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I need your advice about late summer Newport weddings!! I’m going to a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. The wedding is on September 3rd at 5:30 PM. The dress code is Black Tie. What should I wear?

Thank you for your help

–Martha, Florida

Since fall doesn’t actually begin until September 22nd, you can definitely wear a dressy summer weight cocktail dress or long dress — although not a Cinderella ballgown.

By September, summer colors are on the fade. The combo of black + white gives an end of summer pop to the transition from white to black without having to go somber and a little drab by wearing the requisite chic gray.

Do you look better in a vivid color? Here are three September colors:

‘Black Tie’ is most likely dressier in Florida than in Newport. We tend to be a bit subdued — or underdressed —  in the northeast. Less is more. Hold back on the glitz unless the bling is the genuine stone(s).

As to sleeves, for September 3rd, sleeves should be very sheer, because twilight can be steamy. Or you can still get away with no sleeves at all — and any length in between.

~Didi