Dressing up a suit for a dinner party - help me choose!

I'm invited to a dinner party next weekend. A few friends, nothing formal. I want to wear my cropped black pants, and I need you to help me decide:

A: Navy cashmere sweater or purple silk top?
B: Silk scarf or not, and on what top?
C: Pumps or booties?

The leather jacket is for outdoor use only, but if I go for the purple top, I'll add the blazer for warmth indoors. I'll pile a trench on top of it when outside.

Items in use:
Black cropped BR pants
Navy cashmere sweater, Eric Bompard
Purple silk top, made by a Norwegian designer who is out of business now
Black suede pumps, Clarks
Brown leather booties, Pantanetti
Leather jacket, Bruuns Bazar
Black blazer, BR
Silk scarf, BR
Hot pink clutch, BR (this is my only clutch so far)
Pearl studs, Grandma's pearl necklace as bracelet, gold watch.

Any advice is very valuable, and thanks for looking!

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13 years ago

pil

Veteran

No advice here, only compliments. You can't go wrong with any of them although I particularly love the looks with the pink scarf and clutch. Simply beautiful color. I am so jealous.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

I like both tops and think they look great on you. I have a very slight preference for the sweater just because it is a bit less dressy and may be better for the informal event.

I am often out of sync with the others but I prefer it with the silk scarf and the black pumps. very nice.

JuneBug

I love the simplicity of #1 with the clutch to pop and pumps, and #3 without the scarf! You can pretty much carry off all of these looks, but the two I mentioned appear sophisticated and with clean lines, a look I always gravitate towards!

TraceyLiz65

I like the silk top with the scarf and clutch but prefer the pumps rather than the booties. The scarf colors really pop as does the clutch.

Day Vies

Look #2 is fabulous. It's my favorite because the boots tie in with the leather jacket for a more rugged look. Then the scarf is so feminine and refined and the clutch is a perfect blend of edgy femininity. I love the gradation from hot pink to navy (genius!). I am loving your eye for color!

ramya

Good lord Ingunn!!! You look so fab..
I love that clutch!!!! Time for me to start saving money to buy one

One suggestion is not the blazer it looks a tad bit too formal... /i love the scarf... May be you could try it with some other option than the blazer?

Anonymous

All of the outfits look great, but my fav is the middle one in pic #3 (the one with the scarf, purple top, and pumps). That outfit looks dressy without being OTT.

kellygirl

I really like the sweater and the purple top--both are fab. The sweater would probably be my choice because it looks so cozy. The black pumps really elevate the look too. You are going to look great whichever you choose!

Transcona Shannon

These are all fantastic ensembles Ingunn and any of them would work beautifully. I personally really like the look of the navy sweater/pants/pink clutch/pumps combination. What would that look like with the black blazer in the last set of pics? Would it be too "suit-y"?

texstyle

I prefer the sweater for a friendly dinner party but all of these look really great and you couldn't go wrong!

Glory

I think all of these could work well. A couple of thoughts- is the dinner at someone's home? If it is footwear might be something you need to carry in and boots might not be an option. My other thought was if it gets too warm, the lovely cashmere might get too hot. I would probably go for the silk top with the blazer and then you can manage all scenarios.

Tina

My favorite is number 2. Love the scarf and clutch with the booties. I have been admiring that navy sweater since your first post wearing it. What a great piece!

Ornella

Without reading other responses, I love #1.

It's simple and so confident! I love navy+black, I love the pumps and I adore that clutch.

modgrl

I like 1 and 2, but with the shoes from 1. Great clutch! I like it together with the scarf.

Ingunn

Interesting! Thanks a lot for all the input. There seems to be 50/50 votes on the scarf, so it's a very close race. Most of you favor the pumps, and I'm probably going to bring them along since we're going to a private home, like Glory pointed out. Better not ruin their floor!

I like the idea of wearing the blazer with the sweater, but it will probably get too warm for that. I do feel that the scarf is better with the silk top than the sweater - any thoughts here?

Unless your friends are really casual people, I'd err on the dresser side. Yes, the scarf will look better with the top than with the sweater. The pumps are dressier than the boots. The jacket is a great finishing touch and is nice to take along for personal climate control.

Thank you, Ruth! I'm certainly going to consider your advice.

I think if you are worried about being too warm with the blazer/sweater combo, I'd go with the blouse, blazer and scarf -- essentially look #4 with the pumps. The boots seem off to my eye with out the edge of the jacket to tie them in. I am really pulling for the scarf. It ties everything together (pun intended) with flourish.

Scarlet

I like the first version best from head to toe, but you can't go wrong with any of these.

I've had the blouse for several years, but never worn it much. The scarf, clutch and pants are all bought at the BR mid season sale this Summer, and all of a sudden it all fit together. I agree with you, DV, the scarf makes the blouse version indeed. Scarlet, thank you, it's what I hope for.

Aida

LOVE #1! I would vote sans scarf because it's a dinner party, and the scarf might be a bit of a hindrance

Caro in Oz

#1 imo. Dressy enough but still relaxed. Throw the light coloured jacket over your shoulders if you need a jacket.

Sandy

Active Member

They all look wonderful, but I like the pumps more than the boots and I Love Love Love the scarf and the clutch. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the combos here.

Thank you, fab ladies! You're all confidence boosters for sure. I hear you all, and you have good arguments for the scarf/no scarf, and for the sweater/blouse. I think I will let the weather and my mood help me decide when the day comes. Today it is relatively warm (temperate), but who knows - by next weekend it might be below freezing point. I feel fine in both versions.

I was on the verge of going shopping for something new, but my budget is blown this month, so that's not a very good option, really. Now I have two outfits that are more than good enough for the occasion. Playing around in one's closet is literally paying off!

Deborah

Ingunn, I am blown away by all these versions. You cannot go wrong with any of these. I do prefer the pumps with the crop pants. I agree, see how the weather looks a d then decide. You will look stunning no matter which you choose.

rachylou

This is not a fair choice, lol! All are super fab. I am a bit stuck on the navy sweater tho.

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