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Mardi Clark
Deirdre in little black dress

Clubbing in Style

By Mardi Clark


Well, it's bound to happen sooner or later I suppose....someday you're going to find yourself a part of somebody's plans to go out and partake in some big city clubbing action. And, if this is a scene you haven't been "in" since Travolta was still young....the big Q is likely to be, "What in the &%$# am I going to wear so I don't LOOK like it was 15 years since I was up after midnight!?!" As in "HELP!!!" Well, there is hope. Actually a lot more than if you were someone other than a T-gal...yes, for once we have an advantage. Several actually. Which are nice to recognize before we get clued to club couture....

At the top of the list for advantages to being a clubbin' T is: passing doesn't matter. At all! You have to face it, you just won't. If you doubt this, I can tell you lots of stories of the GGs that were "clocked" in the clubs. All it takes is being with some T-Girl and anybody is fair game. It is nothing, if not funny. Especially if the gal is into it....just a scream! The perplexed looks from people are just...well, you get the point!

Next, is a good one. Yes, the clubs are full of 20-somethings. This makes many T-gals uncomfortable...like "I am over FORTY for love o'...I can't go in there!!" Oh yes you can! Why? Just because you're draggin' it, that's why! It goes with being the alternative of the alternative, the trendy of the trendy. They eat us up! Heck, about half of the people I go out with regularly are the other side of forty, but they have never even had their "age" mentioned. None of the "What's grandma doin' in here?" stuff. That's because they have something you haven't got...(remember the Wizard of OZ?) Well, sit back while ol' wiz clues ya in to the fashions to wear to fit right in. Because when clubbing in the hottest places, clothes do make the T-Girl...and everybody else too, for that matter!

Of course, the best bet is to get with a friend who already has been to where you are going...they can tell you just what the scene is like at a particular place and get ya all set up right. But failing that inside local knowledge, here are some tips...


Outside the Catwalk club (No pics allowed inside!!) Deidre in cirre black dress; Alexis and friend with legs, lace and latex...; Diana with faux-leather double-breasted jacker with leather mini and matching go-go boots; Jean with black dress trimmed in white, slit up to "here"; and friend in black velvet jacket and black pants with boots. Black, black and more black. No we are NOT depressed...at all!!

Tip #1: Wear black.

The best bet, if you have to do a place blind, is the little black dress. (They do not have the rep they have for nothing...totally universal those little black numbers!) And do not stop with the dress...talking black hose (patterned, fishnets...go nuts!), shoes, purse, gloves...everything...eyes too! (we'll get to makeup later) The main thing is, black is a standby in the club scene. Yes, there are tons of other options, but that territory needs a guide....and experience. For starters, it's basic black.

Tip #2: Wear it short!

Yep, for-GET those below the knee hem-lines, please! (Exceptions? The other extreme of course...lower calf length works but it has to be form-hugging! Pleats are no-go!)

Tip #3: High heels.

Say it again: "High heels!" Strappys, 4" and better if you can swing it...Patent works but matte shoes do too. The important thing is keep them a solid color, no two-tones, ok? perfect!

Tip#4: Defined make-up.

As in contrasty....heavy shading under cheekbones up to the ear, defined jaw lines, heavy dark eyes...yes, we're talking liquid eyeliner, above and below. And line the inner lower lid, too...the area between the lower eyelashes and the eyeball...pull the lid away and line just the outer edge. This provides the needed stark contrast between the dark surround and the white of the eye...remember, contrast! Shadow the lid all the way to the brow if you want, but definitely go well beyond the crease. You may feel like Rocky Raccoon, but that just means you are getting close! Lips are drawn large and with a sharp V...colors that work well are dark reds ranging up to plums and down to browns. Don't use black or dark purple. Add some darker tone of blush....lightly! Sub-tip: check out the gals in a copy of Vogue...the ones with the smoky eyes...that's the look!

Tip #5: Accessorize!

Chokers or necklaces, depending on the neckline...Silver or gold is okay but just don't mix them except for rings. That is okay. Silver gets more of a nod than gold tho'...it goes well with black and is the metal of the night currently. Small purses...leave the extra makeup at home or in the car (these places are dark!) All you need is a ID and some money...if you are going to dance, a purse with a long, thin string-strap works good if worn over one shoulder. Handbags and clutches are a bit more popular than shoulder bags...but anything is ok as long as it is small. Earrings...the bigger and the flashier and the danglier the better! If you see a pair and you gasp, "Oh, my GOD!"---Those are the ones! Buy 'em!! Oh, BTW...forget the ankle bracelets. (Awwwww! But....?) Sorry! Too ...Farrah Fawcett!

Tip #6: Outerwear.

Fur, fake or real is good. Coats trimmed in fur...talking collars and cuffs alone...perfect! This has come back big time. Anything shiny...vinyl, PVC, cirre...great. Leather is fine...NO BROWNS!!! No Patterns! 3/4 length and short jackets are okay...belted styles in both are preferred...waists are where it's at!

Tip #7: Hair

...wear it down if it's long, if it's short, no problem. Try throwing in a temporary contrasting streak...or accessorize it with a barrette or jeweled band. Plain works too.

Okay, that covers the stripped model...AM radio, no tinted glass. You know...but it runs fine. After this, though we all want to know what the options are! Well, here are a few of them....

Mardi

Beyond Black

There has to be something beyond Black. Huh??? Yeah, yeah, of course! This year here is what also works....any animal prints (still in!), vinyl, shiny stuff in general...velvets, beaded dresses, sequined dresses, either solid or trimmed....colors that work good are red, silver, some gold and white. No BROWNS!!.....the no's: No BROWNS!! (huh? NO browns!!) No prints!! No flowers!! No two-tone (except certain black/white, white/silver patterns) Stay away from blue, yellow and green.... they are real tricky.

Shoes...boots are okay...go-go boots are great actually! Nothing higher though. Platforms are around as well (if you can deal with them, go for it!) Ankle straps are okay, anything unusual is too...heels are mixed now...both the really heavy styles and spikes are okay. Sub-tip: Seen "Romy & Michelles High School Reunion" yet? Rent it!! Watch it....study it...believe it! They REALLY ARE in style!

Accessories....yes feathered boas are in, believe it or not..(check out last month's Vogue!) Also belted tunics with leggings are okay...chain and metal belts of all kinds---great. Bulky jewelry...East Indian and East Asian/Malaysian stuff is big, check the import shops.

S&M/fetish styles...lots of heavy rings, chains, leather with buckles, studded collars of all sorts...once just fetish, this has now gone mainstream. Same with latex fashions. I'm talking rubber dresses here folks! Yes, there are some really attractive fashions being made today in latex...far from the stuff that was in the underground catalogs a few years ago. Latex is actually the avant of the avant guard as far as strange stuff going mainstream goes...but better have the bankcard handy...a nice dress will run you around $250 and up! But the material is more comfortable than it looks, plus a bonus...nothing trims a figure but a nice, tight latex sheath dress! Yummy!!

The names...Fendi, Dior, CK, Chanel. Whatever. Nobody can afford this stuff anyway, huh? But you can copy the larger aspects of the style...just read the mags...like the latest in bags is a handbag with a shoulder strap of climbing rope attached to the purse with carabiners! Not a $$ idea unless you use a Chanel bag!

Well this should get you out there without any pointing and screaming going on...(about what you are wearing, anyway!!) Once you are there, half the fun is checking out what everyone else has on. This is like an everyday costume party/fashion show...eye-candy city and guess what? You don't have to worry about being the Snickers bar in the crowd ANY more!! Have fun and party on!


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