A Girl And Her Wardrobe

WTW To A Wedding?

July 23, 2015

Hi Ladies,

I think weddings are my least favourite thing to dress for where I currently live:(    There is no specified dress code but having attended the engagement, I have no doubt that what is worn to the wedding with be equally as 'diverse'.  I have a small capsule of items for special occasions and I don't really have any desire to buy anything for this event.  

I am not too concerned about 'conforming' to the cultural norm here but do want to be appropriate and of course respectful of the occasion while still be 'me'.

Things to keep in mind are that it's a winter wedding, it's cold here, and I don't have any special occasion wear in 'colour' (I wore my cobalt drape dress to the engagement and was magnificently over dressed).

Having taken photos, I have already eliminated one option so here's what I am thinking.  I am very partial to one particular option but wont tell you which one... but I think you will guess :)

Just need to let you know this was a try on session, no makeup or styling to speak off.  Working with the bare bones here :)

#1-#3 Laura Ashley Drape Back Dress.  Wouldn't wear the pendant. Might use the coral clutch if I went with black shoe rather than red.

I am thinking about styling this with a wide silver cuff on each wrist, and either a modern silver collar necklace, or large-ish modern silver earrings.  I think the white jacket featured in the other pics could go over this too.

#4 - #6 Esprit Draped Dress.  Sleeveless but will too cold to wear without a jacket, even indoors.  White jacket is from Dotti and by virtue of the colour the most 'dressy' jacket I have (I think) for a wedding.  Choice of red or black pumps.

#7 - #8 Target Dress This is a dress I have had for about 6 years and I think it's pretty classic.  It tends to accentuate my natural hour glass.  Again I would need a jacket indoors. Not sure about the white jacket over this.  Again red or black shoes options.

#9 - #11 Long Elegant Legs Cropped (Brocade like) Pants  This is the wildcard entrant!!  These pants were given to me by my sister. Ordered and then didn't like them.  Pants wouldn't be inappropriate here but I doubt many will wear pants. I felt the fabric made the pants read as dressy?  I think the black jacket version is a bit flat but the white seems to lift the look.  Not with the necklace.  Note pants need a good press.

The likelihood for any outfit here would be black shoes and a coloured clutch.  I have included a couple on my finds for you.

I realise for some black is not what you wear to a wedding but I figure it's better than wearing white!

Anyway over to you. Thanks for looking and would love your thoughts.

xxx Deborah

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Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

35 Comments

  • replied 8 years ago

    Ooh, gosh, this is difficult. I think I'm leaning towards 8, 9, 10. I like the black shoes with 8 and perhaps add the red bag.

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    I prefer no 11. I think the pants have a certain wow factor because of the texture and pattern. I like the way the jacket lifts them. And the fact that others wont wear pants is a good reason to wear them! My next choice would be the dress in no 1 styled with the silver cuffs and/or necklace as you suggest. I like it's clean modern lines. Just my personal preferences of course!

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    I like your first option and third options the best. I like black shoes and the red clutch. However they all look great and would be appropriate for NZ winter weddings, so I think you should chose the one you like.

  • Astrid replied 8 years ago

    My favourite is also no. 11. I think the pants look great and the white jacket results in the look being not too dark. I know you don't mind black, but I just like the lightness of this. You said that you can't wear the sleeveless dresses on their own and if you wear the jacket as part of the outfit I prefer #8 if you want to go with a dress. With the black pumps and one of the two colorful clutches.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    My favourites are 4 and 8, both with the red shoes.

    I have to say I love them all SO SO VERY MUCH. All the looks are so very elegant and classy....I think you look absolutely fabulous in this white jacket. It's beyond fab!

  • lyn67 replied 8 years ago

    My fave is nr 10, if the event  is less formal! Gorgeous patterned ankle pants, and top! But you cannot go wrong with any of these(still,  I would leave the maxi from nr 1-3 for a dressier event!). The  white  drapey jacket is really gorgeous with all and both shoes are great with both the dresses... Not much of a help, isn't it?:-(( I would wear the smaller green clutch, also-to not clash:-)

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    My favourites are 1-3 because this look seems more you. I also like the black shoes with the unusual chunky heel.

