Dress Code: Awards ceremony (Gala)

Rutendo Chidawanyika

ON the monthend of May the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards took place in the City of Kings and Queens. The red carpet was amaze-balls, it was glamorous gown after the other, different textures, silhouettes and colour combination. The majority of the people who attended did slay and proved that at an awards ceremony we don’t play when it comes to fashion. Some watched from home because they didn’t have the proper outfit while others did show up in the wrong outfit.

So, how do you dress for an award ceremony/ gala?

Wear an evening to a black tie event. Black tie galas are only slightly less formal than white tie events, so plan on sticking with the glitz and glamour. Evening gowns that touch the floor are acceptable, so look for unique gowns with embellishments.

Shorter dresses are also appropriate, as long as they’re tasteful. Everyone will be trying to stand out so make sure you have your outfit tailor-made or purchase it at a high end store where the dress is limited. This will avoid many showing up in the same dress.

Try on the dress to make sure it’s the right length and that it fits you properly without being too revealing.

Darker colours are generally more acceptable for a black tie occasion, but you shouldn’t feel confined to navy and blue. Feel free to spice it up if you find a gown that speaks to you. Red, white or even grey works wonders, it just has to look elegant.

Make sure your short dress isn’t too short. It should hit at or just above the knee to be considered black tie appropriate. Also check that the neckline isn’t too low, and ask the party planner if exposed backs are acceptable.

If you’re not sure whether a cocktail-length dress is appropriate for the occasion then go for something longer to be on the safe side. They may have stricter rules than you originally thought!

Let your jewellery complement your dress. Wearing valuable jewels is common at galas, so put on a pair of sparkly earrings or a necklace to draw attention to your face and hair. If your gown doesn’t have many embellishments, wear some bracelets to add some glamour to the outfit.

Make sure your jewellery looks valuable, even if it’s not. Gold, silver and pearls are all acceptable, even if they’re imitation pieces.

Remember to balance your jewellery. If you’re wearing a very colourful or large statement necklace or bracelet, pair it with smaller earrings or bracelets. Alternatively, you might choose to wear one statement piece and no other jewellery.

Yes to a clutch. Since you’ll be on the move all evening, pack a clutch with lipstick or gloss, face powder, your ID, a small wallet, and your phone. Some clutch purses have a small, delicate shoulder strap that allows you to use your hands throughout the night, as well!

Co-ordinate the colour or fabric of your bag to match your shoes. It will pull your look together and make your choices seem thought-out and purposeful.

Leave the shoulder bags and totes at home since they tend to be bulky and burdensome.
Get your hair done professionally. Your hair is an integral part of your gala look, so it needs to be polished and perfect. A professional hairdresser will be able to achieve the best style for your gown. If you have a gown with a lot of embellishments on the back or neckline, consider getting an up do to show them off.

If you would rather save the money and style your hair at home, take your iron or curl your hair at home with quality products. Alternatively, do a simple braid, as long as it looks clean and professional.

For short hair, make sure it’s sleek and polished. Your hairstyle should look purposeful, even if it’s a little dishevelled.
Makeup should accentuate eyes or lips. Keep your foundation and blush looking natural, and use concealer to cover any blemishes. Focus on your eyes or lips as the accent for your makeup look, but not both. If you choose a dramatic eye look, keep your lips a natural nude colour. If you’re wearing a deep or bright lipstick, use only mascara and eyeliner to accentuate your eyes.

For a more natural look, try wearing a light foundation, a few swipes of mascara, and a clear lip gloss. This gives a very subtle but professional look, and allows your clothes to be the focal point of your appearance.

The perfect shoe. The exception for most galas is a pair of stilettos, check the invitation to make sure you’ll be able to comfortably walk in the pair that you have in mind. If the venue is outdoors or the flooring is not as smooth, opt for a shorter or wider heel for added stability.

Both open-toe and closed-toe shoes are acceptable, depending on the weather.

Your shoe colour should complement the colour of your gown. If you’re in doubt, opt for a basic black satin heel that will match most evening gowns.

Wearing flatter shoes may make it difficult to walk without tripping on a long hem, so be sure to try on your shoes with your dress and walk around a bit.

If you can’t or don’t want to wear heels, choose a pair of glamorous flats that complement your gown without drawing too much attention. Look for pairs that have embellishments like jewels or bows, and are made of high-quality materials like patent leather or even suede.

Now that you’ve gotten the memo on how to dress for awards/ galas, we look forward to seeing you on each and every red carpet LADIES!

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