Holiday capsule planning

froggiebecky

Hi Fabbers--
Well, wouldn't you know it. I went out and bought a blingy holiday sweater to wear with jeans or pencil skirt to all my various holiday functions (church, NYE party, 2 parties, possibly another party). I was going to wear the same thing to every event because the only 2 where the crowd will overlap is the holiday dinners…and they're academia/students, so I figured they wouldn't care much. I thought I was all set.

Until the student dinner specified a dress code. It's "Formal: Winter Sparkle".

I don't think they mean true formal. Semi-formal is fine. But still…I left my cocktail dress and sparkly pumps in storage in Sydney. D'oh!

Guess I get to go shopping, then?

12 years ago

Shopping

6 replies

Latest reply was from Mia

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think the sweater with a pencil skirt and dressy shoes would be fine for 'winter sparkle' - but I'm interpreting the 'formal' tag just to be a way to get across that jeans aren't appropriate, not that actual cocktail wear is required. I could be wrong, that's just my guess based on my past experience in academic circles.

12 years ago

froggiebecky

Veteran

Maybe. There's a group of girls in this gathering that are quite fashion forward (and 25), so I might consider a more showy top. I've got a skirt with some leather detailing that I could liven up with a party top

12 years ago

Anonymous

Your leather skirt and sparkly top sound like a great starting point for a formal outfit. What kind of shoes and accessories do you have to choose from? Some fancy hose and earrings could do a lot to formalize your outfit. Take some pictures for us if you can!

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm with the crowd above. Once you get beyond (below) true formal, I think it's so much more about being seasonal, dressed up, make a great effort--and use sparkle! If you have some pieces that do that and you add whatever is appropriate for more or less bling, and do real party shoes, clutch, and all that, you should look great.

Meaning, I would hate to go buy something under pressure, for a student dinner!

Would focus "up top"--the top, sparkly and flattering, and/or necklace/earrings or what works for you--with very sheer hose--sheer black looks formal, or perhaps your outfit would lend itself some something racier. And the lines of the skirt--if true pencil, that can be very elegant even if is relatively plain, black. But if you have something with a little pizzazz, that's great, too.

12 years ago

always trying

Veteran

Just reminds me -this year my ski group is having our christmas party at a members home. It has always been at a country club and everyone dressed in semi formal, christmas sparkley attire-And the guys wore coat and tie. since the budget this year and the cc raising prices we decided to do it at the members home. a few women suggested we put in the newsletter -festive -party attire. Reason being as it is not at the cc guys would come in jeans or whatever. Most of us ladies like the chance to dress up, as most of the time these people only see us in our ski gear, or biking hiking gear in summer. But men don't think that way so the women decided we need to state that we want everyone to dress same as in the past. So maybe the invitation here is to make sure some don't show up too casual --like jeans etc. So I think anything that is not jeans or too casual will be perfectly acceptable. Black bottom-as long as it is not jeans-some sparkle, dressy on top will be perfect.

12 years ago

Mia

Veteran

Agh, dress codes these days. They are supposed to be a help aren't they?
I find they are more of a stress inducing conundrum that can't be solved. So..I fall back on dress for the event, the weather and the venue. I think you should be fine in your new sweater unless you want to shop??

12 years ago

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