Ahhh. It’s the season of weddings. I love weddings. I would totally buy a new wedding dress for every five year anniversary mark if my husband would let me.
Our next two Fashion Fridays “Shopping with a Purpose” (S.W.A.P.) posts are about weddings. One is a fun one about selecting a beach wedding dress which my girlfriend just did for her 20th wedding anniversary, but the ideas would easily work for a first time wedding. The other one is today’s topic and is specifically for you friends attending a wedding.
Here’s the question I got from a dear friend of mine’s mother:
My cousin is getting married in October at a very high end property in North Carolina. She has been living in New York City a long time and all her elegant friends will be from there. She chose North Carolina because her parents have a home there. The wedding is at 7 pm, the mother is wearing a floor length gown, I don’t know the colors, and the men are wearing suits, so it’s not black tie. Keep in mind I am most comfortable in pants and never wear short dresses. Do you have any suggestions on appropriate attire?
First of all, I encourage everyone to at least TRY a cocktail dress if they’re not fans of shorter skirts. I have several friends who don’t like their legs and try long dresses or pants but often times the super chic look requires a knee length cocktail dress. Next, when it comes to a super chic wedding, if you’re feeling uncomfortable STAY CLASSIC. Go with classic styles and neutral colors like black, midnight, and gray/silver (I still avoid whites).
Here are a few options if you’re willing to give a knee length dress a try.
This classic lace overlay dress is simple and sophisticated and for a fall wedding.
I love this dress! It is simple, chic, and sophisticated PLUS it address those upper arm concerns. I realize it looks short, but it’s because the model is tall. It warrants trying if you’re not super tall as I would imagine it will fall closer to knee length (and even if not this dress, this idea for the crepe top half and lace bottom half in a dark color is spot on).
This fun look combines funky with sophistication, texture with pattern. By using separates, it’s easier to fit your body and the skirt runs longer so you don’t end up as self conscious about the length.
Finally, you can always go with a simple, classic little black dress (or it would be just as beautiful in midnight or gray).
For those particularly uncomfortable with a cocktail dress length for a wedding (or who just end up cold), there still are some wonderful ways to feel modern, sophisticated and beautiful and stick to pantsuits and long dresses.
Pantsuits are all over the place and are a wonderful option for simple sophistication.
This is my favorite of all the options, but it’s St. John’s which makes it completely unaffordable even when priced 60% off! However, if you use this style as your guide, this look and fabric could be the perfect look for an autumn affair.
Nordstrom’s is about to have its big sale and this simple Julia Jordan is a good look but jersey fabric can be a little iffy and not look high end so you may end up ordering and returning (some things have to be seen up close).
In the alternative, this is a lovely wedding perfect pantsuit in crepe which wears beautifully and could be topped with brighter accessories to personalize and finish off (this is pricey but check other websites and sales for a similar look).
Because this is floor length, it could read formal, but it is unadorned and solid colored which means simple jewelry could make this a beautiful option (paired with a wrap for those with upper arm worries).
This color block gown hits the right notes: it’s simple, sophisticated, and covers your arms and legs. If you’re not comfortable in high heels, you can wear lower heeled shoes and just hem the gown.
As you can see, there are a lot of options for a sophisticated chic look for a fall wedding. My general approach to a particularly fashion forward wedding is to stay simple. Black is universally sophisticated and you can personalize it with your hair and accessories.
Have fun wedding-goers!
Thank you! Thank you! I have a poolside wedding in Miami in November. My childhood friend who is getting married owns a boutique in Coconut Grove (an exclusive shopping area), so I have a similar issue as your friend. I LOVE the blue Tahari batwing dress, but it is sold out at Nordstrom. HELP ME GINDI!! I have to have a dress like that! I deally, I want THAT dress…
okay carrie, i’m on the hunt – posting now about Nordstrom’s semi annual dress – if you can’t find a dress there you can’t find a dress anywhere!!