Ask Angie: winter weddings?

Carol

Hi Angie,

I am going to a "winter" (Nov. 11 in Chicago) wedding. Last time I went to a winter wedding, I wore dress pants, a blazer and dress boots. It was one of the coldest nights of the year, and I was able to stay (sort of) comfortable walking the many blocks to the car, while my poor friends in dresses and pantyhose were severely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I did not feel I had a great wedding outfit, as I was the only woman in pants.

So my first question is, how do you stay warm at a winter wedding while looking stylish?

My second question is in regards to this picture. I heard a long time ago that hose and strappy shoes do not go together--barefoot only for strappy shoes. Yet this photo was on a winter wedding article. Do hose and strappy shoes go together?

Thank you.

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6 months ago

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Joy

Veteran

Strappy shoes with black stockings or even refined boots sound ok for a cold day. Dress to be somewhat comfortable. The long fuzzy coat with a dress reads dressy in very cold weather. Bad weather can be very forgiving. You may want to add gloves, hat and scarf. Especially if you will be outside much.

6 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Heattech thermal undies - top and bottom, Carol!!! There is no other way for me, personally. I feel cold fast! And usually walk to the destination.

For example: I wore this to a fancy Winter event last year. All navy - not black. COLD and wet outside. Freezing. We walked!!! Added scarf, pearls, specs, bag, and beanie too, of course! Exact components of the outfit below.

Had heattech bottoms and top under my outfit. Toasty. Also knee-highs. Here are Uniqlo's heattech items:

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/search?q=Heattech

Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren Graphic Buttoned Wool Cardigan

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Farfetch

P.A.R.O.S.H. Nullex Pleated Tulle Skirt - Farfetch

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Nordstrom

Vagabond Vagabond Shoemakers Mya Pointy Toe Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Double Breasted Wool Blend Coat

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Custom Find

by Angie

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Yoox

Furla Across-body bag

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6 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

AND:

Hosiery with dressy sandals are an on trend and fashionable look! Here's my most recent post on that:

https://youlookfab.com/2022/11.....ay-or-nay/]

6 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Furthermore! I've worn a dressy pants suit with knitwear to another fancy Winter event. Ice and snow on the ground. Walked! Here were the components:

(Beanie, scarf and gloves too!)

Hope the info helps

Nordstrom

Veronica Beard Farley Stand Collar Blazer

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Nordstrom

Veronica Beard Lebone Flare Pants

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Nordstrom

Aquatalia Selini Bootie

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Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

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Yoox

Furla Across-body bag

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Karen Millen

TIE-NECK COAT

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6 months ago

LaPed

Veteran

I think it's totally okay to be the only woman in pants (I rather enjoy it when I manage to look appropriate but not quite "the norm"), but I can also understand the desire not to stand out. I agree with Angie's suggestion of a long skirt with a thermal baselayer underneath. I've used this black satin maxi skirt (ball skirt, I guess?) that way -- for a fall wedding and also for a NYE party. I wouldn't want to do strappy shoes in cold weather, even if it is trending. I'd go for a dressy pair of boots with wool socks.

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6 months ago

Roberta

Veteran

We had a regular formal winter event when I was working, and I was always trying to address this dilemma. Sometimes when you get inside it's really warm, because they have the heat turned up and there are a lot of people there. So I found a sweater dress was a little much. I was happy in the prettiest boots I owned; pointed toes, kitten heels, etc., and a corresponding dress. I had a burnout velvet dress with long sleeves that I wore several times. The sleeves were sheer so I never got too hot. Or I wore a dress with a jacket that I could take off if I got too warm. The trick was getting to the venue through the snow, hence the boots. At least once I brought a pair of shoes and changed out of the boots.

6 months ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I feel your pain! It overlaps with my current goal of putting together some more elegant/ stylish looks that still fit me aesthetic and various limitations ( feet!).

You may have more options if you can wear dressy boots of different styles, because can add tights to skirt & warm top or a more substantial dress ( including underlayer option), then a dressy coat.

Or, you might think about whether you do better overall with a pants outfit , but need different items to look more special occasion/ dressy/ festive — cut, fit, fabric, coordination with a top +/- topper, and dressier accessories. I will include “ feminine “, or pretty, because I face that issue, that my pants and blazer outfits skew more preppy, tailored, workwear, so when I see so many other ladies in dresses for an event, I may feel off. It’s actually easier in winter because fabrics can be more luxe, such as rich velvets , cashmere, so tops can stand alone with tuxedo pants, or jackets themselves may be luxe and dressy, with pearls or sparkly or metallic jewelry and clutch. and underlayers are easy. I have huge footwear limitations so that my only dressy footwear is ankle- strap flats. Sleek pointy- ish boots no longer work.

So I’m finding it takes more intentionality for me, than years past when I could put something together from a variety of pieces.

6 months ago

Echo

Veteran

There is nothing wrong with a pants outfit, but I also understand wanting to have options.

