KV22:Dress code
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Stylishly Spiegeltent
The dress code specified in the invitation is Stylishly Spiegeltent. I suppose you're wondering where on earth that came from and what it is? I'll try to answer your questions below as best I can.
What is the Spiegeltent?
The "Famous" Spiegeltent refers to a 1920's era Belgian mirrored ("spiegel" = mirror) cabaret tent that visits Melbourne very year to herald the start of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Spiegeltents are the style of venue (mirrored cabaret tents) and Famous is the name of this particular one that visits Melbourne. It is also one of the key attractions for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Spiegeltent plays host to a combination of music, cabaret, burlesque, circus and comedy events whenever it's touring around the world.
Read more at The Famous Spiegeltent website
Why did you choose Stylishly Spiegeltent?
When I was trying to complete the original concept for a bohemian cocktail party, the venue, Caz Reitop's Dirty Secrets felt like a great choice. In addition I recently attended a special cocktail evening celebrating the 1920/1930 Prohibition Era in America at Der Raum. However, 1920's era attire is rather boring if everyone comes in it. Just like if you plan a James Bond party, the guys are nearly all inevitably going to be James Bond in a tux and bowtie which becomes a defacto uniform for the gents defeating the point of having dress ups. Not to mention the 1920s style is rather boring for the girls - mostly flapper dresses and very unflattering for the most part.
So I was thinking what kind of party I wanted to have in Caz Reitop's Dirty Secrets - what the people filling the venue should be like to bring the party to life. The way the Spiegeltent staff dressed kept coming to mind. A vintage style with very personal flair, showing attitude but not being overly elite in fashion allowing everyone their own niche.
How do you come dressed in Stylishly Spiegeltent?
Well there isn't a set formula really! Anything goes so long as it has the look and feel of something that would call the Spiegeltent home. This can range from cabaret to burlesque or even circus! I've provided some suggestions below but it is by no means limited to the list below - let your imagination run wild! However, that said, if I see anyone in a corporate power suit with a pink tie, untold punishment (probably involving a whip) will be exacted to the entertainment of everyone else.
So lets summarize:
The Stylishly Spiegeltent look is a balance between:
- Vintage attire
- Being slightly racey and saucy
- Leaving something for the imagination
- Well dressed - elegant
- Understated fashion
- Over the top outfits
Confused? :)
Gentlemen
As always, gents tend to have a easier selection than the ladies.
The Spiegeltent staff look
Here, the look is leaning a little towards understated fashion. Keeping it simple and letting a tilt of the hat and how you wear it speak more than the clothes themselves.
- Suit
- Usually an earthy colour - chocolate, tan, browns
- Can also be a mid-grey or even a greyish-blue or classic navy blue
- The suit can be pinstriped but they must be a thin lighter pinstripe
- The cut of the suit is quite close fitting
- example
- Shirt
- Fairly plain. Single colour for the most party or very close thin stripes.
- Usually white but can be shades of grey or light browns.
- Can be normal or French cuffs (especially if with vest)
- Tie
- Usually simple geometric patterns or plain colour
- Not normally 'flashy' - duller colours - blues/browns/greys/dark reds
- Can be a thin/narrow variety
- Vest (with or without suit)
- Can be either the same colour as the suit/pants; or
- Elegant and classy - eg. white/ivory with white/ivory shirt on dark grey pants; or
- Something more 'showy' - incorporating a design or pattern of some kind (floral, Asian print, stripes)
- Example
- Suspenders/braces
- Hat - you don't have to have one but the look is heaps harder to achieve without one.
- Some examples: trilby, fedora, bowler, blues brothers style, top hat
Other looks
There are other looks that you can try to replicate - anything from a movie that is based in the 1920-1950 period is fine. These include Chicago, Moulin Rouge, The Phantom (1996). Remember you can come in anything that could call the Spiegeltent home - circus, cabaret or burlesque.
Some random examples that I'd let into the venue without a second look:
- Dodgy lookin' arts student (sunnies, hat, stubble, thin tie, slightly open scruffy shirt,
- Gotan Project band
- White/ivory suit
- White shirt and vest
- Dark tie - maroon/red
- French wannabe/mime
- Striped collarless shirt
- Plain black/grey suspenders
- Black pants and shoes
- Beret-like hat
- Optional facepaint and gloves
- For less of a mime look, ditch the facepaint, gloves and add colour tinted glasses)
- Example
- Frank Sinatra or James Bond after a show
- Pitchblack tuxedo/dinner jacket
- Wing-collared white shirt
- Undone black bowtie
I strongly recommend a visit to Anton's on Level 3 of Melbourne Central just for ideas and a little fun playing dress ups.
Looks to avoid
Generally, avoid anything metro and overly corporate (eg. modern power suits). If you want to add a little personal flair go ahead but a pink shirt or tie probably isn't the way to go.
- Gangster look (black suit, white pinstripes with a black hat, white band)
- Thick striped shirts or ties in bold colours
- Pink
Dames
- Spiegelstaff
- Dressy
- Cabaret
- Burlesque
- Chicago
- Moulin Rouge
- Cabaret
Things to include
- Feathers (preferably not boas)
- Lace (here there and everywhere)
- Red and white
- Red and black
- Stockings (thigh or knee high) and garters
- Satin/silk dress (possibly with a generous slit on the side)
Looks to avoid
- 1920's "flapper" style - example
- Chapel Street-esque clubbing outfits
- Low cut, ultra thin, form hugging material with added bling accessories
- Bordering into the realm of skanky (ie. not leaving much to the imagination)
Where can I buy this kinda stuff?
I strongly suggest you familiarize and expose yourself to the look visually and then just poke around shops to see what you can find. All kinds of shops stock various bits and pieces that can go into the Stylishly Spiegeltent look.
- Op shops
- Chapel Street Bazaar
- Episode (Sydney Rd) - they also have a lot of hats for around $20
- Any vintage clothing store
For the girls, here are some stores to visit and look at. You don't have to buy from them - they're often quite expensive but at least you get to see what some of the items should look like and just find the stuff elsewhere.
- Alannah Hill (red and black items)
- Mazi (lacey wraps/tops)
- Yes Fashion (Chapel Street, Prahran)
- Chapel Street Bazaar
Unused links
