help me style this dress for a "California formal" wedding

[Anonymous]

Recently purchased this dress. I think I can pull it off for a "California formal" (stated level of attire) wedding in Palm Springs but would love help styling it to bring it up a level. Colors in the dress are navy/black/ivory/eggplant. The saturation of the hues and the dye technique are really quite beautiful. I'd love to find some ope-toe platforms but most are too high. I have dressier heeled sandals in black but thought this called for something a little funkier. Need a cropped sweater, unstructured bolero, or some type of arm cover. With the busy dye pattern, I thought I'd forgo a necklace and aim for drop earrings, maybe in the plum or navy shade?

https://www.starttodayfitness.com/fr/femme-gerard-darel-saelle-robe-longue-en-soie-a-imprimee-tie-dye-parme-robes/

Thanks for any input!

[Anonymous]

OP - I live in Southern CA and I have never heard the term "California Formal". The dress you posted is pretty, but looks too much like a casual sundress - to me, so yes you're going to need to carefully accessorize so as to elevate the look.

What time of year is the wedding? here are some ideas that will elevate the dress.

Handbag: I have this one in black and wore it to a cocktail party - got a ton of compliments! For this dress I would go with a fun color

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-fiona-beaded-bag-chain-edition?category=night-out-bags&color=050&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

Shoes- in gold metalic https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/dolce-vita-baylor-kitten-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=070&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/vicenza-square-toe-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=010&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

Jacket - https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-sequin-cropped-moto-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=009&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-icy-shine-bomber-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=007&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-faux-fur-shrug2?category=jackets-coats&color=012&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I live in Southern CA and I have never heard the term "California Formal". The dress you posted is pretty, but looks too much like a casual sundress - to me, so yes you're going to need to carefully accessorize so as to elevate the look.

What time of year is the wedding? here are some ideas that will elevate the dress.

Handbag: I have this one in black and wore it to a cocktail party - got a ton of compliments! For this dress I would go with a fun color

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-fiona-beaded-bag-chain-edition?category=night-out-bags&color=050&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

Shoes- in gold metalic https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/dolce-vita-baylor-kitten-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=070&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/vicenza-square-toe-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=010&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

Jacket - https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-sequin-cropped-moto-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=009&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-icy-shine-bomber-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=007&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-faux-fur-shrug2?category=jackets-coats&color=012&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

I agree to all of this and I'm a Californian. That dress is too casual and too bare and too much of a sundress. Just wear something nice to be worn outside in a garden but appropriately respectiful, i.e., not spaghetti straps and braless as you present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I live in Southern CA and I have never heard the term "California Formal". The dress you posted is pretty, but looks too much like a casual sundress - to me, so yes you're going to need to carefully accessorize so as to elevate the look.

What time of year is the wedding? here are some ideas that will elevate the dress.

Handbag: I have this one in black and wore it to a cocktail party - got a ton of compliments! For this dress I would go with a fun color

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-fiona-beaded-bag-chain-edition?category=night-out-bags&color=050&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

Shoes- in gold metalic https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/dolce-vita-baylor-kitten-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=070&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/vicenza-square-toe-heels?category=shoes-sandals&color=010&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

Jacket - https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-sequin-cropped-moto-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=009&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-icy-shine-bomber-jacket?category=jackets-coats&color=007&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-faux-fur-shrug2?category=jackets-coats&color=012&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

I can’t comment on the appropriateness of dress, but these accessories are beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recently purchased this dress. I think I can pull it off for a "California formal" (stated level of attire) wedding in Palm Springs but would love help styling it to bring it up a level. Colors in the dress are navy/black/ivory/eggplant. The saturation of the hues and the dye technique are really quite beautiful. I'd love to find some ope-toe platforms but most are too high. I have dressier heeled sandals in black but thought this called for something a little funkier. Need a cropped sweater, unstructured bolero, or some type of arm cover. With the busy dye pattern, I thought I'd forgo a necklace and aim for drop earrings, maybe in the plum or navy shade?

https://www.starttodayfitness.com/fr/femme-gerard-darel-saelle-robe-longue-en-soie-a-imprimee-tie-dye-parme-robes/

Thanks for any input!

