Don’t Miss the Boat: Go With Dressy Separates

Dear Fashion Police: I will be celebrating the arrival of the new millennium aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. I found out about the party in a story in the newspaper. The problem is that they have not yet determined the dress code. My guess is it will not be black tie, so now I am left to wonder what my date and I should wear. Suggestions for men and women would be much appreciated.

--PARTYING LIKE IT’S 2000

Dear Party: Our first question about millennium fashion--how exciting! We’ve been waiting so long for this moment.

Sounds like this soiree is going to be one wing-ding heck of a time with hundreds of similarly party-minded people. If you’re pretty sure it won’t be black tie, we’ll still bet it will be somewhat dressy, and we’ll also bet you’ll see everything from white tie and tails to tube tops and leggings.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to wear a tube top and leggings.

You’ll probably be most comfortable in a cocktail or dinner dress. You can go Audrey Hepburn subtle or Tina Turner sexy, whatever works. Dressy pants are OK, as are separates (e.g., skirt and blouse/sweater/jacket). Black, jewel tones, beading, stretchy, flowing--the details are up to you. Just make sure it’s comfortable, since it’s going to be a long night. Take a wrap in case you want to go on deck. And don’t wear heels so high they prevent you from dancing and make you wince in pain.

For your date we suggest a dark suit, or nice pants and a jacket. His level of dressiness should match yours--in other words, if you’re in a glitzy cocktail dress, he should have on a suit or dark jacket and pants and a tie. If you’re going more casual, he can ditch the tie, maybe opting for a colorful shirt or a turtleneck.

Now, a word to all of you panicking about finding the perfect New Year’s Eve outfit: We appreciate the fact you want to look your best to ring in the new millennium, but don’t get your panties or shorts in a knot trying to find The Most Amazing Outfit Ever. The night is special, but it’s just a date on the calendar. What you’ll remember about the evening is not what you wore, but who you were with and how you celebrated. Besides, the millennium really begins in 2001, so if you blow it you’ll have another chance next year.

*

Dear Fashion Police: How in the world does one clean microfiber? Though I’m usually an organic-fibers person, I rather like this black microfiber material and now have a bag and ankle boots made out of it. But it’s hell to clean! Even a bit of dust won’t damp sponge off. Am I doomed to dusty accessories or is there some trick?

--DUSTED

Dear Dusted: We like microfiber too but have noticed that shoes and handbags are especially tough to clean.

So we checked with our favorite stain-removal expert and super-nice gal, Andrea Ross, head of wardrobe for CBS-TV in New York.

“Microfiber breathes,” she explained. “The fabric has tiny pores in it, tinier than the tip of a pin. So every time you wipe over it, you close the pores of the fabric and end up putting more dirt in it.”

If the spot is on plain fabric (no trims or decorations), she suggests first tapping the bag or shoe gently to dislodge any dirt, then taking a small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush, and gently brushing back and forth to flake off the rest of the dirt. Be careful not to push the dirt back into the fabric.

If there is trim that could be ruined by a brush, she suggested trying a soft flannel cloth, again brushing gently back and forth.

Stains can be treated with a soft white cloth and cold, clear water. Again, pat the area with the cloth, don’t rub.

Microfiber, by the way, can refer to different kinds of man-made fibers such as nylon or polyester. According to the Fairchild Dictionary of Textiles, microfiber is “a very fine filament or fiber generally less than 1.0 denier per filament, or 10 microns in diameter, and is used to produce lightweight, soft fabrics.”

And, yes, that will be on the midterm.

Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.