A woman’s wear will say a lot about her

Clothing speaks a thousand languages. You can either dominate a moment or be completely engulfed by it simply by what you are wearing.

Whether you accept it or not, you will be judged on your appearance even before you utter a single word. That is a sartorial truth.

Different events call for divergent sartorial comportments. We’ll give strict emphasis on formal attire since it is the most precarious of all. It is by this fact that celebrities would pay enormous amount of money to stylists just to get them through the red carpet admirably.

With a vast array of clothing choices (from impressive to repulsive) and more freedom nowadays, some would opt to arrive at a formal setting donning an ensemble appropriate for a rock 'n roll concert.

Oh, how we miss the old days when glamour and elegance were the norm.

Luxuriously embellished gowns, crystal-laden headdress, long satin gloves and dignified tailored suits prevailed in the days of yore. It’s the ideal personification of a classy style. Contrary to the belief of some, enveloping oneself in head-to-toe designer wear with massive logos will not make one achieve that level.

A White Tie event is located at the top of the tier of formal dressing.

The dress code for this type of event originally revolved around men.

Through the years, however, the attention is equally distributed among sexes. Women, in most occasions, have surpassed the interest given to what male attendees are wearing.

A floor-length gown with a diplomatic appeal is the gold standard for a White Tie event. Any gown with a hemline above the ankle is not acceptable.

Showing a lot of skin will be frowned upon especially if the occasion calls for extreme diplomacy.

A form-fitting trumpet, a-line or sheath gown with a bateau neckline is most appropriate. If you still prefer to show a modest amount of skin, a gown with a lace silhouette neckline will expose the shoulders in the most subtle way.

While taking extra effort to look your best is acceptable during formal events, overshadowing the main celebrant is not. Part of sartorial etiquette and a good moral conduct is allowing the star of the event to shine.

Having a more elaborate gown than the bride, for example, is improper.

A notch lower in the formal events classification is the Black Tie.

Aside from long gowns, mid-calf and below-the-knee and above-the-knee dresses are admissible. Some hosts allow a two-piece ensemble such as a suit to the event.

An exceptionally crafted suit is just as good as a cocktail dress.

Denim, leather and frayed pieces should definitely be avoided for formal events no matter how in vogue they are. A strapless dress in or minimalist dresses with clean lines are the kinds of pieces you should be aiming for.

Even though black is the most flattering of all colours (and the epitome of deluxe), experimenting with other hues that blends well with your skin tone is a good move.

Radiant orchid is the colour for 2014 - a cross between fuchsia and violet. Pale skin with cooler undertones will suit this colour the most.

Cocktail attire falls under the Black Tie category. Lengthy, billowy dresses are not often favoured as cocktail attire. The LBD (Little Black Dress), on the other hand, is considered as the ultimate cocktail dress.

More room for creativity can be done here. If you’re feeling a little bold, you can pair a simple crisp white shirt with a long formal skirt. Top off the look with a sequinned clutch and a pair of chandelier earrings.

If you are confused as to what you should wear, it is best to give the hostess a call to confirm. Dressing to impress is as important as dressing appropriately. You can make your mark without breaking an elemental style especially when the occasion calls for it.

- L’Esthete