By Pam Dewey • Fraser gala, emotional dressing, emotion inspired outfits, buttery yellow outfits, bold blue gala outfits, bold blue looks, powerful red gala outfits, rainbow outfit dressing, heart on your sleeve gala looks, soothing textures gala outfits, accessible dressing, inclusive gala outfits, accessible gala outfits, matching set gala looks, Fraser gala outfits, gala outfit ideas, Fraser gala looks, what to wear to the Fraser gala, gala outfit looks, dressing for the Fraser gala • September 19, 2024
The theme for the 2024 Fraser Gala, presented by Toy’n around, is “A Story from Yellow to Blue: A Journey Inside You.” Attendees will be led on a journey of self-discovery through the colorful world of their emotions at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, on Fri., Nov. 1, 2024.
People often depict their emotions as colors. Your sadness is blue. Anger is red. Joy feels yellow. Disgust is green. While we may not relish feeling sad or angry, the truth is, there are no bad emotions. Like a rainbow, our emotions reflect the range of our experiences.
We also learn important lessons from emotions. A child with food allergies may cry uncontrollably if their stomach hurts because of something they ate. A teen with ADHD may cover their ears and shout if they’re overwhelmed by background noise.
Our emotions tell a story, painting a vivid picture of our inner experiences and how we respond to the world around us. For gala outfit inspiration, we’ll be taking cues from our emotions. Get it, emotional cues? Read on for ideas on how to craft the perfect heart-pounding look for the gala.
Indulge in buttery yellow and light lemon
Yellow calls to mind sunshine, lemons and daffodils. It feels warm and joyful. Yellow can also be a startlingly bright neon. Celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter have recently been spotted in buttery yellow ensembles. For the gala, consider a sweet slip dress in a deep, butterscotch yellow or a striking lemon suit. You could also go bold with a neon yellow dress from Christopher John Rogers on Poshmark. The world is your oyster; just remember to top it with lemon.
Counterclockwise top left to right: Yellow tie from thetiebar.com, Yellow Suit from Macys.com, Neon yellow heart boots from UniqueVintage.com , Slip dress from J.Crew.com
Go bold in blue
Blue is often used to depict sadness, but it also represents the color of the sky, the ocean and peacock feathers. Try a pair of electric blue heels in satin or an on-trend set of “mismatched” blue leather loafers from Camper, like the pair pictured below. You can even dress like the sky with a graphic cloud print on your tie or a gown. Try a beautiful, delicate lace dress in icy blue, like the one below from Self-Portrait or in warm turquoise from Farm Rio.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Blue cloud print dress from AnnaSui.com, Blue mismatched Camper loafers from Nordstrom.com, Blue abstract tie from Etsy.com, Electric blue satin heels with crystal heart from MaloneSouliers.com ,Turquoise lace dress from FarmRio.com
Pack a powerful punch in red
You’ve likely heard the term “seeing red,” which refers to being angry. But red is also linked to passion and love. Consider a bright red sequined skirt or a pair of sexy red slingbacks with a jeweled heel, as pictured below from Saks Off 5th. Opt for a bottom-to-top look in red with a power suit, or grab a two-tone blazer. Try a red slip dress with fringe trim that will shimmy and sway across the dance floor. Or, if you’re feeling particularly bold and whimsical, try a red helping hands dress from artist-run label Fashion Brand Company.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Red suit from Fashionnovacom, Red sequin skirt from AliceandOlivia.com, Red Helping Hands dress from FashionBrandCompany.com, Red and white blazer from Poshmark.com, Red slip dress with fringe from J.Crew.com, Red tulle long gloves from Amazon.com, Red jeweled slingback pump from SaksOff5th.com
Reflect your emotional range with rainbows
Everyone experiences a range of emotions, and what better way to show that than with a rainbow-hued frock or shoe? And don’t worry, rainbow prints are much more mature now. Try a multi-hued dress with a ruffle hem or a knit sweater dress in rainbow hues, like the one below from Boden. Or, maybe you’d prefer a cozier, more casual look with a rainbow-striped sweater. Try a pair of swirly patterned brogues from Dr. Martens, or pick from a variety of chunky, rainbow-striped platforms from Charlotte Stone, like the pair pictured below.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Rainbow tiered dress from Christopher John Rogers on NetaPorter.com, Rainbow striped sweater from PaulSmith.com, Rainbow knit dress from Boden.com, Rainbow swirl shoes from DrMartens.com, Rainbow colored platforms from CharlotteStone.com
Wear your heart on your sleeve (or your ear, wrist or neck)
It doesn’t get much more emotional than a heart. Show your love by picking a dress with an all-over heart print or a pair of loafers embroidered with hearts. Add a simple heart locket, like the one shown below from local jewelry designer Larissa Loden, or a beautiful gemstone-encrusted heart ring. Consider a heart purse in fuzzy faux fur or glistening red stones. For the incredibly-not-faint-of-heart, don a heart-printed suit, like this brave option from Kohl’s.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Heart embroidered loafers from Boden.com, Heartprint dress from DollsKill.com, Heart locket in gold from LarissaLoden.com, Heart purse in red from UniqueVintage.com, Heart cocktail ring from Oscar De La Renta on MyTheresa.com
Lean into the emotional swirl
You often experience more than one emotion at once: joy and fear, anger and also sadness, and on and on. A picture inside your head might look like a dreamy watercolor or a swirling, psychedelic painting. Channel your inner hippie with a blazer, pants or a dress in a psychedelic pattern from the “prince of prints” Emilio Pucci. Try a tie in a swirling watercolor print. Dress up a simple black dress with a kaleidoscope print scarf, or add a pair of chunky, swirly platforms.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Psychedelic Pucci pants on NetaPorter.com, Psychedelic suit from TrinaTurk.com, Swirly tie from Etsy.com, Psychedelic swirl dress from ModCloth.com, Swirly platforms from JohnFluevog.com, Swirly dress from ModCloth.com
Soothing tactile input: think faux fur, chunky, soft yarn, velvet and feathers
You’ve likely got a favorite cozy outfit. Maybe it’s a soft cashmere sweater with your favorite pair of leggings or a chunky, thick cardigan. Some textiles are just softer and provide pleasurable tactile input, which can help soothe your emotions. This fall, many designers are leaning into big, chunky sweaters in a variety of patterns and colors.