    I like the others too. Any of the looks would be fab for a wedding.

  • Helen11 replied 8 years ago

    My initial thought was 4, then the more I look, the more I like 11. The White jacket seems to lift the colour in the pants. I think they are definitely dressy enough for a wedding, especially if it's cold. However, as you already know, all the outfits look good! You only need decide which is the best!

  • Runcarla replied 8 years ago

    #8 with the red shoes would be the conventional choice, but I really, really, really, like #11. Love the trousers!

    FWIW, I'm still crushing over your pink top from 5 days or so ago. Is this something that would work with the silvery grey of the bottoms.

    Also, hair is looking super fab!

  • Aquamarine replied 8 years ago

    My favorites are 1 and 9, but I don't think you can go wrong. I think 1 is so you and so elegant...I would have no problem wearing black to a wedding. I also love 9 because it is different and the pants are festively elegant too. I like the white topper less. At my wedding many moons ago, a relative wore a stunning black pantsuit and she stood out in a good way from the sea of colored, floral dresses (this was in the 80s). I still remember her outfit and often think how timeless it was/is and how undated she alone looks in the photos. Interestingly enough, she has your coloring.

  • donnat replied 8 years ago

    I have to say I love those pants. I think any combo 9 thru 11. The other dresses are lovely too, but that pant is stunning on you.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    Going on pure first-glance-gut-reaction, I'm swooning over that last outfit with the trousers and white jacket. Positively GORGEOUS on you!!! It's appropriate, sleek, elegant, unique and oh so flattering.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    I am going to say #11, and ask delicately if it is possible the first dress is too big for you now?

  • replied 8 years ago

    Another vote for the trousers, with either jacket. Though I, too, have a bit of a preference for the white one.

  • Runcarla replied 8 years ago

    Yes...will second Shevia. I've noticed in a few recent posts that fit is becoming an issue. You are shrinking, aren't you?

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I like #7 with the red shoes best. I love the way the dress fits. But will you be warm enough, Debs? I think another jacket might be nicer than the white. 

    And I'm eager to know what "comforting to the cultural norm" at an Oz wedding is all about. 

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    I love #11 and the versions with the dresses with the white jacket.  I think the jacket keeps the outfits from being too dark for a wedding.  I see black at weddings all the time so I don't think black is inappropriate. 

  • Diana replied 8 years ago

    I vote for #11. I like the back detail on 6 a lot though, but it sounds like it'll be too cold to show it.

    I think the black dresses are fine for a wedding and have worn them myself; however, I do think black dresses are better for evening, more formal weddings and not for an afternoon or outdoor event. You didn't say specifically but it sounds like this is not going to be a super fancy wedding?

  • Echo replied 8 years ago

    I prefer #7 as well. The pants are fab, but I am not sure I'd want to be overdressed for the engagement and potentially underdressed (at least in the sense that few will be wearing pants) for the wedding. If a person were to err, I'd err the other way (more casual to engagement and overdressed to the wedding). 

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    I will come back later and appreciate everyone's thoughts.

    Angie, on these parts at least there is often a very relaxed attitude to wedding and special occasion attire. I'm am often "overdressed" for most things:). It irritates me a little as I love seeing people make an effort and looking good.

  • Elle replied 8 years ago

    I love the Target dress with the red shoes (#8 or 9).  A great look on you.  But a very close second is #10.  Those pants are amazing on you.  I wish I had your sister.....

  • crutcher replied 8 years ago

    My favs are 1 and 11...That first dress is TDF and perfect for the dressy or not so dressy occasion...Best...

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    I like #7 with the red shoes, and #11 (with the lime clutch!) best.

  • AviaMariah replied 8 years ago

    You could wear any of these outfits; they are all spectacular.  At first glance I love #11 the most.  I'm not sure about the wedding norms but this looks warm, interesting and has a lot of texture.

  • Irina replied 8 years ago

    Hard to pick one, they all are great. My favorite however is #1. I like the quiet elegance and flow of that dress. Also, very current look, in my opinion :)

  • Greyscale replied 8 years ago

    To my surprise, I think I like #11 most!

