RSVP / ORANGE COUNTY : BEHIND THE SCENES : ‘Eclectic’ Dressing, for Shore

Guests at the Grand Beach Ball on Saturday wore beach-bum elegance, as requested by the invitation. The fund-raiser, held at the Neiman Marcus courtyard in Fashion Island Newport Beach, benefited ChildHelp USA, a nonprofit national organization. Its Orange County group homes help children at risk.

Tired of black tie, the Islanders, who organized the annual event, elected for something “eclectic and fun,” said member Peggy Goldwater Clay, who shipped out in an ivory Criscione jacket with gold piping and a large red anchor on the pocket. Tilted on her head was a child-size scuba mask she glitzed up with gold glitter.

As the band--dressed in tuxedo jackets and jams--played on, the 350 supporters coolly danced away the evening in shorts and sandals and assorted shell motifs.