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wedding-guest dress shopping/ ETA: another option

Firecracker (Sharan)

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UPDATE: I was pretty set on wearing the black floral to the wedding and the snakeprint dress for the tavern gathering the night before. And then I started debating with myself again. I'm not sure why. But I got out a dress I've had for a number of years that could also work. Photos added onto the discussion below.

I went to AllSaints today to look for a dress to wear to my niece's wedding in Seattle in May. Dress code is "cocktail." I was attracted to AllSaints 2-in-1 dresses, which pair a pretty dress with a coordinating cropped pullover. I have a blush pullover from AllSaints that I thought I might use to create that look, if I could find or make the right dress to go with it. And I like a lot of their dress styles in general. My goal was to find something that I could wear with blush pumps and matching bag that I already have.

I was pleasantly surprised with the number of options the store had in stock for me to try. I narrowed the choice to two, which I brought home to consider further.

Photos 1-8: I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep this one, called Jules Tanana, a black floral silk chiffon sleeveless near-maxi with some interesting asymmetric panel detail in solid black. I can layer my blush pullover over it, 2-in-1 style, and remove the pullover if I get warm. I can see being able to wear it year-round, with different shoes, boots, and jackets.

Photos 9-11: I also liked (and brought home) the Nora Waimea in snakeskin print, a body-con midi in mesh knit with diagonal ruching on the lower front. I wouldn't wear the pullover for the wedding with this one, but I brought home an ivory cardigan that the sales staff and I thought could work. I can also see this dress working with different jackets and boots for most of the year.

In some photos of the two dresses above, I'm wearing a necklace and earrings I bought from AllSaints, also: the Darcy beaded two-tone necklace and Eryka crystal huggie hoop earrings. (Finds aren't working for me on the AllSaints site.)

Photo 12: I liked the Hanna Sanibel, a mesh knit black floral mock-neck A-line midi, but not as well as the other two.

Photo 13: And the Tia Colca was gorgeous, but the colors were a little too warm for me, and the fit around the shoulders wasn't as comfortable. I think Angie has this dress in a different colorway.

I thought you might like to see the try-ons, and I'm open to your thoughts.

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AllSaints Jules Tanana Floral Chiffon Midi Dress

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AllSaints Nora Waimea Snakeskin Print Long Sleeve Dress

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AllSaints Hanna Sanibel Floral Print Long Sleeve Mesh Maxi Dress

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AllSaints Tia Colca Long Sleeve Midi Dress

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'Claire' Ankle-Strap Pump (Women)

$298.00 $148.97

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AllSaints Ridley Cropped Sweater

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AllSaints Wasson Pirate Wool Cardigan

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AllSaints Mixed Bead Bib Necklace, 16" - 18"

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81 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Runcarla

Veteran

I like the dark floral. The pattern relieves the black, making is suitable for a wedding The asymmetrical construction makes it interesting. My only quibble is the maxi length (but that is my personal poison eye.)

LOVE the snake pattern dress. It looks like lace. Flattering fit. I like the length and asymmetric hem. This would get my vote.

Not so sure about the topper combinations. Like the moto idea best, actually. The knit topper and the waterfall cardigan seem droopy to me. (Finding a great topper for a dressy occasion outfit is such a hard thing. Been there…) Can you post a photo of your 2-in-1 inspiration?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Carla. I added a link to the 2-in-1 dresses in the post. Also added that the dress code is cocktail. You're right about the dressy-occasion topper. I really don't want to look too dressy-occasion, though I want to be appropriately dressed. It's a fine line--LOL! Thank goodness I'm not the mother of the bride.

Joy

Veteran

I like #13 the last one best. You look wonderful in it.

slim cat

Veteran

Love the dark floral dress - would wear a jacket over it ( cardigans are cozy but don't have enough structure ). Snake printed dress is fun on it's own. Agree about the last dress being a bit too warm toned - still very interesting. All Saints suits you so well!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I wonder if the dresses are a little too long for “cocktail” dress code? That might just be an old-fashioned idea though. It comes from over a decade ago when I had these magazines I kept (first one was 2010 and they ran for several years) called “Fashion Quarterly Occasions” where cocktail dresses were around knee length. Full length dresses were “black tie”.
Having said that, I think you look truly amazing in both the first two outfits with the blush shoes and bags. I actually like the topper you already own the best. But also love the snakeskin dress on you. To me the blush topper you own has more “structure” than the ivory cardigan though, and it also looks warmer, and the black floral dress is more striking.
May I say that you have fabulous upper arms?!- I’m jealous!

pirouette

I love the two dresses you bought. I am a big fan of All Saints especially their dark florals. I like the blush pink cropped sweater it has a modern look I am not a fan of waterfall cardigan but that’s just my personal taste. I have a black floral asymmetrical hem dress from All Saints and I wear my cropped black leather jacket with it.

