The Luxe List: Food & Wine

It’s that time of year again. It’s time for day and night to mesh into one long wine tasting — when all bets are off, and it’s literally 5 o’clock somewhere every hour of the day for three days straight.

That’s right: It’s almost time for the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen (June 20-22). Sure, this is an event to taste food and learn tidbits from the industry’s top chefs. Yes, it’s a time to learn and sip wines you’ve only heard about. But it’s also the first big event of the Aspen summer, which means people are coming out of hibernation (read: off-season) and making their summer fashion debuts. And while the focus of Food & Wine certainly isn’t fashion, what you choose to wear can make a difference to your general enjoyment of the event. Follow a few, basic sartorial pieces of advice, and you just may set yourself up for your best Food & Wine yet — that is, of course, if you don’t drink too much, spill on yourself, spill on someone else, or generally overdo it. But you do you.

Let me start by saying this: You are not attending the Kentucky Derby. Florals for spring may not be ground-breaking, but they are certainly joyful and appropriate. However, a dress that looks like it was taken from the former bridesmaid section of your closet is overkill. Choose something summery, not overtly Southern. (No shade to the South, Lilly P just has no place at 8,000 feet.) 

For goodness sake, choose comfortable, ideally flat shoes. For women, no heels (Your balance may be compromised), and slight wedges are acceptable within reason. Aspen is mostly cobblestones, as we know: Wedges are basically taking your life into your hands with each step. Heels are not only unsafe, they will dig into the grass at the Grand Tasting and make you more unsteady than all those “tastes” of wine already have. And I know you want to wear sandals, but there is more wine in that grass than you can imagine. Do you really want that seeping into your toes? Ew. 

Wear something cool and comfortable. Be prepared to be out all day and into the night, going from tastings to classes to party after party. But remember: There is nothing chic about fidgeting, sweating, or just being uncomfortable. Choose something you feel good in, that’s airy, and that doesn’t give away the fact that the last time you saw the inside of your house or a shower was many hours (or days) ago. 

Don’t wear white. I don’t think this one requires further explanation.

A friend suggested sunglasses were a must, so your eyes can’t be seen. I thought this was a fairly genius suggestion for two reasons. Firstly, if you indulge too much, sunglasses will help mask that. Secondly, Food & Wine is packed with people you both do and do not want to see. Sunglasses will help you avoid random conversations and endless small talk. Small talk may be fun at the beginning of the weekend, but its enjoyment decreases with each passing hour and empty glass. Going a little incognito can help address this issue. 

Wear a hat. A hat will help prevent a sunburn (especially if you’re out indefinitely), and it will also offer the same benefits as sunglasses (see above).

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Food & Wine does not have a Western theme. While Aspenites and CERTAINLY tourists love a Western accessory — from hats to turquoise jewelry to boots and belts — there is no rule that says you must wear one of these pieces (or, god forbid, all of them) to Food & Wine. Don’t get me wrong: I love a Western piece of clothing — in moderation!

One piece of Western wear = cool.

Four pieces of Western wear = costume.

This probably isn’t your first rodeo, so no need to dress like it is. (Sidenote: I’d love it if we could apply this rule to the entire summer. Thanks in advance.)

Follow these simple rules (or don’t — it’s your life!), and you just may be in for your best Food & Wine yet. Or, at the very least, you’re chicest. 

Sari Tuschman is a longtime local journalist who loves the mountains and pretty things.