Owambe

Owambe is a competitive room and everyone knows it. Dress to be seen, but decide in advance which one thing is doing the talking — the fabric, the cut or the colour.

If you are part of the family group, the aso ebi comes first and your personality comes second.

Spraying money and dancing are part of the evening. Choose a garment you can move in and pockets you can reach.

Arrive later than the invitation says and still look like you took it seriously.

Saturated colour wins here: rust, terracotta, emerald, royal blue, deep purple-free jewel tones.

Velvet and jacquard read well under hall lighting where flat cotton can look plain.

Metallic thread is acceptable in a way it is not at a wedding — just keep it to one element.

White and ivory are risky at Owambe; they photograph beautifully and stain instantly.

Loud fabric plus loud embroidery plus loud accessories. Pick one.

Buying ready-to-wear a size up 'for comfort' and losing the shoulder line entirely.

Ignoring the fila. An unstructured cap flattens the whole outfit.

New shoes on a dancing night.