Dee

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I’d say my favourites are #9 the snakeskin-mesh and #12 the floral mock neck, both are elegant and I like the length of these for a cocktail dress, it’s the maxi length on the first one that gives me pause. Also not quite sure about the colour on the waterfall cardigan, it kind of distracts from the rest of the dress.

kellygirl

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Great choices! I love the ones you brought home. The dark floral is so elegant and the snakeskin is gorgeous on you with your coloring. I can see why you were drawn to the Tia but the color just isn't right - that's the first thing I noticed. I like the other black floral but not as much as the first - there's something more elegant about the more opaque one. Fab dresses - All Saints was made for you!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Carla, the snake print was my first choice, too, and I almost didn't bring the other one home. But I shared dressing room pics with DH, and he liked the dark floral better.

Thanks, Joy. I like that dress a lot, too. Too bad it didn't work as well as it might look in the photo.

Slim cat, thanks for your thoughts. I can see how a jacket would work better with the dark floral. I think the elegance of the dress gives it a classic look that perhaps suits the event better.

Jenni, I also thought cocktail meant short dress. Looking at some guidelines on the Nordstrom site, I found that any length can work for the cocktail wedding dress code. Thanks for the compliment on my arms! I really like the look of sleeveless dresses, but I get cold easily, so I don't wear them as much as I would like to. Also, to your point about the length--and Carla's and Dee's--I feel the dark floral dress is a little long, also. I could shorten it a few inches, to more of a tea length. It's called a midi, but it certainly isn't a midi on me.

pirouette and Dee, I agree with both of you about the waterfall cardigan. It's a style I've moved away from, mostly, and the color is too bright for the snake print dress. I liked it a little better in the store lighting. All of that said, I may keep it anyway, because I like it buttoned in the back, like in the stock photo, or tied at the waist. I would wear it with other things. pirouette, I appreciate your support of the pullover. I see how it doesn't look like the inspiration photos, but all of us in the store kind of liked it in real life.

Dee, when I put on the floral mock neck dress, I thought it was the one. Then I gravitated more toward the other dark floral. Maybe the mock neck is worth another look, as I wouldn't have to shorten it.

You all have me thinking that I may need to do some more shopping. Either for a different dress or outfit (doesn't have to be a dress!) or a topper, which is probably even more difficult to find.

At least I have some time!

JAileen

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I like 10 and 13 best. I don’t 11 that much though. Maybe a different topper? When I saw the stock photos I was concerned because they looked transparent! So glad they aren’t on you.

BlueJay

Veteran

Beautiful dresses, Sharan! I agree with kellygirl, that All Saints dresses were made for you as the styles look fantastic! I'm not sure about the waterfall cardigan with the snakeskin dress, agreeing with Dee and pirouette. I think, the snakeskin dress would look great with the moto from #8. The fourth pic with your dress, sweater, purse and shoes look really great together, but I'm not sure what people wear to cocktail parties as I haven't been to one in a while.

Firecracker (Sharan)

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Thanks, JAileen. I know what you mean about the transparency! I think I would add a longer slip to all of these, at least for the wedding. The underslips don't hit as high on me as they do on the models, though.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks, Kelly and BlueJay!

BlueJay, good eye--yes the moto would go with the snake print dress, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oooh, a wedding! I love weddings

You look absolutely KILLER to the Power of KILLER STUNNING in ALL the dresses, Sharan! WOW!

Glad some came home with you! And those blush AGL's with the bag to match are perfect for the occasion!

I like #10 best for the wedding. Pop a dressy coat over the top!

If it's a warm day, #5 all the way.

I'm thinking of your dressier jackets and coats.......maybe something from your Oska capsule?

Olive Green

Veteran

The snakeskin print, by itself, seems the best to me, but the first dark floral is really interesting.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These dresses are all great on you in terms of shape - you look fab in every one!

Funny how our eyes have adjusted to juxtaposition -- I was actually enjoying them the most with the stompy boots in the dressing room. Though of course I'm not suggesting stompy boots for your event.

Ok. My first thought was that I adored the first one on you, with the floral, and diagonal lines. Your arms are great in sleeveless! I like the blush sweater for a topper in the dressing room photo. But I am much less in love with it in the "at home" photo -- partly because the colours came out all wrong, and partly because I feel the dress needs shortening a bit, and then I didn't like the sweater with the delicate footwear as much.

LOVE the snakeskin on you. Very pretty with. your variegated hair (which, by the way, I am loving!). I also like it better with the dressy shoe. But not with that cardigan, so it would need a different topper.

The last two dresses also look gorgeous in the photos. So the last dress is too warm for your complexion? Does it come in other colours? It looks like it could be a bit warmer (I mean temperature wise) so might work cross seasonally a bit better?

You are spoiled for choice, though -- and I appreciate seeing all these options.

Style Fan

Veteran

Gorgeous dresses, Sharan! My first choice for you would be the snake print. I like the colours and print with your complexion and hair. The silhouette of the dress is very flattering as well. The dark floral is also gorgeous on you. You can't go wrong with one of those.

