What do you wear over a cocktail dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do you wear over a cocktail dress?

Kellie Rose

Member

My cousin is getting married next month (April 27th) and I'm in the wedding, so I've obviously got my dress set there, but I'm struggling with the rehearsal dinner. The invitation said "cocktail attire" so I have a fairly simple, pale blue, chiffon shift-type dress, with a high neckline. https://www.dillards.com/p/i.n.....8_zi_lilac I've attempted to attach the link (I'm new here). The color is listed as "Chambray Blue." I've also got some silver shoes, with a small heel and an ankle strap. I live in South Carolina, so I'm expecting the weather to be pretty warm by then but I am struggling to find something lightweight to go over this dress. I've looked at shrugs, wraps, boleros, everything, but so far nothing has seemed right. Any recommendations, as far as colors, prints, styles?

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from April

Elizabeth P

Veteran

This

Metallic Lightweight Wrap

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9

Alicewonderland

Veteran

It’s a pretty dress! I could see it work with a moto jacket, blue blazer, or blue tweed jacket.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm all about my Levi's trucker jacket over cocktail dresses.

Levi's ® Petites Petite Trucker Jacket

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2

rachylou

Veteran

I’d wear a ‘church coat’... obviously not this color, but decorative.

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Anonymous

I find high necklines problematic with toppers, unless I put a necklace to break it up. Maybe a shrug with just sleeves, or something with lightness-sheer, lace, or other openwork. Though April on the East Coast could mean a raincoat ...

Kellie Rose

Member

Thanks, everyone! I love the silver wrap and actually did consider my cropped jean jacket over top but was worried it wouldn't be "cocktail" enough. A blazer didn't occur to me so I might look into those! The high neckline does make it difficult and also the fact that the dress is solid. I usually like to throw a print in there somewhere but haven't been able to find anything that works with the dress shape. I appreciate the comments!

Anonymous

A lace blazer?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What about something like this draped over your shoulders? https://www.softsurroundings.com/p/ibiza-scarf/

taylor

Veteran

I’m with Ms. Mary on this , also I love a perfectly fitted leather jacket , Moto style without all the zippers , and buckles.

lemonluxe

I might bring the jacket; it sounds perfectly post-cocktail.

For interesting wraps, most dry cleaners who do alterations are happy to hem edges of fabric.
https://www.emmaonesock.com/fa.....sectId=101

Sal

Veteran

A bolero or cardigan can work too. Something with a subtle sparkle that looks partyish rather than knitting on the couchish.

Style Fan

Veteran

This is a cute blazer that comes in black, ivory and blue.

Eliza J Eliza J Ruched Sleeve Blazer | Nordstrom

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3

cjh

(website)

Veteran

How about something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Richard.....ooghydr-20

Joy

Veteran

I own the silver scarf/wrap that Elizabeth P posted and highly recommend it. Now I wNt to get it in the gold and the metallic black too. I have shoes to match the metallic black. The gold is more of a platinum than a yellow gold

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have several small boleros, sparkly cardigans, soft tuxedo jackets etc that I try over various cocktail dresses. The necklines do make a big difference. I like those ideas or a wrap, but a wrap might become a bit annoying?

Bennett

Veteran

Well, being that this is the rehearsal dinner and not the wedding reception itself, you have a lot more ways you can go. I'd wear something not as sweet/floaty as the dress itself (which is SO pretty, by the way), like others have suggested. A fitted blazer, a moto or a black tux jacket would be so cool. Or maybe a little cashmere or angora cardigan with elbow-length sleeves, worn unbuttoned?

Bijou

Veteran

I wear a velvet coat with cocktail dresses. I would wear this one with a blue dress because it is a print and tends to work with most colour schemes.

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mochi

Member

You should also think what kinda footwear you should use with that I thinks some cute colorful Pumps? or some other casual shoes?

unfrumped

Veteran

The dress is pretty, but hoptut is not as as short on you as on the model, since I think that gives a different vibe.
I also think some kind of shirt jacket is easier to deal with than wraps. I love joe wraps and pashminas look when styled, and keep buying them, but I end up fussing with them.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

You’ve gotten suggestions all over the map. I think that’s because we don’t know you and your style or the direction you want to go with this outfit. Do you like things a little rough around the edges, or would you prefer to play up the floaty, ethereal side of this dress? Are you more likely to be cutting it up on the dance floor, or fidgeting and looking for something for your hands to do? The more you tell about those kinds of things, the more helpful the forum can be.

April

Veteran

In my experience, Southern dressy events skew rather ladylike. The "toughening up" aspect of a jean jacket or leather over a dressy dress looks fab to my eye but I haven't seen a lot of it outside the Northeast.

Someone please correct me if I'm out of touch -- my years in the South were a while ago.