in desperate need of help with "cocktail attire"

[Anonymous]

I feel like I need to attend our new school's auction, and the invitation specifies "cocktail attire." I never dress up, I never wear dresses, so I'm very unsure of what might qualify as cocktail attire. I don't suppose a dressy top and black pants would work? I assume I'd need to wear some type of dress. Any ideas, links, other assistance anyone has would be extremely helpful. I'm 5'2, pear-shaped, and generally a size 8-10.

Also, if anyone would like to chime in on what DH should wear, although he actually dresses nicely for work so has plenty of dress pants/shirts/ties in his wardrobe already.

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Budget? Age? Hair color?

Nordstrom has a selection of specifically cocktail dresses. They also offer petite sizes. Hard to go wrong with them. http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-cocktail-dresses?origin=leftnav#category=b60139439&type=category&marketingslots=2&page=1&size=petitem&width=&color=&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=size&sizeFinderId=2&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&partial=1&pagesize=100&contextualsortcategoryid=0&sort=price&sortreverse=0

You could get away with dressy top/pants in a pinch but you would probably feel more comfortable in a dress and heels. Add a statement necklace and clutch if you have the $.

[Anonymous]

Budget - as little as possible. Age 39. Hair color-light brown.

I would definitely feel more comfortable in pants, and I might even be willing to buy heels. I hate dresses, my legs aren't good. I will check out the Nordstrom recs, thanks!

[Anonymous]

You get a range at most school auctions. Nice black pants and a nice dressy top with nice shoes are fine. No one's going to say anything - you're there to support the school.

[Anonymous]

If you wear pants wear a lot of bling.

[Anonymous]

Black pants and a dressy top are fine! You'll have a great time.

[Anonymous]

In my experience most people do not go overboard on the cocktail attire. Keep it simple and tasteful. Don't show too much skin.

[Anonymous]

For a school event, nice slacks and a dressy top is completely fine. I bet that's what you'll see a lot of. I wouldn't go out and buy a new dress for this, shop your closet and accessorize.

[Anonymous]

At our school, the athletic/fit (tennis playing) moms get decked out with cocktail dresses. The more conservative wear pants with a sequin top or something with bling. Either is acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Budget? Age? Hair color?

Nordstrom has a selection of specifically cocktail dresses. They also offer petite sizes. Hard to go wrong with them. http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-cocktail-dresses?origin=leftnav#category=b60139439&type=category&marketingslots=2&page=1&size=petitem&width=&color=&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=size&sizeFinderId=2&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&partial=1&pagesize=100&contextualsortcategoryid=0&sort=price&sortreverse=0

You could get away with dressy top/pants in a pinch but you would probably feel more comfortable in a dress and heels. Add a statement necklace and clutch if you have the $.

OMG, who would wear that glitter print skater dress?? Nordstrom, what has happened to you??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a school event, nice slacks and a dressy top is completely fine. I bet that's what you'll see a lot of. I wouldn't go out and buy a new dress for this, shop your closet and accessorize.

ITA. Really not worth going all out for - pants with heels + a great statement necklace & clutch, you're set.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad that pants and a nice top are fine. Of course, I also don't own a nice top, but since I really should, I don't mind spending a little on that. I have a feeling that many of the women in this group will go all out, but it's good to know that there will probably be other women who are wearing pants.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like THE social event of the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like THE social event of the season.

OP here - yeah, it doesn't sound fun to me (or DH). But I get the sense that we kind of "have" to go. I do like the school and the people, I'm just naturally antisocial.

[Anonymous]

You can get a cute cocktail dress at H&M for around $50. It will be foot to have in the closet for the future.