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What To Wear?

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Fabbers!

We have been invited to my neice's wedding in April. I was feeling pretty good as I'm really happy with my special occasion capsule BUT I just checked the invite to see it is "Cocktail Dress".

The wedding is in the afternoon, and is at my SIL's home (garden I think).

I had actually been considering black skinny pants, drape white blouse and black tuxedo jacket (which I will need to buy).... Would that be a complete no no? Does "cocktail mean I should wear a dress? While I love traditional cocktail dress on others, it's not really me.

Aussie Fabbers I would love to hear from you also.

Thanks
xxxDeborah

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Anne likes red

rute

Veteran

Here it does not mean you need to wear a dress, but sometimes it changes from country to country.
I love the outfit you are planning to wear, I would add some glitter with the clutch

Sharon

Veteran

I interpret cocktail to mean "glamorous and dressy, but not as formal as ball gown". I don't think it necessarily has to be a dress. I think one of Angie's holiday ensembles might fit the bill nicely, depending on how cool it will be in Melbourne in April. The black suit sounds good, but I wonder if a top with a bit of sparkle might bring a more dressed up vibe than a white shirt? Or maybe a jacket with a subtle pattern or texture? I think the basic idea is perfectly appropriate for the occasion.

gryffin

Veteran

Deborah - not an Aussie, but I think a variant of Le Smoking would be awesome. If you want to ramp up the "cocktail" portion than dressy heels, jeweled clutch and perhaps some sparkly earrings!! If you are buying the tux jacket than a dressy farbication, sharp tailoring, interesting detail (but of course you would look for that anyway) would up the formaility. Good luck. I am sure you will look stunning!!

viva

Veteran

I love the sound of your outfit, which definitely sounds cocktail to me -- but I agree with gryffin that you can ramp it up with a jeweled clutch. I'm sure you'll look fantastic.

jenanded

Veteran

Hi Deborah. I am not a Victorian but I think your outfit idea sounds great. I agree a jewelled clutch would be nice. And I am loving the white silky tank/ boxy ts (very Deborah shape!) That are hittng the stores. I saw them at country road, seed heritage etc yesterday. Witchery had some on sale too I think.... actually I think this tux look is much smarter than a frock esp with your more edgy style! Not sure where I have seen the tux shapes in store as yet... Dorothy Perkins had some that are nice w easy shipping over here...

chadya

Veteran

I like dresses for weddings only because there are so few occasions to dress up these days.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I can't give you one bit of advice about the dress code and what it means, but the outfit you describe sounds stunning and I hope to see you model when you find the right jacket.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Sounds lovely and you always look sensational in black and white. My only question is that here in the US, a garden wedding in the afternoon in April would dictate brighter, lighter colors than black. I know that's not your Spring, but I thought I would throw that out for you to ponder.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi Deborah, The outfit sounds perfect for the "cocktail" part. I wore my brocade suit or a Le Smoking to 4 different cocktail parties last year & felt great. My only concern is that it is a wedding & the bride may have definite ideas about what she would like people to wear. Is it possible to check with your niece?

Anonymous

I think the outfit you describe sounds appropriate. They probably mean cocktail attire, which does not necessarily mean a dress. That's the way I see it, anyway. Like Caro says, check with your niece if possible. If not possible, use your best judgment. She'll be happy you're there for her special day.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The outfit you describe sounds lovely, Deborah. I think as long as you glitz it up a bit it will be absolutely cocktail ready. And you will feel great.

At the same time, please don't discount the possibility of a fabulous frock. I am think along the lines of Angie's featured dress, here: http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....eve-dress/

Of course it could be a Rick Owens inspired piece or any avant-garde sort of dress. Again, I think with the right accessories, this would be 100% cocktail wear. And totally you.

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks for the input ladies. I can certainly add sparkle through my accessories but I am wedded to my neutrals so I am not really keen on colour on the clothing:(.

Caro, I will check with my neice's thank you, I hadn't thought to ask her??
I can imagine the brocade suit working so well for you:)

Suz, I really appreciate how you take the time to "know" my style. I have a navy top in a dressy fabrication very similar to the top of the dress you linked to, so I could do so renin with that and create a blue and black combo that looks like a dress. My challenge as you point out is creating a cocktail look that is authentic for me:)

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Deb, I think that would do it! So if nothing else turns up, you could certainly make that work - and beautifully. It's nice to have a fallback if it turns out the bride has set ideas or you are unable to find the perfect le smoking.

Now to go shopping for shoes and the perfect clutch..:)

Lyn D.

Veteran

I like Suz' link Deborah.
April could be warm still during the day, which may or may not rule-out your jacket idea, which I like too.
Knowing how casual dressing can be in our neck of the woods, I suspect the 'Cocktail' label may just be a means to let some know that effort is required, so whatever you choose will be stunning of course!

Deborah

Veteran

Suz, you are such an enabler! I am pretty sure I am covered for shoes and clutch But I could of course be tempted between now and April lol

Lyn, weather is definitely an unknown in this. And I think you are right. This side of the family is not particularly sophisticated (I do mean that nicely) so in reality "cocktail dress' could mean anything. My neice is a little vintage in her styling so she would have a picture of what she wants so I will chat with her xx

Debra

Veteran

I love the idea of a pant suit and I know you will style it perfectly, on the other hand Suz's linked dress is a stunner too. Either would be perfect

Aziraphale

Veteran

Absolutely. No dress required. Your outfit will look great. I've worn a dressy trouser outfit to weddings before and did not feel out of place. I might not do so for an evening formal wedding, but certainly not for an afternoon garden wedding.

Maybe they specified "cocktail" so people wouldn't show up in cargo shorts and flip flops, which is the other kind of backyard garden wedding.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I have nothing to add as I think Suz is getting you pretty sorted Deb - brilliant conversation between the two of you

You will look gorgeous no matter what you wear Deb.

Anne likes red

What does garden wedding mean here--standing on a well-paved terrace or tottering on a (potentially muddy) lawn? If the latter, you might almost want to plan your outfit from the shoes up. That's my reservation about trousers, which would surely be elegant (like all your ensembles!) but might get wet or muddy fast in the right (wrong) conditions.

Aside from that, ditto what Transcona Shannon said!