Need finishing wedding outfit help for AK & HI - YouLookFab Forum

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Need finishing wedding outfit help for AK & HI

karen13

Veteran

Status update on my Alaska - Hawaiian wedding guest outfit. I have learned a few things from YFL, left no retail stone unturned (one hat is from Walmart!) and did not settle on shoes, despite despairing of finding a moderately comfy wide-width light silver wedge. I finally found ones I liked!

Both wedding are late afternoon with evening receptions. Hawaii is "Garden Party Formal" - outdoor on a grassy bluff above a beach. Alaska is Catholic Church, pretty formal, big with all the trimmings, indoor reception.

The dress, shoes and purse are finalized - tags off or return dates passed. I really need help with sun hat (for Hawaii outdoor), wrap (for Alaska) and jewelry. I bought the silver glittery shrug in 3, thinking it would be perfect, and then in taking photos, I don't find it flattering. I pulled out a wrap shawl for #4-5, which is the wrong color (ice blue photographs as white in these pics, but it isn't), to see the effect and get opinions.

I can't find earrings/bracelet I love, so I may be making earring along the line on the ones shown in finds, but with aqua flower and white pearls. The bracelet and ring were my mom's and I got the idea from cindysmith's gorgeous wedding outfit post. I haven't worn them and need to see if I can get the rhinestone bracelet cleaned before I go.

Suggestions/Improvements/Finds are most welcome!
1) What would be a better wrap? I'm looking to complement the dress, not compete too much. Is white or silver/gray better? Or is there a color that won't wash me out so much? I'm not a big fringe person, but a little is OK.
2) Which hat? Or is there a better one out there?
3) Jewelry suggestions? Is a gold plain wedding band OK with silver ring and bracelet (I mostly don't wear my band because I work a lot with my hands and it is bit big) Tips on cleaning a vintage rhinestone bracelet? Finds?
4) How do you keep the skinny belt in place? It sits on my ribs, not the small part of my waist, and I hate the little thread loops on the sides.

Thank everyone for all the help in my past post, and for helping make this Fab!

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Alex Marie Sera Strappy Wedge Sandals

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1

Jessica Howard Petite Floral-Print Maxi Dress

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5

Calvin Klein Women's Lurex Shrug

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0

Chicastic Chicastic Pleated and Braided Rhinestone studded Wedding Evening Bridal Bridesmaid Clutch Purse

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2

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from karen13

JAileen

Veteran

The dress looks so nice on you. How great that you found shoes you like! I like the white hat and the shawl. A shawl looks better than the shrugs IMO. More graceful looking, I think. The blue hat looks like it's the wrong color. Maybe it's right IRL. I would remove the thread loops and let the belt sit at your waist. The earrings look like they might be kind of busy with the dress. I mostly wear silver jewelry, but have a gold wedding band. I don't worry about matching it. It is what it is. As for cleanng the rhnestone jewelry, it would depend on what sort of dirt. Gunk or tarnish? I hate to recommend something and steer you wrong or ruin them. The bracelet is lovely.

bridgie

Veteran

Karen, I will leave suggestions for the wrap and jewelry for others.

However I just had to comment to tell you that I think the dress is beautiful and looks great on you. I also love the shoes, purse and a hat.

rachylou

Veteran

LOVE #1, the green hat - the wrap or shrug (3 and 4). Also love the jewelry.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Wow, you've done a beautiful job getting your outfit together for the two climates and settings. You look beautiful in the dress. I prefer the aqua hat with the dress for the beach wedding--the color is fun, and it seems to go perfectly. My pick for the wrap is 4; it is elegant, and the cut of it shows off the dress really nicely. The color looks good to me. Your jewelry, bag, and shoes are beautiful choices as well. I would wear a gold wedding band with silver jewelry. I routinely do wear a gold ring on one hand and my white gold wedding set on the other hand, but I also wear a watch that is mixed gold and silver tones, too. So I kind of mix things up intentionally. Still, I really wouldn't think twice about wearing a wedding band--a piece that is in a class by itself anyway--that is a different color than the rest of the jewelry.
So nicely done all around!

Joy

Veteran

What a beautiful dress! I like the hat in 1 and the wrap in 3. The one in 2 is my second choice. I used a heavy silk scarf for a wrap as MOG and liked it much better than MOB's little cardigan. Those cardigans can look matronly very quickly.

tulle

Veteran

I think you can hardly go wrong with any of these nice choices, because the dress is a real winner, and will be the main attraction. Maybe take the shawl to Hawaii (where, with luck, you won't even need it) and one of the shrugs to Alaska, in case it's chilly? The hats look pretty, though a tiny bit oversized (a problem for all petites, I think.) There may be a great hat selection available in Hawaiian shops, if you have time before the wedding. If not, I'd go with #1. About the belt & belt loops: it looks like the dress has a slightly raised waistline--a flattering and leg-lengthening feature on long dresses for petites. I would not remove the loops, because the belt will slip to your natural waist, revealing the seam above. The waist looks very good as is, I think. Have a wonderful time!

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, nr 1 is like a fairy tale so gorgeous, definetely that hat! And if colors would match the dress, I like the fit of the wrap and shrug in nr 3&4 better than the one in nr 2. You are on the right way!:-)

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Agree with Lyn67, definitely the first hat. And beautiful shoes, yay! And lovely bag, and jewellery. I like the shawl as in 3 myself. I like your idea for the earrings but wouldn't any sparkly silvery earrings that went with the rest of the jewellery, shoes and bag be OK?

karen13

Veteran

Thank you to all for the helpful suggestions and supportive words. I bought the dress as a placeholder two months ago, and have fallen in love with it as I continued to search. I didn't think it was "me" , with the pastel, the floral and the length. But after kissing a lot of frogs, now I really do feel pretty in it. And I think if I shortened to 4" above ankle when I'm done with my wedding safari, I could wear it to a number of places.

