Dress to impress event..help! :)

June 15, 2009 10:02 PM

Looking for help finding something to wear to a formal dress to impress event??

Ok well let me start saying I have the slightest bit of fashion sense obviously, I'm going to an event this Friday for a surprise birthday party at Churchill Downs churchill downs i'm looking for something that isn't too out there, I'm not into dresses, I'm considering a pair of black crop pants which i already own w/ a nice top but having trouble finding the perfect top.

I'm 25 yrs old and size 10, something age and size appropriate is quite important.

any help from the fashionistas out there?

I apologize if this sounds too silly eh.

thanks so much!

posted by lwclec072 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (13 comments total)

ive looked at forever21, charlotte russe and old navy and i'm sticking to those stores because theyre inexpensive but something that will go w/ the black crop pants.
posted by lwclec072 at 10:07 PM on June 15

You're a size 10, but what are your body shape and proportions like?

A website that might help you is Polyvore. Go there, select the tops tab, search one store at a time (for example, select only Forever21) and type something you like into the search box.

If you like floral prints, type in "floral". If you like ruffles, "ruffles". If you want something in red, just type red or select from the color option to limit everything to red. Old Navy and Charlotte Russe are on there as well
posted by cmgonzalez at 10:14 PM on June 15 [1 favorite]

Is this event actually, really formal? You could maybe pull off a super-nice, super-well-tailored suit, but crop pants with a cute top is way way too far off the mark for 'formal'.
posted by greta simone at 10:22 PM on June 15

Oh, I don't know, greta simone. It's possible the black pants could work, but along with a fancy-looking top (something satiny or beaded or with really striking ruffles or pleats) she needs a really, really fancy pair of heels. OP, are you down to really hit it out of the park with some unsensible shoes? You can't half-ass this - if you're going to be drawing attention to your ankles, you need shoes that really, really make it clear that despite the crop pants, you don't intend to be dressed casually.

I've never seen anything at Old Navy that I thought would be appropriate for a formal occasion. i think you'd really do better picking up a trendy little black dress for $30 at Forever 21 and trying not to be conspicuous. Do you have an H&M near you? That might also be a place to look for affordable but chic clothes, though they're not in that many cities yet.
posted by crinklebat at 10:39 PM on June 15

I have nothing against Old Navy (I'm wearing an Old Navy shirt right now) but IMO they have nothing appropriate for an actual dress-to-impress occasion. Nor do I think cropped pants from Target fit the bill (also nothing against cropped pants from Target -- I have a pair of those, too). Do you really mean this is a formal event? Or just an event where you'd like to dress up a little?

If it's the latter, you can dress up the cropped pants; I would go with a blouse in either black or a bright colorful print in a silk, chiffon, or satin. Empire-waist blouses tend to be flattering on several body types. For shoes, go with a very sleek black flat or low-heeled sandal (if you wear a colored blouse) or a colorful or metallic flat or low-heeled sandal if you wear a black top. I would try H&M if there's one near you; otherwise perhaps consider something like Banana Republic or Ann Taylor; I believe they both have sales going on right now.
posted by scody at 11:03 PM on June 15

Is this the event where the party will be held? If so, it seems pretty wide open and suited to your own definition of how you prefer to look, and probably less-so 'formal', which leads me to other ideas. If so, one of my favorite work outfits is a pair of cuffed tailored cropped (to just below the knee) black pants, with a deep purple velvet vintage blazer, fitted black shell underneath or black and white striped cowl neck shirt, some cute black wedges, and large silver earrings as accessories. I would pull my hair back tight to have a more serious look, or leave it down to have a more relaxed look. Obviously not seasonally appropriate, but still, maybe something to work with?
posted by greta simone at 11:26 PM on June 15

A fitted blazer with those cropped pants and some killer heels is a classic heel. A fancy top underneath, something with ruffles or something a bit low-cut will "impress" without coming off too showy as most is hidden under the jacket. Dress it up with some bling earrings and long soft curls (if that works with your hair) and you have an outfit.

Fitted blazers work for practically any body type because even if you lack curves, they give the illusion that you have some!

At the same time, there are so many variables. How confident are you with showing some skin on the upper part of your body? Wearing uncomfortable heels? What type of hair do you have? A ponytail may be too somber and hanging dead straight may be too boring.
posted by liquorice at 2:22 AM on June 16

I'm personally more comfortable in dresses than in outfits that require three or four pieces to work. Basic dresses can also be dressed up much easier, all you need is the right accessories and a cute clutch purse and you're set.

There are some gorgeous blouses under 20 dollars at Forever 21 which could work with your cropped pants.I thought these were cute. I can't tell whether this is a long top or a dress, but if it's the former you could pair it with leggings.
posted by liquorice at 2:32 AM on June 16

If it truly is a formal event, and not merely a dressup one like greta simone linked to, I'm not sure those pants and a fancy top are going to cut it. The only people who I've seen pull off that look wear very shiny beaded or satiny tops (or jackets) with a generous dollop of jewelry -- and they're in their 60s. Since dresses are out, I think fancier pants are in order. Like Rhianna at the Met. Or something more swishy. Look at an H&M or a Macy's or a Banana Republic. They often have more formal pants.

If it is less formal, the blouses liquorice linked to are very cute.
posted by bluefly at 3:39 AM on June 16

Check out your neighborhood thrift and consignment stores! Create your own style.
posted by mareli at 5:59 AM on June 16

Cropped pants can very easily make you look stumpy (unless you are a very tall size 10 with great legs). I'd suggest something that creates a leaner line but still looks summery -- heels, longish pants with some flow to them, and a sleeveless top with some detail, like sequins, beading, or embroidery, or a simple top with a great necklace.
posted by mdiskin at 7:08 AM on June 16 [1 favorite]

I know you aren't into dresses, but give it some thought. Pants are hard to dress to dress up. A lot of things make them casual (cotton fabric, too much wear, cargo pockets)

I get the impression that you don't want to spend a lot of money. But don't be afraid to buy a nice dress. You will be able to wear it to all events. I have one or two dresses that I wear to all weddings and formal events. If it is an evening event look for sparkles or satin in order to dress it up a bit.

I suggest H&M for cheap and cheerful stuff. Just go out and try on a bunch of stuff. It always looks different on the hanger, you never know until you try it on. You want it to show off your waist the narrowness under your bust. A full skirt is also often flattering, not ruffly necessarily, but A shaped.

Good luck and have fun!
posted by Gor-ella at 7:55 AM on June 16

I'm younger than you but your size, and I'd seriously suggest you buy a dress. Go to Target, Gap or, if you can weed through the cheap stuff, Forever 21 or hit up a sale at some place like Ann Taylor or Banana Republic, and find a simple dress that fits you well. It doesn't have to be fancy- it can be a simple black dress, but it should fit you and make you feel hot. Ideally, it will be made from a slightly fancy fabric- not t-shirt material, for instance. Then find some inexpensive but flashy heels and some decent looking jewelry, and you're golden. The thing with the pants is it's too easy to look like you just came from work/are borrowing your mom's outfits. If you're curvy at all, a dress will probably look better than pants anyway.

You might also want to consult with your friends. This looks like a big enough event that if your group is all wearing the same kind of clothes, you can get away with not being super formal. I'm assuming you're mostly interested in impressing your friends (?), so figure out what they're wearing and then try to pull off something similar as best you can.
posted by MadamM at 11:03 AM on June 16