Costume national

The New Year always gives us another chance to push our envelope of creativity. Tina Tinio just does that with her one-of-a-kind theme dress-up parties. She challenges everyone by dishing out dress codes that’ll cause even the most styling gurus some major outfit pondering to do. Her past themes have included Christmas with the Carringtons (a la Dynasty circa the ‘80s), a dog day afternoon"(have matching outfits with your pooch), and "A Thousand and One Nights" (an Arabian party). Recently, she challenged our wardrobes yet again by throwing a My Fair Lady afternoon tea party. In tribute to the legendary film, we all had to come in costumes inspired by the film. For those of you unfamiliar with this Audrey Hepburn film (shame on you), this meant garbing ourselves in Edwardian outfits.

It was the perfect afternoon to host tea at Chez Tinio’s garden overlooking the Polo field. Tina’s mom, Mary Anne, being quite the anglophile, helped set the table in full English tea splendor. There were delicate porcelain figurines, precious china, silver, collected from family travels, lace and pink roses. The tea, cake and snack fare were splendid. There were the traditional English scones, clotted cream, a selection of jams and butter, along with cheeses, cakes, smoked salmon sandwiches with alfalfa sprouts, pizza muffins and tomato slices topped with quesong puti and basil. Of course, the highlight of the tea buffet is the tea itself. The Tinios always impress with an extensive and exotic tea selection accompanied by proper tea service that’s been taught to the staff for decades.

Epicurean delights aside, what made the tea party quite fascinating were the guests that came decked and ready for quite a fashion battle. There were elaborate lace dresses, colorful scarves, silk gloves, fur stoles, pretty hats, pearls, diamonds and brooches worn elegantly by the ladies. Some of the gentlemen wore three-piece suits, top hats, pocket-handkerchiefs and canes. It made for one surreal picture, being as it was held in a tropical climate halfway round the globe from England.

Fashion Tips For Theme Parties

• Plan ahead. The early birds really do catch the worms. Once you get the invitation, comb through your closet immediately and look at all the possibilities. Have a backup outfit.

• Know the party’s setting. Outdoors or indoors. You want to be as comfortable as possible. If you can get away with wearing a fur coat or a three-piece suit in a garden setting without sweating like a pig, by all means do it!

• Rummage through your lolo and lola’s closet. Vintage pieces always make for an interesting outfit and a nice topic for conversation. Who knows? You may be able to find that rare Hermes scarf or Balenciaga gown that you can bid for at eBay!

• There are some who just don’t like to dress up. We find this most inconsiderate and such a faux pas. Either try to at least make some effort or spare yourself the ridicule by not coming to the party at all. Trust me, you’re not likely to get invited again if you wear blue jeans and a white tee to a pink-themed party.

• Creativity rules. Another black and white party? Enough of the boring tuxedos and black dresses. Accessorize, accessorize! Know a friend with a white toy poodle, borrow it for the night, wear an all-black outfit and carry the pooch around. Just don’t lose it as you drown yourself in champagne. Your friend will kill you. Hats, fur stoles, scarves, glam jewelry in either black and white will add that extra sparkle.

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E-mail me at djmontano@pacific.net.ph.