Brush up on proper summer fashion etiquette

Published Fri, Jul 18, 2008 12:00 AM

By MARK ALLWOOD
mallwood@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5538

The ancient Romans must have been on to something. Eight years after the Oscar-

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nominated film "Gladiator" reintroduced Americans to the Roman Empire, a staple of Roman clothing has emerged as a prominent feature of this year's summer fashion.

"The buzz word in the industry is 'gladiator,' " said Susan Collins, manager of Divine Shoes downtown. "That's a strappy sandal that includes multiple layers of strapping that go around the ankle. You see it on a lot of the movie stars, who set the trends. That's the look this year."

Women can pair gladiators with a

variety of looks, from casual and formal wear to denim. However, just because a certain look is hot and trendy in the fashion world doesn't always mean that look will translate to everyday life,

particularly proper etiquette.

In July 2005, a photo of Northwestern University's national championship women's lacrosse team, taken with President Bush during a visit to the White House, caused an uproar when the image revealed four of the nine women in the front row were wearing flip-flops with their dresses and skirts.

The "flip-flop flap" made

national news, and a front-page headline in the Chicago Tribune read: "You wore flip-flops to the White House?!"

"People don't dress so much with rules anymore like they used to, but there is still something respectful and honoring about the consideration of the tone that the host and hostess are setting," said Collins. "If the host and hostess have put a lot of planning and preparation, not to mention money, to establish a special, memorable event, then I think you honor them by putting your best foot forward, and let it be in a fashionable shoe. Save those flip-flops for

situations such as the beach."

Chip Dinkins is the director of operations for the restaurants Saltus River Grill and Plums. He believes when it comes down to proper etiquette concerning summer fashion, one should use their best judgment, but it's also about being comfortable.

"Most people that come in (to Saltus) are wearing slacks and nice buttoned-down shirts," said Dinkins. "Ladies are wearing very trendy styles. I'm not much of a fashion guy, unfortunately, but I think when you go to Saltus, you're looking to dress up a little bit and wear some of your nicer clothes."

While Dinkins said Saltus' dress code is more business casual, or "urban contemporary" as he put, Plums, by contrast, is "very casual" and especially

appeals to families.

"We take anybody there with shorts, flip-flops, it doesn't matter," he said.

Recognizing people want to be comfortable but classy, Collins mentioned other footwear like thong sandals and wedges that are considered more upscale than flip-flops, both in material and design, and that match well with summer clothing. Divine Shoes also offers upscale men's shoes by Cole Haan.

"You have to think of how the shoe is going to be worn and where it's going to be worn, how long you're going to be in it, all of those things," said

Collins. "A high fashion accessory this summer is also an open boot. It literally is a boot, it has a high heel and open toe, but you wear it with a short sling dress. They're very big this year."

In terms of clothing, Collins said for women, there are longer length shorts and capri pants that can be worn with a flowy top or a strappy camisole top with a colorful throw.

"You can wear dressier shorts and have on a more sophisticated shoe, and it elevates the perception of the outfit," she said. "Shorts with a little top now becomes a dressier outfit because of the shoes that you're wearing. It sounds repetitive, but in the summertime, fundamentally, you're looking at things that are going to be strappy and open. I would also consider fabric content because of cotton and comfort, especially down here."

Martin Goodman is the director of the Small Business

Development Center at University of South Carolina Beaufort's north campus. He agreed with Collins that the humidity of the Lowcountry affects the etiquette and business attire of the area, especially for men.

"You're just more comfortable if you're not in a coat and tie in July humidity in Beaufort," said Goodman. "In the summertime, it seems that most businesses are certainly not shirt and tie or coat and tie. They're more

casual, with open-collared shirts or nice golf shirts, but I think every business attire will exclude T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, etc. Women wear either slacks and skirts or dresses that may be more casual, but not what you would go to the beach in."

With all of the art galleries in Beaufort, Collins said art parties are a good time "to go trendy and make a statement of your own" by wearing something fancy.

She added there are many opportunities in the Lowcountry to dress casually, but when you have a chance to dress up, you should go for it.

"It will make you feel more exciting and more diverse," said Collins. "The demographic here would love to be able to find something that's comfortable and fashionable.

"I think that's a good goal. I am confident that you don't have to give up on fashion for comfort."

Brush up on proper summer fashion etiquette