What should I wear with this dress? (Oct. wedding)

[Anonymous]

I have this dress in peacock:

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Sangria-Womens-Sleeveless-Satin-Dress/4056227/product.html

and will be wearing it to an October wedding in Virginia. I am 5'7" with an hourglass shape (34F ... still nursing) that is looking pretty decent for having a baby last year.

I would like something for my shoulders/arms for the ceremony, and then cute shoes, bag, accessories, etc. I don't even know what to do with my hair -- I'm totally helpless. I am bad with heels (very wide feet) and we might have to walk a mile to the reception (oh crap, that seems really far now -- maybe I can convince my husband to drive) but I think I should man up and wear them any way, right?

Any suggestions?

What colors would work? I have no idea! But I am refusing to wear my dowdy black dress with my dowry black flats and my hair in a ponytail like usual.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a pashmina you can wrap over your shoulders? Black for an evening wedding, cream/off-white for day time. I would honestly wear flip-flops for the walk and change into other shoes once you got there. That wouldn necessitate bringing a larger bag than a clutch, bu if you're bringing the baby you can just stow them in a diaper bag once you arrive.

[Anonymous]

How about a shrug for shoulders. A metallic color wedge for a shoe.

[Anonymous]

I have some pashminas but didn't know if they were dorky -- I wear them to work but the fashion bar is pretty low at my office.

Thinking about it more I think I want to drive to the ceremony -- it's 1.3 miles and could be raining, hot, etc., and I really want to look good for this event since it's been like 2 years since I've worn a normal bra and put on make-up.

I love the idea of a wedge! It would easier for me to dance in too, I think.

[Anonymous]

You could do a ballet flat, maybe in a metallic? Silver or pewter would probably go.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/59625874/c/138027/g/women/s/5/w/M_12.html

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/59623481/c/933/g/women/s/5/w/M_12.html

You could probably do a nice cardigan for the service and then throw the sweater in the diaper bag. that's what I usually do.

[Anonymous]

Cute shoes! In wide too, which is excellent. Thank you. I am torn between wearing what I normally would (flats) and what I think is "sexier" - heels.

No diaper bag! Leaving the baby at home for the first time in a year woo hoo!

[Anonymous]

Go for the heels! I really don't get ballet flats at all. Just wear something else for the walk.

One time I had my hair done before a fancy wedding and LOVED it. I still look at pictures and sigh. Wish my hair had looked that good for the wedding.

If you can manage it in terms of time/finances, have your hairdresser do some sort of "up" style to make it special.

[Anonymous]

I like the dress a lot.

I would choose black or silver, and use the same color for both a wrap and shoes.

Sounds like this is your chance to get glammed up, so I would not wear flats or a cardigan - too casual. I'd choose a dressy, strappy sandal with a heel. Doesn't have to be super-high if you are not comfortable with high heels, but at least an inch. Silver metallic would look GREAT! And I would do a sheer evening wrap, in silk chiffon or something similar, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sheer-Crystal-Organza-Evening-Wedding/dp/B001C432NU/ref=pd_sbs_a_2 (ignore the hideous gloves in the photo!)
or
http://www.amazon.com/Azuri-Silk-Chiffon-Wrap-Colors/dp/B000CQ5K2A/ref=pd_sbs_a_7

I have a similar black wrap and I have worn it a bazillion times; you can wear it different ways and it's a great investment.

Get a mani/pedi, get your hair done in an updo and maybe some really pretty drop earrings like this:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=33435&vid=1&pid=681262

I think a great bracelet would be awesome too - something big and bold that makes a statement.

I'm excited for you - I think you're going to look fabulous!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Obviously I am really excited. My husband thinks I'm crazy -- I barely know his friends -- but it's a great opportunity to get dressed up. We will be going down the night before so I'll investigate hair and nails places (I have not had my nails done since prom, good grief). It'll be a fun way to spend my baby-free day.

I love bold jewelry, those earrings are great. The gloves, not so much, but I get the idea. Think I'm going to go shopping this weekend! (First time in a long while...)

My only concern with a wrap is that I'll keep pulling on it to get it over my shoulders, or keep it from dragging on the floor, etc. Somehow I'm picturing a really amazing cardigan, or one of those vest/sweaters, perhaps a structured jacket? Is that weird? Typing out "structured jacket" makes it sound like a horrible idea.

[Anonymous]

I would have babysitter come early-gives the baby chance to transition and you time to get ready. I would skip wrap (a bit motherly to me and not slimming). I would go with something like this...you can find similar look for less at TJMaxx or Macys. This way if colder out you are warm and its cool enough to wear other times even with baby. I would buy similar color shoes and bag but not too matchy matchy. I love these shoes (if comfy) since they aren't a direct match but ties in the jacket theme. You get the idea even if you don't buy these options.

TOP:
http://www.shopbop.com/sequin-jacket-robert-rodriguez/vp/v=1/845524441844878.htm?folderID=2534374302066271&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall

Bag:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=399673&CategoryID=27691

shoe:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=335445&CategoryID=13614

[Anonymous]

Ok, 15:53 again. If you don't like the idea of a wrap, I think a shrug or bolero style on top would work. I am a little concerned about "structured jacket" because I think you really want to go with something short that doesn't overpower or cover up too much of the dress. You don't want to look matronly with a long jacket, like a mother-of-the-bride ensemble!

So I like something like one of these:

http://www.windsorstore.com/shop_detail.aspx?id=73081&lcid=766

or
http://www.windsorstore.com/shop_detail.aspx?id=90641&lcid=766

If you did a black shrug, I'd probably go with a black shoe, though it could have some embellishment or metallic accent.

I don't know about that silver jacket that the PP posted - I like it on the model, but I"m not sure it's for you - you said you are still nursing and are pretty busty, and I think that jacket might be hard to pull off. But I LOVE the shoes she suggested. That particular shoe may not work for you since you said you have a wide foot and it says it runs slightly narrow, but the style of it is great & I'm sure you could find something similar.

[Anonymous]

This dress is designed for small-busted women. The detailing on the bodice draws the eye upward to create the illusion of greater fullness. It is unlikely to flatter a 34F.

That said, I would not put a bolero, shawl or cardigan with it because the horizontal seams create a "busy" effect that you do not want to exacerbate. I would wear transparent shoes and a jewel-toned clutch and bare arms. Don't do a Michelle Obama and destroy the line of a gorgeous dress with an ill-advised accessory.

[Anonymous]

Ugh on transparent shoes. Ugh.

I think a shrug could work just fine with this and keep the dressiness level high. I wouldn't do a structured jacket... then it will look more professional than elegant, in my opinion, and just wouldn't be as fun.

[Anonymous]

OP here ... I am okay with drawing attention upward since I have a great rack. Thanks for the tip re: the horizontal seams, though, I will keep that in mind.

I am laughing thinking about the structured jacket now and looking like mother of the bride. That is exactly the look I don't want to go for. I want to look stylish but I mostly want feel hot. I'm a married lady now, so I'm essentially just dressing for myself, and want to feel good.

Perhaps I can take a picture this weekend of some accessories I get at the store and figure out how to get them on here...

[Anonymous]

how about this? I like black or ivory. I would prob do ivory if it was me - seems softer and can be used w/light shoes.

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=ED-247470&page=1&cgname=OSCLOALSCRD&rfnbr=6491