Newport Manners & Etiquette:  Newport Flower Show + Polo Matches + Boys

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

 

View Larger +

How to make peace between post-graduation dueling eighth graders? In the midst of the Newport Flower Show, polo matches in Portsmouth, and mother-of-the-bride dress code at the height of the wedding season, were the best questions to Didi Lorillard at NewportManners this week.

Q.  We're coming over from the South Shore to go to the Newport Flower Show this weekend and my friends and I want to know about ladies hats. Do you have the inside on the kind of hat to wear?  A.W., Duxbury, MA
 
A.  Upon entering the Newport Flower Show, start by heading to Lisa Stubbs' hat kiosk. The foremost milliner in New England, Mrs. Stubbs handcrafts all of her popular hats and they come in an array of styles and prices. Whether you're looking for solutions to keeping the sun off of your face or searching to find that dark and mysterious hat to top off your favorite cocktail outfit, you'll find it at Lilo.

To get a sense of Lisa's natural high style, here are photos of Lisa and her friends at the 2014 Newport Flower Show.

View Larger +

What to wear to my daughter's wedding?

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Q.  I'm searching for a mother of the bride outfit that is a sophisticated look suitable for an older mother of the bride to wear to her daughter's August wedding. If someone is asked to describe the way I look, I'd like them to say I'm pleasantly plump. The dresses I've been trying on just aren't me. I look in the mirror and say to myself, "What am I doing in this silly dress." Do you have a creative solution to this wedding dilemma?  Anonymous, Watch Hill, RI

A.  Living close to Newport, you are in luck. The answer is at the Newport Flower Show this weekend. At booth #24 you'll find wonderful special occasion jackets by the ever so chic Maria Pucci. 
In choosing one of Maria Pucci's handmade jackets you have more options to coordinate with the wedding colors, which typically match the color scheme of the wedding, by simply changing a trim, button or other detail to coordinate with the theme.

For instance instead of a corsage, your jacket can have a floral pattern in one of the wedding colors. The beauty of the Newport Long Coat is that it is a formal jacket. Because it is not a long dress, it won't compete with the bride's wedding gown, the arms are covered for a religious ceremony, and the mother of the bride is freer to move around the reception to greet and dance with guests.

These beautiful special occasion jackets are not only perfect for the mother of the bride, but are a popular choice as cocktail attire -- especially for wearing when entertaining or being entertained day or night -- because they are made for the young at heart.

Ahead of time go to Maria-Pucci.com to check out her brilliant designs. Here is one of the looks Maria Pucci recommends for the mother of the bride. See you at the Flower Show!  ~Didi

View Larger +

Newport polo match dress code

Q.   I am attending a polo match tomorrow in Newport and I have no clue what to wear. I have many dresses, most of them form fitting. I do not know what is appropriate to wear though.    –Closet Full of Clothes and Nothing to Wear, Newport

A.   Hold your horses. Polo match dress code is not that complicated. Think about comfort and protecting your face from the hot sun. You may find yourself picnicking at your tailgate, so wearing a dress that is not too short is more comfortable if you're going to sit on the grass. Find a mid-calf length dress or skirt in your closet, a loose fitting shirt and belt it.

Top off the look with a small brimmed straw hat that isn’t too fussy or prissy — but no fake flowers on the brim.

Most importantly, if you wear heels, wear cork wedges or flats. Spiked heels will catch you up by digging into the turf and we wouldn’t want you to trip over you feet. Here are some looks you may be able to pull together from your full closet.   ~Didi

Eighth graders brawling after graduation

Q.  Our son recently graduated eighth grade from our country day school and got himself into a nasty altercation with one of his classmates. He came home from one of the graduation parties with his eye glasses broken and his face bleeding from being punched in the face. I texted the boy's mother asking if we could meet soon for coffee telling her what had happened. She responded with, "boys will be boys." Texting back I said we really need to talk. We were looking for the boy to apologize. We didn't get it. She keeps putting me off, but we don't think the boys should end their school year with the incident unresolved. Any suggests?  Anonymous

A.  Texting the naughty boy's mother inviting her to your house for coffee would be a gracious move. It will make her feel that it is more of a social visit and less confrontational. Bring out your best china coffee cups, but don't go so far as to bake a coffee cake. Ask her if she thinks the boys should hash out the problem. The catalyst no doubt was a girl. Each boy should tell his side of the story. In a perfect world, the brawler would apologize and the lads would shake hands. But we don't don't know the whole story.  ~Didi

Didi Lorillard researches all matters of manners and etiquette at NewportManners. Ask Didi your question about relationships and everyday dilemmas for a personal response.
 

 

Related Slideshow: 25 Things To Do in Rhode Island for Under $25

Looking for something to do in Rhode Island but you don't have a lot of cash? Check out these fun Rhode Island things to do for less than $25!

View Larger +
Prev Next

PC Friars Games

The Providence College Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, in which they are founding member of the Big East Conference. Tickets start at just $12!

View Larger +
Prev Next

The Breakers

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Admission is $19.50.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Avon Cinema

Foreign, art house & indie films are shown in this historic art deco theater with retro decor.

View Larger +
Prev Next

John Brown House

The John Brown House is the first mansion built in Providence. It is located on Power Street on College Hill, and borders the campus of Brown University. The house is named after the original owner and one of the early benefactors of the University, John Brown.

