Dressing for Special Occasions *A monthly column devoted to helping women and men be their best and most confident in any situation. Topics include dress, body language, attitude and etiquette.

Victoria Seitz, PhD Image Expert

Dressing for special occasions has guidelines all its own. In fact, I often refer to the section from my book Your Executive Image regarding what to wear for special occasions.

Here are some tips for avoiding the embarrassment of showing up under or overdressed for the occasion.

• When the invitation says "casual," it's best to call your hosts and ask them what they mean. Sometimes "casual" means slacks and a top, sometimes a sport coat and tie or a cocktail dress. The type of affair, the region of the country, and the people present will have a lot to do with the dress requirements. If the affair is an open house it probably calls for a suit or a sport coat and tie for men, a dress, two-piece dress, jacket and city shorts, or depending on the time of day, dinner suit or cocktail dress for women.

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• Remember, the term "casual" has different meanings for different parts of the country. East coast dress tends to be more formal than that of the middle and western regions. The term "casual" also implies more formal attire in large cities than in small towns.

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• The important thing to remember when attending any function, whether it calls for jeans or a sport coat and tie, it to look your best. Clean and press your best jeans. Don't think that "casual" means "sloppy."

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• For a breakfast, lunch, or early cocktail party, consider these alternatives. Women - a dress or suit in linen (for summer), silk, cotton, or wool, with pumps or sling backs - not stripy evening sandals. Men - a dark suit, or a sport coat with coordinating trousers, dress shirt, ties and polished shoes.

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• For an evening function, with cocktails at six or dinner at seven, consider these options. Women - A black or dark-colored dress or evening suit, ultra-sheer hosiery in dark tones, evening pumps or strapped sandals, dramatic jewelry, and a small handbag or clutch. Velvet is worn around the Christmas season. Men - A dark suit in navy, black, or charcoal gray, tie, dress shirt in white or colored with contrasting white collar, and black shoes and belt.

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• For a black tie affair, consider the following: Women - Short, tea length or long evening dress in silk, chiffon, crepe, taffeta or organza (reserve velvet for the holiday season and cooler months from October through January); dramatic jewelry, evening clutch, strapped evening sandals, and ultra-sheer hosiery. Men - Black-tie tuxedo, dress shirt, black hosiery, and black patent leather shoes. As an executive, you don't want to overdo it. Women should avoid overly bright, flamboyant colors and designs, and men should avoid fur line, fluorescent-colored cummerbunds and extravagant ties. Stick to conservative colors or just black.

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• For a formal affair such as a ball, consider these options. Women - a long gown (no pants), with or without sequins, in taffeta, silk, chiffon, organza with dramatic jewelry, clutch, strapped sandals, and ultra-sheer hosiery. Men - you have the option of wearing a white dinner jacket (like Humprey Bogart) with a white shirt and black bow tie and black pants or a black tux.

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• If the invitation says black tie optional, men should wear a dark suit such as black, navy or charcoal gray suit, white shirt, conservative tie, black shoes and belt.

To learn more about Dr. Seitz please visit her website at www.cbpa.csusb.edu/vseitz.

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