What should I wear to my school reunion gala dinner? update - new pics at end. - YouLookFab Forum

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What should I wear to my school reunion gala dinner? update - new pics at end.

Sal

Veteran

Hi

I am off to a school reunion in a few weeks time. It’s a dinner with speeches and dancing. I am also hosting drinks first. I am feeling confident about going along and looking forward to it.

But what to wear?

- the blue floral dress
- pleated dress with a blazer
- blazer black trousers and camisole
- black lace dress
- black sheath dress - with a blazer over it.
- the navy Stevie Nicks dress but not dressed in costume

Some of these photos are older but I am pretty sure the fits are all similar.

It’s mid winter (Winter solstice or Matariki).

I feel least confident about the black sheath ( it’s not dated but it’s not current), and the last navy dress.

My temptation is the black lace.

I don’t feel I need to add something new.

Any recommendations or thoughts?

All potential pieces are in finds below including footwear options. I have clutches or handbags in black, pewter, navy and brown.

Thanks!

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65 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

The Cat

Veteran

My vote goes to the blue floral dress-- for a young and happy look.

Star

Veteran

Black pleat dress first and then black lace dress. I would prefer a different topper for the pleat dress, not a blazer. The blazer is structured and to my eye kills the flowy-ness of the dress. I may be completely wrong as a flat photo cannot show this!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Actually I love the tuxedo and pants outfit! But second the black lace dress and third the black/white pleat dress. I feel the pretty floral will be too cold, you can wear toppers with the other dresses that you can remove for dancing.
Probably more women would wear dresses than pants, do you think? My last school reunion in 2011 ( 2021 was cancelled) I wore a dress, my LBD which was only one year old at the time but is now in dress-ups!

Lana

(website)

Veteran

My favorite is the blue floral although if it’s winter will that be comfortable enough? I feel like it is warm and welcoming, whereas the black is serious and commanding. This could just be me though, I tend to assign feelings to colors.

Does gala mean formal? If so I would add your sparkly things to the blue dress and a wrap. My second choice would be the tuxedo, different and festive.

bella

(website)

Veteran

You've got lots of options!
I like the suit option the best, it looks very current to my eye.
I like the sheath the second, it is a classic look. My third choice is the lace dress.
All the other options are good, too. But a bit more casual and might even work better depending on where the event is going to take place.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks The Cat - I do like this dress but wonder if it is too summery? Both in feel and warmth wise. But I could bring a jacket.

Thanks Star - I could wear the cream jacket or a denim jacket? I did think it worked in reality - I wouldn’t weR the sneakers but heels I think.

Jenni-I went to an informal reunion but thus is my first proper reunion. I would think mostly dresses- cocktail more then ball - but I would feel okay in the pants. I hope it’s warm - hard to know!

Lana- I think there will be a wide range in what people wear - I don’t think there will be long dresses and black tie but more cocktail style. And yes I will add some sparkle definitely.

Bella- it’s at an event centre, I think it will be quite dressy but not ball gowns. The black jacket isn’t an exact match to the trousers. I might do a try on if the top three and see how I feel.

lyn67

Veteran

All great contenders here, esp 3, 2, 4 my faves but feeling the first one would be too cold and summery if it is winter there and the last one maybe too formal? We will have to attend my DH's 35 yrs high school reunion next Friday, too and by us is predicted an early summer heatwave. I think will wear a version of your nr 2 - a pleated zebra midi with a shortsleeve or 3/4 sleeve black jacket and nude heels (but will bring with me bl&gold chain flatform sandals for comfort, if needed:-)).

Glory

Veteran

You have some lovely options so hard to choose. My initial vote was for the floral but reread and saw you are in winter. You can’t go wrong with any but the lace or pleat would be lovely.

kkards

Veteran

I guess it would depend…are many of the people you will see and talk with people who you see and talk with often or is this truely a reunion and most of the people are essentially strangers who you knew once?
i ask because that, at least for me would help to dictate which outfit i wore. Of course YMMV
If it’s essentially strangers who you knew once, I’d go with the black lace dress because it’s serious but fun and festive and because you feel confident in it. I’d get (borrow if possible) a velvet shawl instead of a topper. And as long as they are comfy, the black Country road sandals

Aquamarine

Veteran

No bad choices here but I was immediately drawn to the suit and blue floral. I think they will stand out in a good way in a likely sea of black dresses.

