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WtoW: yikes, a wedding! ETA forum wisdom at the end

Cerinda

Veteran

Making good progress on this style journey thing (Buy less, wear it
to death. Team neutral. Variety? Nah. Updated footwear goes a long. long way. Mix high and low, old and new. Online shopping seldom works.), but suddenly at a loss.

So, please help me style this favorite ink lace dress. I’ve spent hours online (and am returning what I ordered), trolled the malls, hit the consignment shops, wandered the boutiques, and can’t find anything I like better. When I bought it three years ago, it felt a little edgy and definitely retro; now? not so much.

I’ve been wearing it dressed way down (tights, boots, moto jacket), but I want to wear it for a dear friend’s wedding in Southlake TX in two weeks (4pm, outdoors, temps between 67 and 77, and the evite says semiformal). My impulse is to wear pearls and studs, and carry a dark blue bag that picks up the color of the ribbon belt. That is, however, exactly how I wore it to the groom’s daughter’s wedding last summer! (Maybe weddings bring out the conservative in me?)

#1-3 Ink lace dress, pointy wedges. #4 - 5 accessories on hand.

What do you think about shortening it? The dress might be more flattering, but it might also lose it’s slightly 40s vibe; the current length is exactly how the designer showed it.

Too early in the day for bling? Classic evening bag instead? Crystal drop earrings? Vintage rhinestone clips?

Other ideas for accessories? Metallic daytime clutch? Snake clutch? Fringe? Something unexpected, please!

Open to any and all suggestions. Grateful for links. Thanks so much!

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Belle By Sigerson Morrison Wallace Wedge - Standard Width

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Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

abc

Veteran

Are you open to different shoes? I think a metallic would look nice. And simple earrings and a bag to tie in the metallic color. The dress and lace has enough going on that the other elements need to be pretty simple in my opinion.

Elly

Veteran

Hmmm-- unbelted, navy zipper edge clutch, pearls (or no necklace), metallic peep toes, no hose? I'd preffer an uninterrupted leg line with this dress length and the hose are photographing weird.

shiny

Veteran

You look lovely. I wouldn't shorten it - midi lengths are in style. You look very chic.

I also love those shoes!

I'm thinking no jewelry - no necklace. Maybe just simple earrings. To me that would look more modern.

Cannot decide on the clutch. They are all lovely.... okay... I'd go with a black clutch to bookend the shoes.

What does it look like unbelted? I'm also curious.

I'd probably also skip the hose, but I run hot.

shiny

Veteran

Hmm... if you were open to other shoes, you could go with white shoes, to pick up the dots on the dotted clutch. That could look fresh.

Or metallic shoes and then the metallic edged clutch.

Bright red shoes would also work?

Anonymous

Lovely dress! The neckline is beautiful and has lots of interest factor, so I'd go without a necklace in order to showcase it. I'd also lean towards light colored, simpler (maybe pointed toe) shoes to minimise any break up in leg line with that length. Those shoes are delightful, but I feel there's too much going on in terms of line and contrast, and that detracts from the dress. With those two elements adjusted, I think you can go all out with the evening clutch. Presumably the festivities will continue into the evening.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Cowboy boots! Could do a western blingy belt or bag too.

It's never too early in the day for bling in Texas.

Or something like coral shoes and pashmina. Or yellow.

Aida

Veteran

Lovely dress on you Cerinda! I vote change out the belt (maybe to something metallic or chain) and go with a clutch in a totally different color. This magpie feels it's never too early for bling but daytime sparkle is a little different than nighttime sparkle, so perhaps no necklace and some plain oversized crystal earrings like the ones below.

Kate Spade New York small square stud earrings

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Crystal droplet earrings

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Elle

Veteran

Love the length of the dress - so I vote not to shorten. I agree with everyone- no necklace, sparkly earrings, and a more distinctive handbag (metallic, bright, snakeskin) and you are good to go. Have fun!

unfrumped

Veteran

Great dress, and I so hear you on, "haven't found anything I like better". Sure, it's good to look to update and have options for the dressy capsule, but kudo's for not buying if it's not out there right now. I've done too much pressure-buying myself for these events. Concentrate on outfitting this dress with no worries about having worn it before.

