With the arrival of the first frosts of the season and rumors of snow to follow, it is starting to feel decidedly festive all of a sudden. Everywhere we look there are twinkling lights and beautifully decorated trees popping up and our our favourite festive tunes are blaring out of speakers in shops and restaurants all over the land. Most faithful fashion followers will have had their special Christmas outfits planned for some weeks now and as the big day draws ever closer, our thoughts turn toward the next big event of the season, New Years Eve. However you celebrate at the stroke of midnight, be it a cold glass of bubbly with your closest relations or at a big, organised party you will surely be giving a lot of thought to the perfect outfit and Dress Fabrics.
For many of us, New Year celebrations can often take on a formal manner as we celebrate with our family and friends at organised or company events and at such a ceremony Black Tie will most likely be the expected dress code. For many of us, it can be difficult to navigate the line between smart dress and true black tie. Today, we will guide you through the many Dress Fabrics which are just perfect for achieving the perfect, formal outfit.
Originating from way back in the 19th Century, less formal than white tie but smarter than business and smart casual wear, black tie is a dress code often applied to formal events and dinners taking place after 6pm. Classic black tie dress code usually consists of a black tuxedo and bow tie for men and an elegant evening gown for the ladies crafted from the finest quality Dress Fabrics. Although still considered to be a decorous style of dress, black tie has in recent years lost its traditional, stiff formality; men are no longer obliged to wear a bow tie and cummerbund and women have followed suit by relaxing the rules with shortened hem lines and more trendy, daring pieces such as jumpsuits. Black tie is now considered to mean wearing the dressiest piece you dare!
[caption id="attachment_8197" align="alignleft" width="140"] Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has perfect black tie fashion.[/caption]
One celebrity who has nailed the perfect style of formal dress in recent years has to be HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Now a regular at black tie events including charity events and awards ceremonies, Catherine has access to the latest designs from some of the world's top fashion houses who are clamouring to dress her and has worn so many beautiful outfits it is difficult to choose just one as an example of the perfect black tie attire. One of Catherine's favourite fashion houses is McQueen and it was a Sarah Burton for McQueen gown in which she married Prince William back in 2011. Catherine stepped out in another stunning McQueen piece when she attended the Sun Military Awards in December of the same year as she walked the red carpet in a beautiful, classic strapless design sewn from a sumptuous velvet Dress Fabric. With a frill trim around the bust and a fishtail skirt, Catherine was the belle of the ball with her handsome and dapper husband on her arm as the perfect black tie accessory. This was a classic, black tie outfit and paired with her trademark loose curls and chunky diamond accessories Catherine gives a masterclass in understated, classic elegance.
[caption id="attachment_8198" align="alignright" width="237"] Lupita Nyong'o shows how to add a pop of colour to a black tie event.[/caption]
One of the most talked about celebrities of 2014 has to be Lupita Nyong'o who has not only been lauded for her screen stealing performance in Twelve Years A Slave, for which she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, but for her impeccable sense of style. Lupita is a classic Hollywood beauty who has pushed the boundaries of red carpet style whilst always managing to maintain a suitable sense of occasion. If you are not a fan of classic black it is possible to inject a touch of colour to black tie proceedings just as Lupita did at the 2014 BAFTAS when she once again stole the show in a stunning Christian Dior, fishtail gown in a gorgeous shade of emerald green satin Dress Fabric. Amid the swathes of female celebrities clad in varying designs of the classic black gown, Lupita was dazzling in the simple yet elegant strapless frock. Featuring a simple gold band to accentuate her slim waist, Lupita let her dress do the talking by keeping her accessories to a minimum and her make up pretty and fresh, proving that black tie does not necessarily have to mean black.
