What to Wear Post : To Malta Fashion Week and Other Fashion Shows (May/EVENING/Women)

I still remember attending my first fashion show at the first Malta Fashion Week (2011)…back then, I wasn’t really involved in the scene as much, I had only been working as a fashion stylist for about a year and my blog was still in its infancy stages. I agonised over what to wear to the events, wanted each outfit to be perfect but was really confused as to what other people would wear..Malta has always had its own fashion rules so I wasn’t too sure that looking at street style pics of foreign fashion weeks would help. In the end, I settled over an outfit and had a marvellous time. I also realised, that there really was no dress code and people wore a variety of different things ..and most of them looked good..so maybe I should have worried a little less. However, I know that telling someone not to worry and wear what they want is a bit useless as women especially, fret over these things so instead ..I’m offering some advice..for what it’s worth 🙂

Today’s post is dedicated to women and EVENING fashion shows – what should one wear to such an event ? 

As previously mentioned, the first thing I start with is WHO the fashion show is exhibiting & WHERE – Malta Fashion Week’s first evening event is the NEW DESIGNERS on the 24th May. Since this is a designers’ show, if you happen to own a piece by any of these designers then I suggest you wear it as this is a really nice tribute to them. Next  thing to consider is the WEATHER, end-of-May-evening is likely to be a little bit chilly so we can easily wear blazers / long sleeves / shawls / capes.

At a fashion show, I find one either wants to blend in or stick out…I prefer the latter option as I see it the right time to experiment with fashion and try out something new, I find a lot of people are scared of getting it wrong which is why they go for the former option. It is worth pointing out that we are not celebrities getting ready to go on the the Academy Awards Red Carpet. There are no fashion police, no journalists snapping away ready to comment on our outfits. Sure there will be some people who will pass judgement and might remark to their friends but chances are you’d never hear these remarks good or bad and anyway people will pass judgement whatever the case. Fashion is an art and whilst there are some basic body-type rules …all art is subjective at the end of the day.

To cut a long ramble short, DON’T BE SCARED and have fun. Now for some ideas – I keep saying to start with something basic and add interesting things and the same idea can be applied here as well. For example, a white shirt and black trousers / black skirt is the most basic of outfits and since these shows are in Valletta, if you work there, this might be a good way to do a day-to-night outfit change. Adding interest to a white shirt and black trousers/skirt outfit is really easy, a bright coloured blazer & chunky necklace is one option, swapping plain black heels (if that’s what you were wearing at the office) for bright heels or ankle boots will also change the vibe from formal to edgy. Swap a plain black bag for a little jewelled clutch and layer on some bracelets.

Dresses will always be popular at evening fashion shows but I suggest trying to go for something more interesting than just a dress and pair of heels, this year an interesting way to wear a dress is with sneakers (major, major trend) but I have a feeling I won’t see much of this style 🙂 brogues might be easier to digest and are also brilliant. An interesting pair of patterned, sheer tights is also fun …sweaters have made a comeback (wear them with a skirt or patterned trousers and possibly even under a blazer). Another element is to think of using headwear – hairbands, headpieces, turbans, all these increase the style factor of an outfit.

Now for some general rules&tips : wrinkled clothes major no…dresses/trousers needing to be hemmed major no….too tight anything major no…..wear makeup, you’ll probably have your photo taken at some point and you don’t want to looklike a ghost…arrange your hair, even if just to pull it back….no leggings unless under tunics/long tops, i.e no leggings instead of trousers…no chipped nailpolish (hands/feet).

With all this wisdom in our minds ….See you at Malta Fashion Week #mfwa2014