Not sure this is typical Outfit Lab since I don’t have the
actual outfits for some of the ideas shown. I am using" place-holder: items so
I’ll be fully clothed!

1-3 Possible outfit direction with AT faux-leather
waistbandhigh-waist pants and pumps. Shown with a BR T (it’s slightly metallic)
just to get the idea of a simple top, if worn with a jacket. Would look for a
silk top, perhaps sparkly, but refined. Shown with a short ¾ sleeve jacket
, black with some sparkle. Pumps I've kept in limbo land as I can actually walk in them. There is a heel gap I cannot make go away and don't like, hence saved just for long pants, where it does not show.

Note, have shown sparkle in the jacket, necklace, shiny clutch as ideas for the dressy aspect, not all to be worn together and especially not if either the top or jacket were amped up.

--I think this type of
outfit would be great for lots of usual going-out occasions but not sure if a new top, even a jacket will skew it to Gala-correctness (black tie optional, lot of cocktail dresses, some gowns). Other shopping possibilities is to find a stand-alone top for these pants—imagining a dressy fluid sparkly Dolman sleeve top tucked in, or something. Whereas if a collared jacket is worn, then a simple shell style top seems best.

4-5 Same high-waisted pants with a relatively new Tahari blazer I got ( before the pants) as a generic topper for trousers, , because
I liked the fit, and it’s kind of off-black due to a pinstripe. Has faux leather collar and
pocket trim ( not knowing I'd get pants with similar trim). Tossed it on for fun, but I'm thinking it's a lot of dark for this outfit, with the volume of the pants, and long for the high waist. However, does it look more “tuxedo-ish”. Also the colors—navy pant,
black waistband and shoes, pinstriped black blazer—please weigh in on its being way too
mix&match vs. inspired "combining neutrals" ! Again, I can see this type of
outfit as fun for the theater or date-night but not sure it’s gala-worthy even with
the right top and accessories.

Thoughts? Can be whether to skip the pants for gala, can include general thoguhts on styling for non-gala occasions as well. In general, if I did a dark jacket, would need something very lightening for the top, or if had a light jacket (pewter metallic, say) then could do column of dark color. And what jacket styles work best with these pants.

6-7 Next up, more traditional--I almost forgot I had this matching WHBM dotted black peplum top and pencil skirt, which I did specifically get last year to wear both as separates and together! I think it could work as a LBD though the fabric is ? cottony-rayon blend with stretch. Problem is these ARE my dress pumps and not likely to get much better and still walk, so it looks rather sedate. Also, the neckline is kind of jewelry-challenging, but I would like to wear something to break up the black. Could shop for something new there. It IS all black up top, which is harsher than ideal but hey, it’s evening, low light, can use makeup to look alive.

Find: Try to shop for a new dress like the Tracy Reese but less pricey. It's statement, though and not what I need which is a Little Burgundy Dress or something.

I think the WHBM can be a fallback safety outfit. Appropriate. I bought it because I liked it, after all. I might shop for tops for the pants just to see what's out there and because I could use a dressy top for non-gala winter occasions anyway. I might noodle at the dresses in the dept store. Then see how it goes.

But, what do you think ? Save me from myself!

Thank you for reading and for any comments.