What does cocktail—or any dress code—even mean anymore?
Cocktail. Hip cocktail. Smart casual. Or—our favorite—an invite reads “no dress code,” only for you to get there and find everyone dressed to the nines. Decoding the ever-evolving dress code can be daunting—especially in the midst of holiday festivities—both as a guest who doesn’t want to stand out or as a host who wants their guests to look sharp.
But knowing how to navigate these “rules” can save social fluency. “There is still protocol, and you stick out when you don’t follow it,” says DressCode Style owner and professional stylist Maribeth Geraci, adding that, even though dress codes have gotten a lot more casual, four generations make up the workplace—at least two of which still care about dress codes. Clearly worth keeping in mind while selecting that OOTD.
“We’ve been so obsessed with everyone being their authentic self—which I’m all about,” says Geraci. “But being your authentic self doesn’t mean being inappropriate in a situation that has an invitation and calls for you to make a little effort.” Translation: Feeling awkward at a function with outlined attire is really on you. But rest assured you can dress the part and still feel and look authentically you.
Taboo Turns
Body modifications are becoming more common (32% of adults have a tattoo, and 22% have more than one), but does that mean piercings and tattoos are accepted at professional events? Geraci says it depends. “You have to know when and where to have them showing,” the stylist states. “Showing them is less of an issue [than before], as long as they are not offensive or distracting.”
So, when it comes to tattoos and piercings, you have to think about the arena you’re in. “Who else is in the room? Do you care about making an impact?” Geraci asks.
Black Tie/Formal
Formal means formal, with little room for interpretation. For women: a floor-length evening gown or your dressiest (and not too short) cocktail dress. For men, a suit or tux—and, yes, a tie is a must.
Semiformal
Formal but relaxed, semiformal sits between going to work and going to a gala. Think fun cocktail dresses, long skirts with dressy tops or the classic LBD for the ladies and button-downs, dark dress socks and ties for the gents.
Cocktail
Elegant lite—polished meets poised pizazz in the sweet spot between glam and business casual. Think short party dresses, paired coordinates, suits or trousers and a dressy top.
Hip Cocktail
This isn’t your grandma’s cocktail party. “Hip” is a clear indicator that the host cares what you wear: Trendy cocktail dresses paired with heels for women and suits for men—but fun color schemes and textures are welcome.
Business Professional
No room for interpretation—and no accessories or bright colors. For women, matching skirts or blazers, biz-style dresses with jackets or a pantsuit. For men, a suit with matching belt and shoes is non-negotiable. Pro tip: The darker the material, the more formal the look.
Business Casual
Comfy meets clean and professional. “Make the pause before you walk out,” emphasizes Geraci. Ask yourself: Is this casual look still polished? Think sweaters, dark-wash denim and polos.
Smart Casual
Comfortable but coordinated and classy—think something you would wear on a dinner date. Guys, lean into jeans without holes, polos and logo-free t-shirts under a jacket. Ladies, opt for a sundress, skirts, and lifestyle sneakers or flats. The later the event, the dressier.
Everyday
Look put-together 24/7 by keeping yourself and your clothes clean and wrinkle-free. “Make the extra step to get things tailored, and make sure you are pressed,” maintains Geraci. Translation: You don’t want to look like you just dug your duds out of a hamper. “Having a good life means making an effort, and the results are always tenfold. … You’ll shine.”
Hostess With the Mostess
If you’re hosting, have fun with the dress codes—just be sure to give your guests ample time to prepare their ‘fits (aka not day-of).
PostScript Outreach enhances the lives of the disconnected through dinner and crafts.
Loneliness has long been a public health crisis—even before the pandemic made it apparent. And clearly a stigma still surrounds addressing feelings of social isolation.
Enter PostScript Outreach. Founded by Marsha Smitley with an aim to shutter out loneliness across all ages and demographics, the local nonprofit is building community by bridging the gap with its smash-hit program The Connection—aka weekly Thursday dinners boasting good food, connection-driven conversation led by a speaker and a creative dance, game or craft—for residents living at senior affordable housing complex Sir Walter Apartments.
Kindling friendships between those residing at Sir Walter has been no easy feat, especially because of a language barrier between English-speaking and Mandarin Chinese-speaking residents. Inspired to better connect with their neighbors, many Chinese residents wanted to hurdle this obstacle. PostScript answered the call with the introduction of ongoing English language classes and translation led by two volunteers.
Continuing to inspire since its launch, The Connection has expanded to kindle friendships in other spaces where connections can be difficult to cultivate—specifically for international students at NC State. Students initially volunteered with PostScript at their summer program, Staycation, chatting and connecting with the residents at Sir Walter. Some Mandarin Chinese-speaking students were even able to speak freely with the Mandarin Chinese-speaking residents—some having the first conversation in their native language they’ve had in weeks.
Once class began and schedules began to fill up, PostScript launched The Connection on-campus at NC State to continue to engage with students and other young professionals. Now the volunteers-turned-participants craft and kindle conversation together once a month, with the aim to lessen the loneliness many young people experience during formative college years.
Designed to build relationships and assure the dignity and worth, the get-togethers are about more than food and fun, explains Smitley, also the program’s executive director. “We are here because we have experienced loneliness, and we know how it feels.”
