What to wear to a family portrait (long!)

I love this site. Because of it I chose the most fab puff coat and booties I would not have otherwise chosen. Thanks for all of the ideas and tips!

In a few weeks my family will be gathering together to celebrate the First Communion of my daughter and Confirmation of my son. I am planning a family portrait. It is unlikely there will be any more grandchildren, so I want to take the opportunity now, when everyone is together. One of the shots will be of my immediate family as well. This includes my six children (four boys and two girls) as well as me and my husband. I would like the photo to look pretty and balanced. The girls will be in spring dresses (pastels), the guys in suits or white shirts and dark pants.

So what do I wear? I'm tall (6'1"), pear shaped, and am looking for something in pastels, but can't find anything. I'm tired of black. Since it will be a "church" occasion I would prefer a midi or long skirt and sleeves. Because of proportion, dresses are a write off I have great cream or black shoes (large feet prohibit new or shoes!)

Thoughts? I added a photo of myself on vacation. I'm usually surrounded by kiddoes, so I didn't want to show the rest of myself. I came to the best! Thanks for your help.

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12 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Wait, why are dresses no allowed? I don't get it. Pretty pear shapes usually look great in fit and flare dresses. I'd wear a fit/flare dress with a white cardigan in colors that flatter. based on your photo I bet you'd look great in some pastels like pale yellow, pink or green.

Also, they do make large shoes...so if you need new shoes you could find some (I'm thinking a nice metallic sandal?)

This could be midi on you. It's very pretty!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....nalizedsor

wear with a great little cropped white sweater like this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/do.....keywordsea

Here's another pretty one...a bit shorter. Might hit you at the knee?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/el.....t&con

You could wear a black cardigan over this one.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Oooh, I love those dresses that Jenava posted. I would try for something that would go with the cream shoes rather than the black, given how you've described the attire for your immediate family. And I think Angie's post on ideas for wearing a flared skirt will be helpful, if you go with a pretty skirt:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....red-skirt/
Something like top#8 with a printed skirt and cream shoes would work nicely.

marija

Active Member

Thanks so much for these suggestions! It's not that dresses are out, it's just that the proportions of most dresses are off... The waist of the dress often lands too high and my stomach sticks out... then I get asked if I'm pregnant! lol! But that maxi dress is beautiful. I love the second option as well. And the skirt is lovely, but again, this style does not seem to be in stores! Do you think that coordinating colours in a portrait is important? And well, shoes, being a size 12... It is so difficult to find something stylish, comfortable, with a decent low heel and doesn't completely break the bank! Thanks for the help again!

Beth Ann

Where do you usually shop for your clothing, Marija? Also, do you ever wear pencil skirts? I'm thinking that a midi pencil skirt, in navy or dove grey, and possibly a sturdy ponte knit, would be a great classic "base" for a shirt with some sophisticated pastel colors --- mint, coral, soft blue, yellow. You also look terrific in white --- a white jacket or light sweater might make a good topper!

I never considered white! It's a great idea... Hmmm this gives me more thoughts to ponder. I love the idea of a grey skirt. I like pencil skirts, but I want to be super comfortable and sometimes they aren't as flexible? Or am I wrong? A sweater may be just the thing to break up solid colours.

Marija: I have a few pencil skirts made in ponte knit. This knit is thicker, and has more structure than a jersey t-shirt knit, so it smooths over "things" and looks a little more polished, but these skirts are amazingly comfy -- like wearing leggings. A lot of the more traditional fabrics made into skirts and trousers (suiting fabrics) have lots of stretch in them, so you should be able to feel freedom to move in any fabric.

sarah

Marija, there are some pretty dresses at Talbot's these days - I'm not sure if any of them suit your style or your fit requirements.

Ok... Talbots looks. Fab..... And there's one within an hour of my home! I'll let you know how it goes!

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