Kathie

Veteran

I vote black lace, and dress it up or down, depending on how you're feeling the day of the event. The black trousers veer to office wear to my eye, though they might work with a different camisole (something shiny, like a silk satin or sequins) or accessories. The black pleat is also lovely, but the drape and spaghetti straps might make it appear more of a spring/summer style. The black sheath and navy look great on you, but if you're not feeling confident about those, I'd skip them for this event.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would go with the black lace and dress it up.
Have fun, whatever you wear!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Bella — I am drawn to the suit, maybe with a sparkly tank underneath? I love the blue dress but it looks summery to me. I think this is one of those cases in which you have many good options and it comes down to mood on the day of the event.

rachylou

Veteran

1 or 5!

Joy

Veteran

Wear one of the dresses. You wear dresses so well. I like the blue floral but it may be too springy in mid winter. I agree with the others. You have several good choices.

Bijou

Veteran

You look great in all of these. My vote is the black lace dress, as it is beautiful and something that you are likely to have less opportunity to wear. For me, suits, whilst lovely, can be worn at business meetings and so I prefer wearing something a bit more festive to a party. Most importantly, the shoes must be comfy, you will be on your feet most of the night. I love the lace dress and lace ups combination.

JAileen

Veteran

I think you look good in all of them. Assuming you are equally comfortable in them, I would choose #3, #4, or #5.

slim cat

Veteran

Lots of good options - like #1,2 and #4 ( lace dress as a favorite ). The suit is fab but I like more dresses for such occasion.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE the blue floral dress! But will you be warm enough?

If not - wear your gold blazer with pants!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

3or5 no question.You look killer glam in both of these looks, don’t undersell yourself Sal,all the other looks are nice but abit safe.

The Cat

Veteran

I understand that the blue dress might be too summer-ish now. On the other hand, an all black outfit will probably look too solemn/strict/serious/boring for such a fun occasion. So I support Angie's suggestion of a gold (gorgeous with your colouring!) blazer with pants.

kellygirl

Veteran

My first thought was the tuxedo look and then I read through your post and decided on the lace dress because it’s elegant, dressy and looks very current!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all! Some good advice here.

I am going with a group including a couple of very good friends, and some people I rarely see. But I am an extrovert and feel fine about that. I know a few others going along including my sister and her friends.

I suspect any of these outfits won’t be the dressiest nor the least formal. I do want to look good - I don’t mind if I stand out or blend.

I think I will do a try on and see what feels the best. I could also layer the lace over trousers or experiment with a non black slip to make it fun.

If it fitted it works be so fun to wear my last year ball/prom dress which has a puffball skirt and a big bow and is peacock taffeta. But it’s too small for me.

I think the navy is not quite right so I will discount that. The black sheath is stunning, but has a bare back and is quite Va Va boom. I have worn the pleated dress a lot - but not in this crowd. The suit is smart but my jacket is not as luxe as the pants. But it feels like me. The floral dress is really fun but feels like spring or summer more than June 25th. Which is why I lean to the lace which is designer quality, and with bling or a coloured slip.

anne

Veteran

Looks like you are leaning towards the lace dress which would be a great choice. But you have some great options there and I thought the trousers looked particularly good too.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

To me, the lace dress & tuxedo pants are a good middle ground - riffing off @Angie's suggestion, what if you wore either with your gold bomber jacket instead? That could add a little fun edge whilst keeping it dressy

You look in great in #5 but it sounds like that may be a little too risqué for the event for your comfort zone. The other dress (#1 & #2) are nice too, but may be a little too informal/ casual for this cocktail event...

Either way, YLF whichever one you choose!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Anne. Yes - I am quite well set up for dressy functions (I need to get invited to another wedding or two!).

I am going to do a try on though - I do need a new black slip for the lace dress at the very least as my one has lost it's shape.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Zaeobi - we cross posted.

My gold bomber is nice but a bit casual I think. I have a faux fur, a couple of wraps and would be up for borrowing something too.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow, lots of good options! My first inclination was the blue dress - gorgeous on you and sort of light hearted. But really you can't go wrong, and it does depend on the venue and weather of course.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I like the blue floral dress and the black suit, but you look really great in all looks

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