New dress to a dinner for the Human Rights Day

I was very glad to have my Cassis dress hemmed when I was suddenly invited to this dinner.
My 'fancy ' shoes are my Naturalized Mary janes and i opted for some opaque grey hose.
Had to Do a last minute purchase of a clutch, though.When i saw this burgundy pattent one i couldn't resist it.
I accessories with my lookalike diamond earrings and my metallic watch with little sparkles.

I felt very feminine in this, all curves.Which I am not very used to but I feel that was the right note and something I deserved to show the world.

I have a birthday dinner next Friday and am trying to dress down this dress a little bit.

Although the picture isn't the best what do you think of my choices and how can I dress this down?

All comments are welcome.
Thanks for looking.

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14 years ago

Sona

Veteran

like the outfit! as far as dressing it down do you have a short moto style leather jacket? that might be an option!

banananutmuffin

Active Member

I love the dress and am not sure you need to dress it down for the birthday dinner. It's pretty understated, in my opinion. Maybe just skip the sparkly accessories and stick with simple gold or silver if you're looking for a less dressy options.

I am sure other posters will have much better advice than me. But maybe a cardi over it or a scarf might help dress it down, too?

celia

thanks for your answers.I realized that the colors of the dress ir are much more dramatic than the picture shows.

sona, you remind me of a moto jacket that might work with it.I will give it a try.

banananutmuffin, I thought about z cardigan but am afraid it would look too granny.

What are your thoughts on burgundy thights with black boots?

bella

(website)

You look fab. How casual is the dinner? A jean jacket is the obvious choice but I agree that you should wear the dress as is.

bella it is not so much being casual but the crowd is in majority younger than me.although i have no particular wish to appear young I also don't want to feel like their mother.This dress makes me feel very ladylike.

modgrl

I love the dress and choice of clutch and shoes. The only thing I'm not sure abOut is the gray hose. They look kind of heavy with the feminine dress. I would do black sheer or opaque hose. Nice outfit for your birthday dinner too!!

Mellllls

looks good. i really like the clutch.

missvee

I love the idea of tights and boots to dress this look down just a bit. And maybe a more day-time handbag instead of the clutch. You'll look great!

rita you are right, sheer hose would have look more ladylike. I thought only in terms of the outfit being too dark with them and not the similar vibes of the different items.

missvee I will take a regular bag

Vicki

Celia, you look lovely and I can see why you wanted that clutch! It's a keeper. As for dressing down your pretty dress, I would agree that the knee-high boots would be another nice addition to the look and I, too, like a leather jacket as a topper. Have fun.

HelenInCanada

Beautiful dress - and it looks so great on you! I like the way you've styled it for the dinner.

How to dress down? I'm thinking a denim or distressed leather jacket would do it, and flats, casual boots, a cotton or wool chunky cardigan...?

krishnidoux

It looks fabulous as is! Let yourself shine! Have you tried sheer hose?

Deborah

Beautiful dress! I agree sheer hose would look fabulous with this dress as I do think the tights are too heavy. A denim jacket or leather jacket would be great to. Personally I think you are gorgeous and you should just wear what you feel good in.. and you look too young to be anybody's mum

Anonymous

It's so exiting to see you in *the* dress Celia! I'm glad it was hemmed and ready to go. Between you and Shannon having spur of the moment invitations, I'm starting to see why it's so important to be prepared for the *fashion* unexpected!

You've already go some great dressing down ideas; I just wanted to add the suggestion of a waistcoat, it you have a casual one and don't want the bulk/warmth of a jacket with sleeves for indoors. That's it! Have a great birthday dinner!

Suz

Celia, I am so glad your dress was ready for this event! You look beautiful, and the clutch was a perfect choice.

I understand absolutely what you mean about the "ladylike" feel of this dress and it is something I struggled with, too—to the point where i seriously questioned buying it and almost took it back. But my husband really loved it, so I cut the tags and it's at the dressmaker for its alterations now.

Before I decided to keep it I told myself I MUST find a way to make it feel more casual. And I did it! First I tried with my denim jackets, but strangely, they did not seem to work particularly well. One was too faded and just didn't seem to work with the texture of the dress, and the other was a bit long and got bumped into the self belt in an annoying way. However, I managed to fix that issue by finding another way to secure the belt (with a pin rather than tying in a knot) so in a pinch I can wear it with denim as a dress down.

I liked it better with a long waterfall cardi in navy (however, this did still feel a bit "ladylike") and with a short sleeved coat sweater in black (less ladylike). When it comes back I will try to get pics for you if you like. The coat sweater is similar to Claire's idea of a waistcoat because that is more or less the effect of this particular coat sweater; it does up at the waist but falls open below, and it has a wide collar.

Boots and booties were my best tools. I found some textured tights at the Gap (similar to this: http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....tights.jsp (except mine are a lighter colour, more like dusty mauve) and I put those on with black booties; it really seemed to make the dress feel much more casual.

Tall boots in grey or black would also work.

Good luck, oh Dress Twin!!

BTW, my seamstress was head over heels about this dress; she thought it was just divine! The colours, the fabric, everything. So we're clearly on to a good thing here.

Transcona Shannon

Celia - this dress is really beautiful on you. I love the colours. I like the suggestions of tights and boots to dress it down, that and switch out the bag and you're good to go! BTW - I love true clutch for evening!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER

Jonesy

You look lovely, and I think the idea of topping it with a moto jacket or denim one is great for casual-izing it up a bit!

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