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GETTING HAUTE FOR THE PARTY SEASON
How To Dress Festive In Santiago
(Nov. 23, 2004) Party season has begun in Chile. Most weddings will take place in the next three to four months, along with corporate year-end events, Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities. We must be prepared to look our best and dance all night long.
Parties give us the chance to turn to haute couture and let loose the glamour we hide under our casual everyday outfits. However, fashion can be tricky, for we may find ourselves limiting our creativity in order to look similar to our peers and avoid standing out for looking different or, what’s worse, out of place.
Kate Rodríguez from the American Association of Chile requested party and shopping advice from me last week. Since then, I’ve been walking around Santiago in search of the best stores and coming up with a formula to seduce the world.
The first step involves introspection. We must think of who we are, in terms of personality and taste. Think which features you like best about your face and body. That is what we will have to work with. For instance, if you enjoy dancing all night, you will want to wear comfortable shoes, breathable fabrics and shapes that allow you to move freely. If you are the type of person who enjoys sitting down and chatting, focus attention to the top of your body. Avoid fabrics such as satin, which tend to wrinkle fast, and wear darker colors in case a glass of wine spills across the table.
Fashion can be beautiful, but it also tends to make everyone follow the same trends. The secret to looking different is to focus on details. For women this year, dresses tend to be composed of a corset and a long skirt. The trend is to go strapless, and that doesn’t suit everyone. Don’t hesitate to cover up what you don’t want to show. If you want to stick to the trend, wear a light transparent stole or cardigan made of gauze. Choose makeup that brings out your best facial features: match lips, eye color, or make your skin shine.
Men should focus on styling their shape – the wrong jacket can make them look short, too wide or too thin. A fitted look will work wonders, with narrow shoulders and a jacket that isn’t too long (this is what shortens legs). Straight trousers, with as little pleating as possible, will work best, because it won’t make the hips look wider. In terms of color, black or dark grey are the perfect choices. If you chose a striped fabric, opt for very fine details. At Castrodonoso, you will find an infinite variety of national and European fabrics. They also have a tailoring service. If you prefer going prêt a porter, head to Trial, where the latest Dior collections are available.
Shoes are very important. A great variety of formal and casual shoes for men is available from Cardinale. They’re comfortable, flexible, breathable and made in Chile. Women with deep pockets should head to Montemarano, where the latest collection of Prada shoes – yes, Prada! – is available. For a more affordable but still very chic collection, visit Via Augusta, where you’ll find a huge variety of Brazilian shoes with amazing design details.
As I was thinking of haute couture for this column, I visited Pepay. Hernán Rodriguez and his wife, Eva, run this 100-year-old family firm of handmade shoes. Their staff of traditional shoemakers can help make your dream shoe possible. What do you need? A drawing or picture of the shoe you want, and they will measure your feet. Manufacturing takes about a week and prices start at 50,000 pesos (US$78).
If you enjoy dancing and are afraid of getting blistered feet, don’t be afraid to bring a pair of flat urban running shoes (boxer inspired). You can help them match your dress with a handful of spangles or ribbons. Just dare. Everyone will envy you for them.
Jewelry is the finishing touch to an outfit. For a different look, I turned to Chilean design and production of one-of-a-kind pieces. I headed to Drugstore, where two amazing stores are located: O! and Aventurina. O! has an incredible collection designed by national artists. Their pieces are modern and delicate. They also carry a line of handbags for every occasion, so if you need a little party purse, you’ll find it here. Aventurina does original pieces from silver and natural rocks. The shade combinations available are incredible, and Hollywood actresses would kill to own one of their rings.
For a daytime festivity, keep the jewelry and shoes but not the dress. Visit Amica. Ana María Chaves owns the store and brings a wide variety of clothing and accessories from Italy. They also have a swimsuit line (in case you’re invited to a pool party). If you’re downtown, head to NMD. Verónica, the store manager, will help you achieve the look you want. They also carry accessories, and before Christmas, Santiago Times readers will be treated to a 10 percent discount.
Now that you have all you need, focus on hair and makeup. For the best professional work on your locks, head to O’Brien in Vitacura, where Oscar Iturra and Nelson Beltrán will work wonders with your hair and face, or to Sonia Toloza’s SP Salon in Las Condes, where facial treatments are available. If you do your own makeup, the best brand is MAC. They have the greatest variety of shades available, and last all night. The only problem? They become an addiction. So keep in mind the shade of the dress you’re wearing. For skin, use Nivea’s Sun Touch spray, with a wonderful coconut scent, and finish the look with Nivea Satin for a glittery effect.
Now that you know how to get haute in Santiago, get out there and enjoy. Let the party begin!
STORE LOCATIONS:
Pepay – Tenderini 71 (Tel: 638 4509)
Castrodonoso – Agustinas 931, Santiago (695 4091); Isidora Goyenechea 3581, Las Condes
Trial – Agustinas 1041 (695 1787)
Amica – La Pastora 0110, Las Condes (231 1964)
Vía Augusta – La Pastora 0110, Las Condes (231 4840)
NMD – Augustinas 943 (633 6837), 10 percent Discount for ST Readers
Cardinale – Agustinas 937 (438 4769)
Montemarano – Isidora Goyenechea 3601 (331 5938)
O! – Drugstore, Store 61, Providencia 2124 (231 9851)
Aventurina Joyas – Drugstore, Providencia 2124 (09 459 0117)
O’Brien – Av. Nueva Costanera 3872, Vitacura (206 2064)
SP – Av. Presidente Riesco 3300, Las Condes (231 3326)
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