Once again, apologies for hogging the forum. This is the last one for today, I promise!

And it may be moot, because given the love for my new sheath dress, maybe I should wear that and be done with it! It would certainly be the easier option, even if new footwear is required.

Anyway. Thanks for all your expert help with the fuchsia suit and the footwear for my occasion.

Alas, the battle is not yet over, for I still need a top to wear with said suit -- unless I am to go topless.

Several of you have already offered suggestions, for which I thank you. I have followed up on some. Others were unworkable because the item wasn't available in my size, wasn't available in Canada (or couldn't be obtained quickly enough) or wasn't the right style for me. I don't wear scoops or wide or deep Vs or deep cowls; I know some of you asked me to show a little skin, but honestly, Angie will back me up on this. It's not really a question of modesty (though I am relatively modest).

It's more out of figure flattery concerns. The neckline that would look elegant and pretty on someone more generously endowed or with a shorter neck and/ or longer hair looks distinctly unappealing on me -- particularly as I age. I don't want to make people think about cadavers instead of caviar as we sip the champagne, if you get my drift.

Let me share with you what I've done, discovered, and attempted thus far. Please note, pants are not yet altered in these photos (or IRL, either!) But I am hiking them up a bit in some pics.

Brick and mortar: Exhausted all options in home city including consignment. Found nothing.

Spent 1.5 hours power shopping at Yorkdale and hit all the usual suspects. Tried on numerous shells of various kinds -- none fit properly.

Online:

The Bay, RW&Co, AllSaints, Le Chateau: Strike out.


Inge suggested that one and I'd already ordered it beforehand. But alas…it is terribly itchy, shows my bra straps, and hangs too low with its high low hem in the back. I couldn't even bear to wear it long enough to take a photo!! Back it goes.


Pic #1 says it all.

There is another Zara top I liked but which is not yet available.

Ditto for J. Crew, where this looked promising but won't ship until too late: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../38396.jsp

Club Monaco:

Pic #2, 3, 4.

Hubby liked this one, but he has not seen the rather astronomical price tag for what is essentially a T shirt. Having said that, it's a very comfy T shirt and I quite enjoyed wearing it for my various try-ons with shorts, etc.



Pics #5- 10

This one is a sort of camo print with sequins. Absolutely gorgeous diaphonous thing. But -- needs a cami. If worn without a jacket, the cami shows from the side, which seems sort of tacky. Also, it is very expensive.



I've also ordered this AT silk shell. http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/c.....rodId=2902

A kind YLF friend offered to get it for me and forward so I don't have the astronomical shipping fee. My hesitation with this generally well-reviewed top is that a few people say it runs big. In which case it may not fit. In fact, not a single AT shell fit me properly the other day and I tried on many in smaller sizes than the one that is on my way. So I really have my doubts. Others say it is very sheer; also not fab. It's possible that if it arrives in time I could have it altered.


Banana Republic: What I may order. http://bananarepublic.gapcanad.....=558278003 (Maybe too sweet?)

I also found a couple of potential options online at Mango. What is their quality like? Anybody know?

On the other hand, I could stop searching for now, and simply go with the dress. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome, and again, thanks for reading this far!


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