https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:33:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377816 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:15:15 +0000 unfrumped 1377816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had no time to play around with actual items yet, so these were mental musings based on things I have in closet and silhouettes I like. But I think this weekend I'll create a sort of "test" outfit with the pants, using &nbsp;things I&nbsp; have, and see if I can even imagine them in the gala setting with supporting cast items. If not--my concern is that they may appear overall too heavy for dressy (which was what made them suitable for work, in contrast to very silky thin fabrics), then I'll explore plans b and c and beyond. I still&nbsp;yearn for a&nbsp;perfectly fitting, not-black&nbsp;dressy/versatile&nbsp; &nbsp;sheath dress with sleeves, &nbsp;but that has been a HEWI . May browse Nordstrom again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377471 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 03:09:10 +0000 unfrumped 1377471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I may not be all THAT unconventional. It's a challenge, all right, to think of some outfits that could be somewhat trendy but still elegant in a way, for this type of event. Or I'd feel more comfortable staying with something more classic.<br /> Anyway, it's fun to think about and get YLF suggestions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377443 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:47:29 +0000 Carole 1377443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's the link to the blog posting showing it with leather leggings and metallic clutch!</p> <p><a href="http://blog.anntaylor.com/posts/3-ways-to-wear-faux-leather-leggings/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.anntaylor.com/post.....-leggings/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377438 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:45:18 +0000 Carole 1377438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What about a dressy top like this from AT</p> <p><a href="http://www.anntaylor.com/flecked-embellished-neck-shell/344141?colorExplode=false&#038;skuId=17202404&#038;catid=cata000010&#038;productPageType=fullPriceProducts&#038;defaultColor=0189?cid=SM5137" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylor.com/fleck.....cid=SM5137</a></p> <p>It's shown on their blog with leather pants but I could totally see it with your pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377420 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:29:09 +0000 Suz 1377420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the pants outfit idea is a terrific one, and I am sure those beautiful trousers could work. It's true you'll have a challenge to find the right top and (maybe) toppers -- but it shouldn't be impossible, and then, how versatile an outfit!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377370 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:23:26 +0000 Caro in Oz 1377370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of a tux style jacket &amp; silky pants with an evening top &amp; some refined footwear. Apart for from really hot weather dresses&nbsp;I've whittled down my dressy evening capsule to a tux &amp; several silk tops (including a&nbsp;sparkly one). The pants work back with other jackets &amp; knits for a less dressy look &amp; the jacket looks great with dark wash jeans &amp; boots for dinner etc.<br />If you can't find what you are looking for, in the time you have, I think your pants could look great too. What about with a beautiful silk shirt like the one below?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377366 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:53:31 +0000 unfrumped 1377366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarla, I like your train of thought. <br />While I may not get this together in time, I'm becoming more interested in less conventional choices for <u>socia</u>l events. Not whackadoodle, but creative if I like it. Because I keep work wardrobe conservative.<br />The tunic idea can be dressy, but I tend to have trouble with tunic outfits. I don't have the shoulders to carry off the amount of roominess I need at the hip level, and then I do not too high heels, so I can get kinda schtumpy with long torso. That's why over the years I've had some success with several forms of high-waisted outfits even if that was a little offbeat from mainstream low rise, flat front pants. But, everything has to be updated, of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377361 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:39:37 +0000 Carla 1377361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now is the perfect time to start expressing who you are, rather than just settling. What you are proposing isn't off the charts crazy, so there's no danger that you will alienate yourself socially. You might actually discover once you've got the outfit, more opportunities will present themselves down the road. </p> <p>Although a perfect version of le smoking hasn't been found by you, the idea of an 'on trend' version with silky track pants (and sparkly sandals with a bit of a heel) sounds uber cool. Maybe a long sleeved tunic top instead of a silky tank and jacket combo? