“Theme” Parties: How Far Is Too Far?

Sometimes, it can be exhausting to be a New Yorker. The crushing crowds ruin everything that is otherwise nice, from Christmas lights to brunch.

So whenever I agree to attend a popular, public event (like the Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island), I have to mentally prepare myself for pushing, shoving and general malaise. (I’m not overreacting — my husband can’t even go to the Columbus Circle Whole Foods without a mini panic attack.)

So when we bought our tickets for the aforementioned Jazz Age party, comfort was top-of-mind, NOT a killer costume. Huge mistake!

Hat: Genie by Eugenia Kim | Eyelet Top: Zara | Jeans: AG | Vests: Kimchi + Blue // Peter Som | Brogues: Alexander Wang
Hat: Genie by Eugenia Kim | Eyelet Top: Zara | Jeans: AG | Vests: Kimchi + Blue // Peter Som | Brogues: Alexander Wang

As you can tell from the photos I shared in yesterday’s post, the other partygoers looked absolutely marvelous. I was woefully under-dressed in comparison. This was my very loose interpretation of a Great Gatsby all-white ensemble. (The Zara shirt even has a daisy print — y’know, for DAISY BUCHANAN! Brillz.)

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But the whole thing felt a bit like a miscalculation. The jeans were already stuffy for a hot afternoon, and after consuming a lobster roll smothered in mayonnaise and hot sauce, everything felt uncomfortably tight. Then came the brogues, which were adorable in theory, but painfully tight in practice, thanks to the aforementioned sodium lunch bomb and the blister-preventing socks I was forced to wear. (These are autumn shoes.)

So let’s try something a little different. Here’s what I WISH I had worn. The outfit below is still not a showstopper, but it’s way more comfortable and sticks to the original theme — menswear.

Fedora: Target | Vest: Walmart | Black Tank: Express | Olive Pants: Banana Republic | Brogues: Tokio Kumagai (Vintage)
Fedora: Target | Vest: Walmart | Black Tank: Express | Olive Pants: Banana Republic | Brogues: Tokio Kumagai (Vintage)

Elastic pants that can handle a lobster roll or ten? Check.

Shoes that do not require socks? Check.

A sleeveless shirt? Check.

If only I had a time machine.

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You tell me: How seriously do you take theme-party dress codes?