Le Petit’s What to Wear Guide for August

With all the fashionable events happening this month in the Twin Cities, it’s vital to start planning now. Here's some help to the best events happening this month - and what to wear to them.

[Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Collection]

Friday, August 14: Glamorama at Orpheum Theatre
The event: Macy’s annual fashion show is bringing together Fall 2009 collections from some of the world’s top designers, including Marc Jacobs, Gaultier, and Sonia Rykiel, as well as live music performances by Ne-Yo, The New Standards, and Kristinia DeBarge. It’s the highest-production show of the year in the Midwest, so you best be dressed accordingly. (Click here for more details; look for my feature story about Glamorama in this Thursday’s issue of Vita.mn and my interview with fashion director Laura Schara in l’etoile later this week.)
What to wear: With “fusion” being much less of a clear theme than that of previous years (last year’s “Pop Candy Arcade”-themed event had me wearing M.C. Hammer-inspired pants), anything goes. We’re in Minnesota, after all, and everyone else will be playing it safe in a basic black dress.
Where to shop: Go high-end and hit up Nordstrom or Neiman’s – summer-end deals should abound. If you want to save even more cash on designer looks, try Nordstrom Rack at the MOA, Off 5th, or my personal fave, Opitz Outlet.

[Take inspiration from the cast of Mad Men]

Sunday, August 16: Mad Men Season 3 premiere party at Jax
The event: Transmission DJ Jake Rudh and Vita.mn put together this official premiere party for the debut episode of Mad Men’s third season. It will include Jeremy Messersmith, Lucy Michelle, and Janey Winterbauer performing retro standards, brandy and cigar samples, Mad Men-era cocktails, and best of all, the chance to dress retro. (Click the facebook invite or here for my earlier post for more details.)
What to wear: Previous seasons of Mad Men on DVD will be your best source for inspiration, of course. The look is late ‘50s/early ‘60s, with ladies in dresses with fitted waists, perfectly-coiffed hair and done-up make-up, and of course, hats, gloves, lady-like purses, and heels. Men will be in narrow-cut suits with skinny ties, or for the truly dapper, a tux. You can glam it up or go for more of a day-time look.
Where to shop: Blacklist Vintage and Tatters are both offering 10% off before the show, and Up Six is offering 15% off if you mention the premiere.

[The cast of Project Runway Season 6]

Thursday, August 20: Project Runway premiere at Landmark Center
The event: This l'etoile-sponsored premiere party kicks off the long-awaited sixth season of everyone’s favorite reality show, Project Runway – and this year, Minnesota boasts strong connections to two of its contestants, Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub. Both will be in attendance for the public screening at Landmark Center. (Click the facebook invite for more details on the screening.)
What to wear: If you’re lucky enough to own a piece by Ra’mon or Christopher, now’s the time to pull it out. If not, take a cue from the sophisticated, structured looks from the designers’ portfolios, available at MyLifetime.com.
Where to shop: Design Collective (where Christopher sells his Cricket underwear line) and Cliché are both great resources for local fashion design.

[Cover image of The Sartorialist]

Sunday, August 23: The Sartorialist book release party at Magers & Quinn
The event: The l’etoile-sponsored book event celebrates the release of the first book by internationally-renowned The Sartorialist street fashion blogger Scott Schuman. Digital Crush will be on hand shooting stylish guests, Blacklist Vintage will provide styling assistance, and moto-i will be provided by moto-i. (Click here for more details.)
What to wear: Layers, interesting details, and a mix of high and low-end will get you the eclectic look favored by street fashion photographers.
Where to shop: Unique Thrift Store, Tatters, Everyday People, and Off 5th are favorites of the Twin Cities’ most-photographed citizens.

[ Metro.Pop Magazine]

Thursday, August 27: FAME at Ignite Studios
The event: Details are still coming out, but word is this edition of the new monthly series will feature the art of local street artists as well as a live graffiti art demo and fashion show featuring street-inspired fashions worn by Ignite models.
What to wear: Go bold, bright and eclectic with a mix of high and low. Think shiny leggings, an oversized shirt, Doc Martens and tons of plastic accessories.
Where to shop: Designer toy store ROBOTlove has the perfect screened tees and accessories to pull off this street-smart look.