A matter of dress

Old habiliments die hard. Isn’t that how the obscure, paraphrased, as-of-this-moment-unknown Oscar Wilde phrase goes? Here’s a particular favorite Oscar Wilde quote: "Work is the curse of the drinking classes." But this is perhaps more suited to the occasion: "The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself."

To view the masses from the dark-tinted bulbous shades of Anna Wintour is to see a world that Vogue, in its infinite surety of life within the bubble of fashionable socialites, millionaires and nepotistic ingénues, could never acknowledge: That most people do not shop in the supermarket in Galliano couture. They do not have drinks in Manolo stilettos and fresh-off-the-rack little Proenza Schouler shift dresses. They do not have huge diamond Tiffany drop earrings the size of dump trucks dangling from their ears. Why? Because most people are not Jade Jagger or some other spoiled princess with nothing to do but spend daddy’s money and pose for W. (Are we drinking the bitter brew or what? Anyway, on to my point!)

It’s not that people are afraid of looking fashionable. It’s mainly because of the price tag many of these fashionable frocks carry – many are so hefty that half a year’s rent is barely enough to cover the price of one – and because people are afraid of moving out of their comfort zones and discovering something besides a T-shirt and jeans. This I discovered after a very scientific random survey I conducted several days ago: I texted several people randomly on my phone book.

A visual survey of people at restaurants has proven that many are afraid to dress up and – even worse – to wear dresses. After so many years of practicing with Barbie or Bratz, the new tacky Barbie dolls kids play with these days according to my younger cousins, women have forgotten the fun of dressing up. In those campy retro ‘50s interstitials MTV was so fond of airing in the ‘90s when they were still cool, shots of these housewives carefully putting on their finery and earrings – though they were just at home – had an old world charm that most teenagers, dressed as they were in tatty, beat-up cardigans, distressed jeans and combat boots, never knew about. There is a joy to dressing up. Just ask Chloe Sevigny, who always seems to have a rockin’ outfit for parties she doesn’t seem to be invited to.

But here is my point – which I have finally come to after way too many tangential celebrity references – if given a list of pretty frocks at reasonable prices, many girls could and, hopefully, would wear dresses to more events. As I set about hunting for different dresses for different occasions at SM Makati, which may be the best department store in the history of forever, it was clear that dressing within every working girl’s means was more than possible. Cesar Gaupo, a designer to love, had semi-formal apparel at more than reasonable prices. In fact, most of his dresses, including an Oscar de la Renta-esque dress with a mini bubble skirt, were way below the P2,000-mark. With selections like these, it’ll be hard to go back to the same old thing.

As Oscar Wilde once said, wise dude and useful quotes guy that he is, "There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up." Even if you don’t buy the whole dress-up scene and, really, it’s all about your comfort level, it’s time to lose those ratty annoying statements T-shirts. Pronto.

Best in show

Habiliment heaven: What’s better than getting a prom dress that’s worth less than P1,500 but looks pricier than a vintage designer dress someone scrounged up and sold for half the price of a Lexus? Maybe a Lexus, but really, who’s counting? This pretty black dress works for parties, red carpet events, dinner with the parents on graduation, prom, first year wedding anniversary dinner, archiving vacation pictures at home, greeting people at the door at your local seniors’ activity center, accepting your Nobel peace prize, buying cat food, cutting your first single on the karaoke machine…

Costume national: Black dress, P1,199.75, Studio Line; sandals, P1,795, Janeo; necklace, 1,899.75, Moda Femme

Shift off

Habiliment heaven: Even if you’re into all things Goth and normally paint your nails and teeth black, with a good shower, blow dry and a dress like this, you’ll look like a park avenue princess in no time. This shift dress from Cesar Gaupo does everything right. It’s sleeveless and above the ankle, which makes it perfect for semi-formal occasions before nightfall, and uses a flattering shade of blue that works with any skin tone. And the brown bow sash makes for a perfect ending to this fabulous buy and puts emphasis on what it really is: A generous gift from the democratic gods of retail.

Costume national: White and blue shift dress, P1,695, Cesar Gaupo; sandals with pearl detail, P1,099.75, Gibi; white headband, P39.75, Fashionista; brooch, P1,999.75, bracelet, P999.75, both by Moda Femme

The white party

Habiliment heaven: Sure, you’re headed to the beach for lunch by the shore or your mother invited you for brunch at a pricey restaurant, but that doesn’t mean you should come dressed in shorts and flip-flops. Yes, the weather dictates that you dress light, but that doesn’t mean you should put a hold on style. JM Goulbourn’s light cotton dress, edged with lace, is floaty and romantic without being dressy. Casual doesn’t always mean dressing like an eastern European refugee.

Costume national: White dress, P2,695, JM Gouldourn; wooden necklace, P249.75, SM; ring with simulation jade, P2,399.75, Moda Femme; wooden bangles, P129.75, Fashionista; sandals, P199.75, Figlia

Upwardly mobile

Habiliment heaven: What’s a working girl with a dressy work-related event to do? Dress like Melanie Griffin in the Mike Nichols-directed film? Which means painting your lips orange and donning a slinky black dress with dark stockings. That’s too obvious. And cheesy. This colorful V-neck dress makes all the right statements. It says you’re too sophisticated to dress in black like every power-hungry chick in the business, but not too savvy to dress like a French national on her downtime in the villa. All in all, it’s the best way to get you to the head of the conference table.

Costume national: V-neck dress, P1,995, Cesar Gaupo; earrings, P1,599.75, Moda Femme

Pink is the new green

Habiliment heaven: Is there nothing a pink dress can’t cure? Whether it’s banishing shopping blues or moving on from a failed relationship, this chipper party dress can swing with the best of them. Eye-catching and simple in shape, Cesar Gaupo’s hot pink creation’s shirred skirt and nipped waist brings out the party girl in all of us.

Costume national: Pink dress with A-line skirt and lace-up in the back, P2,395.75, Cesar Gaupo; earrings, P99.75, Fashionista; shoes, P995, Vivacci; necklace with simulation jade pendant, P549.75, Moda Femme

Blue wave

Habiliment heaven: Go to a friend’s housewarming party in this fun and low-key frock and prepare to send every single girl in the room into a dizzying faint. Here’s how: Enter the room with confidence. Wait for someone to ask where you got your dress. Pause for effect and then give the price. Watch as, one by one, girls fall to the ground in an unflattering slack-jawed manner. Cue the sweeping instrumental violin music. And bow.

Costume national: Blue dress with empire-cut waist and tie-up bow, P649.75, SM; black bangles P129.75, Fashionista; earrings with simulation jade, P2,149.75, necklaces, P1,399.75, P1,249.75, P849.75, all by Moda Femme.