special occasion dress

[anotheranon]

Despite recent sartorial adventures, I still don't really have a grip on special occasion dress.

This comes up in my mind because we went to a cocktail-ish Christmas party on Tuesday which I kind of second-guessed. I ended up wearing the Pleats Please (long skirt and top) with a velvet blazer and pointy (ow!) toed high heels and it was ok, but it seems in order to be cocktail-y skirts must invariably be worn with stilletoish heels to keep from looking casual or frumpy.

Most dresses marketed for after 5 aren't very "me" either. They're either so classic as to be boring, or so girly that I just feel (and look) strange.

I'm sorely tempted to try for French Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt's "uniform" of tuxedo jacket and silk trousers (go through the slideshow), but then I remind myself that I'm not a magazine editor and local cocktail parties aren't Paris fashion week.

Fortunately I may not have to think about this again until next year - most of my social outings are, gratefully, fairly casual.

Comments

[plaidsheep.livejournal.com]

In my very humble opinion, you can't go wrong with a tuxedo jacket and silk trousers. It's very classic, chic, and also very YOU.

FWIW, I have never been able to walk in stiletto heels. I've worn pointed toe flats or very low heels with a long straight skirt and classic sweater (with some chunky jewelry or a bright scarf), or a very simple black sheath dress.

You have to feel comfortable in your "costume" in order to be able to pull off the role. :)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I tend to agree, but fashion wise this is a conservative town. After five still seems to mean dresses and skirts around here.

I love the way stilettos look and can walk in them, but they hurt and I just don't feel very stable in them. Your suggestion of pointed flats might work though - the points retain the slim "edge", but without the height.

[danabren.livejournal.com]

Seconded. Classic style is classic for a reason.

Plus, you know, silk trousers :)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

If I can find a silk trouser that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...