It’s Black and White Ball Season

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE INVITED TO

A BLACK AND WHITE BALL?

The Dress Code For Women

Firstly check your invitation.

There will be hints on there as to what you are expected, and not expected to wear.

Look out for;

• Black tie optional

• Black tie preferred

• Black tie

These events are:

• Usually held in the evening

• Usually formal - women will normally be expected to wear an evening dress/gown which would be three quarter or floor length.

• A black dress is always a good choice, though it's okay to choose another colour. Just keep it tasteful and not too gawdy.

• Tiaras are not necessary, though glitter is. So wear a tasteful necklace, bracelet and / or ear rings

• A small velvet or satin evening / clutch bag

• A pair of gloves is also optional ( long satin ones will look fine with a sleeveless dress like the one below by promgirl.com)

• A pair of good quality hosiery. Sheer tights with a good percentage of lycra in them would be a good choice.

2 Women That Make 'Less Is More' Look A Million Dollars

Lupita Nyong'o makes wearing evening attire look both beautiful and effortless.

• Very little jewellery and make-up

• Clutch bag which matches her dress

• Well manicured nails make her picture perfect.

Grace Kelly is another lady that makes beauty and elegance at a black tie event seem effortless.

Note:

• The understated jewellery

• Matching clutch bag

• Fur stole.

The Dress Code For Men

2 Men That Make Looking Suave and Sophisticated A Habit

Daniel Craig above showing any men wondering what they should wear to a 'black tie event' in no doubt.

Take note of;

• The detailed front of the shirt

• The bow tie

• The satin shawl collared tuxedo

• I don't doubt that there are some very nice cufflinks holding his crisp white shirt sleeves together as well

Idris Elba above seems to have the black tie event dress down to a fine art.

• Shiny patent shoes

• Single breasted jacket

• Bow tie.

Still Not Sure What To Wear?

It's Time To Speak To Your Host

THE FIRST MASKED BLACK AND WHITE BALL

The invitation above is nothing much to look at, but anyone that received one of these in 1966 would probably have felt quite honoured to receive it at the time.

The first masked black and white ball requested that the men wear a black mask and the women should wear a white one.

The event was hosted by Truman Capote. It was held in the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel in New York, 8th November 1966.

Capote, among other things was a famous American novelist. You may well have watched the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s starring the beautiful Audrey Hepburn and very suave George Peppard. If so the film was adapted from Capote’s novella of the same title.

THE GUESTS

500 hundred well known influential and sometimes controversial guests were invited to the Capote ball. The guests included people such as;

Franks Sinatra

Mia Farrow (American actress)

Lee Radziwill (sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis)

Rose Kennedy (mother of John F and Robert F Kennedy)

Lauren Bacall (American actress)

Sammy Davis Junior (American all round entertainer)

Norman Mailer (America author)

Andy Warhol (American artist, king of ‘Pop Art’)

Bill Baldwin (interior designer)

Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird author)

Candice Bergen (American model and actress)

3 Presidential daughters: Margaret Truman Daniel (daughter of President Harry S. Truman)

Alice Roos