brown dress hoes Men's Leo Shoes with Memory Foam Insole toe Oxford in Italian Museum calfskin from Ilcea — the understated version of the Ilcea finish What Suit Color to Wear

My go-to flip flops are the Samis from HEYDUDE Shoes

You do not need to wear a formal gown, but an elegant wrap dress, a tasteful sweater dress paired with elegant boots, or a chic blouse tucked into a pleated skirt strikes the perfect balance between approachability and respect for the holiday

The cummerbund is a sash-like waist-covering that originated in India during the 19th century

This light green floral satin mini is one of my favorites for a Spring event

You can get away with light blue in a pinch, but its best to avoid it, and any other color, even if its in a very pale pastel shade, would be too informal for an event of this nature

Slip Dresses Frank Trapper Images Actress Halle Berry wore this black slip dress to the Ninth Annual Soul Train Awards in 1995