The hats are a bit of a dilemma. I think the size/style/fabric of the white #2 is a bit more in keeping with "Garden Party Formal" and DH preferred it. Perhaps an aqua ribbon would give it some panache. But the teal/aqua #1 is so fun (and while oversized as tulle noticed, might come in handy in the tropical sun)! I am definitely keeping it as it cost $8 clearance at an adventure store. If it didn't have the brighter blue band, I would be more certain about it with this dress. Maybe too much going on?

I will have to see how the homemade earrings turn out - Janet is right they might be a bit busy. When I envisioned them I was hung up on not wearing a necklace, and felt I needed something bold, but now that I have purse, shoes hats and a vision for the wrap it is getting crowded. Perhaps they will be best for Hawaii and I can find something more formal for the Alaska event.

I will now search for a wrap/shawl - you all confirm my initial thoughts that the Calvin Klein cardi is off - "matronly" is exactly the right word, Joy. The color/fabric of the shawl in #3-4 is off (same shawl, just knotted in back to see if I liked the look to keep it out of the way), but i agree I like the silhouette better. Off to search for something with a nicer fabrication.

Send any earring/wrap finds my way! I'm still trying to figure out color for wrap, but definitely something drapey.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I love the dress with the hat in #1 and the shrug. I really like the shape of the shrug and the way you and the dress star. The dress is beautiful.

Jane

Veteran

I really like the wrap, I think I prefer the coloured hat. The dress is gorgeous- so elegant.

Is the belt tight enough without the loops to not move around - I think I would do a test without the loops and then cut off the loops if it works out okay and doesn't move around.

Lovely jewellery. May be a clean with a soft brush and hot water first to see if it works. May be a jewellery shop would clean them for you?

Anonymous

Such a pretty dress! I liked it when you first posted it, and am glad that it was the winner. You look stunning in it!
I like both of the hats in pictures, but trust your judgment that the blue isn't right IRL. I am partial to the idea of adding a ribbon to the white one.
The wrap is the prettiest of the three coverups, but if you think a shrug would keep you warmer, IMO you shouldn't hesitate to choose one of those.
Count me another one who isn't wild about the flower earrings for this particular event. What about something like the below? I bet you could make them yourself.
Do you have time to take the dress to a tailor and have the belt loops moved to the right spot?

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Tanya

Veteran

The dress is gorgeous, and you look beautiful in it. The shoes and the bag,as well as the jewelry, are very pretty, too. I second the idea of looking for a wrap in white/silver, it is definitely more elegant. I also really like the hat in #1.

Anonymous

You look breathtaking. My personal preference is for the blue hat. I like the wrap in number 3 the best. The first one is too heavy and too casual. I like the one in number 4, but it does not show off the dress to its full advantage.

Carole

Veteran

I like the green hat #1 best and the wrap in 3, you look beautiful in this gorgeous dress!!!

cindysmith

Veteran

Love the dress! I personally like the shawl with it. And I would remove the little loops and wear the belt where you want it.

Paula

Hi Karen: I'm a new poster and want to say that I think the dress you've chosen is beautiful and that you look so lovely in it! I have a thought about the hat....It may be that you want a large hat like you've shown to protect you from the sun, and if that's the case, please disregard what I'm suggesting. But if not, I wonder if you've thought about a fascinator like this one below....It seems to me that it picks up on the theme of the dress and the "garden party" idea....

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Paula

I forgot to add that it's available for a closer look on Etsy at Caprilite and it also comes in just silver....

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Green hat and shawl - the dress is great on you!

Laura G

Veteran

The green/aqua hat and the white shawl. Perfect. The dress is beautiful on you, but it needs the little extra oomph from the color in the hat.

I'm long-waisted and belt loops are always up around my ribs. Cut them off! If your belt is actually around your waist, your *hips* will keep it there.

The blue flower earrings are beautiful but not sure they'll be happy with the dress--color very different and level of detail very similar.

karen13

Veteran

Thanks to everyone for the continued votes and suggestions! The aqua hat is getting a lot of love and your comments may override DH cuz what does he know, really

The thread loops are where the belt needs to sit, the junction of the bodice and skirt, so I may try something like fashion tape, is there a good brand that won't mess up the fabric?

Paula - that fascinator is so fun, but I need the head protection. Last year there was a YFL discussion about embracing one's paleness that resonated with me, so I'm trying this year.

Ryce -I really like those earrings. Thank you.

Paula

Karen, I wondered if head protection might be the case....Makes good
sense!

lyn67

Veteran

" If (hat nr 1) it didn't have the brighter blue band, I would be more certain about it with this dress."
I actually think the hat needs that ribbon, and will match great with the darker shades in the dress, no need to be the same hue exactly... it is really stunning in the picties all together! But then, I would go without those floral earings, maybe some others, long and slim or studs but no more floral or other pattern.

Anonymous

Just one suggestion -- shorten the dress so we can see your fabulous shoes!

karen13

Veteran

Xtabay - I too wish it were a few inches shorter, because it took me a lot of shopping to find those shoes! I will get it shortened after the weddings - and will probably need a whole ppl thread for that - but I'm keeping it long as many family members are going full length. Plus I'm telling myself it will give me a bit more sun protection in Hawaii.

I wonder if I could shorten it myself - I have not shortened polyester heatset pleats before, but have good sewing skills and have done narrow machine hems on other items. And it looks like it was hemmed after the pleats were heat set, so I don't think it will look different than the current hem, just shorter.

Any sewists with experience or tips?