Upcoming formal event: need validation

We have our biggest, most fanciest formal event coming up this Friday. The weather has thrown a wrench in my original plan to wear a dress. I cannot wrap my head around doing so with all this snow we have on the ground right now, and with how cold it is...

My plan B is to wear a pants suit instead!!! Please validate my decision and tell me I'm not just being practical but I will look perfectly fashionable. Because I have zero time to shop between now and then... so whatever I wear, has to be in my closet... I should add that though this is the most formal event we go to all year (women do wear full length gowns), it's also perfectly fine to wear something artsy/irreverent too -- call it "creative formal."

The outfit (no pic but use your imagination):

- AT Tuxedo jacket
- black velvet high-rise leggings.. yes, leggings-as-pants, but trust me, they look just fine... because they are not skin tight.
- white silk scoop neck shell, probably worn tucked in; I could leave it untucked. It is tunic length. When I tried it tucked in, I rather liked it with the high rise leggings... nearly gives a "cummerbund" effect...
- long strand of double wrapped pearls
- giraffe pointy-toe pumps (will wear snow boots to get there, and change into the pumps)
- black & gold-studded box clutch

I did a "test run" and I thought it looked good...

Here's the thing: DH wants to wear his kilt. So he'll be in a skirt, and I'll be in pants... what do you think???

10 years ago

shiny

Veteran

... hmmm... instead of pearls, I could put one of DH's bow ties around my neck? But that might be too kitschy?

Suz

(website)

I think it sounds fun and can't wait to see the pics. As for the tie -- try it and see!

Kimberley

I think it sounds great, Shiny...not sure about the tie, but you'll know when you try it. Have fun!

Missey

I think the planned outfit sounds stunning! Can't wait to see it!

texstyle

It sounds like a great plan to me - no worries about the kilt on DH and you in the tux/pants, it's perfectly fine!

This may also be the last time we make it out the door for a week... ha... we're getting another Nor'Easter... possibly another foot+... yikes!

Inspired tux pants suit was my last outfit for a more formal affair. So I vote yes. And if you're uncomfortable with your decision mid way through the event you can always put on your husband's skirt.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I like the idea overall but would skip the tie ... I think you want it to be as feminine as possible for a le smoking hot look.

unfrumped

What UmmLila said. Or mainly I would do what looks super-flattering and killer, so for some reason I suspect the tie would be less so. I think pearl or sparkly lady-jewelry, pumps and clutch are things that allay any of your worries about a pants-type outfit.

I have had several posts moaning about formal wear and trying to create a pants look, or even a dress look, for sporadic events without going crazy by not having enough dressy things hanging unworn for months or years and worrying about things that really don't matter (like ultimately, who cares?!) Your outfit sounds very appropriate and certainly not inappropriate, and I'd go and have a smashing time. Maybe others will be smart like you, or envious!

Ariadne

I love the sound of the pants outfit. You will be stunning. I have to say I also love it a hundred times more BECAUSE your DH will be in a kilt. I'm all about pushing back against gender normativity, so I get a huge kick out of that image. YMMV, of course! I'm sure you'll look gorgeous no matter what, shiny. You always do.

Caro in Oz

Well you know I'll love the pants outfit - we need photos Please.

rute

Love the new plan! a suit is always chic

SW Ann

I would definitely go with the pants outfit--it sounds gorgeous and can't wait to see....

Sveta

It sounds good but "leggings" part gives me pause. I know you said they are not skin tight but stilll...I am also not sure about tucking into the leggings even if they are not very tight. I guess I need to see the outfit.

Do you have a pair of cigarette pants to try with this outfit as well? Because I like the idea of le smoking very much...it is just leggings part I am not sure about...

Deborah

Shiny, your outfit sounds wonderful? Right up my ally and I love the idea of you being somewhat non conformist in what may be a sea of long gowns. I attended a function some years back and there was one woman in a fabulous pants suit while the rest of us were in long dresses....she looked amazing, elegant and interesting.

Nope, Sveta, I don't... partly because I've gained weight AND also pants just fit me so goofy. Pants are THE hardest item to fit. (Okay, skirts are even worse).

I've got quite narrow hips, and pretty much go straight down from waist to hip, so lower rises slide right off. (all the belts in the world make no difference). I don't have outer thighs at all - just bone -- so I do not fill out pants in the hip very well and often wind up with excess bunchy fabric there, and also it means the pants fall funny from the hip down. Then my thighs turn inward in a wonky way because I was born pigeon toed, which makes crotch fit in tailored pants a challenge and despite being 5'0 means I need a regular, not petite. Which then throws off the scale everywhere else. My rear is pretty flat so anything with a back rise that's much longer than the front rise causes terrible sagging and "diaper pants" look. Perhaps my saving grace is that my calves and ankles are "average" which in a regular size pant means they are narrow. Okay and of course did I mention I'm just 5'0? So, length... Seriously, I am built like a boy... men's pants would work best on me, but for the height factor... hmm, maybe I should invest in boy's size 12 tuxedo pants? Put that on the list for next year!

Then on top of that when I gain weight I gain it in my mid section... meaning just a few pounds and POOF! I can't zip up the pants, even if they fit everywhere else.... size up and then they are too big and baggy everywhere else.

I mean okay I do have pants in my closet, so I can obviously find pants. Just not the type you are talking about. And not within the next 3 hours, for sure! The Jcrew Maddie's I just rec'd would totally work -- but they need to be hemmed.

But no worries... I would not wear them out of the house if I thought for a second that I looked indecent. I did a test run - I thought it worked just fine. If I have any doubts later, I'll keep the top untucked....

Oh boy - it does sound like you have a hard time with pants!
As I said without seeing the outfit I may be just reacting to the word "leggings: so you can easily ignore it if you think they look good.
Anyway I think you are getting out now - I am sure you are looking great in what you decided to wear. Keep your head high and have a great time (and please snap a picture for us when you are back).

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