Now bag/topper/jewelry picks Twofer post—graduation dresses & Shoes again. ETA even more shoes. - YouLookFab Forum

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Now bag/topper/jewelry picks Twofer post—graduation dresses & Shoes again. ETA even more shoes.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My son’s graduation is coming up: I need to decide what to wear. Front-runners (pix 7-12) are a favorite from when I was his age and the one I wore to his school induction (Einschulung) into first grade. I have plenty more to choose from though, so if these seem unsuitable, please say so.

The graduation will be outside at 4:30 in the afternoon, with food served at 6. It is a private international school. Classmates’ parents include embassy employees of two countries (they might be the ambassadors—when my son gets a ride with one of the kids, he is officially in the other country once he steps into the chauffeured car), people whose parents are so prominent that there are memorial plaques and buildings named in their honor, and dentists (Chris Rock fans will understand about the dentists). He started at the school just before Covid, so the only other parent I know is a doctor who has treated him a couple times.

Agenda item #2: shoes
I’m getting so tired of this with the shoes.

The geox fit, but I don’t think they work with the things I want to wear them with. I’ll take pix and add shortly. (ETA done; they’re ok with the other stuff, but clunky with the dresses).

I like all the others better, especially the Tamaris and Lascana, but they don’t fit me well. The Tamaris are probably just a “no” because they are long enough—my foot just hangs over the side. The Lascana seem to be big all around, so I’m going to try a size up.

1-2 Lascana
3-5 Tamaris is on my left foot (the one without the birthmark).
6 Geox
7-12 possibilities for his graduation
13-15 pants I expect to wear with whatever white sandals I settle on.
16-21 Stand-ins for shorts & jeans. May or may not be actual items to wear with the sandals, but I do expect to wear them with some shorts & jeans (including the new G-Star jeans, which are in the hamper)

22-27 Extra Bonus Content. I just ordered these two wide pairs and as I was packing up the rejects, I realized there was one more pair here. They weren’t my favorite, but they fit and don’t feel as clunky as the Geox. What do you think?

All pictures taken by helpful young man lounging on his bed. Please excuse the upwards angle and the broomstick (he’s going to clean—really!) in the background.

Advice on dresses or shoes, anyone?

ETA scroll down for photos of options for jewelry, toppers, & bags in comments

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Anonymous

I like the Tamaris a lot. Do they come in a wider size?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, thanks for the idea. I checked and sadly, they are not available in wide. I ordered a couple others that are wide. I also started packing up the rejects and realized there was one more pair—I’ve added it to the OP.

Kathie

Veteran

For the dresses, I like the blue/white one the best- both the color and the fit. The green one looks as if it needs a bit of alteration on the top. Shoes- I agree the Geox looks great with pants and shorts, but a bit clunky with the dresses. You seem to love the Lascanas, so I think those are definitely worth trying in the size up. As for 22-25, my guess is that you won't love those as much as the Lascanas, since they're fairly plain. Also the straps on 22-23 are much wider than what I thought you were looking for. 26-27 looks much more like what you want, so I'd hang on to those until you've tried the Lascanas in the size up, and then make a decision. Did you try 26/27 and the Lascanas with your shorts and pants? (Or, are you thinking of getting two pairs of sandals?)

cat2

Veteran

I vote 7-9 for the dress, that’s perfect for the occasion and fits you perfectly. I like the sandals that fit, and would go with the bird in hand on those.

cat2

Veteran

Oh, and I would put the green dress in your alterations pile, a simple alteration at the shoulder will make it ready for summer.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I love the pearl and rope details on #1-2, but the shoe itself makes me flinch - that strap between the ball-of-foot and toes looks like it would place pressure on the wrong part of the foot.

I think you’re right about the Geox being a little heavy with the dresses, but I think they look great with everything else!

The shoe in #3-4 (on your beauty-marked foot) are cute, but the ankle strap looks very loose.

Your dresses are pretty and classic, and seem appropriate - although I don’t mingle with diplomats, so.... I have to defer to someone more knowledgeable.

