Putting on Your Party Best

—Louis Verdad, designer

There is way too much epidermis being revealed at parties these days. Just because self-absorption and navel gazing are popular pastimes doesn’t mean the rest of us want to stare at your bellybutton too. People have forgotten the art of bringing something for the hostess and replaced it with bringing an uninvited guest instead. The art of social introduction has gone the way of the dinosaur in these times of name tags and business cards. But the wonderful thing about L.A. is that neighbors hardly complain about decibel levels. What one must never do at a party is use a cell phone. You’ve been invited to converse with other guests, not to seek Plan B for the evening.

—Darianna Cardilli, documentary filmmaker and film editor

Always dress like your ex-girlfriend will be there. Avoid hats, as drunk people tend to take them off of you, revealing hat head or baldness. Try to arrive “front-loaded” (slightly tipsy) or people will say you seemed sad. Words of wisdom . . .

—Guinevere Turner, writer/actor

Parties are always supposed to be fun, but sometimes they aren’t. The best way to ensure your own good time is to wear an outfit that pleases you so much that it doesn’t matter what is going on around you —- because you have it going on, girl. My latest obsession in fashion is Lycra. Yep, that is correct. Spandex, unitards, dance gear. This season you only need to know one word: Capezio. We are talking about Jane Fonda, feeling the burn, Jazzercise. I, for instance, will don a pair of ballet-pink tights, a mint leotard with spaghetti straps, a pair of woolly warm-up shorts, and matching leg warmers and a satin peach ballroom shoe, not too high, not too low. This look is about Fame —- Fame costs, and here is where you start paying, in sweat. Think substitute dance teacher at Harvey Milk High School. Class is in session!

—Margaret Cho, comedian