Entertaining /Date night at home- Best Looks for the Hostess with elan!

WANT TO-

Strike that effortless balance between appearing totalement chic whilst still being able to cook/host/dance with ease?

Dressing for soirees a la maison calls for a certain confident blend of making an effort to look special whilst actually looking like you

A- didn’t, this amazing flair came naturally, or

B- did, but you now look ravishing!

One great advantage -

You already have one thing in your favour above all your collected guests, you are THE HOSTESS, therefore by default the very star of the show. As you are on home turf you have much greater flexibility regarding choice of dress. Ie no getting in and out of cabs/uebers, no pesky outerwear. Apropos dress codes- a guest who turns up in designer sweats? Sloppy! A hostess who does the same ( sleeves rolled up to reveal slender wrists) but with full hair , makeup and diamonds in her ears? Inspired. Sooooo- dress codes be damned, save if your event is themed, then go to town Blossom!

Don’t lose sight of this home advantage, you can get away with almost anything as long as the food is delish, the wine free flowing and the company sparkling!

OK- LET’S BREAK THIS UP INTO TWO PARTS

Part One- entertaining at home.

My advice in general is to go for easy glamour which is still practical to wear but lets you still host effectively. For example if you wear full sleeves or heavy jewellery to cook, you could either burn your skin bending down to the oven ( metal necklaces and earrings get very hot very quickly!), or set said full sleeves on fire whilst you’re sautéing the spinach. Hence- a certain amount of practicality is called for. One thing to remember? If you are cooking yourself you will be a couple of degrees warmer than everyone else, that’s why I often go no sleeves or a lighter fabric when entertaining, even in winter. Also a good chance show off those toned arms or delightful décolletage!

Keep in mind that you are the gracious hostess and therefore already the queen bee here, a really good option is to dress down but with a touch of glamour. Let everyone else try hard and compete with each other, YOU, dear lady, are above it all!

I often don a silk maxi or long fitted kaftan with my hair in a sixties inspired updo, but keeping my feet bare, this trick is especially effective if you live by the beach or on the land, kinda high end but couldn’t care less- interesting to the eye as it’s unexpected . Think sixties jet set goddess a la Slim Aarons, ie Pucci-esque slimline tunic and bare feet, nails perfectly polished in a matching hue, details details! A simple cut in a beautiful fabric/print, show a bit of cleavage with a deep V, stunning but not too distracting, earrings that flatter whilst you’re seated, and you’re set.

Do note- I almost never wear heels for home events, save for cocktail parties for which I have professionally catered, if I am cooking for an intimate crowd it’s cool bejewelled flats or bare feet all the way!

Couple of ensemble ideas for a just thrown together but cool vibe when you are cooking?

OUTFIT ONE- mini A-line dress with a short or three quarter sleeve in a pattern that won’t show any spills ( wear an apron girlfriend, it’s cool) paired with a Chanel type ballerina flat or metallic gladiator sandal and a big ponytail. Extra points for an heirloom brooch pinned at your shoulder ( this one I inherited from my maternal grandma).

OUTFIT TWO- slinky column dress in a favourite confidence begetting block colour, hair popped back with a bit of lift, an amazing talking point belt,( this one was a pressie from my dear dad, he actually is quite stylish !), flat tan leather sandals or again bare tootsies. Should the dress have short or no sleeves, an upper arm cuff could look incredible here and it won’t distract when you’re busy.

OUTFIT THREE- An amazing pair of tailored pants worked back with a thin slightly see through knit in the same colour, perhaps even worn backwards ie with the v to the rear. Now- tie a slim scarf around your neck but let the ends go down your back, when you are cooking your guests will see a bit of back and the swish of the scarf. Ankle boots and perhaps a cool earpiece need be your only extras here.

Couple of extra tips when cooking for guests? Hair is better worn up, or at least in a half updo or otherwise constrained. No matter how carefully you have styled the hair, in the flurry of prep and cook it can very quickly look lank. Good style to show a bit of feminine flair but to keep things under control? Messy bun or French roll with a couple of loosely curled tendrils to frame your face. Softens your features yet allows you to work.

Makeup? Go long wear all the way and keep it simple! I almost always favour eyes when entertaining, firstly I don’t usually take the time to redo lipstick, good idea is to keep a tinted balm neat the cooktop for quick touchups sans mirror. The eyes are also what everybody looks at from across the table. Make sure your eyebrow game is on point! Looking to seduce a table companion? Same rule applies, so get out that liner, smudge away and let out your inner Brigitte B!

PART TWO- DATE NIGHT AT HOME

Keep the same concept of easy glamour but with a few key differences.

OUTFIT ONE- preference very soft delicate fabrics that are not fussy but invite touch and cuddles. For example a beautiful lace bra, a super soft ( even very old) V neck sweater that is a bit oversized so that it slips down a little to reveal a bit of the bra, and lounge pants of a slinky fabric like silk. Even really soft leather pants work well, sexy yet cool, especially if they aren’t black. Show off your waist by tucking the sweater in or belting it. Another trick that men love? Wearing one of THEIR items such as his beautiful dress shirt but tied double around your waist and in a bow at your back, or simply in front, he will be flattered that you are sporting his goodies and you will look seductively tiny wearing his bits- bringing out his protective side. WIN! Simple but sophisticated slides or thin leather flip flops ( Tkees are awesome) are ideal for sweet yet sexy footwear. Consider even velvet lounge slippers, surprisingly sexy on the female foot.

OUTFIT TWO- a perfectly cut silk midi slip dress worn without a bra if you can and with beautiful delicate jewellery looks easy yet polished ( men hate heavy jewellery that clanks around too much and gets in their way!- always remember they don’t get “intellectual” fashion). Here you could dress the feet up a bit eg a dainty kitten heel with fine straps that flatter the feminine foot.

OUTFIT THREE- Also try a ladylike jumpsuit ( MUST be in a soft fabric in a lingerie style silhouette not a cami or military style lest you scare him off!). If your jumpsuit doesn’t have a cami style neckline but is more like a shirt, wear it with a few buttons undone for a hint of skin. Adorn the wrists with a stack of thin bangles to show off your finely boned figure. Wear nothing under your jumpsuit and let him know that, go on!.

If you dare, ( this is most surely not an outfit per se BUT) and if you feel like some good old fashion fun, wear for the entire night nothing but your best bra/ knickers/suspenders etc, with killer heels and a Nanna apron semi covering the lot! Keep your sense of humour, act as if you are fully dressed, even prim. Promise to take the apron off ONLY after he has washed the dishes / served the dessert/ poured the bubbles etc- yes it’s cliche but I tell you- it works! Soooo- put your tongue firmly in your cheek and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Whatever you choose to wear for date night at home don’t neglect stunning small, silky skin, major attitude, feminine energy, and-

as little makeup as you can get away with. Here’s where facial fake tan, a tinted brow and a subtle lip colour will give you allure, plus super smooth touchable hair. No hairspray ladies, the idea is the hair just must be touched and tousled!

Soo dear reader, always keep in mind that because you are at home you are the queen of the castle. One of the reasons I entertain at home so much, complete creative control! Whatever you decide to wear, however you wish to adorn your beautiful self Blossom, Make it simple, stunning, timeless-

and you will create a night to remember.

Les x

AKA The Champagne Diva