Urgent! Dress meeee!!

[spotty_dog]

OK, she who hesitates is lost, and the top is sold out. But! I found two boutiques IN my town that carry stuff that will work. So I feel like that buys me a couple of days. But! They seem to cater to the 50-something chic retiree more than to my demographic. So I think I will have to be careful. I kind of really just want to wear my gray NYDJ jeans and a denim-velvet scoop-neck tank I found in one of those shops, with some accessories and heels, but even for Seattle that might be pushing it. Another place had a cute ombre-patterned scoop-neck dress that was swingy and hit above the knee, but can I wear something like that with sheer black hose? I'm so fashion-stupid. :\ And I have no bags. Well, one forest green leather number and one brocade tapestry that I might have to pull out. Hm.

I think I might buy some stuff today, photograph myself in it, and get input!

What I will still have to overnight is shoes, and maybe Spanx pantyhose. So I've got until...probably tomorrow noon for those. Any tips?

(By the way, thank you WPW for your help too! But just to clarify, this is a little more of a step-away-from-the-mandals intervention than the fashion-savvy advising the fashion-savvy! Those heels gave me palpitations! Go easy on a newb. I did keep my eye out for chunky jewelry when I was out today...)

[MsSassyBaskets]

I love LSW's ideas, but I'm wondering if finding all the pieces might be daunting for a fashion noob without a mall nearby? This sounds like a situation where I advise "the panic dress". The panic dress is usually black, made of a flattering material like a sturdy jersey with a nice drape, not too thin or clingy, wrinkle-free, knee-length, and has some gathers in the right places to flatter your shape. It's the dress you put on when you have no idea what to wear and need it to be not too dressy, not too casual, not too short, not too long, etc. etc. It's the dress you put on when you're panicking about what to wear. And it's only one piece of clothing, not a whole outfit to deal with.

Mine is almost exactly like this but I think the neck is cut just a little lower. Same brand though. I also thought that this would make a great panic dress. Pair with a simple, low-heeled black pump or sandal, and (if you want, and if you're wearing pumps not sandals) sheer or patterned black or nude tights.

[spotty_dog]

Yes, I love LSW's suggestions for a "buy it and forget it" option and was thrilled, thrilled to see that nice pieces like that can go on sale and be at a good price! But without a ready-made outfit I'm starting to flounder again.

There were some cute little black dress type options at the two stores in town. I'm gearing up my nerves to go do some trying-on...I have about 30 minutes before volunteering at the kindergarten. I'm nervous about BLACK black though. I'm afraid my coloring will make me look ghostly...only one way to find out though I guess. I love your description though of what makes a good LBD. Very helpful!

[MrsK]

Here are a few "one and done" options.

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size=

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size= (This one you can do with a cardigan or jacket almost in any color or pattern too)

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size= (the pattern on this is very flattering. I'd probably go with nude heels)


http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size= (wrap dresses are very flattering and easy to dress up or down. Wear a cami if you are self-concious)

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size=

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=3&size= (accessory - would work with any of these)

As for bags, I'd go with clutch. I'm assuming that you won't carry much and that way you don't have to worry about a shoulder strap interfering:

With a solid dress: http://www.target.com/p/moda-luxe-co...ot=medium_1_22

With a patterned dress: http://www.target.com/p/moda-luxe-am...ot=medium_1_24

With any: http://www.target.com/p/juicy-clutch...ot=medium_1_42 or http://www.target.com/p/merona-lizar...ot=medium_1_46 provided that the color doesn't clash.

[spotty_dog]

Yayay! You rock, the more examples I get the more confident I'm feeling.

I found out that our locally owned store "The Vintage Perch" is a KILLER place for accessories, and I am totally going to get jewelry and a bag there once I decide on the outfit. (They also have carefully curated secondhand clothes that I'm dying to really go through with an eye to daily wear! Like $14 for a pair of Lucky brand jeans...)

I came a heartbeat from purchasing an outfit today. Um...this skirt: http://www.hullsoffrankfort.com/clos...d=566&offset=0 and a sleeveless top very similar to the sold-out one that LSW linked, except white stitching and openwork instead of the beaded neckline. Everything fit and flattered but I worried the asymmetrical stripes would accentuate my bottom too much. I also looked at but didn't try on this similar dress: http://www.hullsoffrankfort.com/clos...d=565&offset=0

I think if I can find heels at Payless and support hose at Walmart (and, you know, MAKE a flipping DECISION), I can get away without paying for overnight shipping. It does mean shopping with kids in tow tomorrow and Friday but it'll work! Woot! There are also some little boutique places in the town 20 minutes away that I'd overlooked.

[Curegirl]

Cool, good luck Alison!

[poky]

(By the way, thank you WPW for your help too! But just to clarify, this is a little more of a step-away-from-the-mandals intervention than the fashion-savvy advising the fashion-savvy! Those heels gave me palpitations! Go easy on a newb. I did keep my eye out for chunky jewelry when I was out today...)

I already knew I loved you, but this seals it; I laughed out loud when I saw those heels, based on your description of the shoes you already own; if they'd been suggested to me, I would have had the same reaction you did.

[spotty_dog]

I already knew I loved you, but this seals it; I laughed out loud when I saw those heels, based on your description of the shoes you already own; if they'd been suggested to me, I would have had the same reaction you did.

*looking forward to Tevas season, baby*

[spotty_dog]

DH, watching me maul my ears with earrings for the first time in years while I mention that I'll need to wear my heels a bit in the next few days to break them in: "You're really dressing up for this thing, huh? Should I, like...wear a tie?"

Anyway I went a completely different direction while shopping in town and I hope it works out. >.< I have a black tank, a black flared skirt (both on sale!), and a drapey stone colored tweeded jacket/cardigan thing with 3/4 sleeves. I'll wear turquoise drop earrings, a dark turquoise clutch, and I just have to decide between a scarf in the turquoise family and a neutral necklace; or the opposite. Also need to decide whether a bracelet would be overkill.

This has been exhausting. At the same time, I'm bitten by the bug and I think I will be shopping more in the future. I need to take more control over my wardrobe, and these cute little boutiques aren't as intimidating as I'd thought they'd be!

[v-girl]

Yay!

[poky]

Ha! That is totally something DH would say! The outfit sounds cute; can we see pictures?

[spotty_dog]

The outfit sounds cute; can we see pictures?

Um...maybe. Not here since it's public...and I'm a bit scared that I'm committing huge fashion faux pas, but it's too late to do anything about it...so maybe after all is said and done.

[spotty_dog]

OK, quick postmortem. I ditched the jacket/cardigan thing because I realized it was too stodgy. I ended up with just the black stretch tank top ($17.46 on sale), the drapey black skirt ($27.96 on sale), a dark turquoise clutch and a blue-greeny scarf (both from the new little shop in town that I'm loving), turquoise earrings and black heels. I originally planned to wear my teal boiled wool jacket (hip length), but it was 85 degrees all day...even by the time we were heading home after 10pm, I was comfortable sleeveless!

So, when I say the place was pricey, I mean that entrees were $40-60 without salads, the wine list ranged up to the $300 level, etc. You ask if there was a dress code/jacket required? Well...let's just say the family ahead of us checking in with reservations, had a ~4 year old with them and the dad was wearing flip-flops and hammer pants with one cuff rolled up mid-calf and the other rolled to the ankle. I felt...a little overdressed at that point. Ah, well.

Thanks to everyone for your input! I wouldn't have broken out of my clothing paralysis without you.

[oceanchild]

But was the food good?

[Curegirl]

But was the food good?

Yes, details! Mmmm food porn...