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Symphony Decadence

The Joy of Dressing in Finery for a Night Out


While I’m a big fan of dressing in cozy accoutrements when I’m lounging in front of my laptop watching a bit of television or working on a story, if there’s an occasion to Go Out I grab for the finery.


After all, if you’re going to spend an evening amidst the brilliance of a venue like this you can’t very well be casual, can you?



Image: Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL.


In a way, the parade of society before the show is just as fun as the performance itself. I live in a city that is beautifully multicultural so on nights of classical programs I am treated to magenta saris, dresses of geometric design in cobalt ankara fabric, suits of kente cloth, and áo dài in hues of emerald to dazzle.


That’s nothing to say of the various ephemera (a.k.a. accessories) that accompanies the clothing: immaculately pressed wool coats, small beaded handbags, gloves, and the occasional decorative walking cane….


Fifteen minutes prior to curtain rise this display reaches its peak as the buzz begins. Snippets of conversation about the program can be heard as I mill about, just waiting for the lights to dim in indication that it’s time to find my seat. People sip champagne or soda, discuss the menu at Russian Tea Time, and float out sweetly mundane tidbits of their workweek.


This people-watching starts all over again at intermission and sticks with me on the bus ride all the way back home, amidst newly created memories of oboe solos and that haunting violin!


There’s never a lot of money in my pocketbook. I want something to wear with an individual flare. I want to feel good in it, to feel comfortable seated in the cheap seats, all squished in between other patrons, elbow to elbow, knees pressed up against the back of the seat in front of me.


It’s a constant struggle for panache.


What kind of look do you want when there’s a formal occasion to attend? What makes a statement to you personally? I’d love to hear from you…


When attending events like this, which admittedly has been eons because, well…you know… I turn to my favorite handcrafted pieces in my wardrobe. Mass-produced department store items just don’t make the cut. And that’s what we all have in mind here at the Tailor Village: tailor-made for you as you strive to Resume Your Life despite ongoing challenges.


In the not too distant future, I’ll be talking about casual wear. After an outing in the finery, it’s equally as wonderful to peel off the layers and don what you lounge around your home in. Neither habit would be delicious without the other one, would it?


Until next time~


Yours truly,

Vivie V.




Vivie V. is a fashion enthusiast from Chicago with a penchant for handmade and vintage pieces. She holds a B.A. from Columbia College, where her passion for the creative arts was heavily cultivated. When she’s not blogging for Tailor Village she’s concocting DIY fragrances, making her own clothes, and running her consultancy, Vivie V.’s Adorn Yourself.






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