Dressing for a Bar Mitzvah
What to wear, what not to wear, how to look your best on the special day (1-28-08)
By: Romi Sussman (www.RomiSussman.com)It’s always important, of course, to know how to dress with style. However, while you want to look great at an affair like a bar mitzvah, you don’t want to be over or under dressed. Here are some suggestions for hitting the mark right with your clothing choices for a bar or bat mitzvah.
Always take a look at the invitation, first of all. There are often hints along with it. It might request black tie, at which point you know that you can be quite dressy. Men can wear a tuxedo or dark suit and women can wear their dressiest ensemble. The affair’s location can also assist in this decision. If the family is having a barbeque in their backyard, chances are it’s not going to be too dressy. If they’ve booked an exclusive hotel, you’d better find your best outfit.
It’s always appropriate to be dressed one step down from what the honoree and the honoree’s family are wearing. If you are friendly with the family, you can call them and ask what they will be wearing and take your directions accordingly. If you aren’t so friendly, you might want to ask another friend what she is wearing. Maybe she was at their last bar mitzvah (and you were not) and she can give you hints or suggestions.
In general, you can’t go wrong with something black and classy. No matter how casual an affair, it’s never casual enough for tennis shoes or denim. And, unless specified, it’s not usually formal enough for a ball gown. Stay in the middle of these two ends and you’ll look great – and feel great – at the affair
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