I'd like to see more light tones or some color, too. Metallic would fit the bill--I like the larger clutches so you could use one you have, but I could see you with something in a soft silver or pale gold depending on what reads better on you--also would go for one not too tiny. Goes with your hair and picks up on skin tones peeking through the lace. See Angie's post last winter with her navy lace dress . I would probably not do snake or print because it might be too much with the lace which is kind of a pattern.

I also agree, no necklace. Let the neckline shine on its own. If you do earrings, they can be sparkly.
Shoes are hard for me, so I can see how these might be "the ones". If you have time you could look for metallic or nude (then that would influence the clutch , as to where to put the bling/lighter tones; sometimes I have to buy things that are returnable and see what I end up with, when I am short on time).

Anonymous

As a Texan, I respectfully disagree that it is never too early in the day for bling. As I expect would be the case with a late afternoon wedding in other parts of the country, people will likely choose their attire based on the timing and degree of formality of the reception. If it will be a quick cake and champagne affair ending before the sun goes down, then dress for an afternoon event. If there is dinner and dancing, then it really is an evening event, and guests will dress accordingly.

Your lace dress is gorgeous - I can see why you couldn't find anything you like better! I would prefer a simpler shoe, those gorgeous wedges do compete with the dress a bit. Of your bags, I like the smaller one best. The shape and size of that bag suits the dress better than the envelope clutches IMHO, and black and navy is such a classic combo. Though I also agree with those who suggest that nude or metallic shoes would look nice, too, with a metallic or similar bag. I also vote no necklace (or perhaps a very delicate one) and simple earrings, to allow the lace to take center stage.

Umm, just so you know, you are probably underestimating the expected temperature by about 10 degrees F. Temps usually peak here at around 5 pm. For example, right now at about 5 pm today's temp is at today's expected high of 93. That may affect your decision about whether to wear stockings.

Anonymous

This is gorgeous on you!
My inital thought is that you could re-wear this, exactly as-is. I don't think people will remember what you wore to the other wedding.
However, just for fun, you could try a thicker belt, or maybe a teal shoe?

Joy

Veteran

Wear the dress. I doubt that anyone will notice except that you look great. A bag with a zipper edge could catch and rip the lace. I'm thinking no belt or necklace and like the idea of nude or metallic shoes and bagif you want to change something. The shoes you have would also work.

Anonymous

Gorgeous dress , and I too vote for no belt and more focused jewellery.....and can I be the spanner who wishes it was a tad shorter? It's hitting at the widest part of your calf - at least to my eye - and something about it makes me think it would be great as a shorter shift.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a different perspective on the dress as well. It's gorgeous, but I would love to see the lace hemmed to be even with the underlayer. It would still be a below-the-knee length, but it would simplify the line of the dress a bit and keep the main focus on the lovely neckline and your face. I love the idea of a simple metallic shoe too.

tulle

Veteran

OK, I am going to suggest a little experiment with this lovely dress, to be done with pins or tape in front of your mirror to see whether you like it: I would try shortening ONLY the under-dress a couple of inches, to reveal your knees through the lace. Playing with longer sheer layers over short lengths looks new right now. I would also tug the sleeve caps out a bit straighter across your shoulders, if they are not stitched down, and go without a necklace. This could give the outfit a smooth current look--or the dress might look much better in its original state, in which case, take out the pins and no harm done! Statement earrings, maybe?

Deborah

Veteran

It is a beautiful dress! I would be inclined to go with sheer black hose if you are going to wear those gorgeous shoes. Or if nude hose, I would like to see a nude shoe. I think either option will create a better line on the lower half of the body. I would go easy on the accessories because the dress is quite a statement on it's own. As far as a clutch goes, I am not sure. What you have are lovely but none are seeming quite right with the dress.. maby the little spotted one.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous dress!

I'm going to suggest nude-for-you shoes. I like a long leg line and feel that a nude shoe would be perfect for this gorgeous midi-length dress. I'd suggest opt for gorgeous earrings and no necklace. I don't mind this belt....your idea of pairing it with the navy envelope clutch is lovely.