I really love the dress and think it can be appropriate.
For me, I would probably do black shoes and bag to be safe and sufficiently formalized, and then play with the jacket and/or earrings. You want one more bohemian accessory but that would be it for me. I liked the fluffy white jacket the best. The person who picked the accessories has great taste but I would say pick one wild thing from that list, not all. And if you go gold shoes, black bag, purple dress, white jacket….you really have to know what you are doing. I’m sure it could work for the right person .

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the advice. I too was worried about it running too casual. It’s a maxi and a really heavy silk but maybe it’s not right for an event. The wedding is February.

[Anonymous]

Op, I’m the one who thinks it can work. I am familiar with this brand and believe it would be appropriate. The pattern has that sort of mud cloth look to it which is super casual, but rendered in a fancy material becomes — to me— California formal with the right accessories. Of course I am from Connecticut! My sister dressed for a similar wedding in a redwood forest recently and ended up with full sleeves and a high slit. But that’s not beachy California.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I’m the one who thinks it can work. I am familiar with this brand and believe it would be appropriate. The pattern has that sort of mud cloth look to it which is super casual, but rendered in a fancy material becomes — to me— California formal with the right accessories. Of course I am from Connecticut! I My sister dressed for a similar wedding in a redwood forest recently and ended up with full sleeves and a high slit. But that’s not beachy California.

Me again— my younger SIL works in Hollywood and wears her Hollywood clothes on the east coast (outside nyc) and visibly shocks onlookers. I know she is the height of fashion but fashion is always relative. Stay true to your style. You aren’t going to look like you are from California but you can still look amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I’m the one who thinks it can work. I am familiar with this brand and believe it would be appropriate. The pattern has that sort of mud cloth look to it which is super casual, but rendered in a fancy material becomes — to me— California formal with the right accessories. Of course I am from Connecticut! My sister dressed for a similar wedding in a redwood forest recently and ended up with full sleeves and a high slit. But that’s not beachy California.

Thanks for the support, Pp! Here’s what the invite says so it may be ok: “have fun, choose a bold pattern or color. Mid to long length kaftan, dress, polished jumpsuit, or pantsuit would all work.”

[Anonymous]

I think it can work, too, OP

[Anonymous]

If you have to use that many words to explain your theme, it’s a lousy theme.

But dress looks great OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I’m the one who thinks it can work. I am familiar with this brand and believe it would be appropriate. The pattern has that sort of mud cloth look to it which is super casual, but rendered in a fancy material becomes — to me— California formal with the right accessories. Of course I am from Connecticut! My sister dressed for a similar wedding in a redwood forest recently and ended up with full sleeves and a high slit. But that’s not beachy California.

Thanks for the support, Pp! Here’s what the invite says so it may be ok: “have fun, choose a bold pattern or color. Mid to long length kaftan, dress, polished jumpsuit, or pantsuit would all work.”

With this added info, i would say that this dress is spot on.

[Anonymous]

I don’t like any of those jackets. Too casual. I’d wear a tuxedo jacket and push the sleeves up with a big statement necklace that could be long and bohemian. Or do a messy bun with big earrings. I also don’t like the bag with the handles. I’d do a sleek envelope clutch.

I’m a native Californian, though probably much older than you.

[Anonymous]

I too thought it's too casual initially but the more I look, the more I think it can work. Lovely dress. Now I want it

You mentioned cropped, bolero etc, but wouldn't something like this from the same brand make it more formal?
https://www.starttodayfitness.com/fr/femme-gerard-darel-rina-manteau-oversize-en-lin-indigo-manteaux-trenchs/

And maybe these shoes that are now an extra 70% off:
https://www.jcrew.com/p/BU965?mode=add&N=9H%20MEDIUM&NUM_ITEMS=1&cartId=e7328f788b18d00188049309d8&color_name=adobe-clay

By the way, how does the sizing go? Is a 40 like a US 8?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I’m the one who thinks it can work. I am familiar with this brand and believe it would be appropriate. The pattern has that sort of mud cloth look to it which is super casual, but rendered in a fancy material becomes — to me— California formal with the right accessories. Of course I am from Connecticut! My sister dressed for a similar wedding in a redwood forest recently and ended up with full sleeves and a high slit. But that’s not beachy California.

Thanks for the support, Pp! Here’s what the invite says so it may be ok: “have fun, choose a bold pattern or color. Mid to long length kaftan, dress, polished jumpsuit, or pantsuit would all work.”

I usually hate when couples tell people what to wear to their wedding with so much specificity - but that one sounds genuinely fun.