Summer Cocktail Attire

[medpedspouse]

WTH!!! We are going to a wedding where the invite reads "summer cocktail attire" - what does that mean?

I got DH to call the groom (our friend) and he said that he is wearing a linen suit. I do not want to wear linen. As much as I love it, I always feel rumpled as soon as I sit.

Got any ideas as to what I should wear? Maxi? Short summer dress? What makes a summer dress a cocktail dress? I think part of the wedding is outdoors. So, I will most likely be wearing wedge type shoes. I have 3 weeks to find something.

Um - help please.

[MrsK]

Either a maxi or short summer dress would be fine. Accessories make it a cocktail dress. I'd go with something breezy that makes you feel good. The last "summer cocktail" wedding I went to, most of the women wore pastel sundresses in various fabrics. I wore a lavender (uh, linen) tea length a-line dress with spaghetti straps, a purple pashmina, satin high heeled sandals, carried a clutch, and wore sparkly jewlery. The sandals had big silk flowers on them a la Sex and the City. Also made sure I was wearing good foundation garments, a strapless bra, etc.

I've probably worn the same dress to the Farmer's Market on Sundays with a straw hat, cardigan, keds, and a tote bag. That would be an example how to NOT make a summer dress into a cocktail dress.

[medpedspouse]

I've probably worn the same dress to the Farmer's Market on Sundays with a straw hat, cardigan, keds, and a tote bag. That would be an example how to NOT make a summer dress into a cocktail dress.

LOL. This is what I mean...this is what I think when I think summer dress. I am not a big accessory girl although I luuuuuv wraps. Have them in all colors since I am always cold. BTW - I do not like thin straps....I just do not think they look good on me. Looking for a wide strap/halter.

How's this?

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...ategory=Petite

[MrsK]

I like that. That is my favorite/most flattering cut. The one that I wore to a summer wedding was also Ann Taylor. It was longer, past the knees, and a bit more flowy.

BTW, in Miami, "summer cocktail" is basically the uniform for every Saturday night. My favorite party/date dress was an Ann Taylor silk, dark pink, same cut on top as the one you posted, with a knee length a-line skirt.

[Vishenka69]

That's a cute dress. JCrew has a lot of those and I believe have an extra 20% off their sale stuff. I think basically any summer dress with heels and jewelry will be appropriate as "summer cocktail" attire.

I also like this one.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...ategory=Petite

[scrub-jay]

I like that dress a lot, you could even dress it up with a colorful scarf or wrap. Wedges will work great for the outfit!

Have a great time!

-C

[medpedspouse]

That's a cute dress. JCrew has a lot of those and I believe have an extra 20% off their sale stuff. I think basically any summer dress with heels and jewelry will be appropriate as "summer cocktail" attire.

I also like this one.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...ategory=Petite

I liked this one too but I am shaped like an apple. With my middle-aging bod, I had to give wearing horizontal stripes.

I have to admit that I am afraid to get something from JCrew, Banana, Ann Taylor and the like. What are the chances that someone will wear the exact same thing? Am I being crazy?

Are there other stores like Lily's ModCloth that you know of? BTW - I ordered what I thought was a great dress and it was sold out. I ended up with plan B which is this one. I tell ya - skinny straps are not my friend.

This was plan A - I even had wedge sandals that matched!!
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModClo...k+of+Art+Dress

This is plan b.... boo - hiss - it's going back. http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModClo...ter+Maxi+Dress

[MrsK]

I've always bought dresses from Ann Taylor and, outside of the office where I work with a zillion other lawyers and paralegals in business suits, I've never seen anyone in the same dress.

[rainbabies]

Not helpful, but a funny

Re: wearing the same thing as someone else...

My friend got married last month. Her mom wore a navy blue dress. The grooms grandmother, (who raised him) wore the exact same dress. When grandma got out of her car, and the mom walked out of dreasing room...priceless. Lol.
Have a nice time! I'm sure you'll look beautiful in whatever you wear!

[MrsK]

In the same vein, I went to a wedding a couple years ago where it seemed that every single woman wore a black dress except for the MOB and MOG. . . who wore nearly identical brown dresses.

[Vishenka69]

What about Anthropologie or a department store?