Ask Angie: dressy occasion capsule?

Neel

Veteran

I would be watching this thread VERY closely!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sure. I'll see what I can do.

12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Back when I had dressy occasions to go to, my very favorite thing was to have a capsule of separates. I had a velvet skirt suit (the jacket was Chanel cut), tuxedo pants, shells in silk and sparkle and cashmere.... it was fun!

oh, I had leather pants too! I am totally comfortable with pants for a dressy occasion.

12 years ago

Mia

Veteran

There is a post on the Vivienne files blog re "crazy eights evening" that I found interesting. It is black which may not be the most flattering for you skin or hair but could be adapted. You are very wise to plan ahead. I think most women spend more than necessary in a panic for upcoming dressy event. I know I have.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I'll watch this thread with interest In case I ever need a dressy capsule. Wish I had lots of dressy occasions to dress for

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh! Can't wait to see what Angie comes up with! It will be useful for the holidays.

I'm slowly building a dressy capsule of sorts, too, but at the moment it is quite minimal. I think one key is to figure out the type of situations (and range of "dressiness" required) along with your weather.

One reason that dressy pants might be a good option for you is the climate!

So far, my capsule includes mainly dressy wear that can be used in warmer temps most easily. This is obviously a downfall when those events fall in the winter!

I have:

Nicole Miller navy sheath
Black kimono jacket
Thrifted fuchsia silk suit with cropped pants. Theoretically, the jacket could work with other trousers, but in practice it is difficult because pairing with black makes me look like a 90s throwback.
Bronze leaf print bubble or asymmetrical pleat flared skirt. It's very lightweight but the colour makes it potentially wearable in winter if I could find the right underthings. And tops and toppers.
Dark grey lace top
David Meister sleeved navy sheath
Black pencil skirt

I also have gold slingbacks and darkest burgundy patent pumps. Plus a couple of clutches inherited from my mother.

It doesn't exactly make a cohesive whole.

12 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I used to have a closet full of cocktail dresses for just in case. Then they languished in my closet unworn for years. I purged them all when office holiday parties became a thing of the past. I would love to have a few things to fall back on if I ever have the occasion again. I did keep one vintage black dress and some dressy toppers because those are just too hard to find. Mine are mostly vintage velvet coats and beaded cardigans. I need to find a nice simple dress that will stand the test of time. I have been searching for navy lace sheath or something in a champagne metallic but when it comes down to it I find it hard to actually purchase something I might not have a chance to wear.

12 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Suz, you're ahead of me there...

I realized the wardrobe hole and how dismal my solution was (using a work outfit) when we went out for a nice dinner in London. The shift dress really wasn't as special as I would have liked. (The slipper flats didn't elevate the outfit either.)

The resources ($) are available, and I want to go about this in an organized manner. Furthermore, DH and I have an extended weekend in Toronto planned for early November for...SHOPPING!

I would love to find a signature piece that is as 'me' as your super amazing fuchsia silk suit. Currently this is the sum total of my fancy dress 'capsule':

-Red long sleeved dress (also worn for work...starting to show wear, May get tossed after Christmas)
-Black sleeveless dress with ruffled V neck (still a great LBD)
-Black channel-style jacket with rhinestone zipper line (passed to me by my mother, great over the LBD when warmth or coverage required)
-Black lace shirt-style top (also worn with conservative underpinnings for work)
-Small black make-up bag with gold detail (used as a clutch)

*no special shoes

So, you see I need almost everything!

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I have been building a dressy capsule for a while now-only called it mix n match before this board changed terminology. we attend several dressy occasions a year. I am in a warmer climate, gets cold in winter, but not cold enough for snow. also winter is rainy season. so what I have is a basic little black dress, this year I added a little purple dress--as that is my now favorite color. I have a floor length silk crape skirt. This I have had for a while, but to me it is a classic staple. Other pieces include a white silk top, shinny silver top, silky black shell and a lacy trimmed black cami. Recently added a pencil skirt in a shiny black fabric. I have white sequened lacy cardi, a black velvet short jacket, a basic black blazer, a short silver, gold and black jacket, and a purple cut velvet blazer type jacket. Other pieces that can mix in are one pair of wider leg black pants, a maxi skirt in a sort of wrinkle free knit fabric that can pack without wrinkling. I have a few nice pieces of jewelry like sparkly earings a sparkly scarf, etc. One cheaper pair of higher heel cloth black sandals, new leather and patent pumps, and this year I bought a pair of chunkier 2 inch heel pumps that have a gold plated heel. havn't worn them yet, but I think they will add a nice touch and dress up the trouser..OH one thing I forgot is a white drapy top that has black and sequens on it.
I mostly go to Stein Mart for the dressy seperates, and have added in an out a few other pieces from the sale racks, etc. just for variety, and color.. maybe others will find Stein Mart not expensive enough or even maybe frumpy, but I don't.

