Work Prom

In Washington, often an interest group will throw a gala event at about this time of year, bringing together government and industry to put on their best duds and give someone a prize. My industry is no exception. It has become customary to refer to these events as "the prom" - just this week, NPR did a thing on the "tax prom".

So I'm going to the prom!  I will be able to go with a colleague whose wife hates these events, which also relieves me from getting a date. This is full-up black tie, and so I need a dress and associated bling. I last went to this nearly a decade ago, so I did some snooping on facebook and yes, folks still go for the glamour. They even have a red carpet photo op spot (though not so many people do this).  In the few pix from the last few years, dresses were long, short, or in between, and overwhelmingly black. If not black, red, and a very few royal blues. Solid colors all, in the photos I saw.

When I decided to go, I thought I had the perfect dress hanging in the back of my closet. Sadly, when I went to try it on, it was just the tiniest bit too tight in my fattest part, my hips. I haven't given up on it yet - super-squeezing shapewear is winging its way to me. Can I wear it, and will it be sufficiently comfortable?  It really is perfect: black velvet, with rivers of shorn pile running vertically in curves. In the rivers, the burgundy lining shows, giving it a reddish shimmer. Knee length, sleeveless sheath.

I have a backup dress, not nearly as glamorous. It is stretchy polyester, patterned blues, and way too long. Except the for the length, it looks really good on me, ruched to show off my best feature, an actual waist. It's not my first choice for this event, but it'll do if the length is right. And if the length is right, I might wear it more often at other events of lesser glam. So it is being shortened.

If I have learned one thing from Tom and Lorenzo, it's that the accessories can make the outfit. I have a cut velvet shawl, and a small black beaded clutch purse, which will work for either dress. But shoes? Jewelry?

I used to dutifully change my shoes every day at the office after riding the metro in, until finally I decided this was nuts. I should wear shoes I can walk in, all day, every day. I kept a pair of heels in the office, in case I ever got a chance to meet the President.  Then I did meet the President, and didn't wear the heels.  So out to the trash every pair of heels went. And it was President (Bill) Clinton, so it was a while ago!  Mostly I wear trousers to work, and with them oxfords, or lately ankle boots. With dresses, it's mostly mary janes or sandals in the summer, as ballets don't work well with my bunion.

But I went out with my girl today, and got a pair of kitten heels, in black suede.  I don't know how long I'll be able to stand them - I'm going to practice around the house!  And sheer black hose.

We also got make-up - something else I gave up around the turn of the century. Another thing I need to practice. Mascara, eye liner, base, and lipstick. Maybe this is too much.

So the big dress decision will be Wednesday night. The event is Friday, and I'll probably have to change at work and go there directly, so really minimal primping with makeup and hair. Jewelry is still in progress, and will get its own post.