Not just a Party Dress: when the evening dress is redefined
Words are important. Let’s take the evening dress and the party dress: they basically express a similar concept, but evoke scenarios that can be worlds apart, the first maybe a grand ball from the Italian classic, The Leopard, and the second a Hollywood poolside party. And what if there was a third option? A whole other way to experience the looks we only allow ourselves on certain occasions?
Hold it right there, I can see you already barefoot about to whip out your Ibiza beach club card, which is fine, I’m not saying no, but I want to challenge you.
Would you wear a long dress, pleated from head to toe, to a Billie Eilish concert? If you immediately answered yes, then well said, sister, that’s how it’s done. Here, I want to tease out the shy ones, those of you with wacky urges to have fun with your look but always end up playing it safe. I know, I am the High Priestess of the Outfit to Suit Occasion, a disciple of Think-about-what-you-have-to-do-before-choosing-a-dress-from-the-wardrobe and I certainly do not renounce my cult of common sense.
If it’s a little chilly outside, throw a cardie over that poplin shirt dress and open sandals outfit. Got a work meeting with the entire board rounded up to listen to you? Maybe go for that linen trouser suit with the double-breasted jacket and a pair of python-print slingbacks. However, nobody’s stopping you from reinventing the party dress any way you like.
Unleash your creativity, first and foremost surprising yourself, and forget about all the rules others want to pigeonhole you with. If you listen to yourself, allow your true self to emerge in all her energy, strength and complexity, I promise you’ll have twice as much fun. Mind you, I’m not talking about forcing it or pushing yourself to appear, but the opposite.
Does a long dress only work for you on important occasions? That’s fine, so take care of it, and when you put it on you will feel all its magic. But personally, I’d go to my beloved Billie’s concert wearing a silk and lamé cape, a white T-shirt, long multi-strand necklaces, slightly faded jeans and vintage cowboy boots.
Cristina Manfredi
Who is the pen behind the Marina Rinaldi New Fashion Journal?
Originally from Biella and Milanese by choice, she is a fashion, lifestyle and society journalist with a vibrant, upbeat attitude. She worked as a journalist for Milano Finanza Fashion before moving to Vanity Fair, later resigning to focus on personal projects, including writing, tango, running, and spending time with her beloved cats. Today she is a contributor to Vanity Fair, L’Officiel, Marie Claire and the Style Magazine - Corriere della Sera.
