Wedding guest attire when I don't want to buy another dress?

A good friend's son is getting married in late August in a mid morning ceremony. I don't really want to buy another summer dress because I don't have any other 'occasions' coming up. I have plenty of summer dresses - just not a dressy one that isn't black.

My original thought was a new jacket, which is in this thread.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....or-wedding
To be on the safe side, being cream lace, I have decided not to wear this.

Options currently in my closet are:
1. A pink Halogen pencil skirt - but what kind of topper? Crisp white blouse styled similarly to Angie's latest outfit post? Silky or fluid blouse in a gray or floral? A jacket with a blouse? Or maybe this is just too casual.
2. A black Talbot's sheath dress with a shallow V neck. A different, less body con dress than in the photo. Style with a colorful necklace, bracelet and topper to summerize it? I was thinking of wearing this bracelet in photo #2.
3. The same body con dress in the photo also styled with color.
4. Maybe this dress in photo #3 from Dobbin? With the sleeves and fabrication it could be worn into cooler weather but I'm not sure about the color for wear down the road. The color would be nice for the wedding but if the weather is blazing hot the sleeves might be too much. Then again, ceremony and reception are indoors.

I've been driving myself nuts looking and looking. Any suggestions on how I could make any of these work? Though by the time I put money into a jacket or necklace I could probably find a decently priced dress.

Thanks for any suggestion you might offer!

11 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think most of your options will work - the only one I would shy away from is the skirt with the crisp white button down - maybe not dressy enough. The skirt with a silky or fluid blouse, especially in a floral print, would be dressy and pretty for a summer mid-day wedding. The black dress would probably be OK, but I'm not crazy about wearing black for weddings, especially not summer weddings. The Dobbin dress would be very nice also, as would a floral dress. For weddings, I prefer dresses or dressy skirts.

lyn*

I think a black dress would be okay if you have light accessories - I have a mind's eye image of Carole Middleton wearing a black dress with a light hat, and a light obi belt, but I could just be imagining things ... which happens.

pil

@Karie, I thought the white shirt might me too casual too. I'm just having a heck of a time finding a blouse. I was thinking of the blouse jacket route would offer more versatility down the road than another dress. Though dresses really are more comfortable than a skirt. So how much sense does it make for me to link to a dress when I say I don't want to buy one

@lyn*, I googled Carole Middleton black dress and the only pictures that came up were of Kate! I did find this one when I deleted the black dress part.
http://www.stylebistro.com/The.....+Middleton
Of course my dress is nothing similar.

Kristin L

I'm not sure how hot it will be where your friend's son will be getting married, but I'd be worried that the dress and jacket may be too warm. I like lyn*'s idea of the black dress and a light hat and belt. Or could you put a wear a very lightweight jacket over the dress?

Zibbets

What about a wrap blouse kind of like this one (with or without the sash tied in a big bow) to go with your pink pencil skirt?

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dustt

I like Zibbets' Idea of a pretty white wrap blouse with the pink pencil!!!!

@K, the weather around here can be so up and down. We went to a wedding in October last year on a delightfully warm day. It rained that evening and was in the 50's the next day. So yes, I would be looking at a lightweight jacket.

@Zibbets and dustt, I do like that blouse! It is just a matter of finding something that works with my next to non existent waist.

that's the beauty of those wrap blouses - I have no waist either - it makes me look like I have one!!

texstyle

I really like the idea of the pink pencil with a pretty blouse - white or maybe navy would work? The one Zibbets posted looks really pretty. Do you have any silk tops in your current wardrobe that might work with the pink skirt?

Texstyle, nothing in my closet currently that works. The one satin blouse I have is too snug.

If only I had a Ted Baker budget and was a Ted Baker size!
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....l%20blouse

Diana

I think the black dress would be great. I think I would add a pop of bright color like a topper or a silk scarf.

So.. the picture below is of my impossibly chic cousin and aunt at my wedding. I could see my cousin's outfit with a black dress instead of the red. (This is what I was thinking of with the silk scarf idea). My aunt is wearing a pants suit, but again with pops of color.

And do you have a hat? Clearly I am a huge proponent of hats at weddings.

Maybe I imagined it

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Either the black dress or purple dress are fab options, Pill.

The Nordies Half Yearly Sale starts on Wed - perhaps some Ted Baker stuff will go on sale?

Diana, style runs in the family. xo

@Diana, I did pull out a large floral scarf today to try. It's rectangular rather than square but may work as more of a wrap.
@lyn*, I hear you there!
@Angie, I took a look at Ted Baker on the Nordstrom site and ordered this. We'll see if it works. It has more color than the the other top I linked to. Fingers crossed!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/te.....ts-_-1_3_B

Beth Ann

Love the top your ordered and I hope it works! I have a wedding in mid-june. I was going to wear something "old," and then learned that I will be singing, which changes things a bit. Like you, I hate to buy something new at this point. I think I'll be wearing a robins egg blue midi, a floral shell, and a black jacket with peplum.

Beth Ann, you wear a midi so beautifully you will look fabulous. I thought with the top I could actually wear it in the meantime before the wedding. A new dress, not so much.

I also had a $20 Nordstrom note which combined with the sale price makes the top reasonable. The Ted Baker store in Boston had such a happy feel with all the florals.

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