I'm all for #1 and #2 as well. What about a cummerbund-style belt if you want to tuck your top into the pants?

I'm still looking for that slop bucket... Because all I can see is awesomeness well beyond your fall-back option in either the pants or the dress!

Personally, as a (fantasy-life?) pants-preferring person, I would urge you to go with #1 unless the wedding is likely to be a very formal affair. Looks confident, modern and that clutch is a delightfully chic touch!

My next-best would be #4---that cut of jacket actually negates all your worries about whether the dress works with your body (it does! even so, I understand worrying about proportions no one else is eyeballing apart from the woman in the mirror).

(I grinned at your reaction to unfrumped remark on your legs---it's the same one I had when Angie mentioned my long leg line once, a year or so ago. I'm 4'10"...but it taught me what's VERY freeing about photographs rather than in-person assessment. We judge proportions at the individual's level this way, rather than in comparison to norms or other bodies, or skewed by a taller/shorter perspective!)

You "sound" like me! Dressing up can be hard - I do casual so much better!

I think your trouser outfit is stunning! Do you have a chunky silver/metallic necklace/pendant that you could add? I think that would help you to feel more dressy too. Looks great and I think you'd feel very comfortable in it, but also fit within the dress code for the day. I'd also leave it untucked (looks great to me) as I think you'd worry and fiddle with the tucking and I'm not sure it would add much anyway.

Sarah! If you want to make a statemnet, then go with nr 2 and a belt! If you want to blend in a stylish crowd, then go with the dress:-) Both are extra fab, so no help here. Depends, on your wheather, and personal prefference.

THANK YOU, everyone. You've really boosted my confidence and I feel much better about the whole event than I did (and relieved that I can stop shopping and complete all of my returns that have piled up over the last week : ) ).

I couldn't have done it without all of your help, and I really appreciate it. I'm leaning towards the pants, untucked, just because of the no-fuss factor.

Yay! I think you made a wise choice. Gosh, I hear you on the returns. I've got another pile myself.

I love the dress and jacket in #4 and that would be the easiest for me (less elements to worry about, tucking, belting, etc.) but if you feel more like yourself in pants, that outfit is stellar too, and so modern! Have a great time knowing that YLF.

Ah, I missed this until now, but high five to my dress triplet! How funny that we're all finding this dress working so well on a variety of us! I agree with the suggestion to shorten it a bit to just below the knee. The length surprised me on you and Celia both -- I don't think of myself as tall, but that dress barely brushes my knees.

But I've got to say that the trouser outfit really is fantastic! I don't think you could go wrong either way. You will look equally gorgeous and totally appropriate in dress or trouser option.

What was decided? I saw this yesterday morning, waiting for my biscuits at the super-slow cafe... and of course they came right when I was trying to reply.

The pants are fab. I prefer tucked, actually, but untucked is great too. I like the dress a lot for a wedding. I prefer it with the white coat with the collar. I find it a little more feminine with the rounded edges and I like that for a wedding.

I am 100% behind outfit 1. Frankly you could pair that clutch and those shoes and have me convinced of most things. I think untucked is better than tucked but I can also see where you might like a "stricter" outfit. You will look great for the wedding and can continue on experimenting with your formal style in the future to figure out where your personal sweet spot is.

I like #2 best...maybe add a metallic necklace? Then I like The Dress next...with either jacket. Mostly I hope you can relax and enjoy whatever you wear! I know what you mean about anxiety over dressing up, as I share this problem. Maybe we need to get our dressy capsule together in advance of these events, hey?

I really like #1 - you look great and I like the layer of soft pink with it untucked - and think it looks modern, comfortable and appropriate.

My favorite look is #1. Have you decided?

Sarah, I adore that dress on you! On its own and with the jacket in 4. What is that jacket, by the way? I love the cut.
Didn't you say the wedding is outdoors? I think #1 is perfectly suitable - the untucked top looks that much more special.

I like the dress best for a wedding. I'd probably wear a cardigan instead, but maybe you're not the cardigan type. (I'm new around here; the others seem to know you and your style.)

As far as the pants outfit, I do like it untucked, because the hem has that nice detail.

Thanks, everyone. I think I've decided on (drum roll please) - #1! I still may narrow the pants a titch and let them hem out another titch so they are that much more scrunched and skinnied.

pil, the jacket is the Gibson collarless linen jacket from Nordstrom's. It's currently on sale. Be warned that the fit is really odd. I usually wear a 4P and had to size up to Medium Petite or it wouldn't fit across my shoulders and bust. Having tried ALL of the colors, I'd also say that the yellow and pink are a bit brighter than they appear in the pictures. It also comes in a mint green shimmer which definitely has a metallic sheen to it.

I'm still deciding whether to keep the dress, since everyone liked it best with the jacket, but what I really need are dresses that I can wear with or without toppers in the summer.

Thanks again!