Help me accessorize this dress for a 3pm fall wedding in CT

October 20, 2007 8:36 AM

Help me accessorize this dress for a 3pm fall wedding in CT. I have about 10 days to obtain what I need.

I got this dress in chocolate. I would have preferred the grape, but it wasn't available. I technically bought it for the wedding, but don't think it's exactly ideal. Nevertheless I bought it -- it'll work for other occasions, and it's one of few dresses that fit properly on my weird little body. (I am 5'3", short-waisted, full in the tummy and also a bit heavy in general, heavy-busted with a pacemaker scar I'm not ashamed of but would prefer not be my primary accessory for the evening. My body can make certain perfectly awesome things look frumpy/matronly. FYI -- I am 23.)

One of the reasons I am not sure it's ideal is that this wedding will be populated, I would guess, mostly by people about 25-35, who are educated but far from stuffy. It's possible the majority of the women will show up in slightly more casual attire, maybe in punchier colors and/or the occasional print.

I'm looking for advice regarding shoes, jewelry, and some kind of sweater etc, nudging me towards slightly more casual. (Oh! And Spanx. I know nothing about them except that I need them to make the awkward transition between my hips and my ass less lumpy.) I'm too klutzy for slitettos and would prefer to keep the majority of my toes covered if I can, because I dislike them, but I understand that's not always stylistically possible :)

I have to be able to obtain these items within about 10 days. You can leave pictures and links along the lines of "this is the kind of thing you'll want to look for when shopping," but bonus points if you can tell me a place to find a particular item on Cleveland (OH)'s east side suburbs. I'm on the Cuyahoga/Lake Cty line, and I'm willing to go as far east as Mentor, and as far south as Solon.

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

Get a gold colored pashmina/wrap. Find a gold tone or tortoise or even a bit blingy big chunky cuff. Add gold hoops, the bigger the better. As for shoe, I'd do a strappy sandal but if you want to hide your toes, maybe a sling back in a brown silky fabric. Go to a vintage store and find a cool pythonesque brown or even gold clutch -- match it to the pashmina.

No necklace, there's enough going on with the v-neck, the chiffony fabric, the cumberbund waist. As for spanx, yeah, definitely. If you are wearing sling backs or sandals, go for the ones that end at the top of your knees.

Get your hair blown out and go to the make up counter at your favorite store and have them do you on your way to the wedding! You're done!
posted by thinkpiece at 8:50 AM on October 20, 2007

Get your hair blown out and go to the make up counter at your favorite store and have them do you on your way to the wedding!

Now THAT'S living on the edge. Sorry, but those people are there to introduce you to as many products as possible, and no one wants to be the Painted Lady at the wedding.

The rest of thinkpiece's advice sounds great to me.
posted by hermitosis at 9:05 AM on October 20, 2007

Definitely avoid a necklace, but some gold/goldtone drop earrings I think would work very well too.

Ballerina flats are very in right now, and I think they'd go well. However, you're petite, and if the dress hits low, they might make you look a little shorter. So, perhaps a closed-toe kitten heel?

thinkpiece's advice is good on the wrap.
posted by cmgonzalez at 9:36 AM on October 20, 2007

First, what about masking the most formal aspect of the dress, the satin midriff, with a funky scarf like this? Tie it around your torso over the satin only, and make a tight knot at the back, so it looks like a kimono belt. (That is, I'm not suggesting you wear it like the model has it.) Use double-sided tape if you're at all worrying about the coverage. I think a pashmina is a little aging for 23, but if you go the scarf-over-the-satin route, then a solid shawl is what I'd recommend, too, for warmth if you need it. Something like this shawl would be nice if you don't add any pattern to the dress itself. The good news about brown is that it goes well with almost anything.

Then, the outfit could go seriously casual or dressy depending on the shoe. Something like this or this or this
will take it down a notch into sexy/funky, while something like this would take it too far into formal. In general I'd say avoid black with the shoe and you'll be halfway there.

With either of these changes, I don’t think you need to do a lot for jewelry, so some simple gold hoops (casual, hip) would work. Hammered vs. polished will be more casual.

Marshalls, TJMaxx, etc., would have variations on all of these themes.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:14 AM on October 20, 2007

I dunno 'bout that make-up counter scoff, herm. I wear very little and hate to look glam or vivid and have had success when I tell them I only want a polished clean look -- and I usually don't spend -- maybe for a new lipstick for the night. It's not so high pressure as it used to be at those counters.
posted by thinkpiece at 10:54 AM on October 20, 2007

It's a beautiful dress RobotHeart! I'd second thinkpiece's suggestion for a pashmina or wrap, maybe a lacy one would be quite wedding-y? Also the satin slingbacks with a kitten heel - I can't wear anything higher than an inch but find them very comfortable. I'd have those in a pale coffee/mocha color and match the hose so that the line isn't broken.

But I'd definitely wear something delicate around the neck, maybe one of those where the string is made from a very fine something like fishing line and there's a single pendant in the center - but that might be my need to have something to fiddle with coming out ;-)

Enjoy the wedding!
posted by ceri richard at 12:45 PM on October 20, 2007

Shoe suggestion 1, 2 and 3 - I have a very similar pair and they are a joy to wear, even all evening.
posted by ceri richard at 12:57 PM on October 20, 2007

Spanx: Do not buy the hose version -- they run really fast and then you are out $20. Buy the short-thingies and wear them under cheap regular hose
posted by Eringatang at 1:03 PM on October 20, 2007

I love Spanx.

I don't think you have to worry about bringing it down to more of a casual look. In my opinion it's better to be a little over dressed than under.

To make things simple: a bronzey slingback, a cashmere cardigan (with 3/4 length sleeves, not too casual of a button) or wrap, a stylish clutch, and pretty dangled earrings.

The wrap doesn't have to be black or brown . A peacock green or teal would be beautiful. Pick a color that works with your coloring, and nothing too casual of a knit.

It's more stylish, youthful and interesting to pop some color in. I would definitely not go brown head to toe. A bronze, turquoise, teal, or a chartreuse dressy shoe would look great if you choose a plain metallic earring and neutral wrap.

Colorful earring examples:

earring
earring
earring
posted by LoriFLA at 3:02 PM on October 20, 2007

I think Lori's right. Since you've got a great neutral dress, add a punch of color. I would go with a bright aqua blue or a hot pink. JCrew has some great bright 3/4 sleeve cardigans and bracelets online.
posted by B-squared at 6:55 PM on October 20, 2007

Everyone has given great advice so far, so I thought I'd chime in and say that my friend wore a similar dress to a wedding, although it was in gold.
posted by lhall at 8:36 PM on October 20, 2007

cosign on the bronzy shoes or maybe teal/peacock. It's a nice dress, I would keep it simple and not add stuff to it. Maybe a few small enameled bangle bracelets? or a funky cocktail ring. or wear a flower or two in your hair - that would be different and unexpected

i could also see a snug fitting, cropped bolero sweater with cap sleeves, if it's a good color, fine knit, and fits well and if you'll need it because you might be cold, otherwise I think the dress is nice as it is.
posted by citron at 11:13 PM on October 20, 2007

Update: thanks so much for all your input! I like a lot of what I've seen so far. Just to give any future commenters guidance as to my preferences, I am looking forward to going bronze or teal for accessories and probably going with no necklace.

Cocoagirl's suggestion of the funky scarf is on the one hand something that would be absolutely perfect for this kind of wedding and on the other hand something I don't feel gutsy enough to do around people I don't usually see. :) Though I rather wish I was....

For any regional passers-by, it looks like I'll probably be popping in at Beachwood Place and/or Aurora Outlets (though that's a bit far, it's starting to look worth it) and/or the TJ Maxx in Woodmere. I'm the kind of shopper that will scout on websites of stores near me, but then actually go in and visit/ask a saleslady/try the shoes on.
posted by RobotHeart at 5:05 AM on October 21, 2007