Our dear friends Nik and Meredith invited us to chaperone a high school prom last weekend. Nik is a math and science teacher at the Aviation School in Seattle, so he and his fabulous wife attend the prom every year. This time they had company and we all had a ball! Greg and I have never been to an American high school prom so it was quite the eye opener. More about the prom itself later this afternoon. First, our outfits.

The four of us decided to get decked out to the nines and have a meal at The Georgian Room, a fancy restaurant at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle, before heading out to the prom. Our time together at the Georgian, relaying stories about our high school dances back in the 80’s was one of the highlights of the evening.

The photos were taken before dinner, right outside the hotel. Without planning it that way, Meredith and I both wore designs by Todashi Shoji accessorized with pearls. Meredith was positively radiant in a beautiful bright pink Grecian inspired gown that she finished off with fresh water drop pearl earrings and bracelet. She wore pewter pumps and carried a sweet burgundy clutch with embroidered flowers. The things that impressed Meredith most about her dress were that she could wear a normal bra, and that it had lots of comfy stretch, so thank you Mr. Shoji. You look gorgeous, Meredith!

I created a look that was inspired in part by Spanish couture designer Carolina Herrera and in part by old Hollywod glam. I tucked a basic white, non-iron Brooks Brothers shirt into a stretch black taffeta Todashi Shoji maxi skirt complete with fishtail. Well! It isn’t easy walking around in a skirt with a fishtail. I had to lift it up each time I took a step so that I wouldn’t trip and fall on my face. Other then that, I was really comfortable all night.

True to my style, I scrunched the sleeves, popped the collar of the shirt and wore black Kate Spade pumps with hose.

I completed the simple outfit with my late Mother’s elaborate gold, pearl and emerald jewelry, and a beaded clutch. The accessories are truly vintage and over 40 years old. My late Mum had this jewelry custom made, and because we had the same bone structure, they fit my wrists and fingers perfectly. I decided to keep my retro specs on for the evening so that I could see properly.

Our handsome dates for the evening were as dashing as they were delightful. Nik wore a black Nehru suit and shirt he had custom made in Paris, complete with dazzling gold buttons. He finished off his look with modern specs and killer Mezlan wingtip shoes, which got my vote for best peds of the evening. I loved Nik’s clean cut and interesting suit that worked so well with his edgy goatee. You look fabulous, Nik!

Last but not least, I managed to take photos of my ultra amazing and camera shy better half. Greg went for his favourite monochromatic suit look by wearing a charcoal pinstripe Hugo Boss suit with textured ink blue Theory shirt and fun Armani polka dot tie. He finished off the suit with black belt, Prada shoes and sunglasses. Love your look, my sweetie! You were one spiffy date even though you desperately wanted to take off your tie.

You just can’t beat an evening of good food and fashion with friends. I laughed so much that evening my cheek bones ached. And we ate just as much as we laughed which meant rolling our full selves out of the Georgian and onto the EMP (Experience Music Project), the venue for the prom. Stay tuned for the next installment of our high school prom experience this afternoon.