Midsummer family reunion wear - help please! - YouLookFab Forum

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Midsummer family reunion wear - help please!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

My family is having a reunion in early July at a state park, on a beautiful lake. We'll be barbecuing, playing outdoor games, and just catching up and getting reacquainted -- some of us haven't seen each other in many years.

It's tricky, because it's an uber casual setting, but yet, it feels like a big event, you know?

Naturally I am already planning my outfit

I was thinking of wearing a casual denim skirt, like this one in Angie's store,
http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....rie-skirt/

and I might buy these sandals in the green color, because they are super casual yet so much better than flip flops:
http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....ng-sandal/

My dilemma is the top. I'd like it to be woven. I prefer short sleeves, but you might talk me into sleeveless. And I don't want a collar. A tall order!

Does anyone have a brilliant suggestion? (And I know someone here will!)

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Kristen

Tanya

Veteran

Great skirt and cool sandals!

I was definitively going to suggest a sleeveless top. How about these:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../26016.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../26011.jsp

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....pe=Regular

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....pe=Regular

agrace

I think you are wise to dress nicely - no doubt a lot of pictures will be taken and memories made. It's always neat to look back at family photos and I have yet to see pictures taken of relatives in years past wearing flip flops and casual tee shirts. So a little bit of dressing nicely seems in order to me. I like the two aspects of the outfit you have come up with so far. One question - will the mosquitoes be out in force? If that is the case, then would you want to wear pants? I know there is bug spray but mosquitoes get me regardless. If that is a problem, you could also do leggings under a tunic?

If the bug issue is not a problem, I say carry on with your denim skirt idea b/c it sounds like the perfect thing for a summer reunion.

kaycee

I love the skirt and the green sandals. Just wondering if you think you may be sitting on the grass or joining in games and if so would that make the skirt impractical? Maybe leggings underneath the skirt?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes! There will be bugs, but we just put the spray on our legs and live with smelling like a citronella candle all day long. Leggings and pants will likely be too warm, but it's a good idea to pack some leggings just in case. Thanks!

The other idea is to go with clamdiggers because of the game-playing issue that Kaycee raises. But I think I can get away with a denim skirt.

Tanya, I really like the JCrew tops you posted, thank you so much. Those seem to have the right vibe for the sandals and skirt. And finally they have some brighter colors on offer!

Does anyone think I should wear a dress instead, or shorts, or something completely different from what I'm planning?

Tanya

Veteran

You are very welcome Laura!

If you think there will a lot of sitting on the ground I would reconsider and go for walk shorts instead- they are usually cooler then clamms. But otherwise you have it down.

Anonymous

Are you planning to play athletic games and all?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

San, given my athletic ability, the most I will be playing is a casual game of croquet

Maybe I can bring my denim bermudas as an alternative, in case I realize that the denim skirt is not going to work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm sure you'll look fab no matter what.

The J.Crew tops are fab albeit one is knitted, right? I guess this blouse is too dressy:

http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....rint-tank/

How about your gorgeous "soccer Mum in sequins" outfit? Or, one of your empire cut knit dresses.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh Angie, the mom in sequins outfit is fab but I feel it works on my body because of the denim jacket, and it's going to be too warm for that. Maybe I am just overly cautious about my pear tendencies in clams, but that's how I see it.

Yes, I agree that gorgeous MK top from your store is too dressy, both in terms of the colors and the fabric.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I can't help but think that a nice pair of clams would be better suited for a day at a state park. Of course I don't know your family.... but that's just my first thought...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you, Laura. You feel fabulous in one of your casual dresses - I vote those first! After all, that's signature Laura style.

Or, a swingy A-line top over clams.

Or, one of the tops Tanya suggested with the denim skirt. All fab!

Christie

I think the denim skirt, green sandals and one of the silk tops Tanya posted would be perfect! The denim skirt dresses it down; no worries about a denim skirt blowing in the wind; and you can sit on dirty benches or rocks or logs in denim.

I wouldn't worry about game playing either. If a raucous game of softball or frisbee starts, there are plenty of non-game playing people to socialize with at a family reunion!

Debbie

Veteran

We have a family reunion this weekend and I'm either wearing my demin skirt I bought with Angie or a black dress I just picked up.

My point is wear what you are most comfortable in. If you are not comfortable in clams you will not feel as fab.

Alecia

Veteran

I like the idea of the outfit you started with but I can't help but think about trying to maneuver picnic tables in that skirt. Those tables seem to always necessitate straddling the bench a little to get seated. That would be hard in that denim skirt.

Anonymous

Just don't do as I have seen a gal do at a wedding reception, wear a skirt with thong panties, and then drink too much, which resulted in a body roll leaving hiney up.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

San!! You are killing me here! That is one really bad visual!

Oh, thanks ladies. What would I do without everyone's advice here? (For one thing, I wouldn't look nearly as good, that is for sure).

I think I will go down the denim skirt path, emboldened by the fact that Debbie is doing the same. Debbie, please take photos! Hopefully that pale orchid color from JCrew will be fab with the green sandals and won't wash me out. I am really perplexed by JCrew's color palette for summer!

And as Angie said, there's always the back-up of clams or a knit A-line dress.

Debbie

Veteran

I'll post photos as soon as we get back on Sat.

Inge

(website)

All options mentioned will be fab Laura (I was so surprised a dress wasn't your first choice;-).
I have a feeling that pale orchid colour will look amazing on you, love those J. Crew tops!

The reunion sounds wonderful, have a fabulous time and post a pic of you during croquet;-)

P.S. Hope you have a fantastic day too Debbie!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think this calls for a shopping trip!! I am always on the hunt for nice summery tops.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I've just come from the Rack. My client got great Vince knitted tops there today if you're interested.

San, you crack me up. We need to have tea again soon.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh Angie, this might call for a trip to the Rack.

Inge, please come to Chicago and shop with me and Kristen!

Kristen, I've ordered the JCrew tops online because they carry petites and regular JCrew sizes spell disaster for me. Although it probably would be smart to take the green sandals to the store and check out the strange colors -- ahem, color palette -- in person. (Can you tell I am taking issue with JCrew and their colors? I think they are spring/fall and I am winter/summer. Star-crossed lovers. Two ships passing in the night. But there's always next season ...).

chellebrate

I love the denim skirt idea. I hope the J Crew blouse works and am anxious to see your final outfit. It sounds lovely!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Laura, I am not fond of J Crew so it is a-ok with me if you get that online! I think we should hit our old standby -- ooooh, or The Rack. I think we could do some damage at The Rack.