Style Jacking: If You’re Thinking About Black Tie, Think About This

I might throw myself a birthday party this year at a dingy karaoke bar on the Lower East Side and if I do, there is a 0% chance that I will not inflict upon all those invited an unflinchingly mandatory dress code requirement: black tie.

Why? Well, the juxtaposition of a dive bar vis-à-vis evening wear satisfies me in the same way almond butter smeared over a slice of grilled chicken does. It might seem unlikely upon first suggestion, but comes together quite charmingly in action.

Also, though, since I sat down with Mr. Valentino last month to talk about the elaborate tablecloths with which he decorates his various tables and the herd of porcelain swans he holds as dear as I do the smoothie bar on the corner of Prince Street, the salient lack of glamour present is the Cosmos of today has felt palpable.

Really, it’s so pungent that I can touch it — when I’m putting on sneakers, not shoes, to festoon my feet before a day of work, while I’m taking out the trash and can detect every smell emanating from the garbage bag: last night’s dinner, yesterday’s lunch, the fork used to eat my eggs this morning, during what I consider to be a particularly self-indulgent back rub at a dilapidated garage that’s been converted to a parlor, if one can even go so far as to call it that. What’s more? I miss it.

Sure, I recognize that I never actually knew the glamour of Valentino’s world but nostalgia has this fantastic way of romanticizing each nuance it touches. I’m also not above a robust imagination and certainly not either a local mandate that could, if it really needed to, affect humanity globally so I’m sticking with my guns on this — if I throw myself a birthday party this year, it will be black tie dirty.

Incidentally, said birthday is right around the corner and you are invited. So here’s a dressing tip for the upcoming festivity from the ineffable Jenna Lyons, who attended Solange Knowles’ wedding this weekend in a J. Crew collection feather skirt (these ones rule too) paired with a white Celine button up (J. Crew has you covered) and glasses, which when paired with a red lip, really bring the point home.

The point, of course, being that if you’re willing to receive it, glamour is everywhere.

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