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377358 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:29:17 +0000 unfrumped 1377358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>carter, those are lovely jackets! Especially the second one due to the high collar and longer length, for giraffe neck and long torso. That's a good reminder to look at some EF separates in dressy fabrications.</p> <p>It is harder to figure out pants outfits for events that are supposed to be really dressy--it is so easy to veer into just kind of regular date-night&nbsp; or "holiday party".and not&nbsp;almost-formal. Especially if not the young, get away with anything type. Sigh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377355 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:27:20 +0000 rabbit 1377355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a fun challenge. &nbsp; I think those pants could work, they are elegant and&nbsp;with dressy heels or booties&nbsp;of the right height (peep toe?), and a silk or evening top and a really smashing jacket. &nbsp; The really smashing jacket might be the tough/expensive part to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377350 Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:18:17 +0000 carter 1377350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What about something like this with either pants or skirt and a simple black silk tank underneath?<br /> <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/prod167560035/p.prod" rel="nofollow">http://www.neimanmarcus.com/prod167560035/p.prod</a></p> <p>or this:<br /> <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Eileen-Fisher-Silk-Jacquard-Jacket-Women-s/prod170890067/p.prod" rel="nofollow">http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Ei.....067/p.prod</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gala-outfit-thoughts-and-prep#post-1377318 Thu, 16 Oct 2014 23:28:05 +0000 unfrumped 1377318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a fundraising gala that comes around each fall,&nbsp;that I've attended off &amp; on over the years. I've posted outfits for the past 2, first making do with a very basic LBD and then&nbsp;wearing MOB dress.</p> <p>I'm contemplating going this year though work has been so busy I might not make it. If I do, I'm kinda hankering for something different to wear, but juxtaposed with that is clearlyclaire's more sane making do for things that don't come up that often. I'm also torn between conventional looks and the idea that I don't have to impress anyone or follow any rules, but I want to look good, ya know.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;In the past it's always been&nbsp; &nbsp;formal wannabe,&nbsp;lot of the regulars will wear tuxes and there are long gowns, &nbsp;but quite acceptable for business suits and cocktail attire (donate your money, don't just wear it!) , so short dresses abound. But also usually girly shoes! So that's background.</p> <p>As usual my "limitations" are that I freeze, so if I get a dress I need sleeves or a jacket, and then the jacket often needs to be dressy or there's&nbsp; no point.&nbsp; I'm kinda done with wraps, which are so fussy. </p> <p>I would love to wear a pants outfit, but have found it hard to find the right kind of Le Smoking or whatever. </p> <p>Here are my somewhat vague questions and options: </p> <p>--I do have a black pencil skirt with rows of a bit of black sparkle (AT of course) so I could try to find a top for it--would need to be worn "out" but perhaps something charmeuse-y elegant would turn up. Couldn't be sparkly itself or would compete with skirt.<br />--For pants, I'm having crazy thoughts that I might be able to wear something slouchy-dressy or unusual that no one else would wear, except me.Then I'd have to find a top , and maybe jacket, unless the top had presence of its own. Like silk track pants, heels, &nbsp;and silk&nbsp;, velvet or sparkly jacket of some kind.&nbsp;This would be my ideal&nbsp;updated pants outfit but I don't know if I could achieve it in just a couple of weeks.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --in that vein, this is really crazy, but would my existing AT high-waist, faux leather-waist, "80's" look pants work if I could find a great silk or even sparkly blouse or drapey knit to tuck in? (My magpie gene is &nbsp;not averse to lame' or metallic, if in a kind of subdued color and elegant style). &nbsp;With some sort of heels, of course. And dressy accessories which would depend on what's going on with the top.<br />The fabric is this very dark almost black navy sort of ponte, so the going thing is the drama of the style. Pros are I have them and then have fewer things to "find"; cons are they&nbsp;may be&nbsp;&nbsp;just too "smart casual" and too heavy-bulky for a dressy event. &nbsp;I know at a minimum it would depend on having the right top, which would have to "elevate" the pants.</p> <p>A cocktail dress would fit in seamlessly, of course.</p> <p>Of course, if I embarked on this adventure I might come across some dress or separates I liked better, or might find nothing.</p> <p>Thoughts? Save me from embarrassment? Suggestions?</p>