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Ladies, thank you so much for your thoughts.  My preference is actually #1.  I will have to take a good look and see if it needs to be altered.  I have lost weight but the dress is an oversized draped design but may need some tweeks.  Thanks for pointing that out.

    I am going to throw another option into the mix.  My original thought was actually a black 'pant suit' and Aquamarine has inspired me to revisit that option.  I will put it together and try to show you over the next week.  

    xxx

  • Helena replied 8 years ago

    Goodness woman, you have such amazing clothes! I love them ALL but #11 is the winner in my book :)

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    I think no 1 looks spectacular on you and I don't think that anything else will equal it in my eyes. :-)

    I didn't realise that those yummy shoes were Wittner.

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    CocoC thank you!  I feel the same way about the dress in #1.  I am debating if I need to have alterations done or not and I have a friend who makes wonderful fabric and metal collars and we are thinking of wearing one with the dress.

  • Alyssa replied 8 years ago

    None of these outfits is bad.  My first choice seems to run with the consensus, the 9-11 pants outfit; my second choice is the black suit posted in the replies; my third choice would be the 1-3 dress, but it could become my second choice with the red bag and red shoes, if you wore white or neutral nylons.  I'll explain why throughout this post.  The other two are also nice, again with the same choice in shoes / bag / hosiery, but the other options will allow you to not have to wear a jacket inside.

    I normally think of lighter colors and pastels for a wedding; all of your dresses are black, but the red shoes and bag with neutral or white hose with any of the dresses will provide some color, enough to counteract the solid black look.  Black shoes and bag, especially if you wear black nylons, would be too much black when wearing a dress.  Does that make sense?

    Even though the pantsuit is black, it still looks a little more "upbeat", for lack of a better word, even with black shoes, than an all black dress outfit, which is why that is my second choice, especially with the white top under the jacket, even better if the ends of the sleeves could show beyond the jacket sleeves, but not a problem if the top sleeves aren't long enough.  Also, I would wear neutral (or no) stockings with the black shoes, definitely not black.  I do like the black shoes as pictured, as the red shoes may stick out with black pants.

    This leads me to the 9-11 outfit as my first choice, with the black shoes (rather than the red) as photographed, for the same reason as previously mentioned, with neutral or no stockings.  The pattern and the shimmer has a "fun" look (as weddings are supposed to be) and also breaks up the all black look.

    I hope you have a good time.

  • Sheila replied 8 years ago

    Agree with Alyssa here... I like # 11 and maybe with the red shoes !

    Love the flow and sparkle of the pants....

  • replied 8 years ago

    I'll vote for #7/8.  That dress fits you like a dream!  I'd love to see it with this Derek Lam leather-trimmed white jacket at http://tinyurl.com/p6mv2o3

    But the white jacket in your photo is great, too.  Pile on some necklaces and you're good to go!

  • Alyssa replied 8 years ago

    I have to disagree with Sheila on the red pumps with those pants.  First, there's nothing else red in the outfit, even if you use the red bag, the red will stick out.  No continuity.

    In addition, having the red in this particular outfit would detract from the pants, not because the red would make them look bad or anything, but because red is kind of a flashy color, the pants won't get the attention they deserve.  Having the shoes and bag black, to match the top, most allows the pants to "shine" (no pun intended, of course LOL).  The pants should get the attention, not the shoes and bag.  Does that make sense?

    If I wanted to split hairs, #9 would be my first choice, but the differences are too small to think about.  I have to say that the necklace is a wonderful accent, to the pants, as it draws attention down to them.  Even the white sweater in #11 doesn't detract from the pants since it's a neutral color.

    I found these images quickly, I know they don't match the pants exactly, but they may give some sense as to how these pants may look with red shoes.  None of these look bad, but the shoes in all cases draw attention from the pants, whereas the black around the pants in Debra's photographs allow the pants to stand out.  Does that make sense?

    http://www.sydnestyle.com/wp-c.....-pumps.jpg

    http://proseccoandplaid.com/wp.....2x1024.jpg

    http://www.foreveramber.co.uk/.....-pants.jpg

  • dakotacheryl replied 8 years ago

    #11...followed by #8.

    I also think the dress in #1 looks a little large for you.

    You wouldn't believe what goes for wedding and funeral attire where I live....

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