12 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I have been building a dressy capsule for a while now-only called it mix n match before this board changed terminology. we attend several dressy occasions a year. I am in a warmer climate, gets cold in winter, but not cold enough for snow. also winter is rainy season. so what I have is a basic little black dress, this year I added a little purple dress--as that is my now favorite color. I have a floor length silk crape skirt. This I have had for a while, but to me it is a classic staple. Other pieces include a white silk top, shinny silver top, silky black shell and a lacy trimmed black cami. Recently added a pencil skirt in a shiny black fabric. I have white sequened lacy cardi, a black velvet short jacket, a basic black blazer, a short silver, gold and black jacket, and a purple cut velvet blazer type jacket. Other pieces that can mix in are one pair of wider leg black pants, a maxi skirt in a sort of wrinkle free knit fabric that can pack without wrinkling. I have a few nice pieces of jewelry like sparkly earings a sparkly scarf, etc. One cheaper pair of higher heel cloth black sandals, new leather and patent pumps, and this year I bought a pair of chunkier 2 inch heel pumps that have a gold plated heel. havn't worn them yet, but I think they will add a nice touch and dress up the trouser..OH one thing I forgot is a white drapy top that has black and sequens on it.
I mostly go to Stein Mart for the dressy seperates, and have added in an out a few other pieces from the sale racks, etc. just for variety, and color.. maybe others will find Stein Mart not expensive enough or even maybe frumpy, but I don't.

12 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I started doing pants for a dressy capsule when I realized I never wore the skirts or dresses out in the snow in winter. Granted, my dressy may not be as dressy as some, but . . .
I have red velvet wide legged trousers and black matte satin cigarette leg trousers. I think tuxedo styling would be an awesome choice, and on trend right now to boot.
Add in some sparkle or shine in your tops and there you go!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Love your ruffled black dress, Carla - that's definitely special occasion!

And I love the idea of a tux suit, too. It might be hard to find in non-black. And I don't think black is the best neutral for you unless you are showing skin. (It works with the ruffled dress because skin shows). I wonder about some sort of cream....hmmmm....or chocolate brown. But that would be awfully difficult to find, I'll bet.

You would look stunning in my bronze skirt!

12 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Runcarla --

Given your lifestyle I absolutely make sense to start creating a special events capsule -- and given your gorgeous warm coloring this is a great time of year to find more typically "fall" shades: bronze/golds, olives, deep warm reds, blues, and browns....

Despite falling into the "chicken/head cut off" category during my recent wedding guest attire situation, I echo Adelfa's suggestions re separates.

A tuxedo suit or even just the pants would be perfect on you -- and I also love seeing a woman in sleek velvet pants for evening. I keep wanting a sweater with some sparkle or shine too but so far have struck out....

For my "average" special events, I've found the following items helpful and easy to dress up/down:

(fall/winter) matte satin pencil skirt (generally worn with a print silk blouse or a fine-knit sweater)
(summer) lightweight dress with more skin than a dress one would wear to work
sparkly/festive jewelry
evening shoes
glitzy clutch
sparkly scarf
velvet bolero + velvet blazer + velvet burnout scarf
patent anything
a faux fur in a retro cut and unusual shade (could sub a dressy/shiny trench or dramatic wool coat if you're uncomfortable with faux fur)

I admit that sometimes when it's disgusting winter weather out there I just want to wear a column of color in a knit + pants, add my usual leather boots, and rely on accessories to add the festive feeling.

So my advice is to not skimp on accessories...while I'm glad I found my Old Hollywood meets Bollywood dress for the upcoming wedding, I'm most excited about having added to my small ridiculous fun/glamourous accessories cache!

12 years ago

Category