Help me find an awesome sweater for a Chicago NYE wedding outfit

December 17, 2014 9:23 AM

I (38, hipsterish, female) am attending a wedding on New Year's Eve and I'm looking for the right sweater or coverup for the dress I'm planning on wearing. Help me look fabulous in front of all my boyfriend's friends! Bonus points for other accessory advice as well.

This is the dress I am planning to wear. The plaid may seem casual, but the fabric has a decent heft and a sheen to it so I'm not too worried. I wore it to a wedding a few months ago and got a million compliments.

The previous wedding was more casual, with an outdoor ceremony in a warm weather location. I wore a pink cardigan with it, gold hoop earrings, and black pumps. The patent black belt that came with the dress has a gold buckle and a little dangly gold charm.

But considering this wedding is on New Year's Eve, I feel like I should pump up the specialness/sparkly a bit and I turn to the AskMe fashion experts for help.

For the cardigan, I honestly am not sure whether to go sparkly/shimmery, or darker and more formal. I am willing to spend $40 or so on a sweater or other kind of coverup, and have access to all the usual US online stores and anything in downtown Chicago.

Bonus points for shoe, hosiery, and jewelry advice: I have simple black leather pumps, nude high heel sandals with neat gold zippers in the back (but toooo cold for that I think), and could be convinced to splurge on a new great pair of shoes if it would really knock this outfit out of the park. However there will be lots of dancing and the likelihood of me bringing some ballet flats to change into for the reception is high. I can do bare legs, black tights/stockings, just about anything y'all would suggest. Jewelry-wise, the neckline is too high for a necklace and I have short hair and I'm short/small so I don't tend to wear huge earrings because it feels like they take over visually.

Thanks!

posted by misskaz to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (24 answers total)

Forgot to add - links to specific items very much appreciated! I love dressing up but hate shopping.
posted by misskaz at 9:34 AM on December 17, 2014

This cute lace/sequin shrug would look smashing, I think. The Aubergine.

I also like the idea of glittery stockings/hose.

And sparkly shoes too.

BLING!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:46 AM on December 17, 2014

Cute dress!

Given that it's a dressier event, I might go with a bolero (slightly shorter than a cardi, with no buttons or ties), maybe a shimmery holiday one like this. I always see these all over the place around the holidays so places like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J. Crew and similar might have some.

You could also go even a little fancier and do a capelet like this or this (though I would probably do black). The two I've posted are a little on the expensive side, but you should be able to find similar things in the accessories/scarves section of most department stores (Macy's has a lot).

I would not do black tights as I think they would be too much with the pattern of the dress. If you're willing to do bare legs, great, but if that's too cold maybe nude colored fishnets (which is what I wear when I don't want to wear black tights but also don't want to have bare legs or wear nylons). I think black or sparkly pumps are fine. I wouldn't do sandles.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:57 AM on December 17, 2014

Not sure what to suggest for a cover-up, but some friendly general advice:

That is a very, very summery dress. The level of dressiness seems right for NYE in Chicago, but the season doesn't. I'd work hard to make your overall outfit look "winter fashionable." I'd do dark tights and matching dark heels I think. Strongly advise against going bare legs or wearing the nude sandals - the "I'm not dressed appropriately for the weather" look is very odd/silly, do not recommend. I think your cover-up should also have a similar non-summer feel to it.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 10:09 AM on December 17, 2014

H&M had a white beaded cardigan which I think would be great. It's still on the website, but I don't know about Michigan Ave. If you can stomach Macy's, there's a 3/4 sleeve sparkly bolero or a rhinestone trim open sweater that might work--I can't tell from the website if it's in either local store, but you could call. They are both black, but given how colorful the plaid is (and how it's NYE), I don't think black would be a problem.

I also saw some really nice beaded boleros at Akira (Wicker Park) about a month ago, but that might be a crapshoot--there's nothing remotely similar on their website.

Zappos has a metallic cropped sweater which I think would be cute (but it's just above your budget). Also black (you know me).

If you could match the sparkle to a headband (Zara had some pretty ones), that would be awesome! I second the idea of nude fishnets (Nordstrom had them, last I checked) or a tight that's lighter than opaque black. Something shimmery, maybe (Spanx does an expensive and spanx-y shimmer tight which I like the look of) and TopShop tends to have good tights.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:12 AM on December 17, 2014

I changed my mind. I agree with Shroedingersgirl. Rather than forcing a summery dress to do service at a New Year's Eve Wedding (Ye Gods!) You should get yourself a new dress, just for the occasion.

Other wedding guests are going to be blinged out, dressed to the nines and probably as formal as they can get, because when else can you wear ball gowns but at a formal wedding on NYE?

