short striped dress Women's Blue | Avara and a tailored neckline. Blue Striped Fit-and-Flare Mini Dress

And as is the case with a lot of menswear, when you keep other things subtle, the details shine out - like the wide, pointed loops cut on this gown, the width and rigidity of that belt itself, or those sweeping lapels

I flipped through my Costume in Detail book, admiring the ridiculously complicated-looking gowns of the first decade of the 20th century, and landed on a dinner dress I thought could be converted to an evening gown by just removing the sleeves

More specifically, the shirt collar must sit comfortably on your neck

If the celebration is in a tropical locale, opt for sundresses for women and linen pants or khakis for men still no shorts, unless indicated