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The Special Occasion Capsule: What's in Yours?

Joy

Veteran

Going through my closet trying to edit wisely, one area always gets passed over because I don't know what to do...the Special Occasion Capsule. By that, I mean things to wear to a dressy event..a formal wedding, a ball or gala...fancy dress. Shopping for this area is almost as bad as shopping for a swimsuit. Past experience has taught me to be at least partly prepared. Events like this are very rare for me but can come up suddenly. DH tends to mention invites at the last minute, probably because he doesn't care for them.
I want to have something that looks great on me for every season but, because these events are rare, I'd rather not spend much money on something I will only wear once or twice.
What is your strategy for these things? I need to edit and don't know where to start.

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from Nebraskim

catgirl

Veteran

Funny you should ask because I am revisiting mine in light of several upcoming events. Will get back to you!

Staysfit

Veteran

I have several great dresses for summer/spring events. I think most of my formal and fancy events have been this time of year in the form of graduations, weddings and events having to do with my husbands work place. I'm out of luck for cool weather events and will have to go shopping. I am not going to plan ahead because I don't want to shell out a lot of money for something I may never wear, or may wear only 1 or 2 times. In a pinch I have a DVF Linda sweater wrap dress in a solid color that I can dress up with great shoes and jewelry. If the event requires a gown, I've thought about purchasing a long skirt and using one of my nice blouses. I have a shiny coral/copper metalic shirt that would look great with a long skirt. I wear it with wool slacks for holiday parties.

Runcarla

Veteran

Ah! Working on this one with Christmas and the winter theatre/concert/ballet season approaching. The backbone is an LBD and Channelesque jacket with some bling and some black ponte trousers.

I want to add a lace skirt, sequined or satin tank top and a tuxedo a la YSL 'Le Smoking'.

For me it is about black, and maybe bronze and gold. Winter white and silver would be devine on you!

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Anonymous

Even when we have special occasions (and they are rare), they tend to be not super dressy. So I keep a small capsule: red dress, grey sequin tank, black velvet skinny jeans and two pair of stiletto pumps (one leopard, one black patent). Usually I can mix these items with my regular clothes to come up with something appropriate.

Edited to add: typically the "regular" clothes used as mixers are dark denim, black fitted blazer, black ankle pants, etc.

abc

Veteran

I have a couple of dresses that are both work and special occasion appropriate. So I don't have an exclusive capsule.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I was just thinking about this because a few sad years back I found I didn't have anything appropriate for a funeral. I made sure to cover that gap! And in both seasons, because you don't wear to wear silk in winter or wool in summer, but if you have both you can add scarves or remove layers to match the day.

I think I have
- One black cashmere dress
- One black silk dress
- One black sleeveless cocktail dress
- One orange deconstructed sleeveless cocktail dress
- One heavier silk summer pantsuit
- One gray silk short-sleeved dress
- One gray silk layered sleeveless dress
- Some interesting tunics that can be a dress if I'm feeling sexy
- Some interesting flowy skirts to be worn with sparkly tanks
- Various black pants, shoes and boots

Between all of these I feel *fairly* covered, although if the Queen calls for tea I might have a problem.

SandyG

Veteran

This one is hard .. and my DH does the same last minute planning too. I try to pick up something appropriate for hot weather and cold weather events whenever I happen upon them in consignment or thrift shops.

'Real' shopping trips under pressure usually don't work well for me because I'm a tricky petite size and it's a wreck trying to find shoes, bag, accessories AND dress. Easier to have a couple of these already squirreled away. And I can consign them later. Angie's posts have really been useful in helping me plan ahead so I can recognize the merit of a dress I'm glancing at.

Aida

Veteran

Good question Joy! This area is very lacking for me as well. For a while there I tried to get some things but it always felt off... until I realized that I have a very different persona for special occasion wear (more bombshell). And that I value FAR more highly what hubby thinks of what I'm wearing in those cases wheras for my normal stuff I just be me without much regard to his tastes In large part because he's going to be with me for nearly all special occasions that come up.