This dress at Macy's is very pretty, the long sleeves will keep you warm (and not all hoochified) and the silver is festive, without being Black, White or Red, which can be tacky at a wedding. I owned a dress like this for nearly a decade, it's perfect for SO MANY parties and events. Plus it's a grown up dress. Splurge on a nice pair of silver shoes and I would wear sheer hose with it, matching my skin color, mostly for warmth.

This silver one is cute too, but sleeveless. If you have nice arm...go for it!

Macy's always has coupons, so use them.

Seriously, by the time you fuss around with gee-gaws and doo-dads, you could buy the perfect dress for this event. (But go for the silver one, it's so pretty!)
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:34 AM on December 17, 2014

I agree that your dress is on the summery side - would def go darker and/or heavier. I think dark colours on both the top and bottom would cut you up in a funny looking way, though, so I'd try to match the orange or pink in the dress for the top bit, and go with a heavier fabric there. If you sewed yourself a very simple capelet (I like that idea) using a velvety sort of orange or pink fabric to match the colours in the dress, I think you could get away with black on the bottom (both tights and shoes).

If you don't want to sew, Etsy has a bunch of capelets, but if you go there, I'd stick to finer/flatter wool, silk or (fake) fur or velvet/velveteen and would stay far, far away from e.g. chunky yarn or anything too vintage-looking, because the dress is already doing that.

on preview: yeah, would get a different dress.
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:36 AM on December 17, 2014

Whatevs, don't buy a new dress, this one is fine.

Black or very dark purple tights, very opaque, and wear your black shoes. If you're wearing that belt with it, go for minimal gold jewellery to match the buckle (or not, not everyone's bothered about matching metals).

I actually think a black or dark purple blazer might work better than a sweater (like this or this) but if you're going to go with a sweater, make it something fitted to follow the line of the dress, perhaps belted so you can nip it in?
posted by greenish at 11:04 AM on December 17, 2014

This dress will work just fine for winter-- it has black in it, even, so the black tights/shoes combo will look great. I'd go with a nice high heel (dressy high, higher than usual, if you can wear those, if not a low heel is fine too) and possibly a very slim, fitted black blazer, or a long sleeved black cardigan/sweater with an interesting hem (to make it fancy, don't want to be drab) or a matching sweater in pink, orange or blue (I vote pink!). I think going fancy with the shoes will kick it up a notch. Patent black with a high heel or platform or something. Gold hardware on your shoes and bag (if any). And I'd maybe go with a fancy black/silver/gold/NYE-festive headband or fascinator in your hair?
posted by stoneandstar at 11:16 AM on December 17, 2014

I vote for the long sleeved silver dress. I think what you wore to a warm casual outdoor wedding in the fall was perfect for that, but I think you'll likely feel far more comfortable and appropriate in a seasonally appropriate dress. Pair it with either sparkly shoes or if you've stretched your budget too much, just ballet flats in good condition, and you're golden. Or silvery, in this particular case.
posted by instamatic at 11:19 AM on December 17, 2014

New Year's Eve? Another vote for the long-sleeved silver dress. I like the dress you have, but I really think it's too summery. And pairing it with dark tights and dark shoes kind of ruins the whole point of it.
posted by Dolley at 11:26 AM on December 17, 2014

Absolutely agree that this dress, while adorable and could maybe be stretched into fall with a cardigan, is really much too summery for a wintertime special event. I love the long-sleeved silver dress that Ruthless Bunny linked to. It's sparkly, young, comfy-looking, and appropriate. Needs almost no accessories, either! I also recommend silver shoes with it, maybe a more contemporary bootie shape? Have fun!
posted by primate moon at 11:39 AM on December 17, 2014

[Folks, "get a different dress" is an okay alternate idea to propose but it's also pretty well covered; maybe focus at this point on answering the original question as asked as helpfully as you can.]
posted by cortex at 11:41 AM on December 17, 2014

For an evening wedding, I'd be more inclined to go with a wrap than a blazer, something that will pick up one of the colors in the dress --- perhaps this pashmina in cobalt? To me a blazer tends to make a dress seem more daytime, business-y. A wrap or shawl is more evening, and can be worn a number of different ways.
posted by Diablevert at 12:51 PM on December 17, 2014

I don't think the dress is too summery at all. I've been thinking about this for several hours now and I feel like velvet would be fun, or sparkles. I'd do heels and tights in whatever color suits your fancy. Given that it's a NYE wedding you can definitely go much more sparkly and over the top than normal for a winter wedding.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:11 PM on December 17, 2014

The dress is a little summery, but I feel like repurposing warm-weather clothes for winter is fun and unexpected and also having a moment right now, so I think you should go for it.* Black tights w/silvery sparkles would winter it up without looking too heavy. And you could wear your black pumps with them. I love the idea of a faux fur capelet like like the ones triggerfinger posted. I think black/gray/silver accessories would really add both seasonality and glam. Add an earring that's on the smaller side but still fancy and you're good to go.

