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Avoid white, which belongs to the bride at a bachelorette, and avoid anything so attention-grabbing that it competes with the guest of honor

Unique Vintage creates brand-new dresses that draw from classic vintage styles, from the 1920s through Y2K

While guests invited to a black-tie event should heed the above advice, women headed to black-tie optional affairs have more leeway to wear cocktail-style dresses or even dressy pantsuits, while men can step out in a regular suit (a still-dark, but less formal shade, like charcoal or navy, is acceptable)

In addition, you want to stay away from tatty thonged sandals and, indeed, anything scuffed or broken