Times are tough, let

If you've been invited to a formal affair and think it's just too much effort - you should go. Or, find a fund-raising event you care about and make that your excuse to dress up. You can even host your own charity gala at home. It's good - or at least it's human - to escape once in a while to a make-believe world, where everything is beautiful and the grace we were born with never left us.

We can use that world to refresh our self-esteem, recharge our ideals and practice being nice. We don't need alcohol or drugs to make it happen, but we do need the right clothes. There are stores who understand that. One is Parisian.

Have you seen those "Rediscover Parisian" ads? Actually, I never "discovered" Parisian the first time. But obligated by my role as journalist, I did check them out last weekend. I was thrilled at the selection of dress-up clothes and shoes they offer at reasonable prices. Parisian presents their more fashion-forward pieces mixed right in with the staples of Hoosier-dom.

Upstairs at the Fashion Mall, you're likely to see bolder design names, like BCBG, hanging next to Liz Claiborne. I kinda like that; it says glamour and self-expression are for everybody. And bless their hearts, Parisian is shaking things up with some ultra-cool yet wearable, little-known lines. Look for Grace, and True Meaning.

Then there's Nordstrom. It always seemed weird - even disparaging - that this supposedly high-end Indianapolis store featured only one high-end line that I could find: St. John. Now they're pulling out the stops with flashy names like Roberto Cavalli, Christian LaCroix and Missoni, and the better tailoring of Escada, Ralph Lauren Black Label and Michael Kors. Even if you can't afford these designers most of the time, you should get in there, try them on and raise your standards for the clothes you do buy.

Nordstrom and Parisian offer personal shoppers, free of charge, for men and women. These experienced fitters are nice as can be. Both stores emphasize that you don"t have to be a big spender to take advantage of their fashion expertise, but they do want you to call ahead for an appointment. At Nordstorm ask for the "Personal Touch" desk; at Parisian, request a designated personal shopper.

Proper prep for the prom

Which brings up another timely issue: what to wear to the prom. Prom night is a girl's No. 1 dress-up fantasy - the night she deserves to feel like a princess. Which requires a certain amount of planning and incubation. Consider these recommended, pre-prom action points:

Start eating healthier now. 

Don't just run into Lazarus and start plowing through racks. Do the homework. Look at magazines. Build in time to find the style that's best for your shape.

Don't wait till Saturday night to discover your earrings don't match. Make a date with one of those personal shoppers. They'll work with you to put together a total look, blending things you already own with new items they suggest.

Schedule a makeover with one of the better cosmetic lines, several days before the prom. The artist will understand if you can't purchase every product - just ask which one or two items are most important for your new look.

Find a boutique that carries prom dresses you like. They'll have better quality, and a more interesting selection. One great place for party dresses is Ultimate Woman, at River Crossing near Borders. (Strange name, beautiful clothes.) Stop in to see what a more elegant selection in prom gowns looks like. Prices start at $99. The owner, Glenda, will special order a dress if she doesn't have your size. She even keeps a record of which styles are going to which proms, so you won't see the same dress on one of your classmates.

That's all for now. See you at the movies - in rhinestones.