Romantic Silver for New Year's Eve - Vintage Accessories and Historic Supper Clubs

Leo's gold, the gift of kings, may embody the warmth and light of Christmas, but New Year's Eve is the time for the sophisticated elegance and subtle sheen of pure, lunar silver. On this one night of all the year, silver accessories reign supreme. Vintage or modern, nothing reflects the romantic, mysterious essence of this night like the classic glow of silver.

New Year's Eve is, historically, one of the most glamorous occasions in the North American social calendar. Now characterized by out-door gatherings, open-air stages, and gala fireworks, it was once time for elegant soirees, supper clubs, and champagne. Exquisitely coiffed women in gowns rich with the costly sheen of exotic silks and satins; gems flashing fire from throat and wrist; rich furs softly draped on gleaming, bare shoulders - this is the very stuff of romance.

Arguably the largest silver New Year's Eve accessory, the Times Square lighted ball symbolizes the countdown to the new year. No transition to the coming year was complete until everyone gathered to watch the amazing lighted ball make it's symbolic journey to signal the end of the passing year and herald the entrance of the new one.

How better to complete one's impeccable grooming than with this elegant, silver dresser set?

I remember my grandmother's set, similar to this one, but complete with silver lidded powder boxes, resplendent on its silver filigree-bordered tray.

Granny had soft, wavy hair that she habitually wore in a French twist.

When she was dressing for a dinner dance or a formal evening out with Grampa, she would often take her hair down to re-dress it.

I loved to watch as her using her silver-backed brushes and combs to to fashion the soft curls and pin them high on her head.

She always fastened the back with a pair of silver and pearl combs - a gift from Grampa, and the perfect finishing touch.

Any evening on the town begins in the dressing room.

The first, and perhaps most important decision is to select the gown for the evening's entertainment.

For such an important occasion as New Year's Eve, only the best, most elegant, most becoming gown will do, whether a stunning figured silk suit or a full-length ball gown.

The next step towards your perfect evening on the town is to choose the proper accessories to complete your ensemble.

From an elegant jeweled pin, antique silver and crystal earrings, beautiful filigree silver cuff bracelets, a fabulous silver mesh or beaded bag, and daintily decorated dancing slippers.

Any aficionado of old B&W films can tell you about the cocktail ritual. Once everyone was dressed for dinner, whether dining out or staying in, they repaired to the lounge for cocktails.

Then, after a cocktail or two and some witty conversation, transportation would be brought round or taxis telephoned for, and the glittering assembly was off to enjoy their evening on the town.

My parents and grandparents subscribed to this ritual, and it was always a magical time. They were so beautifully turned out - so elegantly sipping their drinks. Surely these glittering sophisticates couldn't be my parents.

One of their favorite special places was The Cave, a dinner and dance club in dowtown Vancouver. In its heyday, it was a well-known jazz club, and it was common for international stars to perform there.

The very name of the place seemed to breathe romance, hinting at an exotic destination full of excitement and untold pleasures. My parents always had that little extra sparkle of anticipation when that was their destination.

The Cave on New Year's Eve was something to behold. Packed with the glitterati of the day, a sea of furs, jewels, satin gowns, formal tuxedos, and famous faces all swaying to the song-stylings of a famous Hollywood headliner.

Many modern nightspots are capitalizing on vintage flair to provide that elegant and timeless decor so in demand today.

Crisp white table linens, twinkling lights sparkling on crystal goblets and gleaming silver place settings - all the grace and romance of a bygone era recaptured in an up-to-date supper club.

...and who better to bring in the New Year in style than Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians? Credited with popularizing what is now perhaps the best known New Year's anthem of all times, "Auld Lang Syne", this Canadian bandmaster appeared on television broadcasts from coast to coast, helping millions of annual viewers to welcome in the coming year from the comfort of their living rooms.

Here's a video sample of the full treatment...

© Elle Fredine, 2010, all rights reserved