Over meals and crafts, the once-distant neighbors and students have grown closer, meeting to share “a little piece of who they are.” Conversations engage the participants, covering everything from physical health effects of loneliness to the ways we internalize stereotypes.
Ultimately, anyone can feel lonely, and it can easily go unnoticed by others. “It comes up in your body, in your senses,” says Smitley. “Loneliness is just a feeling that says, ‘I need to be connected to somebody.’” But with efforts like this one, connections can be forged. psoutreach.org
Local author releases book on The Beatles’ forgotten era.
In the summer of 1966, The Beatles were fed up with Beatlemania—the exhausting fame, the constant touring and the public’s lingering expectation of new pop music. So, the OG boy band began exploring different sounds with an aim to create more complex (and compelling) tunes.
This transitional period of Beatles history is often viewed as “downtime” for the band and has traditionally been overlooked. Durham author Gene Popa recognized the gap in The Beatles story and set out to fill it with the release of his new book, The Colour of Your Dreams, which examines the period between the end of their tour in 1966 and the summer 1967 release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Looking back on the era, many don’t realize Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s success wasn’t inevitable, Popa emphasizes. The tremendous shift in the music—and personal lives—of The Beatles were taunted as the end to their career, rather than the beginning of a new era of ambitious music and the continued release of chart-topping tracks.
“I want to go back and find these little moments that aren’t counted,” notes Popa. The Beatles fanatic scoured newspapers, magazines and letters to piece together the era history had failed to notice.
The band “approached their music with new creativity,” says the author. “They didn’t go into the studio with songs written, they just said, ‘Let’s see what develops.’” And what developed was one of the most seminal albums of all time.
Now in the works for nearly three decades, Popa began his tireless research on The Colour of Your Dreams in 1996. “I would come back to it from time to time, but it seemed too daunting to me,” he reminisced. “It wasn’t until I had written a couple of other books that I felt I was ready to tackle this one. … Anyone who is a fan of The Beatles would find this interesting.” And thanks to this overlooked era, a lot of people still are. bearmanormedia.com
Bring joy to the world—and our state—with these WNC gifts found locally.
While you hustle about this holiday season, keep in mind our many WNC neighbors who no longer have a house to hustle home to. So many people and businesses lost everything—and although cleanup is well underway, it will take years for the community to completely rebuild back to where they were before. So, while you’re making your list and checking it twice, support our state—and surprise your loved ones—with these WNC gifts. Give directly to WNC at belovedasheville.com
This winter fashion forecast calls for bright colors and bold patterns.
Although the season’s skies are boasting muted tones, this winter’s wearables are showcasing anything but. Breathing new life into a usually dull season, styles this winter are shaping up to be both striking and sensorial, adding a hint of maximalist zest to the otherwise elegant palette of prints and colors. Translation: When in doubt, go all out. So, this winter, opt for bold over cold and shop these vivid and vibrant picks from local retailers.
Pictured above: Perfect to dress up for a holiday party (hello, little black dress!) or dress down with jeans and a belt, this catty print has earned its status as a neutral this season. Elis short coat in leopard, $275, uniquities.com
Courtesy of Main and Taylor Shoes
Combine the timeless elegance of a structured black boot with a chunkier heel and slight sheen for a refreshed look on a seasonal staple. Homers boots in black lux, $395, mainandtaylorshoes.com
Courtesy of Fabrik Style
Cold Raleigh mornings are inevitable. Strike back in style and spice up any outfit via a vivid and playful puffer. Try layering with a larger, blockier pattern in a different color for extra pizzazz. Mollie printed puffer jacket, $98, fabrikstyle.com
Courtesy of Fabrik Style
The easiest way to add something unexpected to an otherwise casual outfit? Bring on the metallics and accessorize with anything a magpie might like. Nixon quilted handbag in gold, $48, fabrikstyle.com
Courtesy of Edge of Urge
Stay sunny long after the dog days are over by opting for sunglasses with a thicker frame to give the practical accessory an edgier feel for colder days. Affectionate sunnies in black, $24, edgeofurge.com
Courtesy of Rangoni
Nothing says tasteful-yet-cool like a pointed kitten heel. Pair with sheer tights or let them peek out from oversize slacks or jeans for a pop of color. Alfa 2 Stp pump in red pat pearl, $280, rangonistore.com
Courtesy of Voda
Flower power, meet winter. Bring some sun into the season with a patterned sweater—NTM it’s the perfect layer to shed if (or when) the weather warms up in the afternoon. Lorna flower sweater, $118, shopvoda.com
Courtesy of Uniquities
If you’re shooting for slightly more subtle statements this season, opt to play with textures instead of prints or colors. Funky ruching or smocking will discreetly take the fit to the next level. Odie top in walnut, $238, uniquities.com
Spin into the winter fashion season in vogue and channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw with an oversize skirt. Complement the pop of color by layering tights in a neutral pattern or muted hue underneath. Emilia full skirt, $98, shopvoda.com
These pinstripe jeans are the perfect low-maintenance staple. Pair with any outfit you’d normally wear with plain jeans for a more intriguing but still ultracomfy look. Stokes blue and white pinstripe jeans, $265, raleighdenim.com
