If you’re going to a fancy wedding or a red carpet event, it’s essential to dress the part. After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing than suddenly realizing you’re severely underdressed for an occasion. The stares, the awkward silence – it’s enough to make anyone want to run away.
Well, don’t worry – there’s a way to avoid this situation altogether. It takes a little thoughtfulness and preparation, but we’ve got your back. Let’s go through some of the ways you can prepare for a fancy event where you’re expected to dress to the nines.
Prep your body
About a week out from the event, start eliminating salt from your diet. Salt holds onto water and can make you look a bit more bloated than usual. It takes between twelve hours and five days for excess salt to leave your body.
If you’re trying to avoid salt, make sure to stay away from these foods leading up to the event:
- Fast food,
- Snacks: Potato chips, pretzels, crackers, salted nuts
- Frozen dinners: Frozen meats, frozen pizza, etc.
- Cheese and dairy: salted butter, cheese, cheese spreads and sauces
- Salted, canned goods: Pasta, stews, soups
- Sauces: gravy, tomato sauces, salsa, soy sauce, etc.
- Pickled goods: Pickles, olives, sauerkraut
Stick to these foods instead:
- Eggs
- Starchy vegetables
- Grains and beans
- Fresh, frozen, or dried fruits
- Fresh or frozen vegetables
- Dairy products like milk and yogurt
- Unsalted nuts and seeds
- Low-sodium drinks like tea, coffee, and water
- Low-sodium seasonings (look for no salt on the label)
And while you’re making all of these dietary adjustments, make sure that you drink lots of water to flush out any extra salt.
Take care of your skin
You should always take extra steps to ensure your skin is clean and healthy, that’s a given. But in the week leading up to the event, it’s time to pamper your skin. Invest in a few face masks (but ones you’ve used before) and spend time doing a little exfoliation.
Prep your hair
In the week before the event, do at least one deep conditioning treatment to prepare your hair for any heat styling. After all, you don’t want your locks to be fried for the event! If you can, get a trim and deep conditioning treatment before the party or occasion. Professional treatments tend to look better than any DIY attempts. But, if you’re strapped for time, sleeping overnight with your hair soaked in coconut oil and washing out the extra in the morning is a reliable shortcut.
Pick your outfit
A black-tie event involves very fancy apparel. Men get off easy with dress socks, leather shoes, and a tailored tuxedo. But if you’re a woman, black-tie dress codes are a little bit trickier. Although you can always go for a cocktail-length dress for more informal parties, black-tie calls for a floor-length gown in most cases. If you do opt for a cocktail dress, choose one in an elegant jewel tone. If you decide on too bright of a color, it can come off a little tacky.
Accessorize
The rule of thumb for black tie accessories is “keep it simple.” You don’t want to overwhelm a classy outfit with too many accessories, but you need somewhere to put your lipstick or your cash. Look for a neutral-colored clutch to keep your essentials safe.
Pick out jewelry that complements your overall outfit. Try to keep the jewelry subtle, or if you want to go glamorous, choose one statement piece. When you’re planning out your outfit, it’s important not to have too many things going on. Keep the style focused for a more elegant aesthetic.
Takeaways
A fancy event is a super fun way to play dress up. But it can also be hard to know exactly what to wear if you’ve never been to a black-tie event before. And nobody wants to be the person underdressed at a fancy wedding or party. To avoid that worst-case scenario, it’s crucial to get a feel for the dress code and always err on the side of caution. Stick to darker colors, and beautiful fabrics like silk or thick wool, and keep jewelry classy and minimal. With the tips found in this article, you will feel like a million bucks – even if you didn’t necessarily spend that to achieve your fashionable look!
