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Dressing

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Help me style these dresses

JAileen

Veteran

I have two events coming up, a CASA volunteer recognition dinner where some people really dress up, and a wedding. I thought I was all set but my husband thought the dress I bought earlier was too summery. So today I bought these two dresses, mainly because they looked okay on me. The charcoal one is closer to my knee than on the mannequin.

How would you style these dresses? Do you think one would be better than the other for either of the two events? I bought some tan patent shoes as shown. Do you think they're okay for the blue dress? I have black shoes that I thought might work for the charcoal dress.

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Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think the nude shoe (or close to nude) would work with either dress. Will you need a wrap or cover of some kind if you go with the blue? I would just do earings and a bracelet or pretty watch with the blue since it has such nice texture to the fabric

I like that the black has sleeves but will it be warm if you are dancing? I think this one could carry a necklace and would add earrings or a bracelet. You could add a color with the jewellery or go with mixed metals. The dress is like a blank canvas so you can do almost anything with it.

Ginger

Veteran

The charcoal dress is very cute; it does look a bit casual to me, as a sweater dress. The sleeves are also not typical of evening events. I would definitely dress is up with some bold, fancy accessories.

I agree the shoes will go with either one. The blue is fancier to me, and a very pretty color. Cheryle makes a good point about needing a wrap, and minimal jewelry.

Carole

Veteran

I think the nude shoes work for either dress , also. I'm thinking the black dress might not be appropriate for the wedding but maybe I'm wrong about that...they are both lovely, especially loving the Lacy blue...

JAileen

Veteran

Cheryle, thank you for your ideas. I think you nailed it - the charcoal one will be too warm for the wedding, but maybe okay for the dinner if I amp it up with jewelry. I don't know what to do about a wrap. I'll have to think about that.

Ginger, thank you. You're right, the charcoal one is a sweater dress. It's supposed to be cool this week so I thought it might be okay for the dinner.

Carole, thank you for your thoughts. I think you're right about the charcoal dress not being right for the wedding. The lace dress is out of the ordinary for me.

Dee

Veteran

I think the blue dress is dressier, especially paired with some statement jewelry. The nude shoe works but a metallic shoe or something would really amp up the dressiness factor for either event.

JAileen

Veteran

Dee, thank you, that's a good idea. I might have time to look tomorrow for a metallic shoe. Finding something under 3 inches high is really hard.

greycat6

Veteran

I agree with others that the blue one looks dressier. Could you wear that to both the wedding and the CASA event? Change up the accessories for each event?

JAileen

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts, greycat. My husband also thought the grey dress wasn't right for either event. I think I'll keep it anyway, for church, or whatever. I can definitely wear the blue one to both events, although I'm not sure what I'll do for a wrap.

catgirl

Veteran

What kind of dressy is the CASA event? Like work/court dressy or cocktails? That is throwing me off. I like both dresses but wouldn't have matched them to events you've described. The grey dress looks like work/church and the blue like wedding/cocktail.

JAileen

Veteran

Women at this event mostly wear cocktail dresses, and a few wear long dresses. There is lots of glittery stuff. I was surprised how dressy it was the first time I went. A few women do wear business type suits, but not very many. I think the woman who is the head of the CASA organization here likes to dress up and has set the tone. She always wears a long dress. You're right, the grey dress would be perfect for work or church. I tend to underdress, and bought the grey dress because it's my style, and it fit. The blue one is out of my comfort a little since it's so bright, but it also fit pretty well.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like both dresses, but the blue one seems dressier. I really like that the charcoal one has sleeves since it can be hard to find sleeved dresses. It seems like the blue one would work for both events.

JAileen

Veteran

Sara, thanks for your thoughts. You're right, the blue one will probably work for both events. Yes to sleeves! The grey one will be nice when it gets cold.

Anonymous

Sounds like wearing the blue is the right choice for these particular events, and I like the idea of wearing it with the nude pumps and earrings and bracelet.
Glad you are keeping the gray, too. That is a really pretty dress!

JAileen

Veteran

Thank you, Ryce, I really like the grey one too. I was trying to make it work, when the blue one would be more appropriate for the dinner.

bmed

I love the charcoal one! Probably not for the wedding though. Some big sparkly jewelry will make you fit right in at the CASA event. Maybe a colorful wrap? or bag? The great thing about it is that you can wear it with tights and boots later for a more casual look...

JAileen

Veteran

Thank you, bmed! I love it too! I'm rethinking that it might work for the dinner if, as you say, I wear some big jewelry.