I'm still working on getting the capsule together though. For "normal dressy" I can cobble together something from my existing wardrobe, but I would really like to get more properly dressy pieces in place. Last season at the end of holiday sales I tried on a multitude of sequined blazers but nothing was quite right. The current pieces I have are a black chiffon skirt, ivory sequin cardigan, eggplant sheath.... That's about it. This season I have just a few things on my list in hopes of just starting small: a lace cropped jacket (I think I found one), a shiny blouse, fancier sheer black hose, and a cropped sequined blazer/jacket. Maybe a little white tuxedo jacket, but probably not as hubby isn't particularly fond of blazers. Already feeling frazzled about this ><

ETA: Totally set on shoes though, since I'm attracted to pretty Barbie shoes

always trying

Veteran

As much as some do not find an LBD necessaary. for me it really does work best. i purchased one with elbow sleeves last year. In my warmer climate it is pefect. in summer it goes alone, with dressy glittery jewelry, strappy sandals etc. I even have a white glittery lacy cardi I can wear over it for chilly evenings or cold AC. this works for the semi formal ocasions. For things like autumn, spring, funeral etc. I wear a neutral blazer, pumps, plain leqther bags, and can even add colors in acessories. For winter i have a white fake fur jacket, a shiny tapestry jacket, and velvet jacket. I also have seperates like a glitery top, sparkley sweater, dressy pants, and a shimmery pencil skirt, a silk crepe long skirt, a sequin top, a gold lame tank, and long cardi, and a long black skirt. Usually I can find something for any ocasion that is more dressy.

I find Stein Mart a good place to find seperate pieces to build a capsule without spending too much, also sometimes Macys. The only item I did splurge on is the long silk crepe skirt, but it was worth it.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I wish I had dressy special occasions but I don't In a pinch I can do a black sheath, silver pumps, tuxedo jacket and black trousers, white shirt...that's about it!
Sometimes I think that maybe if I had clothes for dressy special occasions they may actually happen so maybe I need to start working on this capsule...:-)

Style Fan

Veteran

I remember a post asking about what to wear to a wedding and how much to spend. A few of us had a formal capsule. I have collected some pieces over the years. My clutches tend to last a long time because they don't go out of style. Here it goes:

Dark blue/almost black bubble skirt made of shiny fabric. I am not describing this very well. It is very flattering on my pear body. Good for weddings in cold weather. I bought it for my DHs 60th birthday party. That was 6 years ago. Both are still looking good.

Brown and cream giraffe print silk flare skirt. Tends to be shorter than above skirt. Good for summer and spring weddings, etc. I bought it for a wedding 5 years ago. Wore it this summer.

Lime green/grass green dress with zipper. The skirt is a bubble and the top is tight. I bought for my step son's wedding. I hope to wear again soon.

An animal print wrap halter dress. Very sexy. Has to be the right occasion.

Cream top for above skirts.

Black pumps from my wedding (10 years ago)

Bronze sandals

Several wraps

Black velvet blazer

Red pumps

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Mine is kind of weird and disjointed and all over the place. Seriously, am I ever going to need my gown for another Inaugural ball? But darn if I'm giving that thing away. And I have a beaded cocktail dress that would work for very dressy/formal occasions. But when it comes to the next level of dressiness down, that's where I struggle a bit. It always seems a challenge to hit the right tone for the event -- on one end of the spectrum are corporate dressy for one of my husband's charity dinners we (infrequently) attend, and on the other are artsy gala things which call for something edgier and more festive. Separates really rarely seem to cut it for those kinds of events, and dresses are so hard to find, especially when it comes to a good fit and flattery. Oh, and then there's the issue of season. What works for an event in January will not work for an event in July.

But even though I'm moaning and groaning about this, I wish I had more occasions to dress up! Even the weddings we've been invited to in recent years are becoming more eclectic and less dressy.

Thistle

Veteran

Mine is pretty small. I usually have one holiday party per year to attend, maybe two, and it's not gala level.

I have a black lace pencil skirt, a black cashmere sweater, a black beaded sweater, and a black cardi with beads and sequins that is meant to be paired overtop of something or else as the sequins can be too itchy. If need be, I can swap in a regular black pencil skirt as well.

I then add some festive jewelry I have collected. None of it was expensive - mostly Target purchases and the like. Enough to add some sparkle or a pop of color, and fine for the few times a year I wear it.

For shoes, I have black smoking slippers that are super comfy. Would love to find a pair of low heeled pointed toed shoes, but none have worked yet for my fussy feet.

