Fashionistas: Help me...

[laylamcb]

I have to go to a wedding, and...well, it's totally cliched, but I haven't got a THING to wear! ACK. The wedding is on a Friday at 3:30. What does that say to you? Somewhat casual? Certainly not formal, right? This will be in 9 days, so it'll probably still be pretty warm here on the East Coast.

It's nearly IMPOSSIBLE for me to find a dress that fits because although I'm an apple with broad shoulders, I'm really quite short-waisted and long-legged. (Wow. I sound like an ogre! Really, I'm not a hobgoblin, just a hard body-type to fit with a "one-piece" clothing item like a dress). So unless you have the dress style that beats all others, dresses are pretty much out.

Suggestions? Please?! Make me pretty! :001_smile:

[Starr]

The reception has something to do with the formality of your clothing. What are the plans? A pretty suit always works and you do have those beautiful, long legs we all wish for. :)

[Pretty in Pink]

yes, it is still quite warm here on the east coast. i'd go w/ light colored or grey slacks, i prefer these perfect trousers from gap http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5697 with a halter-style dress top like these http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=34608. halters look really good on broad shoulders! and a pretty dress shoe, maybe a slingback or open toe sandal if you have them.

[E_Edgerton]

I have to second the Gap finds. I like the idea of a halter on broader shoulders and I like the cut of the trousers. I would however, do the trouser in black, why not buy a pant you can wear over and over again? As for the print of the top, pick something that just looks nice with your skin tone and eye color. I would pair this with just a little heel. That way you are comfortable (especially in the heat) and you still look polished for the wedding. Not to mention you will have some new classic pieces for your wardrobe. You are definitely going to be pretty!:)

[krazzymommy]

Like the pants - in black, definitely - with a flare, not the skinny style. Not too sure about the tops - 'eh. Definitely a heel - higher is better, imo.

I'm definitely a black/white/neutral clothing-colored girl, I'd do an updo, somewhat dramatic makeup and a heel.

I've been to plenty of formal weddings on Friday nights and evening always means more formal to me than daytime. Whatever you pick should also fit your personality. Friends know me to be a little on the "louder" side when it comes to makeup and fancy dress so even if I was a little overdressed, it wouldn't be like I stood out anymore than normal. From the boards, I sense you are a lot of fun so I would assume you dress similar to that. :)

[laylamcb]

These are just...GREAT recommendations, ladies! Y'all are stylin', I'm sure. I'm soooo fashion-challenged.

Can I ask one more question? Say I go with the black pants, heel, and some kind of sleeveless top (I like that because I rarely can get my shoulders into anything anyway). Um, what color top do I look for? I know: Nearly 40, and I don't know my colors. So sad! I have red/auburn hair, blue eyes, and very fair (pinkish, not peachish) skin. Royal blue? Green? Brown?

Tomorrow is shopping day, so I thank you in advance!

ETA: I tried to rep you all, but I've been too frisky today already apparently. Erg! I'm making a list...

[krazzymommy]

My vote's for green. I think redheads look stunning in green. :)

[caitlinsmom]

As a fellow red head I ALWAYS get compliments on blue of any tone. More important though pick a color you are comfortable in. You'll be more confidant and that is sexy. :)

[lovelearnandlive]

I agree, green or blue would be great. If you go blue a lighter blue or a periwinkle might look better with the black pants than a darker blue.

I have a pair of black wool trousers that I love. I can't tell you how many times I have been saved by them and my black pumps.

[GailV]

I just wanted to pipe up and say it is BREATHTAKING that y'all know this stuff. I know how to dress in yoga pants and a t-shirt, and consider it stylin' if they're actually clean.

Can you all meet at my house and, I don't know, give me some fashion sense somehow? How do you learn this stuff? Or do you just sort of know it intuitively?

[E_Edgerton]

I would definitely go with deep hues of blues and greens...You are going to look stunning!

[chanda7]

I'm not sure if we can figure out your colors with certainty, but I'll give it a whirl.

If you are naturally and truly red-headed (not brown with red highlights, etc.), then that usually places you to being a Autumn or Spring by default. I've got the "Color Me Beautiful" book, and it says to ask yourself if you look better in muted colors (like earth tones) for Autumns or clear colors like light, clear golds and peaches for Springs? It is important not to go with which colors you prefer, but which colors look better on you (make black circles go away, etc.). Going with a nice medium-toned green would probably suit you either way.

[laylamcb]

I just wanted to pipe up and say it is BREATHTAKING that y'all know this stuff. I know how to dress in yoga pants and a t-shirt, and consider it stylin' if they're actually clean.

Can you all meet at my house and, I don't know, give me some fashion sense somehow? How do you learn this stuff? Or do you just sort of know it intuitively?

