New gala dress option for critique

First, many thanks to the fabbers who have followed my gala and
other dress-up angst posts over time. Thank you for your helpful input!

I had a little time this weekend to do some dress shopping. I
only made it as far as one dept store ( I had looked a little online and even
tried the Tracy Reese dress as in an earlier post).

As usual, dress fit is tough for my shape, to get all the“parts”
fitted. Here’s what I came home with: an “Anne Klein” dress that is black with
a little gold metallic dot pattern. It has a low, cowl back—sorry for weird
back photos. So giraffe neck is in full view! Yay, it fits, I think. Nay , it
is not any sort of upscale dress in a delicious color (such as a delicious
neutral) or fabrication.

I think a sheath style is more sophisticated on me, and I keep
looking, but is a HEWI due to pear issues. I haven’t yet found the right
combination of separates, which can help solve the top & bottom issues.

Shown with my existing shoes and gold clutch. I can take a
gander in dept store or DSW for some more stylish shoes, but it'd be a long
shot.

What do you think? For its $19.99 price , I’m probably keeping
the dress. It’s funny, I just gathered up a dozen to try on and it was the only
one that fit and that was the price! But, I wish I could find that perfect
dress up/down great dress.

Are the shoes just awful? Is a gold clutch “too much”—enough to
go find black or something else? Does it just scream, I’m a low-tier jersey
knit dress? Too long? (higher shoes help that, but hard to find for me). I
looked at a small selection of dresses by several better makers (Nicole Miller,
Trina Turk, others) but just nothing in store for me at this time. I might be
able to shop one more evening at a couple other places.

Also, I should decide whether to wear clip-on earrings or just
leave it at the dress and clutch, since there are all the doo-dads on the
dress, and perhaps clip-on’s are too nerdy. I have stopped wearing them and am
about to give them all away, except for this type of event and no-necklace
neckline.

Regardless of the upcoming event, as usual, shopping brings new
insights. First, it confirms that this dress is not in my target color
palette—but acceptable for $20. For years, I collected gold and bronzy dressy
items because of my brown hair with reddish highlights. Now, with, ahem,
maturity, my hair looks lighter and almost“taupe” in some lighting. So silver,
mauves, pewter, burgundy-purples and dressy taupey colors are the direction I
want to go, both for clothing and accessories. Second, there’s something
bordering on dowdy for this dress—maybe more than the shoes? Is it the flair
and length? Whatever it is, I have in my mind’s eye some other style that looks
more modern or energetic or something. Good things to keep in mind for PPP
dress or separates.

Thoughts? I know I'm down to the wire for achieving big changes,
but it has still been helpful to me to hear your ideas for "ideal"
style and outfits even if I can't execute in time for this event. Thank you for comments.

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11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The shape is lovely on you, and I think the low back saves it from frumpiness. Obviously it's hard to see the details of fabric in photos, and I know what you mean that some fabrics look cheap in person no matter how expensive they actually cost. But I like this outfit from the photos and think that the shoes and clutch are fine.

Congrats on the bargain - I think it will do well for your event, and then you can keep an eye out for your hewi dress in the future.

Isabel

I too like the dress and agree with Laura that the back in particular saves it from "frump". Though I do have to agree with you that different shoes would amp it up. But if you don't have the time, then you don't have the time and I think that this is a fine way to go. Have fun.

Suz

The shape is terrific on you! And the gold, plus a bit of skin, do help prevent it from seeming too dark. I do not see giraffe neck syndrome, either (and you know how sensitive I am on that score). The back is unexpected and very gala appropriate.

How about nude sheers instead? I think they would balance the bare back a little better.

If you can find some new shoes, terrific, but if not, these will certainly do. I don't think the dress is frumpy in the least, and the length looks elegant, but a different shoe might take it up a notch.

Hard to tell about details of the fabrication from the photos, but remember that the lights will be dim!

Not sure about the earrings. I don't think clip ons are nerdy per se. Not if you have the right pair. But as you say, they might feel like too much with the dress detail.

unfrumped

Thank you Laura, Isabel and Suz!