Firecracker (Sharan)

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Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts, Angie--and in the middle of a move! I think I have a couple of coats that will work with the dresses. Jackets, maybe not, though I have a couple of black ones that could work. I was trying to go lighter for the spring wedding.

Suz, thanks for your thoughts as well; I appreciate your attention to detail. I feel the same way about the dressing room versus home photos of the floral dress and pullover. Lighting and camera angle are playing parts here, too. But that's not all of it, to be sure. Like you, I LOVE both dresses with the stompy boots, which is why I can see wearing them for a lot of the year. Not that I wear dresses very much. In fact, that's kind of the point: since I don't wear them often, it's really great when I have some that can work over many different situations that might come up. I think both dresses would go well with tall boots or with sandals, also. And re: the last dress, the snake print one is pretty much the same for warmth (temperature)--just a little less coverage at the neck.

Stylefan, thank you. I really like the snake print with my complexion and hair, too, in real life.

I will try to return later today with some photos of different toppers and maybe coats. Possibly another dress option (from my closet, not new).

phoebe

Much prefer the snakeskin as I think it is more flattering and more appropriate to the event. I would like to see it with a less high contrast topper although especially for spring I like the softness of the knitwear rather than the leather jacket.

I also like the rejected black Hanna Sanibel on you much more than the Jules Tanana!

Bonnie

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What a great selection of dresses and you look fab in every one. My favorite look of the photos above is #8.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

All moved into our temporary home, and settled in for 10 days already, sweet Sharon!

Let's see the dresses with some of your other coats and jackets!!

Kate

Veteran

Beautiful dresses on you, Sharon. I love both the dark floral and the snakeskin. You have great arms!! I'd keep looking for a topper, because neither the blush or the ivory seems to quite hit the mark. Your blush shoes are lovely.

Irina

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Both dresses look fantastic on you. I’m with Carla on toppers - I only like a motto jacket. The style of the dresses is edgy, more hard rock and knitwear takes it away, making them more ordinary. I don’t know if you have a black leather jacket, I’d try that.

Firecracker (Sharan)

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Thank you, Olive Green, Phoebe, Bonnie, and Kate!

More in a little while, Angie! Glad to hear you're settled.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow Sharan you truly look fabulous in all of these. I love the one you picked and the second snakeskin print as well. Honestly you can't go wrong here imho.

Firecracker (Sharan)

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Thanks, Irina. I appreciate your analysis on the knitwear. I don't have a black leather moto, just the olive one.

Here are some photos of the two dresses with different toppers and with coats.

Topper options:

- Black crinkled wool gauze swing jacket (OSKA) (1&2)

- Black linen-wool boyfriend blazer (OSKA) (3&4)

- Creamy stone linen drape/wrap cardigan (Nic & Zoe) (5&6) [I just wanted to see this is for comparison with the other cardi; it's not a contender in my view.]

- Cream denim jacket (French Dressing Jeans) (7&8)

- Blush black-wash denim jacket (AllSaints) (9 &10)

- Black holey-knit shrug (made by me) (11&12)

- Olive moto jacket (AllSaints) (13)

- Dark green linen blend raglan-sleeve jacket (Massimo Dutti) (14)

- Olive sheer knit poncho (Eileen Fisher)--just realized I didn't try this one!

Coat options:

- Long black hooded lightweight rain coat (made by me)

- Long olive/tan trench coat (OSKA)

- Knee-length olive leopard wrap coat (made by me)

This kind of exercise brings home just how limited a large wardrobe can be! The last wedding I attended was about 20 years ago.

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by Firecracker (Sharan)

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Hawks Leather Biker Jacket

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AllSaints Hay Denim Jacket

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Eileen Fisher Sheer Hemp Blend Poncho

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Bijou

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You look smoking hot in your two preferred dresses - I would go with the one you feel most yourself in.

In terms of toppers my favourite is #1

Black crinkled wool gauze swing jacket (OSKA) (1&2) with the snakeskin dress and #11

Black holey-knit shrug (made by me) (11&12) with the floral dress.

My choice is outfit #11 because I love how the shrug shows off the pretty dress and I really love the style and fit of this dress.

I do not like the big coats with the dresses because we miss out on the dress (although the coats are fab). #1 and #11 look more formal and show off the dresses.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thank you, Jaime.

Bijou, thanks for your thoughts and reasoning. I really like the shrug, too, and am glad I remembered it. I wish the photo captured it better. The sleeves are more fitted than they look in this photo, and the interesting texture does not show up.

I agree about the long coats; I'm thinking they would be to get from car to venue if it's raining or cold.

Sal

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I agree with Bijou as to the toppers with each dress.

I like both dresses on you, one is a bit more edgy, the other has more soft/wedding vibes. In all the wedding that I have been to both would have been very stylish and I would have admired your look! So I think it does come down to personal preference. I think the snakeskin is more in line with your usual looks- and I potentially could see you getting more wear from it. BUT.... sometimes we want to wear something a bit different to a wedding and explore other looks. I would wear it for summer parties or dinners out etc...

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