What to wear? Relaxed birthday party, ETA: pumps + dresses

I'm going to a birthday party on Saturday and need some inspiration. My friend is 37, very easy going and fun. There will be tapas and drinks, but nothing too fancy. It's almost summer, but right now the temp is 10 Celsius (50F) and rain. We'll stay indoors at her place.

I'd like to channel summer and effortless fun (ETA: and a touch of edge), without looking totally weather confused. I know I could go with smart casual (jeans, nice blouse, jewelry, heels), but I'd like to wear a dress and heels. I've added some options, but have other dresses (i.e. Max Mara layered blush dress, a floral tie blouson dress, LBD with asymmetrical neckline) and pumps, too.

I did ask google, but most outfits were too alluring, youthful or "red carpetish" for my taste. Do you have any outfit ideas regarding style (fit and flare, sheath, shift dress), colour or accessories? Unfortunately necklaces are not an option because I usually get a headache after wearing it for an hour or so.

ETA:
#1 Dresses: pink tweed, floral tie, blush (Max Mara)

#2 Pumpd: black suede, teal wedge, black slingback w/ block heel

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

Top Pick

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh! Fun! For these temps and the time of year I would be tempted by the pink floral. I love those red shoes so much and wonder if they would work with the dress. Pink and red sometimes do. If not, your grey pumps might, or the slingbacks?

carambola

What about a dress over cropped pants, as in today's blog post? My top pick would be the pink & grey floral dress + cropped jeans or trousers + grey pumps.

harmonica

Pink floral and red shoes! Why didn't I think of that? I'll definitely see if that combo works together.

carambola, great suggestion. I like the dress over pants idea, but it just don't feel right for me. Love it on others, though. I know I can make it work, but I just don't like it on me. Not sure why, though.

Sisi

You have a beautiful collection of dresses! I like them all but the one that caught my eye most is the pink floral. It screams "festive occasion" ! But wow, 10° C? You may need a cardi or a shawl.

Sophia Alice

Active Member

Shouldn't something be said about a dress over edited jeans, as in today's blog entry? My top pick would be the pink and dark flower dress + edited pants or pants + dim pumps.

Style Fan

Your dress collection is gorgeous. My first thought was to wear a dress over cropped jeans or pants but I see that you are not comfortable with that. My pick would be the middle floral dress (sleeveless), red shoes and a jacket (denim or whatever).
I do like the idea of the DKNY shirt dress with cropped faded denim skinnies and pale blue pumps.

Bijou

I love the red shoes so much, that I would build the outfit up from there. I love the pink floral dress, but I do think the middle floral dress with the red flowers would be perfect with those shoes. I would definitely be wearing a jacket with any of these, given the likely temperatures (although I don't tolerate cold).

I have the same feeling about dresses over trousers. I think some of Angie's tricks might help in my case (e.g. a higher waist trouser, one with a slim side zip vs. bulky front zip, a sack or tent or shirt dress, loose at the waist), but I never completely lose a feeling of bulkyness at the middle. And it is really hard for me to get the proportions right.

Sara L.

I like the idea of wearing a dress to the party but with those temps (which are COLD to me) I would narrow down the options by figuring out which dresses I could layer over for warmth. Do you have cardigans or jackets that you could pair with the dresses? Maybe wear one of the dresses with sleeves and then layer a cami underneath for more warmth.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Try the turquoise dress over skinny pants with turquoise shoes and fun light coloured topper.

Becky

I also like the pink floral dress in photo #2 for the occasion. I would wear it with the nude/caramel pumps. BTW, I am salivating over the teal wedges!

Btw, I also liked the pink floral dress best - but your weather is not cooperating.

Jenni NZ

What Bijou said. Second dress in Finds with the red shoes.
But BTW, I adore the blush dress to the right of pic 1. More of a top or tunic though?- needs white pants under? And your blush pumps?

Thank you so much! I'll have a quick session tomorrow to try out some of your ideas like pink floral dress/tomato pumps and graphic McQueen dress/skinnies/teal wedge (I would *never* have come up w this idea). I'm on the fence with the dress over skinnies ensemble, but I will have to try. I never know if I like it if I don't try.

I'll post some outfits if I can carve out some time.

Jenni NZ, the blush dress hits just below the knees, so far from tunic length.

I'll wear a silk or think wool cami and/or a topper. Maybe a denim jacket. Good news is that weather forecast for tomorrow evening says 13-17 Celsius and sun.

Category