Anonymous wrote:I need to find a dress for a March wedding. Setting: DC hotel. Time: evening. Invitation stipulates cocktail attire. I'm 5'2", 120#, and 55 y.o. For a recent early fall, outdoor, more casual wedding, I wore black silk pants with a pale grey cowl neck top. But this event will have a more traditional vibe, I think, so I'm leaning toward wearing a dress. That said, I could be persuaded to wear my black silk pants, but I'd need a different top and maybe a jacket? DCUM fashionistas, hit me with your best shot . . . what do I wear?

A barrel.

A friend of mine wore this dress at a function and looked amazing. She is your height but a little bit heavier. The dress looks better in person.

https://evereve.com/products/nadia-dress-nocturnal

I thought for sure you’d go for the leopard print! Just kidding, nice dress, OP. Have fun at the wedding!

Anonymous wrote:oops . . . just saw that the link to the winning dress got buried in the previous quotes, so here it is:

Calvin Klein Scuba Crepe Chiffon Sleeve A-line
https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-calvin-klein-.../9999835/color/70087

I believe that. This gets to the point that trends and flashy things rarely look good. This is classic, and you could have worn it in 1998 or today. Simple, flattering. Also, one of the shorter hem lengths. Which also goes to the general principle that all the women who think they look great in midi length rarely do. I like that op brought out a panel of judges who just objectively told her which one she looked best in. Well done op.

oops . . . just saw that the link to the winning dress got buried in the previous quotes, so here it is:

Calvin Klein Scuba Crepe Chiffon Sleeve A-line
https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-calvin-klein-.../9999835/color/70087

Take a victory lap, 13:56! You picked the winner.

This is OP. Again, I am thankful to you all for your suggestions and (mostly) constructive advice. Here's the wrap-up (for those of you who have been on tenterhooks, waiting to hear the result).

Method: I ordered 5 dresses -- 4 of which were suggested by posters here and 1 which I found myself. The dresses ranged in price from $90 to $360. They included two fit-and-flare styles, two sheaths, and one that was described as A-line, but which I think is more like a shift. All dresses were black or navy; one dress had sequins and one had lace; 3 of the dresses were midi-length and two were just above the knee. I modeled the dresses for my daughter, my son's girlfriend, my close friend and neighbor, and my husband.

Result: The unanimous winner was the Calvin Klein highlighted below, which was, incidentally, the least expensive dress. It is classic, elegant and, dare I say, demurely sexy. I'm having the sleeves and hem shortened just a tad.

Insights gleaned: The winning dress was a stealth candidate. Looking at it online and even when I first took it out of the package, my reaction was "meh". I probably wouldn't even have ordered it except that several posters commented enthusiastically on the original post. This is why God invented crowd-sourcing.

quote=Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm about your height and size but in my 40s.

Since it said cocktail attire, I would wear a knee-length solid dress with short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves in a fabric which is formal and not too flowy. Black or jewel-toned.

Ralph Lauren Black or Navy Off the Shoulder
https://www.ralphlauren.com/women-clothing-dresses/crepe-off-the-shoulder-cocktail-dress/0077886042.html?utm_source=CSE

Calvin Klein Scuba Crepe Chiffon Sleeve A-line
https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-calvin-klein-scuba-crepe-chiffon-sleeve-aline-dress-indigo-indigo/product/9999835/color/70087

If you wanted to wear a blouse and pants, something dressier, like taffeta:
https://alexevenings.com/products/3-4-sleeve-surplice-stretch-taffeta-blouse-with-tie-waist-detail?variant=43149634175232

These are all good suggestions

Ding ding ding! These are all winners!

Thank you. *takes a bow*

I work in a public facing job and attend a ton of events. Just trying to be helpful.