I think the last pair looks good, but not sure if the studding goes with the dresses.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Kathie! You’re right that I’m clinging to those Lascanas. Unfortunately they go out of stock often. So far they’ve always been restocked, but right now they aren’t available in the next size up. I’ve asked for notification when my size is back.
I haven’t tried either the too-small Lascanas or the surprise late entrants with anything else; I got tired of changing my clothes, and my son of taking pictures. I may do it later today and post pix, or I might wait until the broad straps get here. You are of course correct that those are quite different than the ones I really like. I have noticed though that the strap across the toe box is frequently the problem with the shoes that are too small; the broad diagonal straps avoid that issue. And they are slip-ons, which I might enjoy. So we will see when they arrive. Thanks for thinking this through with me.

rachylou

Veteran

Dress 7 is the better made, although I really like the green and white. I rather prefer the last sandals on your feet, although again I maybe like the other designs better.

Anonymous

Dress number 1, if dress 2 was altered to fit it would be harder to choose because it's also very pretty. You look lovely.

Shoes with straps that might damage the foot, or features that might prevent the wearer from walking long distances have zero appeal for me these days.

Of these, only the Geox look like they fit well and the sturdiness of the construction is a plus.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Rachylou, I’m impressed that you can see the quality difference from there. The green dress is from Coldwater Creek; the blue one is Lanz of Salzburg. What you say about the point being the shoe on my foot, not just the shoe itself, is correct, of course, but I want both—the shoes I like fitting my feet well. I want it all, baby! Btw, if Cinderella’s shoes fit her so well, how did one of them fall off?

Phoebe, what you said about the dresses on me is so sweet! I agree with you very much about the need for footwear to be comfortable. I’ve always refused to wear uncomfortable things, especially shoes. Maybe that insistence over the years has kept my feet healthy, who knows. In any event, there is nothing on any of the shoes I’m considering that I find uncomfortable, other than that the Geox feel a little clunky. But I think I could probably walk a ways in them. Depending on how things go, I might well ask my son to go on a stroll along the river near his school with me after the ceremony, about 2 km to the main road.

Marybeth, you’re the first person (I think) to comment on that detail that I like so much. I appreciate that. I’m not sure which strap looks uncomfortable, the one across the foot or running the length of it. If I can ever get the right size, I’ll have to take a good test walk inside our building to make sure they are comfortable all around. The shoe on my marked foot (that was so handy when I was learning left from right!) looked cute online, but did not impress me as well made, darn it. You are so good at picking out winners from vintage items and putting together the look you want that I’ll trust you on the dress.

Cat2, thanks for your insight. I’m keeping a short leash on these shoes until I see if any of the others work out. Hard to tell from the web if the broad straps will come off as elegant or more like bandages necessary to hold me together. On altering the dress, are you thinking I’d just need to have the straps shortened?

Irina

Veteran

Dress #2 is nice but it is too casual for a such event, IMHO. That leaves dress #1. I would style it with different shoes - pumps or better sling backs, something more refined. Strappy, flat sandals are fun but not exactly in a category of elegant shoes.
Add a nice bag.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Irina, how did I not think about a bag? Yikes! Thanks for bringing that up. Are you saying closed-toe shoes or heels? Right now the forecast for that day is warm, with the showers we’ve had for the past couple of weeks continuing up until the day before graduation. I don’t know details, but assume we will be walking through the grass, and possibly sitting in chairs set up on grass.

Part of my issue is trying to gauge just how dressy everyone else will get. I was thinking bespoke/high quality would matter more than dressy, but idk. Maybe I should do a separate post with a bunch of dresses.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the blue and white dress for the occasion, and I was thinking like Irina, that ideally it would go well with a pretty sling-back pump for this occasion. A structured ballet flat could also work (by structured, I mean not the kind that look like a glove for the foot with no soles). I actually do think the Geox sandals go with the dress, for a more casual occasion, and I would add a jean jacket or something similarly casual in that case, maybe just worn around the shoulders.

I also like the green and white dress on you, though it does seem more casual and I can't tell from the photo angle what others are seeing as a fit issue.

