The hostess at a formal dinner has of course greater responsibility than her guests. She should make quite clear the degree of formality intended, to prevent the bother and the embarrassment of calls to learn what sort of clothes one should wear. Beyond that, the hostess should be aware, in at least a general way, of what jewelry her guests can afford and are likely to wear, and adorn herself within that range. Above all, she must be sure not to wear more elaborate jewelry than her most important guest. The considerate hostess will be in good taste, inconspicuous, content to have her guests admired. The successful party is that at which the hostess is most unobtrusive, until everyone realizes what a good time she has made it possible for them to have.
The one exception to this is an occasion at which the party is really given by the host, to mark an event important in the hostess’s life, such as a birthday or an anniversary or other time when her husband may wish to present her with a jeweled token. Then, for the special part of the evening, she may properly be the focus of attention, the sparkling cynosure of friendly eyes. But after “For she’s a jolly good fellow!” has been duly sung, the hostess should gracefully and unobtrusively become once more the catalyst of the evening, the aid in producing the desired reaction among the various elements. In recognition of her husband’s love and thoughtfulness, she should of course have him put upon her the newly given jewel.
At the White House
There are various occasions on which one may be privileged to be invited to the White House. For all of them, a woman must remember, in selecting her dress and jewels, that she is a living symbol of her own or her husband’s significance. Again, her jewels must be unostentatious, but befitting dignity and position.
For a White House luncheon, the neckline will not be low, hence no elaborate necklace will be worn. Gold should be seen on the jewels, accented with a few diamonds. Pearls with diamonds are also effectively in place. Always there is distinction, as I have said, in one earclip with a black pearl, one earclip with a white, while a black and a white pearl are set together in a finger ring.
For a White House cocktail party, jewelry with diamonds and multicolored stones may be worn. Still more appropriate, with the simple cocktail dress, is a parure. An especially effective set is a pearl necklace with a diamond clasp on each side, and matching earclips, bracelet, and ring.
The President’s Dinner
For a formal dinner at the White House, marked by the presence of the President, diamond jewelry is the only kind to wear. The guest’s prominence and influence may be emphasized to the fullest degree in the elaborateness of the jewelry chosen. And this is one of the rare occasions when a woman need not be worried lest she outshine the boss’s wife. The President, after all, is the servant of the people.
The glamour and the resplendent brilliance of such a dinner must come mainly from the guests. The President and the First Lady will affect a more modest attitude, so as to give the guests full opportunity for display. She is an unusual woman who will not take that opportunity!
The most elaborate of all White House occasions is the Inauguration Dinner. For this, and for various international balls, to which the heads of the nations’ embassies are invited, there is an established set of rules of protocol. One must have these in mind, as well as one’s own position, before determining what sort of jewels to wear.