The question
I am sick of little black dresses. I was thinking of wearing something totally different this New Year’s Eve – maybe even a pure-white dress I own that is rather flattering. Is that appropriate for mid-winter?
The answer
All I see here is the phrase “rather flattering” and that’s all I need to know – I say go for it. Women’s fashions are not nearly as bound by ancient social conventions as men’s are. For confirmation, I asked Kealan Sullivan, a stylist and owner of 69 Vintage in Toronto, who said she’d be delighted to see white in the darkness.
“I think it would be fantastic and refreshing. I have no strict rules about white and seasons, except to avoid combining different shades of white. On New Year’s, I would avoid summer fabrics like linen. I would love to see something cream, maybe with a little bit of shine and texture.”
I expressed a fear that one might look cold in a tiny dress in light tones on a dark winter night. According to Sullivan, “We’re seeing the return of capes, wraps and fur. And there’s always a welcome surprise in seeing the big coat taken off to reveal the teensy dress.” She is someone who understands clothing as play: “If you end up wearing a man’s jacket at the end of the night, that’s part of the charm of it.”
Russell Smith's latest novel is Girl Crazy. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.
