The Lion King | 47
Fashion
Specifically, when an invite says “black tie” a
man is expected to show up in a midnight blue,
black or even white dinner jacket with a bowtie,
preferably silk, worn over a dress shirt – a formal
white shirt with double cuffs. Shoes are also
expected to be formal – black pumps or plain-
toed oxfords in patent or calf leather. Trousers
should be cut for braces and of same material
as jacket, except for white jackets which should
go with black pants. Accessories should include:
silk pocket square and an optional black formal
waistcoat or black cummerbund.
For ladies, two essential dress pieces to consid-
er are the evening shoes and cocktail (knee-
length) or dinner (ankle-length) dress. As much as
the fine points of the black tie dress code apply
mainly to men, it’s still important to understand
that the lady must ensure her dressing is appropri-
ate for the occasion.
On a final note, it helps to acquaint yourself with
the intricacies of this formal wear, even if you
hardly ever get invited to any black tie events.
If you get invited to an event, and your host
requests such a dress code, etiquette demands
that you; if you must show up at the event, must
respect the dress code.
Ladies: How to choose what
‘works’ for your walk
Kitten Heel Shoes:
if
you are looking for elegance,
style and sophistication, the
Kitten Heels are your best
bet. These dainty shoes work
well with most female outfits.
Stiletto
Shoes:
This
works just fine if
you want to look
chic or turn up
your sex appeal.
It makes your
legs look longer.
Wedge Shoes:
Called ‘Wedges’
because of their sole
shape, these shoes
can serve as a great
way to gain height
without sacrificing
comfort and ease of
movement.
Flat Shoes:
From smart shoes to casual shoes, ballet
pumps to lace-up brogues; ‘flats’ are the easiest of
shoes to walk in when you go casual or semi-formal.
Sandals and Slippers:
These are very essential items
in every woman’s shoe collec-
tion and can vary from the very
casual shoe to dressy, formal
sandals with heels and other
adornments.
Your shoes make a distinct statement about your personal
style. A beautiful ensemble can be made or marred by the
complementing pair of shoes! There are no fast rules on what
shoe to wear on what occasion, however there are usually
dress codes to guide your choice of shoes. You cannot, for
instance, wear slippers or plimsolls to work, if your dress code
is strictly formal; just as you would not be expected to go to
the beach in heels. Whatever the case, the guiding princi-
ple is to choose comfortable shoes that ‘work’ for you and
rock them with confidence.
Here is a simple guide to help you choose what ‘works’ for
you.
