What would you wear? - YouLookFab Forum

Ack! I need help. I have a birthday dinner to go to tomorrow evening. It's being held at a hip, trendy, "casually elegant" (this is the Pacific Northwest, so more on the casual/funky side of casually elegant) downtown restaurant. And I can't figure out what to wear.

I wanted to wear a dress or skirt, maybe with tights and boots and my leather moto jacket, but I don't have a lot to choose from. My little black dress seems too formal (and too low cut), my polka dot cotton jersey dress seems too casual, as does my denim skirt. My sweater dress would be good, but it's too body con right now given the few extra pounds I'm carrying around (and given that I'll be eating a 5 course meal and therefore don't want to wear Spanx).

I do have jeans of course, and some trousers as well.

So what would you wear, out of your closet? I need inspiration. And I'm not above going out and buying something tomorrow as obviously I have a wardrobe hole here, but my choices are pretty much the local mall which means Macy's, Kohl's, Gap, Old Navy, etc.

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

How about building an outfit around a dressier pair of trousers? A sparkly top and leather moto paired with dressy trousers and sleek pumps could work. What types of dressy tops to you have?

Active Member

I have several dressy tops. I have a silver metallic thread tee shirt and a sequined tee as well. Those necklines would probably go best under the jacket. I tried a cowl neck top underneath and it didn't work. I'm just wondering if the sparkle seems too holiday.

rachylou

How about your black dress with something over or under it?

Well I am wearing a white sequined tank with a blazer+jeans today, and I guess the only holiday today is the first of spring (fellow PNWer here, so it's uhhh windy and not-very-springlike to say the least) so clearly I don't have a problem with sparkles being considered holiday But! A birthday could be considered a holiday so sparkles seem perfectly appropriate to me. I'd probably take the sequin tee and pop a blazer or leather moto over the top, worn over dressy trousers and pumps. Rachy's idea is good too, maybe your LBD with a loose sweater over the top?

Thistle

Love Aida's idea of the sparkly tee under the moto jacket! Pair it with nice trousers or a dark wash jean.

Raisin

I think you could pick some black trousers if you have them and pair a sparkly top if you have it, or pick one up tomorrow like you said. Hopefully something that you can use again.

bj1111

metallic thread tee with jacket and jeans. more subtle than sequins if you're worried about looking like an xmas tree.

Great ideas ladies! I will try some things on and see what I can come up with and take a pic to let you see the final result.

Firecracker (Sharan)

CK, I don't know your LBD, but if it's too low cut for the occasion, can you pull a top on over it? I have a body-con dress that becomes a hip little skirt if I pull a sweater over the top. Just a thought, in case it would give you back a skirt/dress option.
I've also seen others put tops under dresses--Clearlyclaire has done this to great effect, maximizing her dresses to my total amazement.
Also, I agree that sparkles are perfect for a birthday or any day you want to wear them! I mean, you're not talking red and green, are you, or snowflakes?? (Those might read a little "holiday"--ha).

JuneBug

Would you have a slim fitting long sleeved shirt or blouse, with a collar preferably that you could layer under your lbd? That would tone down the deep neck, and you could wear it with booties. You could also go the pencil skirt, top and fitted jacket route which is totally foolproof! To me a skirt or dress is easier to work with than trousers because just wearing a skirt or a dress gives the impression that you made an effort, and as long as it fits well, tends to look classic!

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