Attire Choices: Tenue de Soirée and '70s Theme Party

Me in the ‘70s

Decoding the dress code doesn’t get any easy through the years. In fact, it has become even more difficult as many don’t care to research what norms are already in place. Here, we have two distinctive questions. One is mostly about style—time-period specific—and one is a standard, known dress code—nevertheless confusing.

What to wear for a 70’s theme party?

My friend and I are invited to a semi-formal '70s style party and are confused about attire choices. Both of us purchased truly short disco dresses. Mine is gold with sparkles and hers is black. We want to fit in, but don't want to look slutty.

Confused Girls

Dear Confused Girls,

The '70s were a very confusing time for most of us and there was a variety of expected attire—all very different. There was the disco attire, down to earth style – earth tones, no makeup, down-with-establishment – and then there was the sweet, trying to get away from reality type.

Since you don't want to look 'slutty', you could go with the big bells and t-shirt, or the sweet peasant girl look.

However, the dresses that you describe should be fine, especially because this is a semi-formal affair. You might want to pair the dresses with the most well-known shoes for the day: platforms. Aren't you glad that you weren't a young person during those days? LOL

Enjoy your event!

The Polite One

Tenue de Soirée or tuxedo attire for a formal dinner party

What does Tenue de Soirée mean?

Dear Polite One,

What does Tenue de Soirée mean?

Invited to Dinner

Dear Invited to Dinner,

It literally means to dress in evening attire, which means cocktail attire. For some, this means black tie (tuxes and gowns) though.

Most sincerely,

The Polite One

Update

Invited to Dinner asked the host what were his attire expectations. The host expected black tie. He refrained from using "black tie preferred" out of concern that many would not own a tuxedo. Both "black tie preferred" and "Tenue de Soirée" are confusing terms though. It would have been best to have been very dress code specific.

Similar Posts

How to Decode a Dress Code

Casual is More Than One Style

Proper Formal Attire: Benefits, Ballet, and Glove Etiquette

Comments

How to address a divorced woman? Mrs or Ms?

Dear Polite One, Should I use "Mrs." or "Ms." when sending correspondence to a divorced woman? Wondering from Kansas Dear Wondering from Kansas, Both Mrs. and Ms. are proper when addressing a letter to a divorced woman. If you choose to use Mrs., you will use her first name and last name: Mrs. Jane Brown. However, Ms. is the most common title for women these days, because marital status does not define any of us. Sincerely, The Polite One More by The Polite One Too late to send an invitation to Bat Mitzvah? How to reschedule a retirement party? Mother-in-law added names to the guest list!

Do I remove the gloves when eating?

Dear Polite One, I'm attending a very formal ball and dinner is included. I will be wearing long gloves with my long formal gown. Do I remove the gloves when eating? Glove Etiquette Dear Glove Etiquette, It is proper glove etiquette to remove gloves before the meal begins and lay them across your lap. Fold your napkin in half and lay it on top of your gloves. After leaving the table, and before the dance, put them back on. Before dancing, remove them again. Sincerely, The Polite One More From The Polite One What Jewelry to Wear to a Formal Navy Ball? What to wear for a formal ball in New York? Appropriate Dinner and Dancing Charity Event Attire?

How to address an envelope to a married woman who kept her maiden name?

Dear Polite One, With so many females keeping their maiden names after marrying, how I address correspondences to them? Confused Dear Confused, Many times, women keep their maiden names to retain career identity. This is her name no matter what her marital status is. So, if the correspondence is primarily to her, list it like the following. Ms. Jane Brown Mr. John Smith If listed on the same line, add an "and." Ms. Jane Brown and Mr. John Smith If you don't know her husband's name, you could use this example. Ms. Jane Brown and family. If the correspondence is primarily to her husband , list his name first. Mr. John Smith Ms. Jane Brown However, if this is a social correspondence and one is a doctor or holds a title (officer or similar), this person would be listed first. General John Smith and Ms/Mrs. Jane Brown. Sincerely, The Polite One More by The Polite One Correspondence: Dr and Hubby, Grieving Brother-In-...

Got Etiquette Advice?

Search This Blog