Hi everyone. We went out yesterday for my husband's work colleague's 50th birthday lunch. It was held at a winery on Waiheke, an island a ferry ride away. Drinks first then 4 courses, went on for nearly 5 hours. I knew she wanted people to dress up and had put lots of effort into organising, for 26 people.
I put a lot of effort into my outfit but I'm really disappointed with how it turned out, when I see the photo taken at the ferry terminal on the way back. There was some walking to the ferry involved so I had to wear comfy shoes, picked jewelled jandals ( flip-flops to most of you) and dressed them up with gold toenail polish which was also on my fingers. The dress is old, from 2009 I think. When I first wore it to an all-day training that year a woman said "I love your dress, I just can't stop looking at it." It has peacocks, flowers, bright colours ... I tried to tone in the shoes and the larger bag to carry stuff, with a smaller bag inside for comb and lipstick which I took to the restroom partway through. I had a pale green silky jacket with me which I didn't need as very hot and sunny, only put on briefly when sitting in the sun, to avoid sunburn. The jewellery is Swarovski bought half price at Waikiki Beach July last year, its first outing.
Are the proportions wrong, or is there just Too Much Going On? Why am I disappointed? Husband says it looked fine and no-one's outfit was " What do you call it, red carpet worthy?"- but I don't think this helps! I could see that all the women, maybe 18 of the 26 guests, had put in effort on their outfits! His colleague is single and has a lot of female friends and some gay male friends, but also there were couples like us.
#1-2 are the big and small bags, #3 the jacket I took, #4 shoes, #5 dress fabric close-up, #6 me in outfit.
I believe the birthday girl had a great time, we did, met some lovely new people.
Honest opinions appreciated!