Cocktail dresses: opinions, please? - YouLookFab Forum

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Cocktail dresses: opinions, please?

stringy

Veteran

I've got to attend a charity ball with my partner for networking purposes, in just 2 weeks. It's mostly advertising industry people, we've got free tickets because my partner's business has provided special effects and graphics for their presentation films. My job is to be friendly and chatty and make my husband look professional.

Naturally, I'm nervous about how I look and what I should wear. I've found last year's photo gallery, and a video which is dull but very useful for seeing what other girls are wearing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....490389222/
http://oasisproject.net.au/photos/

I really would prefer not to do the floor-length satin thing. I'm short and don't think I've got time to have dresses altered. Maybe just under half the girls in the pics are wearing cocktail length rather than full-length dresses, so I think I'll stick to that. Plus I'm a little more comfortable being colourful and quirky than a glamourpuss.

I've made an album with the dresses I tried on today. I bought the pink one, but can return it if it's a no-go and pick up another one after work one day this week.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

1. Pink petals - nice colour, petals are fun. Too tight?
2. Blue ruffles - love the colour and ruffles and a-line shape. Too short? I feel like the neckline chokes me?
3. Nude/slate - blergh. Looked nice on the hanger but I don't like it in the pic.
4. Green satin-y digital print - love the colour and sleeves. Not sure about the shape overall? I nearly bought it.

Love to know what you think...

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from stringy

Tansie

Hi Stringy. I think the pink petal dress is just beautiful! With the right heels and accessories I think you'd be breathtaking. I'm not really fond of the other dresses. Also the pink one looks like you could also wear it for slightly less formal occasions, although that is probably true for all the dresses.

Susan

(website)

I also really like the pink dress on you. The other dresses are fine but the pink one is the most interesting and it suit your coloring really well. I agree that you could dress this down (like Angie's recently demonstrated denim on dress combination?) Looks like fun. Enjoy!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I've never seen a dress like the pink one. We've been seeing so many ruffles that in contrast, the petals are really fabulous. It looks like it fits you well, and the color is flattering. Now we need to see it accessorized to give a final verdict!

But I have to say, I love dress #4 on you just as much.

Louise

Veteran

I love the blue one, the pink one is great too. I agree the beige one is a bit blah! I love the last greeny one but not sure i see it as a cocktail dress? x

marianna

Veteran

Oh the pink one is fabulous! SO interesting and different. I really like it.

Alecia

Veteran

I'm in the minority, but I like the blue one best. I think the color of the pink is too close to your skin tone. I love the design, though. Number 4 is fabulous, too, but looks more like a day dress to me. Can't wait to see the finished look.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Of the 4, I like the pink one best. In fact I *really* like the pink one alot. I am on the fence about the color though. It does seem a bit light for you, BUT, all made up it could be fab. I"m with Laura- lets see it accessorized and decide.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Another vote for the pink. It doesn't look tight, but if it feels tight I would size up.

AlexSue

I think that the pink is the most flattering. I love the petals; it reminds me of a dress that a fairy (a la Tinkerbell) would wear

rute

Veteran

Love the fit of the pink dress, but the color is not the best one for you.
No. 4 its pretty but it seems more like a day dress, not like a cocktail dress.

Dashrashi

Veteran

I think you made the right call. #4 strikes me as a little casual, but #1 looks beautiful on you.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like the cut and color of #4 best for your coloring and figure. I checked out the photo galleries and it doesn't seem to me that this dress is any less formal than what other women wore in the past.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Wow the pink dress is exquisite. Did it come in other colours though - like the blue colour of the 2nd dress? That would be perfect. I really like the last dress on you as well, but maybe not for this event.

p.s. which shop is all this from? So many gorgeous dresses! I'll keep it in mind if I ever need to dress up

Lana

I like the pink one best, too. I do think the color is a little light, so if that's they only color they have or the only color that suited you at all, I too would like to see it with the accessories you'd be wearing. Maybe you could add some color that way to make it pop a bit more.

stringy

Veteran

Just a quick note because I'm at work (also sneakily looking at Oscar red carpet pics!): I'll try the pink one on at home with some accessories tonight. It only comes in this colour though.

I'm a little tempted to go back and get the green one to wear to a casual garden wedding I've got in a month - could be nice with some gold accessories? It's satin, and shinier than it looks in the photo.

Yublocka, these were all from Myer. The pink and blue ones are from the label "Out with Evie", the green one was Dejuba, or something similar to that I think. The bleh one is from Jigsaw, but I also tried on from Jigsaw a lovely pink satiny thing with blue/green details. Unfortunately it was too large for me and didn't come in a 6, so I didn't bother with a photo of it.

cciele

Veteran

I'm with the ladies on this -- love the cut of the pink one; not sure of the color. The green one would be awesome for the wedding -- I can see it with gold strappy heels and accessories and hair a la grecque.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Without looking at anyone's responses I hands down pick #4. It's so different and fabulous. I just love it on you! Digital print and all :0)

Lili

I loved the blue one however I agree it is a tad too short. So #4 is IMO the winner: the colour looks great on you and it seems to fit perfectly.
The pink dress has a lot of visual interest but I would like to see it in another colour on you.

stringy

Veteran

Hmmm. I just tried on the pink dress at home, and took some pics with accessories. But... my accessories are nearly all pink, so I end up looking *too* co-ordinated; and the dress is a wee bit tight to sit down in; and I feel a little bit like a marshmallow!

Angie and the other green dress supporters are swaying me. I'd be happy (delighted, actually) to wear the green to a garden wedding, but how do I dress it up for a night-time event?

Shoes: I have gold kitten-heel sandals, and a pink pair too, although I'd prefer a medium heel if I can find any in time.

Hair: probably a flicky-out style.

Bag: I have a pale-pink clutch and a black one, although a gold one would be nicer in my opinion.

But is that enough? I have the feeling that what it really wants is a belt... but I'm not sure what style. What do you think?

Sihaya

Veteran

I'm another one for the pink. However, I agree that the color might wash you out a bit if you aren't careful. I would look at high contrast accessories that add some brightness, especially near your face.

bitsofpieces

(website)

I'm in the minority and will go with the blue one... I think it looks great on you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You'll need to pile on the glitz for night time, Stringy. Gold sounds like a fabulous idea for clutch, shoes and accessories.

stringy

Veteran

Glitz it is! I'll report back when I've got more figured out. For the first time in my life I wish I had pierced ears, just for the sake of having another place to put glitz

Elizabeth

I vote for the blue one. I like the neckline on you and it would look gorgeous with some dangly earrings...of which you can easily find clip-ons. : )

Ele

(website)

stringy, I really like the pink one on you- a very pretty nude shade that's really on-trend! I love that nude blush shade with black (very classic, very Chanel) and also with gold.

I like the green one too, but don't see it working as well for a swanky evening event. For a garden party it would be fab.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Stringy I can't wait to see how you glam up the green dress! Thanks for the shopping source tip! Never heard of those brans though but isn't Myer great!

stringy

Veteran

Yublocka, I'd never heard of them either! But Myer was full of things to choose from, while David Jones had only a couple of big-name labels (Alannah Hill, etc) but nothing else.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hehe really stringy? I went into DJs and Myer the other day and found the opposite! Isn't it funny how things are different everywhere. Maybe it has something to do with DJs stocking Veronika Maine which I looooove.....the pants are easily long enough for me. That never happens with ANY other brand.

stringy

Veteran

It's strange, isn't it? And I would have said it was the other way around just 6 months ago. I think they must poach labels from each other.