So you’re attending an inaugural ball saluting the historic election of Barack Obama in the worst economic climate in three generations. Can you get away with glitzing it up and still be appropriate, not to mention comfortable and financially viable?

To quote the man of the hour: Yes, you can.

"This is a time to celebrate. This is a great moment. Do not dress down. Do not wear the Washington uniform," said Tim Gunn, a native Washingtonian and chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne, Inc.

Now, like Greenspan, we must caution against irrational exuberance. On inauguration night, comfort and survival are as important as aesthetics, as any veteran ball-goer knows. This year, so are economics.

Stylists said to pick a Washington fashion role model and find those looks at stores within your budget. Think Michelle Obama and her sleek silhouettes in rich hues, or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her understated, never dowdy, style.

Or Atlanta’s Dee Wood. The human resources consultant picked up one of her inaugural outfits - a black balloon skirt and sequined top - at a high-end consignment shop in Virginia for about $150.

"It just made no sense to go try to buy a brand-new gown and try to pay $1,000 or $2,000 for it," Wood said. But she didn’t want to compromise on style because the historic nature of Obama’s presidency calls for celebration.

"People are going to be dressed up," she said. "This is very important in their lifetimes, particularly for black people who have struggled so long, so hard and have lived long enough to see an African-American in the White House."

To be sure, presidential swearings-in are fancy occasions, and there is great speculation over what ensemble Michelle Obama will choose. Clues to what’s appropriate and comfortable can be found in her unfussy wardrobe, said Saks Fifth Avenue Vice President Michael Fink.

"Just keep it simple. It’s about the body; it’s about clean lines. No more ball gowns," Fink said.

But this is a series of soirees inside the security perimeter of Inaugural Washington, so there’s more to consider than aesthetics. Outside of the first family and a few select guests, most ball-goers will spend the night on their feet.

Ball-goers should plan on carrying their coats rather than wait in a supersized coat-check line. They should anticipate being stepped on and prepared to cope with a drink spilled upon that special dress.

And be prepared for the outside chance that Cinderella never makes it to the ball.

Letitia Baldridge, chief of staff to Jacqueline Kennedy, spent the evening of the 1961 inaugural stranded in a car that had become stuck in a snowdrift, with two "assistant secretaries of something or other, two halfway important people."

Luckily, they were stuck in front of a liquor store whose owner sold them a few bottles. "We spent five hours marooned in that car having a great time," Baldridge recalled.

And no, she’s not attending any inaugural festivities this year. She’ll be "glued to the television, nice and comfortable, at home."

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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