| Dos and Don'ts of Hosting Attire |
From "Party at Home"
episode PAH-103 |
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Karen Salkin of Karen's Restaurant Revue talks to host Heidi Bohay about the best attire for hosting your dinner party. She also offers a few tips for making dressing for your party a little easier. - Have your clothing and jewelry chosen and laid out earlier in the day of your party so that you won't have to make last-minute decisions on what to wear.
- Choose clothes that are clean and comfortable. As your party's host, you want to look your best!
- Salkin advises leaving two hours to get dressed for the party. That will allow you enough time to get your hair and makeup just the way you want them. When you look and feel good and can project a relaxed and confident attitude, your guests will feel right at home.
It is of utmost importance, says Salkin, to choose clothing that you will be comfortable wearing for a long period of time. If you are hosting a party, you'll be on your feet a lot while checking on your guests. For this reason, you should avoid high heels in order to eliminate undue pressure on your back and legs. Similarly, a short skirt may look really good but may be the cause of self-conscious fidgeting when you are making your rounds and bending over often.<#IMG RIGHT> Even if you have your party catered, you'll still be doing much of the work. A tight, sexy dress may look great, but your enjoyment of the evening may wane if you feel constricted after eating. A low neckline will draw plenty of attention, but it may be too revealing as you bend down throughout the party (figure A). Your best bet is to stick with a dress that is loose and flowing, as Salkin demonstrates (figure B). This outfit is baggy enough to be comfortable while retaining style and flair. Low or flat heels are essential, such as the boots that she is wearing. <#IMG RIGHT> If you are inclined to wear jewelry, Salkin suggests keeping it simple. Small earrings are elegant and will not distract you as dangling earrings might. Thin bracelets are stylish and graceful, and as long as they don't move around too much on your wrist, they won't get in the way. Salkin prefers not to wear rings so she can keep her hands free to handle glass and china without the possibility of scratching them. Remember: Simplicity and comfort will allow you to thoroughly enjoy your own party.
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