Wow, this is why this forum is so great.

I always think of the off-black sheer hose as being "evening attire" with dark dresses, but now through your eyes, I can see that that might be increasing the heaviness of the look, compared to very sheer nude hose. That may be part of what I was sensing when I look at the photos but I couldn't identify what else to do. May look livelier. Can't wait to try.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

GREAT. Much better for the Gala event then a pants suit. I like the back detail. How about gold shoes, and black micro fishnet tights?

Meredith

I don't attend many of events of this nature, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. If I were you, I would wear this dress. It's a flattering shape and the back makes it seem special. Try it with nude hose, but I wouldn't worry about finding new shoes or accessories. The reason? I don't think you want this to be your investment gala look. You found a fun dress that is fresh and new, but this is not your Le Smoking suit. Why not work with what you have for now and save the upgraded accessories for when you find that truly special outfit? Change the earrings and bag if you must, but I would make the shoes work because shoes bought just for this dress may not work with a suit.

Angie, thank you for stopping by! I'll play with accessories a bit. Gold shoes could be fab! Probably in my dreams, though.
Meredith, that's exactly right. I always feel conflicted because I know what I'd like to wear if I could, and I'd love it if I could make that statement. But, this isn't "my life" and it's just hard (for me, anyway) to keep up this wardrobe area. . I'm supporting a cause I believe in. I could support it with donations alone and no gala-attendance, but it means something to the people I work with for people to attend.
One thing I've learned over the years is to leave my fashion "judging" eyes at the door, at these events. Fashion-looking and admiring and style note-taking, yes. But I'm highly sympathetic to the imperfect outfit!

Anonymous

Oh yes! I like it very much. I agree with the others that the back negates any frump completely and I see no neck issues at all. I love Angies suggestion for hose and shoes.

abc

I like this best of all of the options you have posted.

Susie

I think that this is a great dress for your gala. The shape is very flattering on you and the interesting back negates any potential frumpiness. If you do decide to try other shoes, I would stick with black, rather than gold, but dressy, like silk or with beading. I like the gold bag with it.

SW Ann

I like the dress, and think the back detail saves it from any frump factor....I do think a different shoe would "amp" it up a little, if that's a possibility. I think nude hosiery and a black shoe is good, but will concede that Angie probably knows best!

Thank you for the encouragement and suggestions.
Here's a funny thing:
When I was taking the photo of the dress itself, I suddenly noticed that there is a front seam all the way up to the neckline. I guess it's fairly subtle because I didn't see it before. And you don't normally have a center seam like that. And I saw darts in the "back". My first thought was, ye gods, I'm wearing it backwards. My second thought was, sheesh, I'm gonna show up at a gala wearing my dress backwards because I don't have an alternative plan.

I couldn't see how I'd make that mistake because, even though I lack real estate, the cowl-back is pretty low, even for busty types. Or so I'd like to believe.

Then I double-checked ( I even tried it on the other way, I was that panicked) and saw that yes, there is princess seaming on the front (my front) and the tag is in the low back. And the little band thing of course is a back detail.

So I'll be wearing it correctly with its weird front seam, and life as we know it will surely go on.

Carole

lol, unfrumped...I can just imagine the whole scenario...you look lovely in the dress and think the gold accents are perfect! Hope we get the final snapshot before you are out the door.

Sara L.

I think the dress looks great on you. With that back, there's no way it could be frumpy! Different shoes might be fun, but the ones you have on look fine and most people will probably be focusing on your upper half, not your shoes.

Jaime

Great find! Nothing to add to Angie's advice but sounds gorgeous!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I love the dress on you, unfrumped. Such an elegant look! I got a chuckle out of your momentary panic at whether you had it backwards. Maybe you could wear it the other way around for next year's gala! I agree with Meredith--go with the shoes you have, and enjoy the evening. You will not only be perfectly appropriately dressed but also lovely!

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