find something a bit fancier within my budget. While I wouldn’t completely embarass anyone if I wore the black dress, it was a little too short and plain for a black tie affair.

That said, I didn’t manage to find a dress until 72 hours before the big event. I chose a floor length navy blue satin number with sparkly stuff on the top that ended up all over my plate and anyone I wandered within 100 feet of. On the bright side, my sparkles were silver and less noticable when on skin than my friend Amber’s. Her dress was decked out in blue sparkles and by the end of the night they were everywhere – including her drink and her nose!

Once the dress was purchased, I had to find shoes. After trying on 3+ inch heels that were more likely to bring about my death than prompt me to wander aimlessly between the gathering groups of people, I settled on a strappy pair of sandals that were just as likely to land me face first into a potted plant.

At least I’d fit in, the even was being held at the Muttart Conservatory, so I expected lots of other things to land in the plants – like mosquitos.

Dress and shoes sorted out, I needed a haircut. Prior to sitting down in the stylists chair, I had a (just past) shoulder length blonde bob with bangs. After she did her magic, I had a layered cut that looked great at the time. She fluffed and added goop and it all looked so simple at the time. Of course, one wash later and I was left looking like I’d hacked at it myself with a pair of rusty scissors and a blindfold on. The hubby calls it my country music star look. I think I look like a member of an 80’s hair band – and they were ALL male!

The cab arrived early so all plans of make-up were abandoned. Probably a good thing since I don’t really have the first clue how to apply it properly. Since I didn’t have an appropriate clutch or evening purse, my license was handed over to the hubby for safe keeping (just in case I needed ID) and off we went.

We had a fabulous night. The hubby belongs to an all male organization and the black tie event was the annual ball celebrating the wives. I met lots of new people, most of whom I’ve promptly forgotten, and was reuinted with some women I’d met on previous night out. It ended at a decent hour so getting a cab home was easy and the party clothes were hung up with care – swapped for jeans, t-shirts and sandals of course.

Technorati Tags: black tie, dress, shoes, clothes

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