Joy

Veteran

Una, I can't wait to see what you come up with. You may be able to wear it with your sister on the red carpet.
Staysfit, I like the idea of separates ( skirts and fancy blouses). I have mostly fancy skirts.
Runcarla, I love the idea of white and silver. It would be a nice change from black, which tends to be my fall back option.
Henley, I have a great LBD, navy sheath, nice black pants, but can't wear high heels and don't have the figure or youth for showing much skin, which makes this so much harder. A low neckline just reveals what is lacking. I'd love to adapt regular clothing.
Abc, I can do business dress, most weddings and parties, but it's the stuff that is a step up that is a problem. What do you wear for a formal evening wedding or winter ball? Can you adapt what you have?
Iron curtain, you have a fabulous wardrobe that sounds like it covers everything. How did you get there?
SandyG, I have also picked up some things at consignment and thrift shops. Those are the things I am looking at because several have never been worn. I have a full length black skirt covered with black shiny beads, a long lightweight black wool skirt, a couple of floaty silk full length skirts, and a lovely AT long black velvet skirt. What I haven't found are tops or great jackets.
Aida, you nailed a big part of the problem. I want to be wearing something that DH likes and he likes something that shows my legs...not a long skirt or pants. He is not that fond of blazers either. I also don't look good in velvet or shiny fabrics, especially black or jewel tones. I like the idea of sheer black hose, your ivory sequined cardigan, a black chiffon shirt and lace anything.

Aida

Veteran

Joy, yesss my hubby is the same: he likes it when I wear shorter skirts, so that's what I'm trying to do with my capsule. And omg, pants? Unless they're super skinny I can't imagine wearing pants to any event with him I don't want too much black in mine, either. I am trying to focus on getting a lot of cream, silver/gold/metallic, and black accents.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Very little. I don't have many special occasions to go to. I do have a pair of silver heels. Really I should have gold, because I prefer gold jewelry. clothes wise, I usually I will just buy something last minute if a need arises. And then a couple of years will pass, it will become unsuitable, get donated, and I will buy something else.

Joy

Veteran

Always trying, your dress sounds perfect and versatile. What is the fabric. You have done a good job of pulling things together. SteinMart is a good idea.
Sveta, you look stunning in everything. Your attention to fit and detail is something I need to emulate.
Style fan, thank you for your great list. A silhouette out of the ordinary like your bubble skirt sounds like a wonderful idea and something to watch for.
Janet, I can imagine that the festive arty dress is a rare find. I also find that weddings and such have gotten more casual but I sometimes still feel like the most informally dressed at some events...or worse, frumpy.
Thistle, it sounds like you have your bases covered. I need to think about jewelry.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I've purged most of mine. The only things I've kept are:

a tuxedo jacket & pants in black (would love to find one in my blue)
some really dressy silk tops to go with the suit
a couple of silk dresses that can be dressed up for really warm weather, as most of our parties/weddings etc. seem to be in high summer
A velvet evening coat, which I need to post to see if fabbers think it is dated

I also have a skirt suit & jackets that can go pretty dressy depending on how I style them.

Joy

Veteran

Aida, you will look amazing in cream, gold/silver/metallic with black accents. Do you mind if I steal your plan?
Ummlila, I know what you mean. I can never find what I really want when doing forced shopping. I try for timeless classics but then don't really love what I find. I have managed to find very dressy SW low heels in both metallic silver and gold but have nothing in black. I'm at the point now looking at my other pieces and thinking of donating and looking for something else.
Caro, your capsule sound well thought out. I wonder if a dressy skirt suit would be dressy enough. Hmmm, maybe in silk and with an interesting silhouette.

jackiec

Veteran

Good topic, Joy. I'm doing ok in the formal capsule. I amuse admit I've been slowly working on it. We do have a fancy gala event for the boys' school every fall, so I tend to get something for that either every year or second year. Couple that with a wedding or two in the alternate years, I've been able to put together one or two warm weather looks, and a couple more wintery looks. Admittedly, I tend to just hit up The Bay in the weeks leading up to an event, and I usually hit a sale. I try on about 15 things and tend to walk away with some sort of sheath style dress. This year I was so excited to add a more drapey AllSaints dress to the mix. I'm already planning to wear it this weekend, and to the next gala. DH's work always has a holiday dinner which is less formal. I now have some slim black dressy ankle pants, a couple of black pencil skirts, a few dressy shells, and heels in black & nude that work across the board. Jewellery-wise I have nice delicate stuff, but I've also been building a collection of statement costumey pieces that work with my dressy capsule. Sometimes a simple sheath needs a big bit of bling, depending on the occasion, and I'm finally getting there for that look. Goodness knows I get invited to, and host, a few jewellery parties each year as a favour to friends, so I try to be smart and buy things that will work with my fancy stuff so I'm not stuck at the last minute.