However, I absolutely absolutely ADORE that polka dot clutch! Now that's a statement accessory I would love to carry everywhere I could with otherwise neutral outfits.

If you do have metallic sandals, that would be another way to go. Add a bit of bling to make the outfit wedding-y too.

Peri

Veteran

Have you considered it without the belt? I don't think that belt adds anything to the look of the dress. It sort of messes up the line I think and just looks clash-y against the beautiful lace.

I also wonder if you have a delicate pendant necklace? Something that dips down into the U shape of the neckline. Otherwise I'd go with earrings only...the heavy round necklace fights with the neckline of the dress.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Cerinda --

Wow, gorgeous dress on you!

I agree you shouldn't feel tons of pressure to mix it up, but also like the styling suggestions above.

Experimenting with the type of belt/no belt, type of necklace/no necklace, and of course shoes will probably make it feel most different for you.

I love pre-war vintage so would be so tempted to amp up the dress with rhinestone everything, but if you want to skew more modern I think flat metallics (in shoes/bag/belt) would get you closer to that direction.

I did see a piece of jewelry that you might want to consider, but I'll pm you the link as there's only 1 and YLF has lots of lurkers.

[The various types of shortening are something to consider, but with the wedding 2 weeks out I'd be a little nervous about the alteration needing a tune up or not being done at all. Seems like mine always take a *little* more time than the estimate! But maybe after?]

Anonymous

I would vote shortening the dress to the back of the knee, and wearing with nude heels. Very minimal jewelry to show off the fab dress!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE the dress as is, Cerinda. Gorgeous. Nice with the shoes too. Sheer black hose gets my vote, and a completely different clutch. Something more vibrant to liven up the dark.

You *could* choose a skinny black patent belt or metallic belt and match a clutch to the metallic.

Cerinda

Veteran

Thanks for all the brilliant styling ideas!

The ribbon belt is only topstitched, so off it goes. Big improvement! Yes, it needs a belt. I tried an obi, a chain, and a narrow leather: obi wins, but that just depends on what I can find this week.

Yes, I'm really sensitive to the leg line, issue. Heavens, I've been looking for nude dress shoes for ages. Back to the shoe hunt; black sheers as a back-up.

Add delicate daytime drop earrings to the list. And a new (another?) clutch? Oooh, what fun! I'd much rather shop for accessories than clothing!

ETA: The polka dots on the black evening bag are actually rhinestones!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I actually love the shoes with this dress. They emphasize the retro aspect of the dress. BTW you could be a double for Patricia Arquette in Boardwalk Empire...

My favorite idea is adding a bright clutch for the always effective pop of color. You could search for matching shoes but I think those are much harder to find than a bright clutch. And like I said, I don't mind the shoes with this because you look tall. And the dress has a lot of vertical integrity.

Anonymous

A metallic clutch would look very nice with this dress. Try to avoid hose if you can -- it's still pretty hot down here in Texas!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a stunning dress on you! Of course it is the best thing you've seen; no wonder. You are beautiful in it.

I love the suggestions of losing the necklace, and checking for a metallic shoe and/or belt and/or clutch. I find a soft pewter or dull gold is almost "nude for me" and works great.

Hmm. I wonder if my gold Okalas might work for you? I think they call the colour Latte or something and it is on sale in a lot of places (I got mine on substantial discount) since it is an older colour and considered "summer," I suppose. They look a bit warmer in this photo than they are IRL -- the ankle strap is almost nude on me and doesn't interfere with leg line.

Sam Edelman Women's Okala Dress Pump

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cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

My first thought when I saw the dress was to put shoes and a clutch in a soft silvery lavender shade. I think the belt looks fine but if it drapes well without, then that would change the look.

The dress is gorgeous on you. I like the bright navy blue and the lace is pretty.

Anonymous

I'll vote for those Okalas.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

I have not read the other replies yet. It is a cute dress but the length is really awkward imho. I think it would look better at knee length. To me it looks a little dark for a wedding. Maybe good for an evening wedding though? You might think about adding some color (red shoes? Or maybe gold? I can't tell if the dress is blue or black).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love the dress, and the length but would try it unbelted and a non-black bag. I would just experiment with belt/no belt and different bags if you have them until it feels right.

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