Bring on the sable coats and limos, take the jewels out of the vault: The Reagans have occupied social Washington, and after four years down home with the Carters, conspicuous consumption is once more in fashion across the land. The new Washington trend setters, led by the President's kitchen cabinet (the Bloomingdales, the Annenbergs, the Darts), are the bicoastal rich, who have brightened Pennsylvania Avenue with the glitter of Rodeo Drive. Not since the days of Camelot have the corridors of power seen such opulence, and American designers are understandably delighted. Here, a New Washington couple shows how to dress for a state dinner at the Reagan White House.
Lots of shortish, graying hair, cut by presidential barber Milton Pitts
Black satin hand-knotted tie conservative width (1½ inches ideal)
Dark pearl or gold studs
White linen hankie (Californians often prefer red silk instead)
White all-cotton pleated dress shirt (no colors or ruffles)
Classic black satin cummerbund (no vests, please)
Extremely old monogrammed gold cuff links, preferably handed down
Nails manicured, rarely polished
Old gold family watch, never a Rolex status number
Slight paunch from too many lunches, not enough exercise (except golf in Palm Springs)
Five-to-10-year-old tux (another at the cleaners, two more at home)
Cardin black silk dress socks to the knee
Patent leather pumps by Bally
The occasional facial
Plastic surgery: eye tuck only ($1,500)
Poufed hair by Robin Weir in Washington, Julius Bengtsson in Los Angeles or Monsieur Marc in New York (the older the blonder)
Plum and deep gray eye shadow from Redken
La Maur's Dusty Pink lipstick
Scent: Tuberose by Mary Chess
$366,500 worth of big, splashy jewelry from Bulgari (lots of diamonds)
Gold and pavé-rhinestone minaudière evening purse from Judith Lieber ($1,990)
Misty Plum nail polish by Revlon (not Nancy; she's allergic to the formaldehyde in it)
Wonderfully kept body, thanks to a little exercise woman who comes to the house four days a week at $240 per week
Big-skirted, tiny-waisted gown by Bill Blass in black, white, Reagan Red or other bold colors (not pastel, which smacks of Rosalynn); this one: $2,190
Republican sheer stockings, never textured
Gold evening sandals by Mario of Florence (only Nancy dyes to match)
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