Palazzo pants for gala? - YouLookFab Forum

Where do you think palazzo-style pants are now, in the scheme of in or out for dressy evening wear?

I'm going to a fundraiser that is black-tie optional, so you know, a lot of guys will wear tuxedos but they won't sneer at those who attend in a nice suit.
It's been an annual event for more than 10 years, a cause linked to my profession, and I've been before. The ladies dress up in a variety of dressy outfits--long and short dresses are fine, a bit of bling, heels, you know the drill.

Also, if it helps, I think like a lot of fundraisers, the organizers have some dual goals of trying to have a nice, dressy event but not turning off some younger folks or folks maybe just getting into it, as long as people dress nicely. but of course I'm a mature and fashion-wise lady (!) so my intent is to look dressy and fab.

So...one previous year I wore filmy dark brown palazzo pants with an interesting, to me, dressy vintage top. I don't want to wear the same top, but I'm thinking of wearing the pants again with what I think is an elegant lace-over silk and sparkle-bead top--short sleeved, high hip, sort of ballet-scoop neckline which is good for me, in a flattering taup-ey color. The pants are fitted over the hips, taper just a bit & then have the typical wide and flowy lower leg.

The pants are a polyester georgette, so not a rich and elegant fabric by nature, but I tend to think of them as a neutral supporting act--not really so much in the spotlight in ballroom lighting and while dining. I don't know how many people can really tell silk from polyester in this setting, or care, I guess. The top I think would be the focal point. Plus, the pants-nearly to the ground let me wear a lower pump-type shoe with a stable heel if I want to.

So--the other type outfit I would consider is a very dressy knee-length dress, which I don't currently own!

I'm up for shopping, but I need a sleeve, the right length (a lot are too short!), a waist or maybe fit and flare, no plunging neck, size 4 or maybe 2, who knows--always hard for me. Also, it would be better now for me if it were not black--bronze, or dark taupe, or something similar is lookin' better now, if you know what I mean, although I still do wear black and would buy black if the style were killer-flattering. Further, most of those dresses seem to dress up best with killer shoes that I can seldom wear. I need to wear hose, and there's all the hose-police if you wear a hose with a dressy sandal, so then it's a closed-toe pump or slingback, which is darned hard to find with a stable 2 " or less heel and the right fit.

I love the concept of the LBD that can dress up, but super shoes are often required to keep that from looking just like a regular dinner dress, IMO. With the pants, I actually have the option of wearing either more comfy shoes or some dressy narrow-heeled sandals I can just about walk in, since I might be able not to freeze to death if I wore footless hose or something.

I know I'm not showing outfit A vs B, and this is all pretty hypothetical, but I'm wondering if I can use my palazzo outfit as an okay and backup outfit, even if I take some time to see if I could possibly find the perfect short dress and shoes. I'm thinking the above outfit would look better than a run-of-the mill black dress and so-so shoes.

Any help in avoiding misunderestimating the current fashions and being a frumpophile is appreciated!

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Palazzos are being brought back. I'm not sure if they will take again. To onlookers it might look dated because they're not up on the fashion news.

Still, as Angie's blog pointed out today, anything goes right now. You're outfit sounds nice to me. Calls for some dramatic earrings I should think.

JuneBug

It's quite difficult to wear a pair of palazzo pants and NOT have them take centerstage as by design they're going to stand out no matter what! If you were infact going for them, I'd suggest embracing the pants and finding a suitable, subtle complimentary top and working in jewellery to keep the eyes upwards!

Jenava

(website)

I'd like to see a photo of them. it's hard to judge based on a description. They are not out of fashion, per se.

Anonymous

What's up with the pantyhose police, anyway? I've read conflicting opinions on the subject, and personally feel that it's okay to wear pantyhose as long as they're sandalfoot, very sheer, and the exact same shade as your own skin color if you decide to wear "nude." No suntan color and no reinforced toe. My 51-year-old legs are shapely, but I guarantee they look a whole lot better in nylons than they do bare. Whenever I wear a nice dress, I wear pantyhose... and dare the pantyhose police to come haul me away, lol.

Out west here, hose is fuddy duddy. Goes against the laid back Cali girl aesthetic. There also seem to be a lot of runaway rebels from other states taking a stance against mandatory hose in 100 degree weather. Lol. I know people find it incomprehensible with sandals, kinda seems to miss the point.

I'm personally somewhat old fashioned. I'm a little icked by bare legs at work. Not that I wear nylons at work either. Lol.

unfrumped

That's my concern, that they might look sort of eccentric. I just saw black velvet palazzo pants in the J Peterman catalogue, for what that's worth.

Since I really like the top, I might also look for a dressy flippy skirt for it and then try to brave the shoe dilemma. The top looks slightly better with brown/bronzy type colors than black, but it would be do-able, maybe. I also have a long black "satin" (poly) skirt that fits pretty well but I think it somehow borders on frumpy.

Oh well.

This is why I guess one needs to shop for this type of item regularly in hopes it will turn up. I do nose around in the special events clothing from time to time, but I don't have lots of stores here for that--no great Neiman Marcus outlet or some such--and I hate ordering that type of thing online. But, maybe I should be more adventurous with an occasional Nordstrom let's get some dresses to try on approach. My bad luck with dressy in-style grownup shoes inhibits the process.

Caro in Oz

I'd need to see pics too. I would try them with a structured evening jacket very 30s or 70s modern.

moira

I too would love to see a picture. I am a fan of palazzo pants for a dressy event when there will be such a mix of styles. I am fond of not being the most over-dressed or under-dressed person at the party.
The neutrality of the colors does sound a bit safe, however. Since you are open to shopping, how about a RED top? Velvet or sparkly. I love red with brown and it is a somewhat unexpected combination.
A leopard or snakeskin sandal would really look great, IMHO.

Thank you for the input and ideas for dressy outfits.

OK, so I'm not feelin' the luv for this outfit. It isn't my first choice outfit either for how I most want to appear. I like the idea of making it more edgy or formal with a different top but I'm also reluctant to build more of a capsule around it (unless I found the perfect item that is multi-use). I think it is still fall-back rather than stay home, if it comes to that. I don't think it's notable enough to land me in the pages of some magazine with a black rectangle over my head and the caption, Eeewww!

I think I'll see what I can sift through in a few hours in my local dept store and mall (dresses, dressy wrap tops/skirts, that sort of thing) and see how lucky or depressed I get !

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