Of course, every elegant lady needs a handsome companion to complete her ensemble and luckily for the gentlemen in our lives their outfits are somewhat simpler. One of the most important aspects of a gentleman's black tie attire is his crisp white shirt; there are a number of collar options to choose from including the classic wide spread collar option which will sit behind the jackets lapels to create a smart and elegant look. For the more adventurous and style conscious men, the classic black tie shirt also includes the pleated front shirt which is the perfect choice for the ultimate in formal occasions. A plain front shirt also achieves a simple and elegant style suitable for almost any formal occasion. Poplin is a popular Dress Fabric for men shirts, ready to wear shirts manufactured from this gorgeous quality material are often in the upper price bracket due to it's hard wearing and easy to wear qualities.
For ladies, the options for Black Tie attire really are endless. These days, anything goes and the more luxurious the better. Our wonderful selection of stunning Dress Fabrics encompass almost anything you would need to create the perfect, show stopper of a gown. Whatever your plans are for this January 31st you can be sure to see 2014 out in style with Dress Fabrics from Calico Laine and as always, we love to see picture of your creations and invite you to share them with us on our Facebook page,
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has perfect black tie fashion.[/caption]
One celebrity who has nailed the perfect style of formal dress in recent years has to be HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Now a regular at black tie events including charity events and awards ceremonies, Catherine has access to the latest designs from some of the world's top fashion houses who are clamouring to dress her and has worn so many beautiful outfits it is difficult to choose just one as an example of the perfect black tie attire. One of Catherine's favourite fashion houses is McQueen and it was a Sarah Burton for McQueen gown in which she married Prince William back in 2011. Catherine stepped out in another stunning McQueen piece when she attended the Sun Military Awards in December of the same year as she walked the red carpet in a beautiful, classic strapless design sewn from a sumptuous velvet Dress Fabric. With a frill trim around the bust and a fishtail skirt, Catherine was the belle of the ball with her handsome and dapper husband on her arm as the perfect black tie accessory. This was a classic, black tie outfit and paired with her trademark loose curls and chunky diamond accessories Catherine gives a masterclass in understated, classic elegance.
[caption id="attachment_8198" align="alignright" width="237"]
Lupita Nyong'o shows how to add a pop of colour to a black tie event.[/caption]
One of the most talked about celebrities of 2014 has to be Lupita Nyong'o who has not only been lauded for her screen stealing performance in Twelve Years A Slave, for which she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, but for her impeccable sense of style. Lupita is a classic Hollywood beauty who has pushed the boundaries of red carpet style whilst always managing to maintain a suitable sense of occasion. If you are not a fan of classic black it is possible to inject a touch of colour to black tie proceedings just as Lupita did at the 2014 BAFTAS when she once again stole the show in a stunning Christian Dior, fishtail gown in a gorgeous shade of emerald green satin Dress Fabric. Amid the swathes of female celebrities clad in varying designs of the classic black gown, Lupita was dazzling in the simple yet elegant strapless frock. Featuring a simple gold band to accentuate her slim waist, Lupita let her dress do the talking by keeping her accessories to a minimum and her make up pretty and fresh, proving that black tie does not necessarily have to mean black.
Of course, every elegant lady needs a handsome companion to complete her ensemble and luckily for the gentlemen in our lives their outfits are somewhat simpler. One of the most important aspects of a gentleman's black tie attire is his crisp white shirt; there are a number of collar options to choose from including the classic wide spread collar option which will sit behind the jackets lapels to create a smart and elegant look. For the more adventurous and style conscious men, the classic black tie shirt also includes the pleated front shirt which is the perfect choice for the ultimate in formal occasions. A plain front shirt also achieves a simple and elegant style suitable for almost any formal occasion. Poplin is a popular Dress Fabric for men shirts, ready to wear shirts manufactured from this gorgeous quality material are often in the upper price bracket due to it's hard wearing and easy to wear qualities.
For ladies, the options for Black Tie attire really are endless. These days, anything goes and the more luxurious the better. Our wonderful selection of stunning Dress Fabrics encompass almost anything you would need to create the perfect, show stopper of a gown. Whatever your plans are for this January 31st you can be sure to see 2014 out in style with Dress Fabrics from Calico Laine and as always, we love to see picture of your creations and invite you to share them with us on our Facebook page,