What does an invitation to "dress: glamorous" mean

[supermax]

I've been invited to a party by a girlfriend in a few weeks time. The invite asks guests to "dress: glamorous". What does that mean for men? By way of further information, the party is v. smart and the invite is for drinks, dinner and dancing. It will be held in London.

[Concordia]

Sounds like the analogue to "festive dress," which appears over here in increasing frequency. I take it to be cocktail attire with a bit of abandon-- which will likely affect the ladies more than the gentlemen.

[kooka]

I don't understand what "festive dress" means at all. For me "Glamourous" conjures up an image of Gary Cooper in a white suit. "Festive dress" to me sounds like Peter Allen in the film clip for "I go to Rio".

I would personally start with the basic dinner suit, and add a bit of intrigue with accessories, Exactly what, unfortunately I couldn't say, as I only know how to do the dinner suit in basic black and white. But perhaps ... an elegant white scarf and cane? White tie and tails? How can you get more glamous than that?!

What are the formal rules in this area?

[Mark Seitelman]

I can define the terms "festive" or "glamorous" dress as meaning no black tie and cocktail dress or gown required.

In our casual times I would say that it means a dressy, dark suit for the man and a dressy, dark evening suit for the lady.

In effect, the relaxed relaxing (or abandonment) of the rules of evening dress means that one guest will be wearing a navy DB suit, and the guest next to him will be wearing a tan poplin suit with boat shoes.

To quote Cole Porter, "anything goes!"

[Mark Seitelman]

I must amend my response.

Women are free from the convention of a dark suit for evening. The ladies can wear any color in either a dressy day suit, evening suit, or cocktail dress. A gown would be too formal for a "festive" dress occasion.

[dopey]

It is very dangerous to seek this kind of advice on a message board with worldwide reach. “dress:glamorous” has no conventional meaning, so any guidance you get is going to be limited in usefulness by the difference between the context in which your host meant it and the context in which, we, the readers, live. For example, if I got that invitation from one of my friends, I would assume it was meant to suggest a theme party: a parody of pop-culture glam. There is no reason to assume it would mean the same to your host. Your best bet is to ask the friend who invited you or to pick up the phone and call the host or someone else you know was invited.

[DD MacDonald]

I think that Mark and Dopey are close to the mark. Glamorous has no established social meaning for me, though it suggests "no black tie" as a subtext of not wanting to force people into the ridgidity of black tie.

Having said that however, it could very well mean the oposite; meaning take your dinner suit (tails even better) and "glam" it up with a cigarette holder, monicle and top hat. The party sounds like fun and the tone "glamorous" sounds like a challenge to ward off the "stiffs"

However, thinking only gets us into trouble with the fairer sex. Being a man and therefore considered extremely dense by the ladies, I would call my host and enquire.

Supermax, when and if you find out, do tell us what "glamorous" means. Until then I'm caught between the glamorous of the '20s (think arriving at the Woolsley, extremely well attired in a driven Bently with starlet from a WestEnd show on your arm) or decked out in best spandex and sequins ans an homage to the '70's. I know, it's all too frightening. Better call your host.

DDM

[RWS]

. . . . The invite asks guests to "dress: glamorous". What does that mean . . . ? . . . .

Show up in evening dress and, if reproved, say that you thought the invitation was to "dress glorious[ly]".