MsLuna

Veteran

Gosh.... Special occasions are tricky for me. I've been a frock girl in the past but I could never found one that truly flattered. I defaulted to sheath dresses but never felt fab in them. I always purchased something completely new for the occasion and I need to stop!

With the 12 lb weight loss though, I noticed I've been looking better in shift dresses. Legs and waist surrendering seem to be the way to go for me. I'll be looking into special occasion shifts!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

My dressy capsule is mostly black, it seems. I would be woefully unprepared for a wedding. They seem to be a rare event for me, though. I've been to four weddings in my life, outside of my own, and in two of those I was wearing a bride's maid dress. Come to think of it, both of those were for the same friend. Hilarious? (She used to say of me, "This is Sharan. She's in all my weddings.")

Anyway, I digress. My (somewhat) dressy, mostly black capsule:
-black arty taffeta-like tent dress with dramatic wired face-framing collar
-crinkly silk tunic with ice-like beading at the neckline (Komarov), to wear with skinny pants or perhaps over a long-ish skirt
-black satin-back crepe shift dress with sheer mesh sleeves, yet to be worn (made by me)
-black and gold print ruffled body-con sleeveless dress
-2 silver tanks/shells (but what to layer them under??)
-black& silver lace-knit shrug
-black cocoon shrug in textured knit fabric
-black ballet shrug in plain knit fabric
-black knit harem pants
-large pewter clutch
-smaller silver bag with chain detail
-black short sweater dress with ruffled button placket
-long black coat with hood
-black and red reversible silk shawl with appliqued silk butterflies
-2 pairs black pumps
-2 long black dresses; who knows if they still fit or are remotely in style (why do I keep them??)

I think I'm set for funerals in any season.

I'm thinking of making a sequined shrug.

I don't have much occasion for dressy clothes, and I'd be hard pressed to put something together for a formal event, unless the long dresses are actually something I'd still wear.

I love Caro's solution of a tuxedo. How elegant!

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Elly

Veteran

I will start this off with complete honesty -- I don't think that there is such a thing as "underdressed" on a social level in southwestern Colorado. The last three weddings I've been two have been "jeans optional".

For summer I have 2 blue, green, white and black print dresses I like to wear to weddings and semi-formal things with black suede open toe wedges. For the fancier stuff, I have a black chiffon and satin tuxedo style halter dress (but no shoes for it).

For winter I wear my black pencil shirt with a black top for a two piece dress look and toss on a leather jacket. Texture, self-pattern pieces, shine, etc. go a long way.

To me it sounds like you need to take yourself shopping for a fab dress for each season and call it good! boatneck and scoop back would both be stunners!

Dee

Veteran

I don't have many fully formal events (galas, balls, etc) but for weddings, parties and the like I have:
1) black peplum sheath dress
2) blue chiffon tiered dress, reminds me of a flapper dress
3) eggplant sheath

And one recent purchase of a fairly body-con lace dress wth sleeves and a low back from banana republic. It was definitely a purchase for my fantasy life...

What I really need is a blazer or tuxedo jacket to wear over them. I used to have a black velvet jacket and cream tuxedo jacket but both got purged after weight loss a couple of years ago and never replaced.

Diana

Veteran

I have more formal wear than most but I seem to go to more events than most too. (5 weddings since May!) I have:
Dresses - more classic style LBD, arty allsaints lace wrap LBD, gold stretch draped sheath, pink stretch draped sheath ( the Vera Wang dress), coral chiffon high-low dress, silky black/pink floral dress. Plus a couple of other dresses with some issues, like the super wrinkly blue vintage dress.
Shoes - the hardest for me, I have 2 prs Naturalizer Prissy strappy sandals in silver and black, and Bruno magli pointy kitten heels. Plus a pair of uncomfortable nude peep toes that I should probably purge. In winter sometimes I wear my almond toe booties as well.
Toppers - these all work in my regular wardrobe too. Most often I wear my shrunken Nanette lepore black blazer or my b/w bellatrix jacket.
Purses - floppy gold clutch, floppy blue/silver sequin clutch, flat red clutch, small black patent handbag.
Other - the British wedding hat!!!! Some handknit lace wraps and shawls. A big silver ball skirt that I've only had occasion to wear twice in almost 15 years, but I keep it anyway because it's awesome.
And a bunch of jewelry I've amassed over the years.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If it's a gala you are talking about where truly formal wear is required (i.e. a long gown) I don't have anything and would have to go shopping. I did have a thrifted skirt (still in my donate bag, come to think of it) but honestly, the waist was snug when I bought it, almost an inch ago.. And I only wore it to one costume party. So I think it's safe to let it go.