I am sure many of you already know about these, but they were a revelation to me: there are fleece lined tights that look like they are sheer. The foot of them is not lined, so they fit in normal shoes the same way other hose or rights would. And they are WARM. I am sure you can search them anywhere, but they have really helped to make my winter attire more comfortable, especially while having to be outdoors.

6 months ago

Irina

Veteran

If I had to go to a dressy event in the winter, I would wear boots and carry fancy shoes in a bag to change at the venue. Boots can be put in a bag and checked in with a coat. Sometimes it might be warm inside venues, I would rather have an extra layer on top of a dress or separates, like a long cardigan or a vest. Also to be removed and checked with a coat.

6 months ago

lyn67

Veteran

Agree with Angie's outfits but think her events may not match exactly your wedding's requirements since a wedding can take longer in the nights and easily involve dancing. So I would rather do what Irina said.

6 months ago

Joy

Veteran

We have monthly cocktail parties to attend and dress for. I usually wear dressy pants or a pants suit to stay warm. We walk. Here everyone removes shoes indoors. In winter that often means snow boots. That is the most important part to plan around. I often carry wooly socks in my bag to wear indoors. Wedding receptions mean dancing. Try bringing socks to wear inside that look dressy and match the outfit.

6 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone. The consensus seems to be: it’s worth it to stay warm.

I am leaning towards a long dress with stockings, and maybe boots for the walk, changing to heels when I get there…comfortable heels almost requiring an entire new post. If possible, I will also consider a base layer like Angie suggested…I have one at home.

6 months ago

marija

Active Member

I think your plan is great! Being warm is really important to me as well. As a Canadian who likes to wear skirts/dresses I love love love tights! With boots they are wonderful and can be very dressy. I always love a stylish warm coat with a beautiful scarf too!

6 months ago

abby

Active Member

Last January, I wore strappy shoes and nude for me hose to a wedding. I had a great time. No one seemed to mind, not even me. Same dress as the photo (from Angie’s blog, btw) but black strappy heels.

Had it been raining, I would have worn tall boots and changed into my strappy heels as you suggest. As it was, I carried a pair of fold up flats in case the dancing or the walking lasted longer than my feet.

Your plans make sense to me. Back in the early 1980s, I rode the T to work in Boston. This was back in the days when dresses and heels were the norm among office workers. In winter, we all wore tall boots and carried a bag for our heels. The quality of our shoe bags often was almost as nice as our purses.

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6 months ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ditto what Angie said. She taught me how to wear dresses in winter (!)

6 months ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I hope you will share your outfit when finally chosen. This post reminded me of when I was in college and attended a January wedding at the O’Hare Hyatt Regency. I think it was the coldest day of that whole winter, maybe 3°F. And super windy! Of course I wanted to dress up as much as possible, but I owned no fancy clothes! I settled on a sleeveless pink fuzzy sweater dress, probably clearance or thrift, which I hemmed to just above my knees. I did wear panty hose, because we did that then, but sandals! I was freezing!

My coat was decent but not very warm - a camel cloth coat with buckle closures which had fake fur cuffs, collar, front band and hem. I had hemmed that up also - an actual maxi coat that I took off the bottom band, reconstructed the length and reattached the band. It was the Russian style popular in the early 70s. Knowing me, I probably didn’t own a warm hat or decent gloves.

I felt like a princess, though, as my usual college winter wardrobe consisted of ribbed turtlenecks, carpenter jeans, yellow leather workboots and a hooded “survival” coat from the Sears boy’s department.

Just to advise, all in all, I wouldn’t choose that type of dress now.

6 months ago

Anonymous

I don't like hose with strappy shoes personally, and would go for a tall dressy boot instead. Do you have a velvet suit or dress?

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6 months ago

MsMary

Veteran

I snagged a great winter dressy dress last year and have already gotten a lot of use out of it! This isn't a very clear photo, but it has a 3/4 length sleeve velvet top, and a midi taffeta skirt. Cozy and dressy! (Photo is Hubby and me on the ViaRail train in Canada on my birthday in September.) I wear it with tights (sheer or not) and closed or open toed shoes, and my super fave black velvet puffer from Talbots.

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5 months ago

Carol

(website)

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Thanks everyone, for your stories and advice. I really enjoy cjh's story about the flimsy dress and sandals. I can just FEEL the chill of that story.

I went, and ended up being quite warm, mostly because the temperature was not too bad, but also the women got dropped off by my father at the door while poor him went to find a parking spot. My dress, green brocade, was thick enough for fall/winter. The sequin dress I carefully chose did NOT arrive on time, though it was "guaranteed" to. So I had to wear my back up.

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

Glad all worked out for you. You got to be warm enough. I can not find stockings that do not have a control top.

5 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glad it all worked out, Carol! Brocade sounds like a lovely choice!

5 months ago

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