Unclear Dress Code Can Mortify Guests
Dear Fashion Police: Last night I attended a dinner held by my college for its more generous donors. The invitation read: “black tie optional.” My wife and I decided to play it safe and go formal. She wore a black outfit worthy of any elegant full-dress occasion. I put on the rig: tux, wing-collar shirt, studs and that funny little bow tie.
We turned out to be the only ones in truly formal attire. There were a couple of guys wearing bow ties with studded shirts and black suits, but that was about it. I certainly wasn’t embarrassed to the point of leaving and did enjoy the evening. However, I found it unnerving to be out of step.
What’s the inside track here?
--OVERDRESSED AND UNDERINFORMED
Dear Over Under: A couple of weeks ago we had a letter from a woman who wanted to know what to wear for an event that asked for “black tie preferred.” Our answer included a diatribe on hosts who issue confusing and ultimately indecipherable dress codes such as “black tie preferred” or “optional.”
We promise not to beat a dead horse here, but people who think they’re doing their guests a favor by giving them a choice about their clothing are actually doing them a great disservice. No one wants to guess what to wear to an event, only to feel awkward and inappropriate once they get there. We advise calling the host or hostess for guidance, but realize that’s not always possible.
So, at “black tie optional” events you can assume most men will not opt for black tie. After all, how many men do you know who relish the thought of putting on a tux? “Preferred” will draw more tux-wearers, but you’re bound to get a mix.
As for those men who thought they could get away with wearing a suit with a tux shirt and bow tie, well, we’re almost at a loss for words. Why didn’t they just wear one of those T-shirts with the fake tuxedo front?
Anyway, we admire the fact that you didn’t let this debacle put a damper on the evening. Maybe next time you hand over a contribution to your alma mater you can also give the event organizing committee a few pointers on dress codes. We’ll even deputize you beforehand.
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On Consignment: A while back we offered closet organization pointers to “In the Closet About My Closet,” who needed help weeding out the old clothes so she could fit in the new.
We ended by making a reference to donating unwanted items and getting a nice tax write-off in the process.
But someone brought another solution to our attention. Consignment.
Docia Drake is the owner of the consignment shop A Clothes Encounter in Los Alamitos. For those not familiar with the term, it’s a store that sells preworn clothing and accessories in excellent condition at a fraction of the original cost.
For the shopper, that means big discounts on good or even designer-label clothes. For the closet cleaner, it can mean a few bucks in the pocket.
While each store operates differently and stocks various types of merchandise, Drake says she’s interested in looking at “Nordstrom-quality or better” items. We’re talking labels like Kasper, Jones New York, Tahari and upward.
Clothes should be no more than 2 years old, clean, on a hanger and free of stains, fabric flaws, tears, etc.
“When I reject an item,” she says, “it’s the toughest thing I do. I tell people not to take offense if I don’t take something--I could have too many pants at the moment. I’ll even suggest another store they might try.”
Items are priced at one-third of their original retail cost (Drake says she has a good sense of what clothes go for). Special items, such as never-worn designer duds with the price tag still on, may go for more. The person who consigned the item gets 40% of what the piece sold for.
In Los Angeles, the Address Boutique Inc. is where you’ll find top-of-the-line consignment items. Owner Maureen Clavin has been in the biz since 1963 and looks for designer labels and accessories, 2 to 3 years old, in “primo condition.” That means on a hanger, no embellishments missing, no perspiration stains, no shoes with worn heels.
You can bring clothes to the store (make an appointment first--that’s imperative), or Clavin will come to your home if the goods warrant it. Her split is 50-50 when the item sells.
Each store has its own buy-sell policy, so check it out before you deal. And if you’ve been blowing wads of cash on clothes, you may actually have something to show for it.
* A Clothes Encounter, 10900 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos. (562) 493-0585.
* The Address Boutique Inc., 1116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 394-1406.
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When reporting or preventing a fashion crime, write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-0732. Submissions cannot be returned. No telephone inquiries, please.
