I have listened to your comments and looked for a cardigan to wear with the watercolor dress (in any case even in NYC it would have been too cold to wear it alone). I don't have a black cashmere crewneck (a no-brainer) and the only option currently available is the featherweight cashmere cardigan that is still full price. After trying different alternatives (including the Jackie in pink frost that is a perfect color match for the dress), I have settled for the Celosia cardigan in black, which goes very well with the style of the dress and also has the advantage of being very thick so that it should keep me warm. I am going to wear this to church, probably:
I think that the black Celosia is a nice option for those of you looking for an evening or dressy cardigan: the ruffles are elegant but not overwhelming. Before buying this one, I sold my other Celosia in cinnamon spice on the JCA Weekly Exchange because I didn't want to have many cardigans in the same style, especially ruffled. I think that I am going to wear the black much more often than the cinnamon spice.
For the evening reception, I have two options and I think that I am going to bring both and decide at the last minute.
The first option is to wear my BR cocktail dress with my BR velvet blazer from last winter and a BR necklace. I hadn't thought about it when I was putting it together, but it's a 100% Banana outfit, which, for me, is kind of unusual as I don't own a lot of Banana:
In pictures the dress is a little bit loose on the top but that's because for the life of me I couldn't zip it up and I didn't want to force and break the zipper just to take pictures of myself (that would have been silly, right?) The necklace is very sparkly IRL and I bought it along with the dress on supersale for something like $18, after seeing it on the adorable Slastena who highly recommended it.
The second option is more elegant in a classic way. It features an old dress by Caterine Malandrino that I had bought years ago at a sample sale and I was simply afraid to try on because I was sure that it wouldn't fit any longer. Well, it looks like I did loose all that baby fat after all, as it fits me again like a glove!
It's made in a double layer of silk chiffon and has a beautiful draping:
I think that it is maybe a little too serious for a friends' wedding but the advantage over the first outfit is that I am very comfortable in this dress and I can dance the night away without worrying about my ladies coming out (which is always a problem with a strapless). What do you think?
The only outfit that I haven't figured out yet is the one for the rehearsal dinner. The invitation says "Dressy Casual" and I interpret it as evening casual without jeans. So I was thinking of a pair of pants or a mini and a nice top, like the ribbon beaded one. Any advice?
If you have something to say speak now or keep silent forever ;-).
The black celosia cardigan adds a dramatic touch over the dress, I really like it, I think it's better than a pastel option.
ReplyDeleteYou look great in both dresses, I really like the strapless lace one but then I'm all for dressing up to the hilt at night time whenever I have the chance these days.
You have great options for outfits! I love the Banana outfit but the silk chiffon dress is truly gorgeous, and as it is more comfortable for dancing I say wear it!
ReplyDelete"Dressy Casual" is so confusing. I usually just go dressy, in which case you could wear your Banana outfit to the rehearsal dinner. Then you wear all three fab outfits! That might be me with my tendency to overdress (which as I get older I have no self-consciousness about!)
The outfit for day with the Celosia cardi is also very pretty: you will be smashing! :)
Love everything! Can't wait till I can wear the that first dress, the Ames dress, myself after this pregnancy! I love how you put a black cardigan with it... and I never though about the pink frost, but I just bought that color! Does it compliment it, too? That owuld be perfect! Thanks for the pics!
ReplyDeleteNo question for me - wear the Catherine Malandrino. I love the BR dress for the rehearsal dinner too, and your church outfit is great as well. This way you could wear three different outfits and look amazing in all of them!
ReplyDeleteAgree with DaniBP about having no self-consciousness about overdressing, LoL! I think your choices are lovely and appropriate. Spring here is always colder than you'd expect so in addition to your cardis it would be a good idea to have a wrap with you.
ReplyDeleteSince you're coming from NYC it's important to brace yourself for Seattle casual. A lot of people won't change from day wear for the evening reception. When I go to opening night at the opera in a full-length gown half the time I'm seated next to someone in cargo shorts and the infamous PNW socks/sandals combination (not the J.Crew time).
I hope you have a great time in my hometown!
the black celosia looks great with the watercolor dress.i have the mini and a lot of colors work with it(pewter,light pink,salmon,charcoal and heather grey).
ReplyDeletefrom the two dresses i definitly prefer the c. malandrino one.
have a good time in seattle!
Seattle dressy casual often means nice jeans with a great top and shoes. It's code for stepping up a bit from jeans and a t-shirt with tennies. I am completely serious!
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been a bit cooler than normal with periods of wind and showers, so your sweaters will be just right. Saturday is supposed to hit 60 degrees.
I think all your outfits look terrific and I hope you have a great time here this weekend.
i adore the watercolor dress on you! looks so cute with the cardi! I think I like the banana dress best, but they both look great!
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