*Incidentally, I will totally be wearing a summer dress for NYE in Chicago. I may even go crazy and wear high-heeled sandals with tights. Lord have mercy.
posted by 912 Greens at 2:33 PM on December 17, 2014

Check Ebay and Etsy, or thrift shops, for a vintage black velvet coat. Here's one on etsy. Add black stockings, black elbow length lace gloves, and dangling coral earrings vintage or H&M/Forever 21.
posted by Elsie at 3:51 PM on December 17, 2014

After reading 912 Greens', greenish's and stoneandstar's comments, I've changed my mind about dark tights. I think you can wear them and they'll give the dress more of a wintery feel. It is kind is a summery dress, but only because it's more brightly colored and is sleeveless. Neither one of these things on their own disqualifies something as a winter/holiday dress. If you're wearing a dark-colored shrug/cardi of some sort along with matching tights you're both making it seem warmer by covering your skin as well as making it more dramatic/dressy with the dark colors providing a contrast to the brightness of the pattern. I guess I'd go with a black cover-up of some sort on top along with black tights but that's because I like to wear a little bit of black with every outfit as sort of an "anchor".
posted by triggerfinger at 5:34 PM on December 17, 2014

I didn't see this suggestion: treat the dress as a skirt. Pick one of the dress colors in a glittery After 5 sweater that will cover the entire top...zillions of choices out there as it's A Thing right now. Or a sweater in "eyelash" knit with a heavy gem necklace. Then sheer skin tone stockings or even ones with a little shimmer. Shoes should be delicate, strappy and sexy, in whatever color would compliment the sweater color. So what you've done is create an outfit based on a great full skirt - which is also A Thing right now.
posted by Lornalulu at 6:54 PM on December 17, 2014

I think that because the plaid is so bright and bold, you should go non- sparkly for your top or it could be overwhelming, especially since you're shorter. I would just do a plain black 3/4 length sleeve cardigan perhaps with jewel buttons and black pumps and simple studs and focus on your hair and makeup looking very polished. I would probably play with leaving the belt off of the dress. Perhaps try a simple sparkly headband but be skeptical of it unless it looks great.

My other thought was a black bow neck cardigan buttoned all the way up and use the dress as a skirt as suggested above, but it might be too twee with the bow.
posted by umwhat at 11:11 PM on December 17, 2014

This probably won't be a popular opinion, but I think the only way that dress is going to look remotely okay for an event like that, is if you go boldly into the hipster/quirky/intentionally-styled direction, and wear it with wildly patterned bright tights, and with something like open-toed heeled 70s sandals, a very different sort of belt, possibly a beaded bolero on top or a chunky necklace, etc. Because unless it's part of a specific look, it's unfortunately going to seem a little tragic, in the can't-afford-a-new-dress or doesn't-know-how-inappopriate-that-is or awkward-summer-into-fall-office-wear vein. I'd rather look overdone and weird than tragic, but YMMV. (And I'm only chiming in because you specifically said you want to look fabulous in others' eyes, and wanted to offer some worst case but probably likely interpretations of that dress.)
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 9:31 AM on December 18, 2014

Y'all need to dial it back. Sateen is not voile or lawn and I'd warrant a fair number of you wear it in winter. And slagging on a person for not replacing a perfectly good party dress is unnecessary and coming from a place of financial privilege or irresponsibility.

The question is: "what sort of jacket or cardigan is NYE festive" not "please judge me for my fashion choices"

White House Black Market has a few party shrugs (This one would be perfect but also a little over your budget) (Or I've got an angora cardigan with vintage rhinestone buttons you can borrow)
posted by crush-onastick at 11:12 AM on December 18, 2014

Hmm, difficult, but not impossible to pull off. I think A wide black belt with some sheen, black shoes with the same sheen, and black stockings that are SHEER would do it. Opaque black stockings or tights are going to look too mis-matched and wintry, like you are trying to overcompensate for the possible summer-iness of the dress. Suedes, knits, and velvets with a plaid might be a bit too town and country for NYE. Go for taffeta, satin, leather, something with some slight sheen for accessories. If you have a good eye for color you could be more bold and use a deep magenta instead of black. For warmth, I think a 3/4 sleeve bolero would work well (though I love this).
posted by oneirodynia at 6:34 PM on December 18, 2014

I'd be nervous about getting anything from etsy or eBay in time for new year's unless the seller promised shipping times, personally. If it were me I'd go with a fur or feather wrap or caplet, you can rent them or maybe see if a friend has one you can borrow or check out vintage stores. Definitely agree with black tights and maybe some sort of shiny shoes to keep the shiny sparkly new year's vibe going.
posted by ch1x0r at 11:34 AM on December 20, 2014