I really like the Geox sandals and 26-27 best, judging from the way they wrap and secure your foot. I'm looking at where the width of your foot falls with the straps; it's something I pay attention to when I buy sandals for myself. I find that a lot of styles may look good generally, but if the straps don't hit in the right place, they will not be comfortable, and they also look to me like they aren't congruent with my feet. (To me, sandals are as difficult to find as bras or bathing suits!) I think the Geox are fantastic with the shorts and jeans, and will work well with casual dresses. The pair on your right foot in 3-5 also seem a good fit on your forefoot, though the ankle strap looks loose. I think ankle strap sandals may be difficult to wear with jeans or long pants; there is the issue of whether you want to completely cover up the strap, or roll up the pants to show it. . . I usually switch to a different pair--ha!

Irina

Veteran

I don’t mean heels necessary, maybe pumps with low, square heels or almond toe flats. I think close toe shoes would be more appropriate, especially if you are going to walk on grass.
Always hard to guess dressiness of an event. Mid day, school ground - I wouldn’t wear something too evening looking or with sparkles but also not too casual.

anchie

Veteran

I like both dresses and think that both a appropriate for the occasion. I also like Geox sandals, especially with shorts and pants. I would like to see sandals in photo 22 with dresses - I think it has potential. Are you planning a topper in case it gets chilly? And what is your son going to wear?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Anchie, thanks for chiming in—I think your kids’ school is similar, although maybe a bit more upscale. I will post pictures of those sandals with dresses (including a better angle of the green one) when they arrive. Do you think this dress (with something other than the Ecco sandals) is a good option too? I never get to wear it. Toppers are another interesting question. So far, actual warm weather is scheduled for that day, but it’s too far out for the forecast to mean much. If it rains, my one option is a rain jacket that’s really sporty. I’ve just realized that we’re just over a week out—eek! I’m negotiating with my son. Fortunately, he will have a cap and gown. He thinks sweat shorts will be the order of the day. I’m trying to lure him into him to wear dress pants and shirt with the promise of filet mignon.

Irina, I’ll include a couple different shoe options in the pix I post. I just looked through 222 sling backs on Zanlando and didn’t see anything that looks like me :/ There were an awful lot of very pointy toes!

Firecracker, thanks for commenting. If the Geox can’t be dressed up, I don’t think they’re the ones for me.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Wondering now if I should/could get the d’orsays back again. They were a lot more “me” than ballerinas.

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cat2

Veteran

Hey FI, what about wedge espadrilles for the shoes? You are likely to find lots of great ones from Spain. And yes, have the shoulders of the green dress taken up so the dress top sits a bit higher.

cat2

Veteran

Hmm, how about a closed toe D’Orsay?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love the dress and sandals in #7. So pretty! Vintage dress and Geox sandals, FTW.

I like the Geox with the dress! Fashionable, hip and fresh. But you have to like it too.

You will need a topper of sorts though, for just in case. You know how the weather can turn at the drop of a hat in Europe...

Agree that the green dress needs a simple alteration. Another pretty look!

I like the sandals you've just ordered too. And which bag?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I like both pairs in photos #3-5 in terms of versatility (seems they would also work with your red trousers), but I agree on the strap fit issues.

You know I would like the green dress over the more neutral one, albeit with some shoulder alterations lol But I think the white dress seems more 'garden party' appropriate overall (I know it's actually an outdoor graduation instead, but I imagine the vibe to be similar, based on what you described). You could wear it with a different coloured topper, if you don't want to be dressed in head-to-toe white.

Sloper

Veteran

Another vote for the dress in #7. With some dressier shoes, I think.
I like the Geox of all the sandals you've been showing us, but they seem a bit too casual, given how you've described the event and attendees.

I'd define "dressier" shoes as something with a bit of heel as Irina said. Even and inch or two seems to add that bit of "lift" that makes an outfit dressier. Maybe silver?

Kate

Veteran

I really like the blue and white dress. It's a perfect fit on you. The last pair of shoes look good with the dress and attractive on your foot.

Bijou

Veteran

The Geox is my favourite of the shoes, they look comfy and a great fit and so versatile. I like dress #1 and would add colour in terms of accessories.

