Four-step guide to Hong Kong formal wear – how to reinvent your look this season
Forget traditional evening gowns and cocktail dresses, this season’s formal look is all about having fun and being bold when you step out in your evening attire
Hongkongers err on the side of caution when it comes to daring formal wear, usually opting for traditional evening gowns and cocktail dresses. While these may look elegant, they can also verge on boring. Fortunately there are plenty of designers bucking the trend by creating fun and unique looks for after dark. Here are four easy ways to update your formal wear this season:
1. Embrace your sporty side
It took a while for sportswear to be accepted as a bona fide fashion trend, but now every brand from Louis Vuitton to Celine has incorporated elements of it into their ready-to-wear collections. While Balenciaga’s glittery pink leggings are not advisable for black-tie occasions, there are other ways to inject a sporty vibe into your evening attire.
Glamorous 70s-inspired dresses for a night on the town
Take cues from Valentino’s spring-summer 2018 show, where designer Pierpaolo Piccioli sent out romantic embroidered evening gowns that featured either ribbed trims, layered cropped tops or racer back tops for a haute couture-meets-sportswear look.Other sporty staples that have been given the luxe treatment include bomber jackets and cargo pants. Choose embellished styles made from evening wear fabrics such as colourful silk or leather.
If activewear isn’t your thing then don’t fret – simply pair your evening dress with a pair of haute couture-style trainers which are on-trend and comfortable. The more over-the-top the better, so look for styles with beading, lace, bows and other decorative details as seen at Dior and Roger Vivier.
2. Never underestimate the power of separates
A little black dress seems like a foolproof and safe option, but that doesn’t mean that separates aren’t as fun to experiment with. Swap your full-length gown for mix-and-match staples such as tulle skirts, tuxedo trousers, tailored jackets and statement tops.