Grab a funky, striped V-neck sweater or lemony yellow alpaca crewneck. Go for a head-to-toe sweater set with a knit cardigan and matching skirt from J.Crew, like the one below. Perhaps you love the feeling of feathers, so grab a super-chic striped feather bolero, like pictured below from Saks Fifth Avenue. Better yet, combine the two textiles and indulge in a super-chunky knit sweater with feather accents. Or, select from a variety of soft velvet blazers this season.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Feather embellished heels from Target.com, Knit sweater set from JCrew.com, Alpaca sweater from JCrew.com, Fuzzy striped sweater from Milfland.com,Feather bolero jacket from SaksFifthAvenue.com
Twin-win: matching sets
Matching sets continue to be a trend this fall, and these get bonus points because many sets have the ease of the pajamas but are elegant enough for a night out. That leaves you feeling good and looking good: win-win or twin-win? Try a swirly matching button-up and pants from Pucci, like the one below. Explore a bright and bold matching top and skirt from Farm Rio or a slightly more subdued navy eyelet set from the brand. Check out a feather-embellished matching top and pants from Tuckernuck, as pictured below. It’s all about ease, elegance and endless possibilities!
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Blue eyelet set from FarmRio.com, Floral set in red and white from WolfandBadger.com, Set in yellow and pink swirl from TuckerNuck.com, Psychedelic pink and yellow set from FarmRio.com, Set from Pucci.com, Set in red and white with feather embellishment from TuckerNuck.com
Put a bow on it
Bows are still having a big moment in fashion. For many of you, bows probably conjure sweet memories of childhood. However, hair bows aren’t just for little girls anymore! Urban Outfitters has various grown-up options, like a ruffly, pale blue bow or a pair of delicate red ribbon barrettes. Or, grab a gala-perfect crystal bow clip. Add a pair of adorable bow earrings from local jewelry designer Larissa Loden. Try a pair of heeled slides adorned with giant bows, like the pair from Betsey Johnson below. Consider a bow top or cardigan. Check out high-end vintage sites like Poshmark for used gems, like this red leather Gucci jacket with a pink bow.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Bow heels from BetseyJohnson.com, Watercolor bow tie from Etsy.com, Leather Gucci jacket with bow on Poshmark.com, White bow top from Cynthia Rowley on Nordstrom.com, Black dress with bow tie shoulders on WolfandBadger.com, Bow embellished cardigan on AliceandOlivia.com, Crystal bow hair clip from Leletny.com, Gold bow earrings from LarissaLoden.com, Blue bow hair clip from FreePeople.com
Baby doll blush and glossy lips
You might have noticed all the rosy cheeks on the runways and at the office (shoutout to my coworker Hannah and her impeccable blush). The bright, bold blush is applied in a more circular shape, aka baby doll style. Try a cream-style blush, maybe with a shimmer to it. Check out high-end makeup brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath. You can also find good budget options, like ColourPop, Milani and Elf, and you can purchase many of these at your local drugstore.
Glossy lips are also back in a big way. Again, Pat McGrath has some great gloss options, and so do drugstore brands like Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink and Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss.
Counterclockwise from top left to right: Sabrina Carpenter with baby doll blush cheeks on NewBeauty.com, Bright blush on Byrdie.com, Glow Superstars makeup kit from CharlotteTilbury.com, Milani Cheek Kiss Cream blush on Walmart.com, Lucky U lip and cheek balm from ColourPop.com, Lust gloss lipgloss from PatMcGrath.com, Divine Cream Blush on PatMcGrath.com
You can get more gala outfit inspiration on our Pinterest board: 2024 Fraser Gala - A Story from Yellow to Blue.