Turning on the Glitz

Gala season is so close you can almost taste it. Those invitations start piling up in your mailbox around the beginning of September, and then it seems like it's non-stop parties through the holidays.

Getting through this time of year doesn't mean you have to drop a pretty penny with every new gala that comes along. You can cycle through your gowns if you feel like you're attending a charity function or gala benefit every weekend. And with these hot picks that are new for fall, you can turn heads as you walk into the room instead of blending into the wall.

sizzle factor

Want to add a little panache to your evening attire? InStyle magazine has five tips that will put a little sauce in that outfit and ensure that you never make a misstep, red carpet or not.

• Skin vs. Shape: When in doubt, pick showing skin or showing shape, not both.

• Illusion: Skin not feeling taut or looking too pale? Fabrics such as mesh, chiffon and georgette cover but give the illusion of skin.

• Shine: While shine and sparkle can make an outfit seem glamourous, keep in mind that they can make you look larger. Wear shimmery fabrics near your cleavage or face to play up your best assets.

• Practice: Spend a little time before your event walking around in the gown and shoes that you will be wearing. You can feel surprisingly self-conscious in unfamiliar clothes.

• Spend Wisely: Gowns and cocktail dresses fall under the luxurywear category, so invest wisely if you're on a budget. Skip embellishments such as lace or beading and stick to simple, more elegant versions that you can wear for years to come.

SOURCE: "INSTYLE STYLE SECRETS OF STYLE"

black tie cheat sheet

An invitation arrives in the mail with the note "white tie" on it. What the heck does that mean? Cynthia Nelson, the fashion expert from About.com, has deciphered all of the dress codes for social events. Keep this guide handy and you'll never arrive under or overdressed.

• Black Tie: A black-tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, while women wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

• Formal: Formal usually means the same as black tie, but in some trendier cities such as New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

• White Tie: A white tie or ultra-formal invitation requires men to wear full dress with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

• Black Tie Optional: A black tie optional or black tie invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress, but it should clue you in to the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

• Creative Black Tie: Creative black tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates.

• Texas Black Tie: Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes such as Texas black tie or other variations of creative black tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme (for him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with a Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry).

• Semi-Formal or After Five: Semi-formal or after five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 p.m.) would still dictate dark suits for him and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

• Business Formal: Business formal is the same as semi-formal for him, but it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

• Cocktail Attire: Cocktail attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

• Informal: Informal is often interpreted as the same as casual but it actually calls for the same dress as semi-formal -- dark suits for him and short dresses for her, especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

• Festive Attire: Festive attire is usually seen around the holidays with the mood of the party being informal or semi-formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday feel, such as a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt.

• Dressy Casual: Dressy casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sportcoat, for her a dressy pants look. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for dressy casual.

• Casual: Casual generally means anything goes.

SOURCE: ABOUT.COM