In my special occasion capsule I have:

Sleeveless bright navy sheath dress, quite body con. (Nicole Miller, like Angie's). Bought on super sale at Nordstrom's. $150 approx. This is what passes for a sexy dress on me. Shows arms, is knee length. snug.
David Meister sleeved soft navy sheath. Not as body con or "sexy", a bit more conservative, not quite as dressy as #1; can be dressed down a bit. Also purchased on super sale at Nordstrom's. Approx. $150.
Sleeveless Kamalikulture black & cream bottle bottoms ruched sheath. Not as dressy as #1; packs well; can be dressed down and de-bombshelled. (Purchased on sale for about $50.)
Sparkly brocade multicoloured shell top -- thrifted.
Halogen striped skirt. Crosses over with less dressy wear.
Black jacquard kimono jacket, vintage Biba, bought on consignment.
Black short tuxedo style jacket with reverse lapels.
Navy tuxedo jacket. (But no pants to go with).

Okala ankle straps. Burgundy patent pumps. Gold sling backs.

Several inherited clutches -- silver, gold, pearl, black.

It's not perfect, and not completely functional. (I could used some bottoms for the brocade shell and some tops for the striped Halogen if I want to wear them to "straight" dressy events vs. arty events where I'll pair the brocade top with jeans and the striped full skirt with a pullover). But I find I can do most of my (admittedly few) formal events in one of these.

The sleeveless sheath takes me to: fancy dinner out; spring/ summer/ early fall theatre outings or opera (with topper for cooler temps); awards banquet; cocktail party.

The sleeved sheath takes (or could take) me to: winter wedding; winter memorial or funeral; winter dinner out; or, in the unlikely event that I'd need to do this, some sort of corporate/ businessy party.

The Kamalikulture sleeveless travels well and takes me to: work parties/ dinners out of town (with topper if needed); cocktail party; date night. With topper it has also taken me to a memorial.

Brocade top can be paired with a black pencil skirt for dinner out. Usually paired with denim for an "arty" dressed up look. Add the tux jacket.

Halogen skirt: Could take me to a holiday party, birthday party, dinner out.

This is long winded. If you need to edit, I would make a list of the types of events you've actually had in the past couple of years, and those you can anticipate. Then consider probable weather conditions. And go from there.

I think my "perfect" capsule for special occasion would include (in addition to what I have mentioned there, or upgrades to same) --

One long skirt and/ or gown
One sequinned shell
One lace pencil skirt
One organza or similar blouse
One tuxedo suit.

Oh - a couple of options for you to look at....different levels of dressiness and I deliberately kept them long and kept the super expensive ones out of this. There were some beautiful Tadashi ones, too.

Maggy London Back Bow Lace Sheath Dress

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1

Black Swan Bow Back Lace Body-Con Midi Dress

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Maggy London Print Jersey Sheath Dress

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4

Eliza J Lace & Velvet Sheath Dress

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Maggy London Metallic Jacquard Midi Sheath Dress (Regular & Petite)

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Jeanie

Veteran

Great topic....you are reminding me that I am lacking in this area and am supposed to be working on this. Last time one of these events came up, I was scrambling to put something together. I have a long gray fluted skirt with a high slit in front and a black a line skirt with some sheen but I need topper for these and would love to find the right long sleeve knit topper so I can keep it to 2 pieces.

Anonymous

Very little in mine as I rarely go to 'special occasions' so it consists of :

1 black lace skirt

1 pair slim black ankle pants

1 pair black ankle strap shoes

1 gold sweater

1 coral pink silky blouse

Not much else I can think of. I am more prepared for slightly casual dressy 'do's', so no cocktail dresses for me.

Jjsloane

Veteran

With my addiction to bling and sparkle I have quite a bit of dressy (not necessarily formal) separates and accessories. I rarely have occasion to wear them since they've done away with company holiday parties and my friends are all married. In my 20's and 30's I had a wide array of Ann Taylor cocktail dresses that got a lot of wear. I keep an eye out at the sale rack wherever I go in case there is a gem there to have "just in case". I have some vintage cashmere and velvet coats and a cape and beaded handbags I keep for special wear, but don't really consider that I have (or need) a capsule. I would probably be so happy to have a reason to get a new dressy dress I'd shop like a maniac.

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