Fall is a social time around here. Add to that the number of people who celebrate fall birthdays and what is a girl to do? We say, buy a dress, or two. If you have a great friend who is your size, shop together so you can both swap!
Cotton Mill
J McLaughlin
Blush
Emmaline
Emmaline
Zelda
The problem with this season is that it’s still pretty hot, but the calendar says fall. So, what dress do you wear? We scouted some great ones, and paired each with a Nashville party that you’ll want to check out!
Casino Couture: Casino + Cocktails + Charity, Sept. 24th
Presented by: The Little Black Dress Club.
Tickets: $50. To purchase, and for more information, see www.casinocouturenashville.com. (Get a $10 discount, for StyleBlueprint readers, with the code: STYLE through Sept 22nd.)
Benefiting: Mary Parrish Center, a therapeutic residential community for women and children affected by domestic violence.
The Casino Couture theme is Nashville transformed into the Vegas of the 1960’s. The ballroom turned casino will highlight favorites such as poker, roulette, and blackjack as guests enjoy themed-appetizers and cocktails, with ladies and gentlemen draped in their finest vintage Vegas attire (for men, a tux is perfect!)
Why our featured dress: This dress reminds us of something we would see in Mad Men as it highlights the feminine figure with lines that are still nice and clean.
Milly dress, $336, The Cotton Mill
Mad Hatter,Sept. 25th
Tickets: $175 each. To purchase, and for more information, see www.sacenter.org
Chaired by: Daphne Butler and Elizabeth Dennis
Benefiting: The Sexual Assault Center
The SAC website – “The Mad Hatter is a Nashville tradition that combines a beautiful venue with wonderful people, food and music to raise funds and awareness for a serious issue. Although the cause is not something that is easy to talk about, the work of the Sexual Assault Center is vital to the health of our community.”
Why our featured dress: This party is billed as cocktail, but as we all know, there are many different levels of cocktail. This party is NOT the one for a full out sparkly, wonderfully ornate cocktail dress. Yes, you may see that, but think more silks and definitely on the shorter side. The party is outside at the Parthenon, so this party is one where you’ll need to check out the forecast. Wraps are always a good addition as September evenings tend to cool off quite a bit.
J McLaughlin, $345, Ribbon Dress. (it’s actually stitched together grosgrain ribbon! So cool!)
Project FUNway model/designer meet-up, Sept. 30th
Tickets: this party is only for the models and designers who are collaborating for the Project FUNway June 2011 event.
Benefiting: FiftyForward.
This casual pre-party will pair area designers: Suzanne Sevier, Sarah Mallory, Kathy Crisp, Kay Grott, Bonita Dudley Scott, Angela Messina, Laura Patterson and C. Daniel Hawks with some of our favorite charitable faces in town: Beth Alexander, Elizabeth Broyhill, Rita Mitchell, Jana Lisle, Vickie Horne, Chad Blackwell and Hugh Howser. At this meet up, the designers will meet with their model and talk about the outfit they will create from the limited amount of fabric and thread salvaged from FiftyForward’s annual Threadfest.
Why we chose our featured dress: This party is a casual wine and cheese party and lots of our readers have something similar to attend this fall. So, while you can’t go to this party, it does fit the bill for something at a friend’s home that requires similar attire. Plus, we wanted to give you a heads up about the Project FUNway June event. I love this dress paired with this coat because it is stylish, yet can morph from casual to dressy. If you want to go even more casual, pair the coat with some killer jeans and you are set!
Add this jacket, $139.99, to a pair of jeans or the dress featured to the right of this picture for a look that is instantly “Fall.”
Blush has many short dresses that will transition into this season nicely. I love fall florals! $99.99
Authors in the Round, Oct. 8th
Tickets: $200 a person. To purchase, and for more information, click here.
Chaired by: Beth Fortune and Holly Sharp.
Benefiting: Humanities Tennessee
Liza: Perhaps my favorite party of the year. When else do you get to sit at a table for ten and have your 11th guest be a southern published author? Last year I sat right next to Rick Bragg! This party truly makes for a memorable evening and one where you feel as if you have actually gained IQ points by the end.
Why our featured dress: This party is on a Friday night and is held downtown at the War Memorial Auditorium. Many are coming straight from work. The attire, therefore, tends to be a mix of nice pants, suits and dresses. Nothing too flashy since people tend to be a bit more low-key than at some other parties. But, that doesn’t mean dowdy or ugly. Just not the place for a low front or back. And, if your hemline is micro-mini, you may feel out of place. This party draws a wide age range.
Nanette Lepore, $298, Emmaline (in Franklin)
Nashville Library Literary Award Patrons Party, Nov. 12
Tickets: $750 per person. To purchase, and for more information, click here.
Chaired by: Juli and Ralph Mosley & Kaye and Roy Elam
Benefiting: The Nashville Public Library
Elizabeth weighs in: I had the absolute honor of chairing the Library Gala with Kay Simmons, the year John Irving was the featured author. To mingle with an author with John Irving’s rap sheet was intimidating, and a once-in-a lifetime experience. Last year, the Patrons’ party was moved to Margaret Ann Robinson’s home, in Belle Meade, when Doris Kearns Goodwin was honored. Margaret Ann doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to throwing an incredible party. Her absolute sense of southern hospitality was mastered with a hint of fun – by a character actor playing Abe Lincoln – and a dose of sophistication – having lobster bisque served in her best china. It was the party of the year and she is hosting again! This year promises to be equally as delicious with Billy Collins, a famed poet laureate, as the honoree.
Why our featured dress: Any gathering of artists or literary types allows a wide swath in terms of dressing up or dressing down. Also, “artsy” events of any type command a certain creative license when it comes to being adventurous. For those of us who love to take advantage of vintage clothing, or that certain something in our closet that never dates itself, this is a prime opportunity to flaunt such threads. This outfit, from Zelda, is a perfect example of style and statement. Marsha Mason Hunt, the owner of Zelda’s tells me new pieces from Carter Smith – such as these – fly out the door. I understand why: this outfit can be worn dressed up or down and is timeless. Prices available upon request.
Carter Smith designs at Zelda’s, in Green Hills.
