44 - Sunday, August 2, 1992 - North Shore News

Heat up the night with evening wear

WHAT'S THE best way to
beat the heat for a hot night
on the town?

Carol
Crenna

FASHION STATEMENTS

Make the most of the season’s

pared-down dresses and simply
shaped separates which have an
_underlying message of glamor.

Glamor is touted as a top trend -

in dressing up this year, but it is a
more true-to-life version. Rather
than all fantasy and movie star
glitz, this type of glamor is in-
spired by what those in famous
social circles actually wore and are
wearing.
Their busy calendar is filled
with openings and operas, fund-
raisers and fashion shows, dinner
bashes and birthday parties. And
though their clothing does spark a
sense of all-out glamor since, pre-
sumably, nothing is out of reach
for their bank books, their choices
reveai that simplicity, a sense of
fun, and ccol comfort are all just
as important.
Socialites teach us that the best
evening dresses and separates are
- meant to be worn next to nothing,
and they get head-turning,
knee-weakening results. So, when
summer nights start to sizzle, go
for spare, sleck-as-you-dare party
wear,
To find out what those in-
the-know and in the news are
- wearing for sultry’ summer even-
ings, the North Shore News flip-
ped through dozens of recent
gossip columns. They depict the
names, faces and fashions of the
-jet set around’ the globe. A few
‘party ‘prerequisites were apparent
at most functions which can be
“summed up quickly. .
: What is worn:

. Safe and simple black. Whether
it is a casual club party or a gala
opera, the most slimming,
; sophisticated, versatile, trendy and
provocative color is still black.

Low-cut neckiines. Cleavage is
one of the most often revealed
areas of the body this summer.

This may be because skirts are ©

sometimes worn long for evening
which allows necklines to drop to
balance the look and since beauty
trends have been moving toward a
more shapely figure. Cleavage is
uncovered in scooped circle necks
and iow V cuts.

Shoulders are bared in tops with
straps that cling below your
shoulderiine or strapless bustier
styles. They are often emphasized
with shawls made in dressy fabrics
such as chiffon, lace and silk that
are slipped low over the shoulders.

Long skirts. There is a surpris-
ing number of ankle-length
dresses being worn to a variety of
functions. They are simply styled
— enough not to be taken too
seriously. They often get a slit up
to the thigh.

What isn’t worn:

Jewelry. Most clothing is not
adorned.. The only pieces that are
seen are strings of pearls looped
several times around the neckline
and earrings, but not both
together.

Patterns and prints: Though
fashion trends may be showing

FAMOUS SOCIALITES wear simply elegant evening wear.

lots of colorfully printed fabrics
this season, the jet set are having
none of it. They opt for prere-
quisite midnight black, pure white
or a warm bright in a solid fabric.

Pouff, frills, metallic fabrics
and other fuss: Those living in the
limelight tend to steer clear of
anything which will draw an au-
dience. Rarely are these elements
used with enough sophistication to
be appreciated by the social set.

In New York:

A University grad party was
recently staged at New York’s hot
new nightclub Metro C.C. Invited
guests included Oscar de la Ren-
ta’s daughter Eliza Reed, Diana

Ross’ daughter Tracee, Alexander
Von Fursternburg and many other
young social steppers who wore
everything from couture gowns to
black denim.

Eclectic mixes of daywear with
dressy separates were worn in-
cluding: a lace shell and pleated
skirt slipped under a jean jacket;
two low-cut tanks, one in black
and one in white, layered and ac-
cessorized with a long silky muf-
fler at the neck that hung down
the back; and a fun, leopard-
spotted chiffon shawl draped over
a dressy, pouffed mini-dress.

_ Other party-goers were dressed
in subtly risque-ensembles which
included a lip dress with lace in-
Serts at the waist; a dress which
was laced: like a corset at the

chest; and an_ off-the-shoulder
top, cut straight across the
bustline, that had long sleeves at-
tached. Black, black and white,
and madras plaid were worn.

Opening nights at arts-related
functions always draw crowds of
black in Manhattan.

The ballet bunch from New
York City’s Lincoin Centre at-
tended a premiere performance
recently at which Tatum O'Neal
wore a low-cut black gown with
four spaghetti straps securing the
dress at the shoulders. Bianca
Jagger, however, opted for the
sophisticated alternative, a crop-
ped tuxedo jacket worn with
nothing beneath and black silk
charmeuse pants.

At one of the parties for the

opening of a wing at New York’s
Guggenheim Museum, guests also
wore gowns and evening suits in
black or white. Low-cut (at either
back or front) black gowns were
styled with very little detail to
show off the luxurious fabric.

One guest wore simply a long
jersey tank dress in black, with no
accessorics, to emphasize the lean
line of the dress and ker figure.

The best suits included a
woman in a fitted’ black blazer .
worn alone over matching short
shorts. Another wore a designer
suit which had slim pants and ad-
ded Adidas court shoes.

In Washington:

A party was recently held at the
Ritz-Carlton Hotel in
Washington, D.C., for famous
socialite —- and speech writer for
George Bush — Peggy Noonan. -
Well-dressed guests came to wine -
and dire with politicians and. to
hear the gossip about Noonan’s -
son Steve, who is said'to be the -
cause of the. break-up between
Prince Andrew and Fergie. -

Guests almost unanimously
chose ankle-length black gowns.
They were cut simply and draped,
semi-fitted, sometimes: with slits
at the side. A touch of detail was
sometimes added, including a few -.
feathers at the neckline, a lace or
sheer yoke, and a rhinestone clasp
at the cleavage.

Noonan herself took another.
approach, - arriving in a sand--
washed silk suit. The. butter-soft
fabric was simply shaped into a
collarless, one-button blazer with:
tank and straight trousers. in a
solid color.

“é
ees
In Los Angeles:

More than 2,700. young L.A.
residents were crammed into a. va-
cant warehouse..on .a. Saturday
night to revel.in. the latest: local
party craze called a “‘rave.’’ The
under-30 ‘crowd ‘danced to-
techno-trendy: music: mixed | with
sounds of screaming monkeys. and
wailing sirens. — i708. .00 000 07

This ‘ phenomenon « surfaced - in

. Southern - California. a..few: years

ago in the form of illegal all-night
loft. parties. Today’s:: raves.” are’
similar to ‘nightclubs’: except they.
change. their: ‘location: each:
weekend... 6 0-891. OS
Loyal followers track ‘down the

- best raves from ~ invitations

distributed .in small. clothing and
record shops on. Santa.” Monica -
Boulevard .or Melrose ‘Avenue.
Each store issues only a“ phone: ~
number that, late’ on: the. actual
day of the event, gives instructions
on how to get-to a specific. spot
where a map is then given to show -
the guest where the rave is taking ~
place. Or it may point.to another
map point that will finally give the
location of the party, usually in
an obscure part of town.

Healthy fruit juices mixed with’
herbs and designer water are typi-
cal drinks, and nitrous © oxide
(laughing gas) is sold in balicons.
There is a no-no, however, which
is prevalent among some raves
called Ecstasy, a powerful illegal
drug, symbolized in many of. the
songs and on the clothing by an
“x?

Lingerie plays a major. role in
the femate “raver”? look. Bras are
worn as tops, girdles are worn as
skirts and garter belts accessorize
outfits. They are worn with extra
short shorts, cut-off jeans and
belted baggy jeans.

Overalls are not secured at the
shoulders, but folded down at the
waist to Jet bib and straps hang.
Little cotton sweaters and sweat

See Ravers page 15