The Art of Entertaining: Dress Code (November Challenge Day #19)

I am definitely no fashion icon or guru.  It isn't a strong area of mine, but I do love good, tasteful, beautiful fashion when I see it.  I really think the key to fashion success is knowing your audience and knowing who you are.  I'm going to be honest and confess that I am always blown away by the impeccable fashion sense of Kate Middleton.  I have yet to see her get it wrong.  She is stunning in everything she wears and is always spot on when it comes to knowing her audience - while still remembering who she is.  Here are a few of my favorites:

 She got it right from the very beginning!!  Who didn't just love her wedding dress?!?!

{Source}

On her first international tour I was just taken aback when I saw her in this outfit.  The prefect and most beautiful way for her to honor the host country.  This is one of my all time favorites she's ever worn.

{Source}

How can she go wrong when she looks like Jackie Kennedy?!?

{Source}

Once again, doing a beautiful job honoring the host country of New Zealand with a fern on her shoulder.

{Source}

So beautiful and tasteful!!

{Source}

Another of my favorites.

{Source}

Okay, I could go on and on, but we will stop there.  What does this have to do with dinner parties? Alot!   It all goes back to knowing your audience/venue and dressing appropriately. 

Several years ago I hosted Easter dinner at our home.  I put out a nice table cloth, cloth napkins (a must at a nice dinner), and decorated the table with pretty Easter decorations.  I also cooked up a storm with the traditional Easter ham, rolls, crunchy potatoes, etc., etc..  

With the fact that it was on a Sunday, it was easy for me to stay in my church attire as well as request it of my family.  I will not lie that my heart sank when I opened the door to our guests (good friends - that are still good friends;) and saw them all coming in wearing casual clothes.   "Mental note to self", I thought.  Like I've said in earlier posts, you always learn something new from each dinner party or event you throw.  This particular event taught me that at times, a reminder of the "Dress Code" is in order.

We live in a very laid back, whatever goes society.  In someways I think that is good, but in other ways I think we have gone too far to the edge in our acceptance of less than acceptable behavior, and at times attire.  There are most definitely social events that a certain level of dress should be met and since many in society don't know what is acceptable anymore, I have found that as the hostess I need to remind my prospective guests of what I expect.  Some may think I'm bold and perhaps over stepping my bounds when I do this, but I disagree.  Here are my two main reasons why:  

First, it's my house and my party, therefore I should be able to dictate to some extent what I expect.  Otherwise, I just sit and quietly fume.  Yet I have no one to blame but myself if I have not made it clear as to what I expect.  It should be noted, I certainly wouldn't turn anyone away if they didn't comply, but I certainly would probably give them a little "ribbing" about it - especially if I'd said something in advance.

Second, wouldn't you feel more comfortable as a guest if the host/hostess let you know what the attire was ahead of time so you don't show up and are then embarrassed that you didn't dress appropriately?  I would hope so.  Just think how you would feel showing up to a wedding dressed for a black-tie affair only to find out the couple was getting married in a barn and the theme was western.  You'd feel out of place and a bit embarrassed.

To be honest, I have yet to hear someone openly complain when I make dress requests.  They have all been very complying and I would hope fully understand when they show up and can see all the work and effort I've put into making it a nice setting and that because of my little request, they happen to fit right in.  Because when all is said and done, your guests are your greatest and most beautiful party decor accessory and they should definitely be given every chance to feel that way!