Formal wear on short notice - Help

[Anonymous]

I was just told I need to wear a cocktail dress or gown for an event tomorrow. I don't own anything like that. I won't be able to make it to a store tonight.

Any tips for leveling up/accessorizing a navy blue J Crew sheath dress to make do?

[Anonymous]

In this weather a lot of people will dress down.

[Anonymous]

Just be yourself and own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this weather a lot of people will dress down.

This. Guarantee all the women will be in black pants and a nice top (I would also be so this is no shade)

[Anonymous]

The sheath will work but maybe text a friend who is the same size and see if she has anything to lend. I would be glad to lend dressy dresses to a friend—I have a couple for work events I rarely/never wear.

[Anonymous]

Do your hair in a chignon.

[Anonymous]

What fabric is the dress?
Agree black pants and nice top, maybe silk or sparkles will work.

[Anonymous]

Accessorize. Statement earrings (think sparkles more than pearls) and a wrap. With shoulders and most of your torso covered, no one can see the dress anyway!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What fabric is the dress?
Agree black pants and nice top, maybe silk or sparkles will work.

OP here. The dress is kind of a silky polyester, it looks elegant but a bit understated. Reads very "Sunday best".

The invitation states "elegant pants suit, cocktail dress, or gown". I do have a corset pantsuit but it's a little too sexy for this type of event.. but maybe if I put a blazer over it? Ugh... hate this situation so much

[Anonymous]

As people have said on previous threads, this is why every woman should have a "little black dress" in their closet. Curious about the event because who wants half the women in cocktail dresses and half in "gowns". That's just confusing for everyone. Do they want half the men in sports coats and half in tuxes?

[Anonymous]

Do you have a large statement necklace and an elegant wrap? That could make it work. Any friends who are your size? I have a closet full of formal and cocktail wear.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I took the advice on here and borrowed a LBD from a friend. Thanks, all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As people have said on previous threads, this is why every woman should have a "little black dress" in their closet. Curious about the event because who wants half the women in cocktail dresses and half in "gowns". That's just confusing for everyone. Do they want half the men in sports coats and half in tuxes?

I’m a poster who has rebutted the LBD theory because of situations exactly like OPs - her navy sheath is essentially the same as a black sheath (LBD), but to wear it to an event like hers she’d need to dress it up quite a lot bc otherwise it looks like officewear of which you ditched the blazer. One LBD (or LNavyD) doesn’t work for all events bc there is still a big range in dressiness/formality/work v pleasure, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP please come back and tell us how it went. Were there actually "gowns"?????