‘Black tie’ has long found a place, and, on the rarest of grand occasions, ‘white tie’ – and, of course, fancy dress. But there may be a case for extending the practice to other orders of attire. Doubts and uncertainties seem to hover over the whole topic as people wonder whether they should dress up, dress down or come as they are. Apart from the above, directions which Love Stories think are helpful are as follows.

‘Dress: formal’ indicates it is the hour for your new party frock. For men, it is usually safe practice to decide in favour of a tie butthere are several acceptable options for those who wouldn’t be seen dead in one. Also, even the dinner jacket convention may be interpreted liberally without causing umbrage as fashion and social practice propose other choices that show equal respect for the occasion.

The wording ‘Dress: informal or casual’ signifies that guests can feel relatively relaxed about getting into best togs and the need for a neck tie, bearing in mind the nature of the occasion, and (a big qualification) the hosts. Partygivers who like the idea of giving their friends maximum choice might like to emulate the example of the couple who put on the invitation to a dance, ‘Black tie or anything else.’

But how should the doubtful guest respond when told by the host who, perhaps out of a wish not to appear dictatorial, takes refuge in mystifying vagueness and murmur something along the lines of ‘Do wear what you like’?

In such cases, there would be nothing wrong, we suggest, in dressing up instead of dressing down.

Cocktail Slide – Red Getting all dressed up for your biggest social event yet but don’t forget to pair it up with these sensational slide-on sandals from Carlos by Carlos Santana. A candy apple red leather upper is featured with a dazzling 4 1/4 inch heel and 1/2 inch lucite platform.

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