Outfit for MIL 80th Birthday Party - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfit for MIL 80th Birthday Party

tarzy

Veteran

I would really appreciate some feedback. The party location has changed - we are now cooking for about 30 relatives at my in-laws home in Florida. I don't think I want to wear a dress for that. I was thinking smart casual.

Basically - do you prefer the lighter pants (color is called "dark stone") or the navy pants. Or should I just wear dark jeans? Also -shoe suggestions?

Here's the whole series, if you prefer to view all at once:
http://s387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0858.jpg

Specific questions:
Does the blue top work with these pants? The shoes look off to me. Should they be a darker brown? Or a different color?
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0858.jpg

Of course, this is my favorite:
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0861.jpg

I'm not sure if the mix of black and brown works. Maybe different color shoes?
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0863.jpg

Do you like the pants with a lighter color top like this? The color of the shoes look off to me here.
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0866.jpg

I'm not sure about the color of these shoes. Are they too light?
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0879.jpg

Here's a button-down with the pants. I think it looks a bit too much like a work outfit - not festive enough. Are the shoes too light?
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0880.jpg

I like the silver color of the shoes, but I'm not sure the wedge style is right with these pants:
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0881.jpg

Do the red shoes work?
http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0883.jpg

Thank you so much!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from tarzy

Lee Hovey

Out of the whole series I like the black and brown outfit the best (#3 I think). But what about a dark wash jean with the sweet pea top?

tarzy

Veteran

Thanks, Kendra - that's a good option. (Do you think the pants are just too dressy?)

If I wore dark jeans with the Sweet Pea top, what shoes would you recommend? I'm not sure about the sandals I'm wearing in this picture - they're maybe too casual?

http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_0544.jpg

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Tara, great options! But am I crazy thinking that April in Florida is going to be a bit warm for black pants or dark jeans? Maybe I am way off in my temperature estimation, but I'm thinking any of these options might make you a bit overheated! My thoughts would be more in line with a casual dress and sandals, or dark denim clams and a sweet pea top, or something like that. What do you think?

tarzy

Veteran

Ah, my dear innocent Laura - that is one big old can of worms you're opening there.

I hardly ever wear dresses or skirts, and don't currently own anything remotely resembling a casual dress! I do intend to experiment with dresses soon (it was 80 degrees here today) but that's going to require the focus and dedication of a Special Ops mission. And maybe a few drinks. (Dresses. Scary!)

For this trip I was hoping to come up with something easy like smart casual. (Do people in Florida really not wear jeans? The horror!)

Of course, if you have any specific outfit suggestions for my 5'4" middle-aged large-busted hourglassy body with short legs and large calves - I'd be happy to give it a bash! (And don't forget the appropriate shoes. Oy! The shoes! I'm sweating just thinking about it!)

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Tarzy I vote for #1 or #7. #1 might work with the silver or red shoes even!

Inge

(website)

Tara you look marvellous in blue!!! Please start wearing that colour more often!

My favourite is outfit number one (I think that will work for Miami weather right?). Not sure about the shoes. Have you tried this outfit with the lighter shoes of outfit five?

Lucy

You have a lot of good options here. The only one I didn't really like was the button-down shirt, for the reason you stated (a bit too professional looking). I also agree with Laura in thinking it will be quite warm. So with that in mind, I'm leaning towards 4. The short sleeves and the light color look cooler and more causal. You could try that outfit with the red shoe for a pop of color.

I also really like the last outfit, but I think it might be too dark and dressy for the occasion. I love that Sweet Pea top though. Don't you have a pair of white demin pants that you paired with that top? I seem to recall that you looked fantastic in that outfit--or do you think the white demin is too casual for the occasion?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Uh-oh. Sorry for lifting the lid on this big ol' can of worms

Of course I can never back down from a challenge. How 'bout this dress, with a navy cami underneath and yellow flats?

http://www.bluefly.com/Tibi-na.....detail.fly

(I may be giving away the secrets of my next momwear post but I am willing to do it for your sake Tara!!)

Anonymous

I like the Sweetpea top with the jeans and maybe the silver wedges for comfort yet a festive look.
I like your other outfits too except for the shirt (for this occasion), but would love to see you try a spring scarf. The first outfit with the blue top could sport a green, aqua or yellow one.
You could start planning the outfit with your most comfortable-but-cute shoes since you will be on your feet cooking. Since there will probably be lots of photos taken, you'll want to pay attention to the color near your face and to makeup.

Antje

Veteran

Tara, my favorite outfit is the first one. The stone pants, blue top and animal print scarf look super together. Wonderfully polished and stylish while still relaxed looking.

I agree with Laura that the darker pants are not summery enough for FL. And I don't like the animal print top with the stone pants (too "beigey" of a look.)

May I ask: Where is that delicious brown wrap dress you showed us in an earlier thread? Wouldn't that be just perfect??

shana

Veteran

I like the first outfit as well as the last one. I think the chestnut sandals look nice although you could probably substitute the red sandals as well. You could also try the last look with the sweet pea top & red shoes with some white dressy jeans (maybe trouser or bootcut).

shiny

Veteran

Without looking at everyone else's comments, I love the animal print top and the stone pants. I might wear this with the red shoes though for a pop of color. My reasoning is that for FL you don't want to wear dark colors - too hot. Nor do you want long sleeves or layers. And the scarf, while nice, will likely get in the way while you are cooking.

My second fav is the wrap top but instead of navy slacks I'd wear white jeans and yes the red shoes..... if that's too red-white-blue, do you have yellow shoes?

shiny

Veteran

Lucy and I are on the same page!

If #4 is too beigy, could you pop a colorful cami underneath? And would the top work with a colorful belt?

I don't mind the beiginess myself but I do think you need to bring in a pop of color somewhere, even if just the shoes and the cami.

bella

(website)

Veteran

For this occasion, I like the outfit with Sweet Pea top the best.

Anonymous

Wow you look fantastic in all the outfits. There was only one where I thought the cardigan was a bit too baggy and that was #5, grey top with navy pants. I think of all of the outfits you posted you should choose the one most comfortable and appropriate for the weather because you look amazing in all of them! Scarves are your thing. They look awesome on you.

carissa

(website)

First of all, are you actually cooking and serving? Then I encourage you to buy a cute/statement apron and wear the most comfortable shoes possible.

If its being catered . . . then consider your MIL. My father-in-law is anti blue jeans and thus we don't wear them to his functions. I did wear white denim and it was OK.

FL in April just screams Lilly Pulitzer - light colors, festive prints, not a lot of coverage (no long sleeves), etc. The navy pants with button-up seemed kind of nautical and maybe doable with the sleeves rolled.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tara, you are not going to like my feedback (sad face), but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t offering my honest professional opinion. I think you should ditch the pants idea and go with the dress and snake skin sandals that you posted a week or so ago. SO much more feminine, current and hip.

tarzy

Veteran

Angie - I love your feedback and I want you to be totally honest. That's what I'm here for!

Unfortunately I returned the brown dress - it just felt tight at the bust and I wasn't comfortable. I guess that was a little impulsive of me. But I'll make a point of looking for something similar next week. A new TJ Maxx just opened near me, and I'm hoping they have a good dress department. If not, I will be on the hunt!

(If I don't find something in the next two weeks, I may have to default to smart casual with jeans, though.)