In with the new

If there are any lessons to be learned about the state of Triangle fashion from the Inaugural Ball Friday night, it is that being willing to take fashion risks is hotter than ever.

Oh, there was plenty of traditional formal wear on the dance floor. The ball was a sea of elegant ball gowns in reds, blacks, blues and purples, gowns covered in beads, sequins, ruching and tiers, and black one- and two-button tuxedos.

But in a time a of historical political change, more people than usual seemed comfortable ditching traditional inaugural ball style in favor of showing off a little of their personality or personal style.

Some women traded their traditional jeweled necklaces for a vintage brooches on the shoulder, on the bodice or near the neckline. More picked trendy asymmetrical necklines or one-shoulder gowns rather than strapless or tank gowns. A few broke with tradition completely by wearing short or tea-length dresses. And more than a few gowns focused on back details -- with jeweled back straps or sequined rings.

Even some men were comfortable breaking style rules, mostly by changing up their usual formal wear accessories. Formal black bow ties were replaced with playful and colorful patterned bow ties or fashion-forward straight ties. One man arrived in Albert Slippers and no socks. A few were wearing attention-getting suspenders. And one man had on cuff links that had a locket feature; inside both cuffs were pictures of his granddaughter.