Emergency fashion help please!

I'm going to my nieces' engagement party this weekend. I had an outfit all picked out based on hot weather we've been having, and now it looks like it's going to be high of 57, 70% humidity, and periodic showers. The brunch may still be outside.

I have barely been dressing in anything but exercise gear this pandemic year, plus I've also been losing weight, and a lot of my standby "real" clothes, don't fit right anymore (a good problem to have!)

I would love some suggestions here. I was going to wear a dress but I think that's out and I'm going with pants instead.

One of my potential choices is black pants with a white blouse and a white jacket, OR a black jumpsuit with the same white jacket. But then I wonder.......... is it okay to wear white at an engagement brunch? Or is that just as much of a faux pas as wearing white to a wedding??

My other alternative is an off-white tweed jacket I haven't been able to wear in a couple of years but which now fits nicely again. This was long one of my favorite jackets, but since I no longer dye my hair, I'm not sure if it works as well. It has yellow undertones which worked well when my hair wasn't silvering-- i.e., the white jacket to my eye looks more flattering. I may be totally overthinking this.

Shoes: I am bringing options for if this is still outside, or if it gets moved inside (fancier). So I'm covered there.

Gotta finalize this before we leave tomorrow so I appreciate your emergency help and suggestions!

3 years ago

Irina

Veteran

I think it’s perfectly fine to wear white for an engagement party. The future bride is unlikely to wear white. My DIL’s grandmother wore a white shirt with a bright scarf for my son and now DIL’s engagement lunch.
I would suggest a black pant suit with a white jacket. More dramatic look. Good luck!

shiny

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Irina!

The black jumpsuit fits but is actually loose enough it now drags on the floor just a bit, which would be fine if this is inside, not so if outside and wet and mud. I really do NOT want to wear heels, even if inside. So if I wear that I'll be constantly tugging it upward. Then again maybe I'll get a dose of travel bloat and it'll fit fine. Ha.

I think I have room to bring it as an option, plus the other option (pants, silk top, same jacket).

I don't have room to overpack as we're driving down with my daughter and her fiance. And also our elevator broke and won't be fixed for a week, so I've got to pack light. LOL

rachylou

I also think white would be fine!

greycat6

Bummer when the weather thwarts your wardrobe plan!

I agree that white would be fine. If decide to do black pants and are concerned about hem length, could you pin or tape to the correct length for quick fix? Also, some dry cleaners will do a hem in an hour if you need it.

Good luck and have fun!

Greyscale, that's an interesting idea, to have an emergency hem done, but I'm already stressed out with a lot to do tomorrow. And I'm not sure it's worth the effort, as I have signed up a few weeks ago with a personal trainer so don't expect this jumpsuit to fit for much longer anyway, if current trajectories continue. Which also makes me want to wear it one last time!

I don't think a DIY taping would work with this one. When I think about it the problem isn't so much the hem, it's that my midsection is slimming (thank you planks) and I've dropped a cup size, so the waist is riding too low (it's a wrap top), making the pants hem low. When I yank it up on to the waist the hem is fine. The problem is it's not staying there, and even when it does, I'm going to need safety pins or something for the wrap part at the bust. The garment would work okay if I was willing to wear heels but I'm not, at least for this occasion, with the outdoor probability.

May I just add that this is why I don't like wide legged pants? Skinnies, at least for an inverted triangle like me, are so much more forgiving! My skinny black pants still work perfectly fine. There's some extra fabric here and there and they are no longer ankle pants they hit longer. But they look presentable not like they need emergency alterations.

Bijou

Shiny wear what fits you best (so black pants and white shirt) and the white jacket. White is definitely not a faux par at an engagement party. Having to fuss with clothes is not fun at all.

I hope you enjoy your weekend away and have a blast at the party.

Stagiaire Fash

I agree with everyone else that white st an engagement party is fine. Engagement parties weren’t a thing yet when The Rules were codified. Isn’t it weird how changes in shape/girth affect garment length? Enjoy the weekend with family!

Anonymous

Have never heard of white being considered a scene stealer at an engagement party and black pants, white blouse and jacket sounds just right.

April

Hey there! Great to see you, J.

FWIW, I would never put a jacket over a jumpsuit unless you want every trip to the loo to take 20 minutes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your options sound great! No problem wearing white. Have fun

Helena

Exactly what Bijou said! Enjoy the party - not a little jealous here that you are off to dress up and have fun (in the most loving and supportive way!!)

Tanya

Seconding Bijou - I see no issue at all with wearing white. Hope you have lots of fun!

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