My son graduated from primary school and I wore a midi dress to his evening graduation party, most Mums wore something similar. I hope you enjoy the event.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Angie, thanks! I’m just starting to think about the bag & rest of the outfit. Glad you get it about the sandals & that I have to like them too—but they also have to be right. What do you think of the ones in 26 & 27 and of the ideas in these finds & pix?

Zaoebi, I think “garden party” is the best description of this event—nailed it!

Sloper, if you read Irina’s later clarification, she doesn’t necessarily mean heels, but I understand that you do.

Kate, those shoes have been at the bottom of every bracket, but they always make it to the next round & might wind up winning it all.

Cat2, interesting—espadrille wedges read as very casual to me. I’ve tried to search for d’orsay; it doesn’t seem to be a category or tag they use here (not just Yoox & Zalando—I’ve tried a couple she stores too)

Bijou, congrats to DS & best wishes for his next steps! That’s an interesting thought about a color in accessories. You are so good at finding coordinating items that don’t look twee; I hope to do as well with this outfit.

I’ve been thinking either pearl necklace & amethyst ring (metal is silver) or opal necklace & ring (metal is gold) for jewelry, but have no idea what bag to carry. The only one I have that is A) in good enough condition and B) large enough to carry my topper (& probably random things my son will shove at me last-minute) is the K Spade backpack. It is a cool red, but I’m not sure it’s cool enough. I might be shopping for a new bag (in white, cognac, or the blue in pic 8)

For the topper, I could go safe & neutral or play with color & maybe pattern. The last find is not the exact one I have; I’m not sure if mine has the ruffle. I could do the cropped chestnut suede jacket from Esprit instead. Or I might just take a scarf.

1 is the same lovely color all the way through, and measures about 1 m x 1 m. It’s a little plain on its own, but I could wear it & the suede jacket together.
2 is that big. The detail of a darker shade of purple on the last few inches makes it interesting enough to be my only topper/wrap, I think, and it goes well with the last cardi in finds (but then I might be toooooo purple)
3 is upside down. It shows half the scarf, with my size 10/41 foot added for scale. It’s at least 1 m wide x 2 m long. The dots run along the long edges. I’d drape it with the small dots on top, so they & the pink are a little scrunched up & near my face, with the blue being the main color you’d see across my back, and the big dots below that.
4 is close-up of the dress fabric.
5 shows the suede jacket and the opal necklace option (no pic of the ring)
6 is the amethyst ring.
7 is an extreme close-up to show my pearls; sorry about the pixelation.
8 is shown for the sweatshirt—wish I had an appropriate topper or bag in that color.
9 (with metallic floral boots & warm underlayer) or 10 (with suede jacket, no belt bag, and a slightly calmer black floral pattern on the tights) are what I’m thinking of if it turns colder.

I hope this outfit can be another “maximalism for minimalists” win, with connections and repetitions that let the eye rest while also keeping things lively. Thanks for all the insights and comments!

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Sloper

Veteran

Yes, I read both of Irina's comments and was agreeing with what she said about a "low square heel."

I think a large scarf (1 or 2) or something like the light pink cardigan or white draped topper in your finds would be nice as a cover-up.

Irina

Veteran

Yes to scarves 1 or 2 but must be tried with the dress. If you can manage to find a bag close to one of the scarves or white that would work. Like: blush shoes plus blush scarf #2 plus white bag.the dress is in a soft color with soft print. Stronger colors might overwhelm it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the sandals in #26 and 27. Are they comfy? Strap not too tight around the ankle?

As for topper ideas for the vintage dress, you need a short jacket, ideally. I'm thinking your suede one is the closest. Maybe try the pink cardigan too. The scarves are pretty, but won't keep you warm as a wrap.

#10 and the way you're thinking about dressing if it turns colder sounds good too

Minaminu

Veteran

I think the white dress is a winner for that occasion and agree with Irina to keep it simple, it would be a lovely outfit with some blush footwear, bag and scarf. I would even avoid jewelry or trendy pieces as it can look dated in a couple of years when you will look back at the pictures of that special day.

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