I’m attending a very prestigious, upscale wedding on June 19 and have no idea what to wear! The wedding is at 4:30 pm and I have to wear some kind of a cocktail dress, but the wedding is also outside and I have to wear shoes that can be easily worn on grass….but no stilettos! Any suggestions for a dress and shoes that would be appropriate?
Thanks,Rebecca
Thanks so much for writing in! This is a tough question that so many of us stress about when weddings take place during that “limbo” time between afternoon and evening…
my idea for a look that goes perfectly from day to night is a maxi dress! Maxis are great for summer and can be super stylish if you find the right one! This one from BCBGeneration is sophisticated enough for your event thanks to the panel detail (so cute and very designer-y looking!) and the fabric.
Most maxis out there are made from cotton, but a fabric that casual has no place at a fancy wedding, so look for a dress like this one with the “look” and feel of silk (poly blend but no one will ever have to know!) for a dressier result.
When it comes to shoes, go for a wedge. They’re practical for outdoor events (no sinking into the ground as you walk/dance) but they will still give you some height. I love these from Steve Madden…and they totally compliment the blue in the dress.
My only problem with wedges is that they don’t exactly scream formal or elegance, so lucky for you, you can cover them up with your beautiful maxi–but still wear them after the wedding all Summer long!!
Now you have the shoes and the dress, but your accessories are what’s going to take this dress to the next level. A big necklace in orange combined with an arm full of gold bangles with give this dress the “prestige” you were looking for. And if orange isn’t your thing, try accessories that incorporate gold and play up the colors in the dress. Have fun at your event and send us a pic of your final outfit if you can!!
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Thanks! This wasn’t my e-mail but i have a similar party situation. I’m on the hunt for a petite maxi dress now.
The only bad thing about this specific dress is that the base color is white (and there is loads of white throughout), which is wedding guest taboo 101. Even if the bride is totally cool with it, other guests will be gawking and whispering. My hubby’s aunt wore a white dress with blue flowers throughout and a blue shrug to our wedding. The ONLY reason I even remember this is because I heard from 30 different people about how tacky it was that she was wearing a white dress. She wasn’t doing it to be malicious – she looked fabulous in it. I couldn’t have cared less what she wore, but by the end of the day I was exhausted by the b!tchy whispers.
What an awesome sujestion. The dress and shoes are beautiful. Too bad I don’t do strapless.
Same for me–I have this dilemma as well!
Girls, don’t let the fact that the dress is strapless hold you back!!! Get the dress, go to a craft store and find some fabulous ribbon (personally, I suggest a wider ribbon) & take the dress & the ribbon to a local tailor (check out Yelp.com for a good one in your area) & have them create straps for you! Halter, spaghetti, cris-cross, whatever your heart desires!!! Most tailors will do it for less than $10 (at least in Los Angeles)!
I wish I had more friends that were getting married! I’ve been dying to buy a spectacular dress to wear out! You girls are lucky!
xoxo,
Jewell
dayindollout.com
Love this suggestion Jewell!! I’m all about the mending to make it work for you! And about the white at weddings, I think the rules get much more flexible in the Summer. I think any bride who throws down the “NO WHITE” gauntlet is having a major case of the bridezillas! I think guests in whites, creams and light colors make for beautiful pictures too! And this dress def. doesn’t read bridal!!
Normally, I’m totally in line with your advice- but for an “upscale/prestigious” wedding, I think you are really off base here. Sorry!!
No worries Jen–different strokes for different folks! But IMO nothing is worse than trying to make an “evening/cocktail” dress work for an afternoon wedding in the SUMMER–it just looks so out of place and all sorts of wrong. A silk maxi dress like this one is elegant, season appropriate, youthful and modern–everything I want to be at a wedding!
Ooooh I love this dress! I don’t have a wedding to go to, but am thinking it might do for fancy, summer cocktails?!
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