Oh I love the final outfit, Astrid! The skirt looks perfectly elegant and swishy, and I love how it pairs with the top. And you're right, these separates will be much more versatile than a dress too. Hooray for H&M!

Thanks Diana! I haven't shopped at H&M for ages, but this really shows that you should leave no retail stone unturned. All in all this outfit was now 45€, if you leave the shoes off that I had for ages.

Oh this is positively GORGEOUS on you Astrid! Love it all! It's appropriate for the occasion, extremely flattering and still looks like "you". Well done

Thanks Shannon! It certainly took some doing, but all good things come to those who wait I guess.

You look stunning, Astrid. And, even better, happy in your outfit

Thanks so much, Gaylene! And thanks for reminding me of what's important. I was getting all worked up because of this.

I really like the final outfit. Inspired! You look lovely in it. Have a great time wearing it.

Thanks Marie.

Oh my goodness, a happy ending. LOVE this on you! And love that you did not have to spend a lot. The skirt will come in handy in the future if you ever get a similar invitation, or maybe you can find other ways to wear it, and the top fits perfectly and looks so pretty on you -- like the dress you got for the wedding. Congratulations, and enjoy yourself!

Hooray for fast fashion (for once!), hooray for Jurocha for helping with the shopping, and hurray for your own shopping intelligence in picking up that top when you found it.

I haven't seen your earlier threads, but I love this outfit for you! The hose really dress it up and you look marvelous.

I am glad I could help - and super flattered that 1. you went to the shop to check it out and 2. that it worked out so well! I wish you hv fun at the event; of course you will - silly me! - looking that AWESOME how can you not?! :-*

Ah, and I forgive you for favoring shopping in the neighbourhood rather than going for a run. You know, we need to support local business... (even if they are only local in their location/position in relation to our own houses. Hehehe)

Another "Ah", a.k.a the bag issue. A black clutch will already do, but if you hv any small wallet/clutch in one of the red tones of the top would be awesome!

This is fantastic Astrid! It's so great when you can SYC and come out looking so stunning.

This turned out to be a beautiful outfit on you, Astrid. The shoes are cute with it too. You have lots of choices for a clutch. Black would be easy, I think. Purple would be fun.

This is amazing! So appropriate for your event, and so 'you'. You must wear this top more, and the skirt will be a great go-to item for years to come.

Well done! Now do a red lip, and go have fun at your event.

Magnificent! Formal yet lighthearted! You look ready to have fun, which IS the important thing on this occasion.

bag... I vote red, purple, or green

Brilliant!
If you have a small black clutch already that would work. If you're going shopping take the top with you. You have lots of options but by having the top to look at, something may jump out at you. I would aim for something small and elegant. Among reasonably priced small clutches sometimes one will " read" more refined than another, have better fasteners, and take some wear better( especially in fabrics) so I'd go that way and be open to those features and not just which pops more.

Such a perfect solution. This is youthful, vibrant, but definitely "special occasion." I'm so happy to see it and think of how you'll wow everyone at "the ball."

I am happy and relieved for you Astrid!

Thank you all!

I don't have a clutch I could use yet, so I'm going to go and have a look what's available. I think I'll try to find something that picks up one of the colors in the top. And there's always black if that's too difficult to find.

Thought I'd show you the clutch I got. I searched for something in one of the colors, but unfortunately everything pink, purple or red was also really embellished and whatnot. And I thought black is going to be useful with more future outfits besides.

Lovely, Astrid! You will have that one forever.

Great choice on the clutch too. Have a wonderful time!

Perfect choice of clutch! Lovely.