What to wear to fundraising event in 3 wks

Chris987

We just decided to go to a fundraiser for a building project in my town. It's being called a "gala". It's in 3 weeks :-). According to the woman handling tickets, " at the last auction the dress ranged from for women, jeans and a nice top to beautiful summer dresses. For the men, jeans and a nice shirt to a suit."

I'm not sure whether to go with stuff I already have or look for something new. Below are a few options from my closet...would like your ideas
on what looks good and how to style them, in particular how to brighten them up a bit. They are all a bit dark for a "summer dress". DH has already said he will not wear a suit, so he'll be in slacks, shirt and maybe a blazer (maybe not).

Thanks in advance!!

#1 +2 Navy Lace overlay dress

#3 + 4 Grey sheath that skews toward purple in some light, with a bag that converts from shoulder to clutch

#5 + 6 Black cotton dress with tiny white dots, and a 32" pearl rope.

#7 Bone patent pumps I'm wearing in all pics.The heels are 2 1/2" which is about the highest heel I can manage easily.

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8 years ago

Sales and Deals

22 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

BrieN

Veteran

Some of my reply is dependent on the weather where you live. I attended a fundraiser the other night in my navy blue dress. While I felt appropriately dressed, I did wish I were wearing a brighter outfit, as many folks were into their spring palette and the event theme was very bright.

You have 3 choices that for me are "no fail" but I like them differently because I am envisioning what my weather will be like in 3 weeks.

I like the idea of the black dotted cotton dress on you and for this event, but I can't assess fit from my monitor and your photos. From what I can tell, I like the length and the neckline. It seems to have the right vibe for a spring gala type event. You might wear a brighter short topper if it cools off that evening.

You are in a sweet spot. You have a great outfit to wear - and black is absolutely a year round choice - but also the opportunity to take a bit of a look and see if you can find something brighter for "summer dress". You have no pressing need to get anything. But since you have great shoes that go with all and the necklace, you might just take a look around.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

BrieN Thanks for the reply.

I live in the northeast US so in mid-May the daytime is high 60's, overnight in the 40's. The event will be in the evening in a restaurant, although it does have an outdoor patio where I'm sure we'll all go from time to time. That being said, if I wear the sleeveless dress I would definitely need to bring some sort of topper. I do plan to wear nude pantyhose which will help a bit for not being too cold.

Wearing any kind of topper with a dress is tricky for me proportionally, it always seems to create a horizontal line right across my widest area. Maybe I'm being overly critical.

I do think I'll look around a bit for a brighter dress but you are right that I don't absolutely need to buy one...good place to be

8 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

I like all 3 looks but think the grey sheath looks a bit more wintery. The navy lace or the polka dots can be really fun. The polka dot is my fave and I think it would look really cute with white accessories or even red pumps. I also think navy blue pairs really well with pink, shoes maybe?

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

BlondeAmbition funny you should mention red shoes...I actually bought some when I first bought this dress but they are not too comfy...maybe I'll reconsider.

8 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

My vote is number 1 with the bag in 4. First off I liove how you look in the blue lace. Lace to me always says SPRING. That Clutch is spring to me and a bit of sparkle and shine.

Never never never wear uncomfortable shoes. ,it will ruin a great time. All you be worried about is "my feet hurt". Or "I need to find a seat" or "can we go home now?"

Seams like a casual gala. Where what you feel beautiful in.

8 years ago

greycat6

Veteran

I agree with Ladonna on the dress in #1 with the bag in #4.

The navy lace dress look is timeless and the it fits you beautifully. The metallic bag adds some sparkle. To further lighten the look you could wear metallic pumps or sandals. Of course, shoe comfort will take priority as this sounds like an evening where there will be a lot of standing during cocktail hour.

It sounds like a fun event! Please keep us posted on your final choice.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Ledonna and GreyKat, thanks for the kind words, and great suggestion of the sparkly bag with the navy dress. In fact I wore exactly that combination with the shoes shown to a wedding 2 years ago, that's the only time I have ever worn this dress. I was thinking lace reads as springy too.

Yeah Ladonna you are absolutely right about the shoes, life is too short, , I don't wear uncomfortable shoes any more. Just toying with the idea of new red ones. Also right that it's really a casual gala.

And I agree that metallic sandals or strappy pumps (or white) would give it a fresher look. I'm thinking about what I might buy that I could wear with other outfits instead of just for this one event. (Trying to get a LOT better at that).