President John Quincy Adams considered the house "the most magnificent and elegant private mansion that I have ever seen on this continent." Tickets are $10.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Newport Art Museum

The museum has many notable works particularly from Rhode Island and New England artists, including William Trost Richards, John Frederick Kensett, John La Farge, Gilbert Stuart, and Catharine Morris Wright as well as many contemporary artists.[5]

View Larger +
Prev Next

Providence Sky Chiefs

The Sky Chiefs are Rhode Island's first pro Basketball team! A great night out, with affordable tickets at just $10! 

View Larger +
Prev Next

URI Men’s Basketball

Cheer on the Rhody Rams at the Ryan Center in Kingston, tickets start at just $14.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Cable Car Cinema

The Cable Car offers a curated array of indie & foreign films in a cozy setting with food, wine & beer.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Museum of Work & Culture

The Museum of Work and Culture is a museum in Woonsocket that features exhibits focusing on the city's textile manufacturing heritage. Admission for adults is $8.

View Larger +
Prev Next

The Met

Check out an array of local and national acts at this cool concert venue in the Hope Artiste Villiage in Pawtucket. Most events are between $15 and $25.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Museum of Natural History

Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is a natural history museum and planetarium within Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

The park and museum are named after Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, and is located on land donated by Williams family. The museum is part of the Providence Parks. It was founded in 1896. The Cormack Planetarium offers regular showings and the Natural History Museum contains a vast array of scientific specimens. Admission is only $2!

View Larger +
Prev Next

Providence Bruins

Check out exciting AHL Hockey right in downtown Providence with the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Tickets start at just $21.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Children's Museum

Providence Children’s Museum, Rhode Island’s only hands-on museum especially for families, is an active place where kids and grown-ups play and learn together. Located in Providence’s Jewelry District, the Museum presents interactive exhibits and lively programs for children ages 1 to 11. Admission is $9.00 for adults and children.

View Larger +
Prev Next

RISD Museum

The RISD Museum contains a broad range of works from around the world, including ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, ancient Greece and Rome, Europe, and the Americas. It also features many notable works by a range Rhode Island artists such as 18th century Newport furniture makers Goddard and Townsend and nineteenth century Rhode Island painters, such as Anglo-American impressionist John Noble Barlow and portraitist Gilbert Stuart. The museum also features prominent international and American artists such asPicasso, Monet, Manet, Paul Revere and Andy Warhol. The RISD Museum houses over 86,000 works of art. Admission is $12.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Haffenreffer Museum

The Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology is Brown University’s teaching museum. It aims to inspire creative and critical thinking about culture by "fostering interdisciplinary understanding of the material world". It's free!

View Larger +
Prev Next

The Paw Sox

McCoy Stadium is a great place to catch a ballgame, with the Minor League Red Sox Affiliate PawSox. A great family night out, without breaking the bank.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Iggy's Doughboys

What's more Rhode Island than Chowder and Clamcakes? A summer (or any time of year) staple on Oakland Beach in Warwick, and affordable, too!

View Larger +
Prev Next

AS220

AS220 is an artist-run organization committed to providing an unjuried and uncensored forum for the arts. AS220 offers artists opportunities to live, work, exhibit and/or perform in its facilities, which include several rotating gallery spaces, a performance stage, a black-box theater, a print shop, a darkroom and media arts lab, a fabrication and electronics lab, a dance studio, four dozen affordable live/work studios for artists, and a bar and restaurant. Lots of stuff to check out here!

View Larger +
Prev Next

Gilbert Stuart Museum

Gilbert Stuart, a famous American portraitist of the 18th and 19th centuries, was born in the colonial-era house located on the property. The museum consists of the 1750 house in which Stuart was born, an operational snuff mill, an operational grist mill, a mill pond, streams, a fish ladder, nature trails, an herb garden, and a Welcome Center and gift shop. Admission is $10.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Block Island

Check out the natural beauty of Block Island, accessible for less than $25 round trip from Point Judith.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Roger Williams Park Zoo

The Roger Williams Park Zoo of Providence houses over 100 species of rare animals in naturalistic settings. The park and zoo are named after the founder of Providence, Roger Williams.

The zoo was founded in 1872, and is one of the oldest zoos in the nation. 

Recent addition included a bald eagle exhibit, a giant anteater exhibit, river otters, tree shrews, Chinese alligators and renovation of the Fabric of Africa exhibit. An adult admission is $14.95.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Slater Mill

The Slater Mill is an historic textile mill complex on the banks of the Blackstone River in Pawtucket. Modeled after cotton spinning mills first established in England, the Slater Mill is the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in North America. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Admission is $12 for adults.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Naval War College Museum

The Naval War College Museum in Newport is one of fifteen official museums operated by the United States Navy, under the direction of the Naval History & Heritage Command and in co-operation with the Naval War College. Admission is free.

The Naval War College Museum uses this building to display exhibits on three themes: the history of the Naval War College since 1884, the history of naval activities in the Narragansett Bay area since the colonial period, and the history of the art and science of naval warfare since ancient times.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Wireless and Steam Museum

The New England Wireless and Steam Museum, founded by Robert and Nancy Merriam, is an electrical and mechanical engineering museum in East Greenwich emphasizing the beginnings of radio and steam power. The museum honors engineers who achieved greatness and served the public good by analyzing and solving tough engineering problems. The museum is both archival and educational, and is $15 for adults and $7 for children.

View Larger +
Prev Next

Sunset Lighthouse Tour

In the summer months, enjoy a beautiful Narragansett Bay sunset aboard one of Save The Bay's custom passenger vessels. Tours depart from the Save The Bay Center in Providence for a guided cruise of the Upper Bay while enjoying the historic views of Gaspee Point, Conimicut Light, Nayatt Light, and Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and are $25 per person.

 
 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook