Vibe Check: Overdress to Impress
What went on at Wednesday's 3rd annual fashion bonanza, including the lengths to which women will go for their 'fits. PLUS: In Bloom gala, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and going green.
As Joyce White stepped out of the car at the 3rd annual Overdress to Impress event at Panza’s on Wednesday evening, she didn’t even wait for the “paparazzi” to ask her who she was wearing. “I’m wearing Valentino,” she said to Bocage Champagne Bar co-owner Zac Denham. “But my best accessory is a Stanley cup.”
It’s true. She had styled her chic, black jumpsuit with a shimmering jacket, bedazzled purse…and 40-ounce reusable Stanley cup. Not in the limited edition cosmic pink “Galentine’s” color that caused physical altercations at Target stores, but in plain black. Tasteful, but a stainless steel cup nonetheless. “You can fill it with wine, too,” I heard her whisper to newscaster Noel McLaren on the red carpet.
Joyce’s outlook on her outfit cuts to heart of what Overdress to Impress is all about: Going all out on your look (be it a Valentino jumpsuit, vintage dress or, for one of this year’s attendees, a chic yellow puffer jacket), but not taking yourself too seriously.
“I like to say I’m wearing Amazon, but what are you guys wearing?” Noel asked a group of women, who couldn’t believe her lace-up, one-shoulder red dress was indeed from Amazon. When I asked attendee Kate VanHerp where she’d gotten her sparkling red two-piece ensemble, she didn’t elaborate: “TJ Maxx.”
Brittany Furman, on the other hand, had a lot to say (as always) about her own all-black look, which was the opposite of the mermaid-inspired dress she wore last year. “I’m wearing what I want people to wear to my funeral,” the funeral director told me. “It’s my baby’s first night out,” she continued, gesturing to her Chanel bag. “So I can’t get too drunk.” Later on, I’d learn that her shoes were a gift from her ex-fiancé, her necklace was a drunk purchase and her bangs were fake. When she inevitably used her moment on the runway as a chance to showcase some dance moves, Zac summed it all up: “Morticia, you’re doing too much.” But, as Zac is very well aware, that’s the whole point.
For fashion show judge Jenna Hotaling, “overdress” could also be interpreted to mean underdress. You may recall the former America’s Next Top Model’s iconic bodysuit from last year; this year, she followed up with an equally revealing outfit (someone asked me who the woman “wearing seatbelts” was) and encouraged others to follow her lead. When Zac asked the judges what they were looking for from the ladies in the fashion show, Jenna said simply, “Confidence, and a little bit of nudity.”
Former New York Times Style Photo Editor Tiina Loite, meanwhile, came to the judges table with experience from a different fashion camp—she considers Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, known for her minimalist style, one of her fashion icons. “They call it ‘Most Elegant,’” she said of one of the four categories the judges would be judging that evening. “I call it ‘having a clue.’” Just then, Gloria Ethier walked by in a long-sleeved, black-and-sheer-striped floor-length dress. “Now that is a seriously good dress,” she said. “It would make a good Oscar dress.”
The other two judges knew firsthand the struggle some of the attendees went through to commit to their outfits. Ashlee Rose Hartley had to take her arms out of her dress sleeves to drink or hug people, while Andrea Zappone actually had to pee in a pint glass when the zipper on her skintight dress got stuck. Furthermore, Andrea’s hat (clocking in at a whopping 32 inches in diameter) whacked more than one unsuspecting bystander. “The eclipse is scared of her,” Zac said of the saucer-like accessory that would certainly block all 100 percent of the sun.
During the fashion show itself, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to Spencer Sherry, one of the few men in attendance. When his girlfriend, Lauren Leddy, asked him what he thought of the fashions on display, he pointed to a trio of women in feathered dresses Zac had previously compared to birds. “I liked the bird girls in their ascending plumage,” he said absentmindedly before turning to the waiter who’d walked over with a passed hors’ d’oeuvre. “Is this a delicious honey mustard sauce?”
As expected, the judges narrowed down their favorite outfits, but required another look at the fashion show contestants in order to choose the winners. (By that point, they had commandeered my pen and notebook, so this next part is paraphrased.) Before the finalists took to the runway, Zac made an important announcement. “This is just for fun,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. OK, now bring it.”
—Natalie
Upgrade to a paid subscription to see all the photos from the evening—including from the red carpet!—in next week’s Saratoga Living After Hours post.
The After Party
While I didn’t witness it myself, word on the street (Phila Street, that is) is that the Overdress to Impress after party at Bocage carried on late into the night, and rendered several attendees “out of commission” the following day. “Can confirm,” Zac tells me. “People were turnt.”
Quote of the Week
“One thing about humans is that we have hands”
—Tophouse member Jesse Davis at the band’s Thursday night Caffé Lena performance
Save the Date
Next month, Lifeworks Community Action will host its 34th annual In Bloom gala at Universal Preservation Hall. This year’s theme? Petals, plates and pours! The evening will feature dinner (by Wandering Food Dude), drinks (courtesy of Saratoga Eagle and Curious Elixers) and dancing (live music by Garland Nelson and Soul Session). Grasshopper Gardens will set the mood with flowering shrubs and trees throughout the venue. Tickets start at $100.
Stars Align
While the masses headed up to Lake Placid or Vermont to witness Monday’s eclipse, two big names decided to stop in Saratoga to witness the phenomenon. Comedian Chuck Nice and celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson were seen around town earlier this week, with Chuck even posting a picture of the pair on his personal Instagram Story with the caption “Watching the eclipse with your personal astrophysicist.” Both men were spotted outside Best Buy in Wilton, and Neil made a stop at Olde Bryan Inn.
Going Green
Fresh off the news that Saratoga menswear store Union Hall Supply Co. and beloved Capital Region grab-and-go restaurant Simone’s Kitchen would be opening locations in Stuyvesant Plaza, the shopping center has begun construction on “The Lawn,” an open-air retail destination that will be located in front of Jean Paul Spa and Salons and feature a turf area for fitness and lawn games, a hardscaped patio space, and Wi-Fi for those who want to get some work done while getting some fresh air. “This summer at Stuyvesant Plaza promises to be an exciting and festive celebration of sunny days and warm nights with the addition of our new community space,” Stuyvesant Plaza General Manager Rachel Ferluge said in a press release. “We are planning to host a robust calendar of outdoor events at The Lawn this summer and fall, including our annual Summer Market. From yoga classes to story hours to live music, The Lawn will offer something for everyone to enjoy.”
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