Gala? - update - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Gala? - update

marija

I am attending a gala dinner next week. I was told that long dresses are usually the formal attire. I don't have much in the way of long dresses. I have put together two looks and some jewelry.

I am happy to look for other jewelry because I don't know that what I have works very well. I will wear black dressy flats.

One outfit is a long sheath dress with a jacket. It has a pretty silver print running through it. I can wear it belted (which I like better, I think) or not. The belt I have is leather with a large buckle. The other is metallic and dainty. It is a necklace which I am repurposing. I'm happy to look for another belt.

The other ensemble is a long black velvet skirt with a thrifted embellished jacket. I'm not sure why I bought the jacket at the time. I've never worn it. It is off the shoulder and I would have to purchase an appropriate camisole (which is fine). This jacket is my "closet orphan." (I often read the blog and posts!).

I am confused about jewelry around my neck. I have earrings I like in silver, but should I wear a simple silver necklace of some sort? I don't own a lot of silver, but I could find something simple.

I don't want to shop for a dress though. I'm very tall, and shopping for dresses is a real chore. I don't have time for this or the desire to be honest. But I'm happy to look for accessories!

You are a fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable group, and I thank you for reading and your thoughts!

Thank you!

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I like the sheath dress, without a belt or with the dainty one the most. The necklace in pic 1 is perfect. The wider belt breaks up the pretty flow of the pattern imo.

cat2

Veteran

What is the weather like where you are? I think of velvet as more of a cold weather fabric and so would pick the first look for fall.

LJP

Veteran

I also like the sheath dress - but I'd leave it unbelted . I would also skip the necklace , put your hair up, and wear a statement earring and an evening watch if you have one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the look of pic #2 best from this selection! No belts. Wear the necklace in pic #7 with the sheath.

That said Marija, let's try another topper over the sheath. Do you have a formal short jacket? Faux fur? Leather? Satin? Something other than the matching cardigan.

Black flats are great! Metallic bag. You are almost there

Sal

Veteran

I like the sheath dress too - unbelted as well. I think it would be great with some bling in terms of necklace, bracelet, earrings - maybe not all of them.

This would work with flats or heels. And I agree a metallic clutch.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree that the sheath dress seems like the best choice for the gala. I like the delicate necklace you wear with it. Angie's topper advice sounds excellent too!

marija

Thank you so much to everyone for your fabulous ideas!

I do have other jackets, but not formal looks. However, I could go looking for this! And I don't mind either because it would be something that I know I will use in the future.

I have a metallic bag. It was my mothers and it is so lovely.

I will let you all know if I find another topper. Thanks again to you lovelies!

booksandtea

I LOVE the sheath dress. What a pretty pattern! I prefer it without a belt, and either with the delicate layered pearls or with the gorgeous substantial necklace in pictures 6/7. Enjoy the gala!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Wow, this stuff is great! I like both sets, but the second more for an artistic event or business event. The first would work for a gala--I especially like it with the cover up.

I would not do either belt, unless the event is more businessy or artistic, like I said. I would let it drape, but if I wanted a waist, I would buy a very un-noticeable "belt," like a thin, black velvet ribbon.

I really like that first necklace, and would go for something festive like that before I would do a simple silver necklace. If you have the cash, you can splurge on buying or renting jewels in any color. If you wanted to buy something else, pearls are a no brainer--in any color. I like black. Preferably multi-strand, irregular shape, or something interesting. Something in the spirit of a Bulgari snake necklace would also be great.

Sisi

Veteran

Am I the only one who likes the second outfit? I find the choice of jewelry perfect, I would only remove the watch or go for a daintier one.
Cat2 is wise - check the weather! How fun to go to a gala.

Cookie

Veteran

I think these are both good options! I guess I’m an outlier but I much prefer the sheath dress with the wide belt and no jacket to unbelted with the matching jacket. I also really like the velvet skirt with the printed jacket. They both seem suitably elegant and festive.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I adore the sheath dress, either no belt or the delicate necklace belt. I think the first look is amazing straight off! It looks glamorous.

marija

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I feel like I can't go wrong with either option. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement!

The dress is borrowed from a friend from Tall Girl. It was quite the store for those over 5'9" back in the day and sorely missed. It had so many classic outfits and wardrobe staples including one piece bathing suits and shoes in very large (think 12 - 15!) sizes that were from all over the world and absolutely great quality.

I think I will leave the velvet for a time in the winter. Right now it is VERY warm in Southern Ontario. Shocking for this time of year. Until evening, I am in a dress + sandals with no sweater. I am enjoying it.

Lisa

Veteran

You've got some lovely options here! I'm another belated vote for the sheath dress. Have a great time at the gala!

lyn67

Veteran

I love the second outfit better than the firstthe dress worn with belt or as a twinset, but still, it may be not dressy enough if the topper has a zip front-but I like it is tailored and a combo of different textures. Or wear the dress alone with another dressy topper (pashmina, shorter and tailored jacket, or a coat jacket like Sal wore recently to another dressy event. Metallic clutch sound sgreat! Have a great time!

marija

Thank you all for your ideas and help! I had a lot of fun at the Gala. It was at the Liberty Ball Room along the waterfront in Toronto, so leaving the house it was quite warm and because we were on Lake Ontario, it was quite chilly for the rest of the evening.

I did wear the long black/silver dress and I thrifted a velvet jacket to avoid the overall matching set. (I looked for new and found nothing suitable. The sleeves are shorter than I'd like, but I'm rather used to this, so I often just scrunch them up) I did add the larger metallic pearls and I found some earrings that I thought worked well with them and the rest of what I chose. Most of my jewelry is gold, but I have a two toned watch, so I wore that with a gold/glass bracelet on one hand and two gold bracelets on the other. I added the pin to my hair, to keep it back. My hair, if there is a breeze, can become very overwhelming so I like to have it contained. Oh, and I own a silver clutch that belonged to my mother. What great quality they had in the 60's!

I'm getting used to the natural silver look and am realizing that though I love my gold jewelry, for more "fancy" affairs, I think I will look for silvery jewelry to frame my face. I am happy about the trend to mix metals because I could wear all of the things I already own and that make me happy.

After attending I realized the second outfit would have worked very well too, so maybe another time!

Thank you again. I felt fab and very confident because of your help!

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Cookie

Veteran

Oh you look beautiful!! I love your mother’s clutch as the elegant finishing touch. And your pup looks extremely adorable too.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You look wonderful Marija, I so enjoyed your post (as I have enjoyed your posts ever since you wanted help with your MOG dress a while back) and it’s great that you feel we helped you. I love dressing up and as I don’t get as much chance to do it myself since the pandemic I love helping others. We have a summer (Southern Hemisphere summer) wedding to attend on 22 November but my outfit (just as a guest) is pretty much already sorted.
Your jewellery and your mother’s clutch are all gorgeous. I have a small handbag of my mother’s also which I enjoy occasionally. Probably from the 50s.
Hope you get a chance to wear the thrifted jacket again some time! Glad it kept you warm by the water.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh, and I have a mixed metal watch too, from 2017- it can be so useful to make me feel better about mixing any other metals!

Star (Lise)

Veteran

You look fantastic! Perfect outfit. Mixing metals is fun.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow! Smashing! Glad you had a fun and fab time at the gala with the outfit to match, marija. You look comfortable and elegant!

I see a cute photo bomber too