cocktail party host— dress suggestions

[Anonymous]

36 year old mom, hosting a cocktail party for other families (kid free). Not formal, but looking for a cute dress that is a step above my usual somerset dress or boden A line jersey dress.

I’d just like to have something fancy and fun to wear on nicer dinner dates with husband, too, and figure this is a good excuse to buy something cute.

I haven’t really shopped for clothes for myself much since pre-kids (5 years ago). I’m busty, and don’t want something with a deep V but also can’t do a high neck without looking matronly. Would appreciate any recs, especially ones with sleeves and bonus points for making a waist look tiny.

[Anonymous]

Budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Budget?

$300ish?

[Anonymous]

I love the new pleated sweater dresses out right now.

[Anonymous]

This is a solid LBD.

https://www.zara.com/us/en/zw-collection-limited-edition-short-pocket-dress-p09216085.html?v1=485791304&v2=2420896

For hosting a party, I'd wear it with tall, slim boots . . .

https://donaldpliner.com/products/foxisu-tall-shaft-boot?s7ic=cde75c3c0195&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22422461704&gbraid=0AAAAAD5GOkq_3BjY57Atl1hRNMwSh0gGu&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8K7hv-uzkAMVqV1HAR2_PQprEAQYBiABEgKFhvD_BwE


and patterned tights . . .

https://www.sezane.com/us-en/product/tights/black-fancy-flowers-ultra-sheer#size-S

[Anonymous]

https://evereve.com/products/satin-shirt-dress-black

I like this. It is elegant but casual looking (and comfy, easy to move around as the host). You can change the look with shoes/boots, jewelry and how you wear your hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the new pleated sweater dresses out right now.

Link?

[Anonymous]

I like this- https://naadam.co/products/signature-cashmere-wrap-dress?gad_campaignid=21430085952&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA962y-uocw5I0M3Q1oKDnKUkdwBWO&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm-77sPC1kAMVZEpHAR2yxiNREAQYASABEgIvN_D_BwE&nb_adtype=pla&nb_ap=&nb_fii=&nb_kwd=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_mi=108091567&nb_mt=&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=NWET005530JWM&nb_placement=&nb_ppi=&nb_ti=&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21440524303%3A%3A&variant=42236698984544

[Anonymous]

Do you wear shoes in your house while hosting?

How much kitchen stuff will you be doing? I've found that I get hot when hosting, so while i have no links I'd suggest something possibly short sleeved, if there are sleeves nothing crazy so you can be functional, in a fabric that does'nt show sweat, and that looks good with shoes you'd wear in the house (are you going ot pull on long boots? I don't know).

Like I might consider pants with a fancy sweater / top for hosting, with little slip on shoes (kitten heel mules).

[Anonymous]

Kitten heels, ballet flats, indoor shoes. Who wears boots at home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a solid LBD.

https://www.zara.com/us/en/zw-collection-limited-edition-short-pocket-dress-p09216085.html?v1=485791304&v2=2420896

For hosting a party, I'd wear it with tall, slim boots . . .

https://donaldpliner.com/products/foxisu-tall-shaft-boot?s7ic=cde75c3c0195&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22422461704&gbraid=0AAAAAD5GOkq_3BjY57Atl1hRNMwSh0gGu&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8K7hv-uzkAMVqV1HAR2_PQprEAQYBiABEgKFhvD_BwE


and patterned tights . . .

https://www.sezane.com/us-en/product/tights/black-fancy-flowers-ultra-sheer#size-S

This is really cute!

I dislike the Ever Eve dress below.

[Anonymous]

I know Tuckernuck is controversial, but the dress below would be a great all purpose LBD that emphasizes a narrow waist.

https://tnuck.com/products/black-stevie-maxi-dress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know Tuckernuck is controversial, but the dress below would be a great all purpose LBD that emphasizes a narrow waist.

https://tnuck.com/products/black-stevie-maxi-dress

This is really pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know Tuckernuck is controversial, but the dress below would be a great all purpose LBD that emphasizes a narrow waist.

https://tnuck.com/products/black-stevie-maxi-dress

This is really pretty.

Why is tuckernuck controversial?

Planning to wear flats, we don’t usually wear shoes in the house but just feels easier than asking so many folks to take their shoes off.

I’m not preparing any food (plan to cater, but no hot food options) but may still be in and out of the kitchen to replace things so good call on not long sleeves.

I’d love to see the sweater dresses PP mentioned, cldnt find any via google.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know Tuckernuck is controversial, but the dress below would be a great all purpose LBD that emphasizes a narrow waist.

https://tnuck.com/products/black-stevie-maxi-dress

This is really pretty.

Why is tuckernuck controversial?

Planning to wear flats, we don’t usually wear shoes in the house but just feels easier than asking so many folks to take their shoes off.

I’m not preparing any food (plan to cater, but no hot food options) but may still be in and out of the kitchen to replace things so good call on not long sleeves.

I’d love to see the sweater dresses PP mentioned, cldnt find any via google.

It's not really. It's just a lot of DCUM posters love to hate on the posh/preppy aesthetic.

They make great cocktail dresses.