8 years ago

Muffin

Veteran

I really like the fit of the navy dress. It also potentially solves the problem of not needing an additional topper. What do the pearls look like with the dress? They might be able to add some lightness. I don't mind the nude pumps at all, nice long leg line. And agreeing that uncomfortable shoes are never the way to go.
I also need to do a similar post for opinions this week but my event is on Friday-yikes!

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote navy lace dress with the pearls. GORGEOUS on you.

8 years ago

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I love Ledonna's suggestion. Dress in #1, bag from #4 and throw in the pearls too. You're gorgeous in this dress!

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks ladies! Looks like the navy lace is the winner, which was my thought too. Angie you wear pearls a lot or used to, right? Do you know some ways to wear them that are a little more interesting than just draping 2 or 3 rows?

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I vote #3, if the dress ranges from jeans on up...

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wear pearls very frequently, Chris. Check out my pearl knotting video - sorry I can't link to it as I'm out and about and on my phone.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

ok thanks Angie I'll look for it.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

found the pearl video...will try it!

8 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I think your shoes are fine with the outfits. However, if you are considering buying sandals for any purpose I would pick metallic sandals before white, as it seems like they would go with more of your clothes, or at least these dresses. I've been surprised how much I've enjoyed and worn mine.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

good advice Barbara Diane, thanks.

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

I've been mulling over these options and am still not totally satisfied. I've seen some more pictures of last years' event and the navy lace dress is a bit too dressy although I could certainly wear it anyway.

I think I'm just feeling dissatisfied with all the dresses in my closet right now.

I had for some reason discounted or forgotten this dress but now I'm leaning toward it for this event, whish shoes I just bought, pearls (a la Angie's knotting tricks) and a new clutch.

What do you think?

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7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I like the nsvy lace dress or the print one that you just posted if you feel that the navy is too dressy. You did a great job with the pearls. You will see women in all levels of dressy from cocktail and maybe gowns to lots of LBDresses. Older women will probably be in wide swishy pants, tmostly black, with dressy tops. Go with what makes you feel fabulous.

7 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Love the sleeved navy dress and the print sleeveless if you want something a bit less dressy. Love the ankle strap heels with both. You can't
Go wrong with either.

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the navy lace dress on you. The fit is lovely and it is so, so flattering. You could wear it with pearls and with metallic or white shoes similar to the dark ankle strap ones, for a perfect update. Or light gold to bookend your hair. I have these Okalas (which are more gold in real life, but soft). They work with my dark blonde-with-some-silver hair.

The pattern dress and white clutch are also pretty but to me don't read "gala" in the same way. So what if you are dressier than others? For a gala, we get to pull out the stops!!

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7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Last night was the "gala" ...as I suspected, more of a gala "lite". I went with the navy dress and was glad I wore pantyhose since it was quite chilly and the event was partly indoors/partly outdoors. Went with black shoes, white clutch, and pearls (using Angie's twist instructions).

I was at the very top end of the "dressiness" scale. Women were in dresses that I would call "business colorful" with sweaters and/or jackets and a lot of pant/top combinations. Not a gown or LBD in sight As age went up it was more likely to be eclectic/boho/creative of some sort...like what would have been called "eccentric" in past generations. Some of those outfits were really hard to describe. Footwear was all over the map, sandals both flat and heeled, pumps both traditional and platform, and boots both ankle and knee high. I think I saw flipflops at least once One women was in leggings with a white background and a large colorful floral print, gold sparkly ankle boots, and a light teal blouse with bell sleeves. She looked "springy" to say the least At our table was a women I'd guess to be in her mid 70's and had grown up in Paris. She was wearing a long dress in a brown paisley print that was quite lovely. She had no makeup on and her long grey hair was in bun on top of her head. The effect was amazingly chic. She had spent most of her adult life in the US but I guess once a chic Parisian woman always a chic Parisian woman . We had a great discussion about how fabric quality in clothing has gone down so much over the years.

A small number of men (incl DH) were in suits with ties, the rest were in all kinds of variations of jackets, sweaters, pants, shirts and even a few in jeans and a dress shirt.

Quite the sartorial buffet! ....the food buffet was pretty good too.

It was in the low 50's (11 C) and quite windy at the start. The bar and coffee areas were outdoors, which led to cold coffee after dinner. By the time we left it was 45 (7 C) and my white sweater was useless in warding off the chill. It was such a short drive home that the car heat didn't come on until we pulled into the driveway

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7 years ago

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