:iagree: completely. As Jeeves would say, the mind boggles. How did I miss Style 101? I mean, I am a girl. Right? How'd I not get this stuff?!

Thank you all so very much! Off to shop tomorrow. :auto: Woohoo! I'll report back if I find something fab. (I feel like one of those poor style-challenged "What Not to Wear" women.) :001_smile:

[Mom to Aly]

I have to chime in with the blues, especially--my dd is ultra pale, big bright blue eyes, strawberry blond turning very red, and she looks amazing in blues, including royal blue which could look amazing with black!

Good luck!

[laylamcb]

Well, ladies, I had what I THINK was a very successful shopping spree! I got a silk halter-style top in "aubergine," which is apparently a very deep blue. It was really the only thing I tried on all day that fit right. I NEVER would've picked it up had y'all not mentioned that style. Wish I could find a link online, but I can't. Then I found a pair of pin-striped gray trousers at Ann Taylor. I had planned on black per the recommendations, but since the top was such a dark blue, I thought that gray might be better...? I THINK these (http://tinyurl.com/6lh7gr) are the pants.

Woohoo! Now I just need shoes.... Black? :001_smile:

[laylamcb]

OK, already changed my mind. :001_huh: LOVE the top, but I actually HAD a pair of black pants that I love, but bought the gray pin stripe because I thought the black would be too dark with the dark blue. It's not--it looks great! So I'll return the gray pants and go BACK to your original black pant consensus.

Still with the shoe question, though.... These pants are long, but not VERY long on me (I'm fairly tall). I could get away with maybe a 2-inch heel at the most? Do I just go with black? Again, the top is very dark blue and the pants are black--both solid. I sure wish that I had the style sense to come up with one of those cool shoes like dots or stripes or plaids or animal prints or something. ALL of my shoes are monochromatic. And they're pretty much all black! :tongue_smilie:

[muffinmom]

OK, already changed my mind. :001_huh: LOVE the top, but I actually HAD a pair of black pants that I love, but bought the gray pin stripe because I thought the black would be too dark with the dark blue. It's not--it looks great! So I'll return the gray pants and go BACK to your original black pant consensus.

Still with the shoe question, though.... These pants are long, but not VERY long on me (I'm fairly tall). I could get away with maybe a 2-inch heel at the most? Do I just go with black? Again, the top is very dark blue and the pants are black--both solid. I sure wish that I had the style sense to come up with one of those cool shoes like dots or stripes or plaids or animal prints or something. ALL of my shoes are monochromatic. And they're pretty much all black! :tongue_smilie:

You can certainly go with black, which is the most conservative route, but, happily, these days you can add almost ANY color shoe! Having said that, I guess you don't want to stand out too much at a wedding. A black or gray with some sort of texture or pattern, i.e., snakeskin or leopard print would look great. Definitely add some jewelry--some fancy long beads (if that works with the neckline, or larger earrings and maybe a cuff bracelet. I probably wouldn't wear jewelry on ears, neck, and wrist at the same time. Pick two. And top it off with a great clutch purse! The good news is that you don't have to match the purse to the outfit or shoes, either! You can, but you don't have to. Maybe a metallic clutch--pewter?

You do realize that you're going to have to post a photo of you wearing your outfit?

[sjp]

i say pick your favorite color like black, or green as some people say and do a pant and sweater top both in the same color, then accessorize with dramatic high heels in a pattern or at least contrasting color and some bold jewelry either as a necklace or bracelets (but not both)

[Heather in NC]

My vote's for green. I think redheads look stunning in green. :)

:iagree:

[laylamcb]

You can certainly go with black, which is the most conservative route, but, happily, these days you can add almost ANY color shoe! Having said that, I guess you don't want to stand out too much at a wedding. A black or gray with some sort of texture or pattern, i.e., snakeskin or leopard print would look great. Definitely add some jewelry--some fancy long beads (if that works with the neckline, or larger earrings and maybe a cuff bracelet. I probably wouldn't wear jewelry on ears, neck, and wrist at the same time. Pick two. And top it off with a great clutch purse! The good news is that you don't have to match the purse to the outfit or shoes, either! You can, but you don't have to. Maybe a metallic clutch--pewter?

You do realize that you're going to have to post a photo of you wearing your outfit?

Egad! Can it be photoshopped first? ;) I am the most unphotogenic woman on the planet. But I'll see what I can do.

Love your advice--thanks! I think that the neckline on this top really prohibits a necklace, so I got a silver link bracelet and a pair of earrings today. Yes, I bought my FIRST PAIR OF EARRINGS TODAY because I, um, don't have pierced ears. :leaving:

It's like I've lived under a rock these 39 years, isn't it?! :001_smile: