I think I have decided to wear a dress to the awards ceremony at my company's spring conference in April. I haven't worn a dress or skirt in 10 years, and I'm thinking I would like to wear one now. I think I know the dress I want and where to buy it. It is a simple black dress that comes down to the tops of the knees, but it is sleeveless, and my arms don't do sleeveless, so somebody help me out with what I can drape or layer over it to make it snazzy and hide my arm flab. Also, should I or should I not wear black pantyhose? We're talking April in Orlando, and I don't know pantyhose etiquette. Can anyone help me out?
I have also been looking for cute shoes to wear with such a dress. I hate sandals, as I think my feet are ugly...everyone's toes are gross...so I wanted a shoe with a bit of a heel, but not too high, black in color, with a closed toe but a strappy back. Tonight I ran a search on Zappos and found the PERFECT pair, and they were only $46. And they had one pair left in my size. Holy cow. I got lucky. I was also able to find a pair in vanilla bean (read: off white or cream) that I can wear if I buy this other dress I saw and want. The vanilla bean pair was only $41, and again they only had one pair left in my size. SCORE!
I love Zappos.com because you don't have to pay any sales tax and there is free shipping both ways. Most of the time I get my shoes within 24 hours, though since I ordered at 1 am, I'll probably get my shoes Friday.
I was such a tomboy growing up and never had a good role model for being feminine, so I kinda like feeling all girly sometimes. And if I show up in a dress, it will shock all my co-workers, so that kind makes it worth the effort, too. Ha ha!
So let me know about the what-to-wear-with-a-sleeveless-dress part as well as the pantyhose part.
Thanks!
Res, What material is the dress? Is it a flirty, swingy dress or an a-line? I love a cute old-fashioned cardigan over a solid dress (think the kind your grandmother probably wore) or a dressed up denim type jacket...not made in denim of course. Maybe you can find a silkish one or a nice linen one in the color of your choice.
ReplyDeleteRespighi,
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fashion icon, but I agree with Schell.
A simple black dress is perfect--I wouldn't wear something sleeveless either and a cute lightweight cardigan is perfect with it. Either the same tone/and black fabric of the dress or a one-color blue--or what ever color is your favorite.
No black pantyhose---neutral color with a simple shoe. If your shoes are off-white then DEFINITELY no black hose!
Can't you wear pants to this event? There are some nice dressy pants out there.
a pretty wrap would also cover the arms, but could become cumbersome if you are also eating. there are some cute little jackets out there.
ReplyDeletei agree with the neutral color hose.
I will be wearing the black shoes, not the offwhite. The offwhite will be for another dress for another occasion if I have another occasion. I wear pants every year and want to wear a dress this time, Emma.
ReplyDeleteThe night goes: dinner, awards ceremony, dancing
So I need something that can transition well into hardcore fat-lady-jumping-around dancing.
I think you should drape a younger man around you. I heard that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what is in and what is not as I have never been in and I do not wear dresses, black or otherwise, but I have seen some women wear a sheer button-up blouse over a dress, but un-buttoned, so that it's more like a jacket.
I hope you knock them on their asses (and not from your dancing).
Are the shoes closed-toe? If so, then go with neutral hose. If they're peep-toe or open at all (I'm assuming not, as you don't like toes), then skip hose entirely.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with a brightly-colored cardigan or shrug, or a wrap; a cardigan/shrug will definitely be less cumbersome than dealing with a wrap.
Can Res come out and play?
ReplyDeleteRes is very very tired from being very very busy.
ReplyDeleteSleep well. Take a bath. Then sleep some more. (There should be some chocolate somewhere in there.)
ReplyDeleteusually pantyhose and florida don't really mix, but you live in a hot state already, so you should be able to tell if it's a good idea or not. i'm pale, so i'd put the hose on and grin and bear the hot muggy weather. if you've got a half-decent not dead looking skin tone, you might be able to pull off no hose. and i agree with martha, it is SO tacky to wear panty hose with open toe shoes, although they do make special hose for that. i really hate it when people wear reinforced toe hose with open toe shoes. i'm not overly fashionable, but there are a few rules i won't break, and that's one of them. good luck.
ReplyDeletejilly