It's Wedding Time! - YouLookFab Forum

It's that time of year again, and I have two weddings in June. I would like to buy one outfit to wear to both of them, but I'm afraid that I might need different shoes/accessories for both because the occasions will be different. I thought I would ask all of you advice on colors, styles, and so on.

The first wedding will be here in the Midwest. It will be an indoor evening wedding, and I think it will be pretty upscale. June here can be warm, or it can be cool. Most likely the evening will be in the mid to upper 60s.

The second wedding will be on the Maine Coast. It will be an evening wedding as well (though a little earlier), and it will be outside. The reception will also be outside, but I think it will be more informal. The reception will be hosted in someone's backyard. Maine can be pretty cool in June, though I think an evening of upper-50s to mid 60's would be a good guess.

I run cold, so I'll need something to cover me. And because the second wedding will be outdoors, I will need shoes that don't sink in the grass. Oh yeah, I should also note that we will be walking from our hotel, to the wedding, to the reception and back (probably a mile, total), but I don't have finicky feet and can easily walk distances in heels.

I'm 5'4" and hourglass shaped (tending toward straight). I'm pale, blonde, and I'm not afraid of colors. Thoughts?

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmmm. This is a tall order. Are you open to two outfits?

christie

Active Member

Sorry! I was hoping to keep it to one because our trip to Maine is going to cost us an arm and a leg and an arm and a leg. Is that just an impossibility?

Hard one. Perhaps a trench to wear over your dress for the outside, cooler wedding. Wraps don’t keep you warm. Perhaps that can be your extra expense with all things equal ? Same everything else?

Nicole

Veteran

I wonder if you could figure out 2 outfits using one skirt and 2 different tops? I have a few simple straight skirts that can be worn both casually and smart casual--even business casual...if I pair it with the right top.

Maybe one of those fun appliqued skirts from boden, with a tank and cami and some flats for the Maine wedding, and a blouse and wrap with some sexy high heels for the more formal wedding?

p.s. I've been in Maine in June...it might actually be a little chillier than you are expecting--especially on the coast. Also, Maine is pretty large state---norther Maine will be noticeably colder than southern Maine. (and if you are in Southern Maine, you should check out Portland--they have some great funky shops!)

shiny

I would invest in a navy blue sheath dress - sleeveless. Something simple. Something you can wear on countless occasions, including to work. Three-season wool would work fine for this, I think. You could possibly even go with black, since a lot of people are wearing black these days to weddings, and it is a formal evening wedding. But blue is different, and you'll get just as much mileage as black.

For the first wedding, dress it up with pretty jewelry and dressy shoes. For example sparkly chandelier earrings and metallic high heel sandals with a clutch purse. If you like belts, a thin belt might look nice too.

For the second wedding, swap out the shoes to pretty ballet flats (so you don't sink into the ground). And get yourself a bright jacket - perhaps in lemon yellow or pink or cream or even something with a pattern. Ann Taylor had a cute swing jacket in an inky blue and white brocade that would work. Wear complementary jewelry - something less formal than the chandeliers. Maybe pearls? Depends on your jacket and shoes.

I got married outside (both times, actually - but the first time was the big to-do). We had a tent and rented a wood floor. So you may be able to get away with heels for this outdoor wedding. I would bring both flats and heels, and decide what to wear once you see the venue. Also if these people are from Maine and used to Maine, they probably will be planning for the chilly weather. They may be renting a tent with sides and you'd be surprised how nicely this heats up once people are inside. You can also rent heat lamps too.

You can always bring along a full length warm coat just in case... but I suspect the hosts are considering this angle and will have accomodated somehow!

Thanks for your tips Nicole and Shiny. The wedding is in Camden. I've been there in June (to visit this friend) and the weather seems to go either way, but cool in the evening is something I'm planning on.

Shiny, do you have any links to dresses like the one you are describing?

This dress is no longer available, but it will give you the idea:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

It's basically the "Little Black Dress" but in inky blue. This one is made out of italian wool, which is what they use for suiting. It is probably also lined. So it would be warmer than a silk or other typical summer dress.

This particular dress would look fab with a dramatic multi-strand pearl necklace - either short or long. But I also like the idea of no necklace and instead hair worn up and some fab candelier earrings.

The LBD can have any style neckline, if you don't like this one. Try googling "sheath dress" or "navy sheath dress" and you should come up with some options.

This one is pretty too:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564467

or this one:
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat302207

Yes this is a suiting dress. You may have been thinking of something more dressy for a wedding, in a silk or satin fabric or something. But since it's going to be chilly, a suiting dress will be warmer. And will have more versatility in your wardrobe too!!

For the jacket you want something dressy. I would go for something cropped, so your waist is showing.

Love this one!!
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....-6527479-2

Actually I love the whole two-piece outfit.

And here's another:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....-6652148-2

If those are too dressy for the informal outdoor wedding, you could go with this - which is great because the color would really pop against navy. And as a bonus, you could wear this with jeans later:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0423c27407

Shiny makes excellent suggestions. I'd stick to a dress with some sort of jacket over it. You have a little J Crew navy dress ( your wedding I think), which you could do with colorful shoes and clutch. Like citron. Very Summery and pop over a trench. I’m pushing the belted sateen finish trench! It's time for a fab trench and you will not look back once you own one. With jeans and Converse for everyday, or over a cocktail dress at night. Perfect.

Wool sheath dress is a good idea for your body type. If it’s jeweled stick to earrings. Fish net hose is another goodie for the more formal occasion (get Orublue).

Thanks for your suggestions!

I do have a wool sheath dress in black that I wear for work; I'll keep it in mind as a last option. It's not as nice as the lovely ones shiny linked to.

Angie, where can one find a belted sateen finish trench? I have been looking for a nice trench, but I can't find a classic style I like. I tried on a couple at Banana Republic, but I felt a bit swamped in all of the fabric, and the double-breast and belt made me look larger than I am. I think I need a single-breasted version of a lighter-weight trench.

What about this coat, Angie:
(edited: not in my size)

And would the black coat look good with a navy dress?

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