Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

All-black for the Bubbly + Bow Ties KCFW Kick-off Party.

Date Night, Fashion, Jewelry, Outfit Post, Spring, 143 Comments

by Ashley

Ashley Style Blogger + Creative Director

My take on black tie for the KCFW kick-off party.

Kansas City Fashion Week came + went last week, and we started with a bang at r24 Studios for the Bubbly + Bow Ties KCFW kick-off party. The event is black tie– so it’s lots of suits and floor-length gowns. I was struggling with what to wear; super formal just isn’t my thing, you know? I decided to go with my usual M.O.: make it tough. I grabbed a black halter maxi dress as the base, layering a body chain underneath to add a little interest. (All that boob action seemed wasted without it, honestly.) I went with flat lace-up sandals (both as a nod to the Grecian theme of the dress and the fact my knee was bothering me from a few super tough spin workouts) and then tossed my ol’ faithful leather motorcycle jacket on top to get that edge I was looking for. My hair, which was not cooperating in the cool + damp weather, went into a boho side braid.

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge
Nasty Gal dress (similar here, here, and here; also love this super sheer polka dot version for some serious sex appeal) // River Island jacket (similar here, on sale here, and a great faux leather option for about $60 here) // Madewell sandals (on sale!) // ASOS body chain (similar here for $32 and here for $25) // Lust and Luster ring // Ray-Ban sunglasses

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Dressing Cool for a Black Tie Event. | Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

Shop the look:

Shooting this look was not easy. It was super windy and cold (hence the goosebumps in a few shots), and shooting so close to sunset (with cloud cover!) meant we were fighting to get enough light to crisp things up. Going through the shots post-event went something like, “Nope, nope, I look freezing, oh there’s my nipple, nope, nope, that one could work, too dark, too fuzzy, nope, nope, that one’s good! Yes!”

Ashley and blogger pals at the Bubbly & Bowtie KCFW Kick-off Party

The event itself was a ton of fun– lots of champagne, photo booth ops, and catching up with blogger pals. Definitely got me amped for the runway shows later in the week!

Linking up with Style Elixir, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, The J Petite, Walking in Memphis in High Heels + The Fashion Canvas, I Do DeClaire, Style Nudge, Myriad Musings, Posh Classy Mom, Get Your Pretty On, Rosy Outlook + Seeking Sunshine, Pumps and Push Ups, and The Pleated Poppy.

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143 Comments

  20. Dressing for events is always hard for me. I like to dress up… in theory, but I am usually uncomfortable within 20 minutes of being at the event. I’m loving the body chain and the length of this dress. I have an issue with maxi dresses that don’t cover my feet, I never know what shoes to pair with them. You look stunning Ashley. Looks like you had a great time.

    Reply

  24. All black is how I like to roll, that’s for sure! I bought a long dress similar to this one when I was in Asia, and I AM OBSESSED with it and I am not on the hunt to find more just like it – but it’s hard to find something that fits my body shape perfectly!

    Reply

  37. you look stunning in this dress, if you were my date we definitely would not have made it to the show 🙂 or least you would have been really really late

    Reply

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