Calling All Fashionistas!

[BiBunny]

Men, this will probably bore you to tears. Just warning you.

Kitty and I (along with some other friends) have been invited to a Christmas cocktail party in mid-December. In keeping with our one-step-above-white-trash upbringing ( ), we're not entirely sure how to dress. Well, we've got the "dress" part down (we're not that stupid), but it's the details that are tripping us up. We both have dresses that will be quite suitable, but we're uncertain about accessories and hairstyles for a cocktail party in the winter. We've been to full formals and cocktail parties with our sorority in the past, but I'm sure that what works at a sorority function doesn't necessarily work at other events.

It's going to be cold, obviously, so how do we stay warm without looking like a couple of bumpkins? We both have thin, flimsy black wraps to drape 'round our shoulders, but that's not going to help much. Shawls just seem old-woman-y, and I don't think jackets would be acceptable. Are there any other options?

I know we should have stockings. What about shoes? I'm guessing dressy, strappy sandals? Kitty has a navy blue dress, and mine's a deep shade of plum. Do we try to find matching shoes (not bloody likely) or just try for silver (her) and black (me)? I think once we pick the shoes, the purses will be easy to find. I like the look of gloves, but gloves are a no-no with cocktail attire, aren't they? What about jewelry? We're both pretty averse to pearls (also old-woman-y in my book).

And hair? Obviously, we won't leave it down and straight like we do pretty much every other time in our lives. I think updos look elegant, but I don't know. Is that too over the top? Should we just curl our hair and leave it down? Somehow, that doesn't seem to be enough.

Yeah, this confuses the hell out of me. I'm a redneck. We don't do this kind of thing, LOL. I just don't want to embarrass myself. I want to appear classy not klassy. Any help would be most appreciated!

And, boys, if you actually made it this far without your eyes crossing, I'm proud. Wanna be my date? I don't have one or any prospects of one, either. If you're going to be in or around East Alabama in mid-December....

 

[intothewoods]

Who's hosting this shindig? Is it really that fancy? Since it's the holiday party season, I'd probably dress it up a bit more than usual, but not what you're describing. Maybe it's a Southern thing.

The dresses sound great, but I see no reason to wear hose (but I hardly ever do hose, I hate it), and the shoes sound fine - though they don't have to be strappy - I love peeptoes for evening, actually. Typically I'll just wear a coat to a party in winter, and then have a dressy cardigan (like a beaded vintage piece) in case it's cold.

I usually don't do updos with fancy dresses, because it seems too forced. I'd rather wear my hair down. Sometimes I'll do updoes with jeans - because I'm JUST THAT CRAZY! Yes, I put too much thought into these things. As for jewelry, I gotta know more about the dress.

 

[BiBunny]

Yes...it's a Southern thing.

It's just some friends, really, but I sort of have this chip on my shoulder about looking like I didn't come running in straight out of the cow pasture around people who are, shall we say, more comfortable in such situations. So I'm probably just projecting my own insecurities.

Thanks, itw.

 

[intothewoods]

Yes...it's a Southern thing.

It's just some friends, really, but I sort of have this chip on my shoulder about looking like I didn't come running in straight out of the cow pasture around people who are, shall we say, more comfortable in such situations. So I'm probably just projecting my own insecurities.

Thanks, itw.

Ahhh, okay. So this is a fancy shmancy thing? Ok, well, what does the dress look like? You could just go very classic. Get your hair pulled back in a twist, black pumps, and some classic stud earrings (if you don't like pearls, get rhinstones - not too big obviously). You'll be fabulous.

Oh - don't do hose with strappy sandals, btw.

 

[BiBunny]

Ahhh, okay. So this is a fancy shmancy thing? Ok, well, what does the dress look like? You could just go very classic. Get your hair pulled back in a twist, black pumps, and some classic stud earrings (if you don't like pearls, get rhinstones - not too big obviously). You'll be fabulous.

Oh - don't do hose with strappy sandals, btw.

You more or less described what I was thinking. Good to know I wasn't that far off-base.

My dress is a deep plum color with wide straps, a v-neck, an empire waist, and sparkles all over it. (Yeah, a technical term.) It's approximately knee-length. Kitty's dress is somewhat longer, tea-length probably, navy blue, halter-top, empire waist, and also covered with sparkly things.

And way down here, we wear hose with everything. Yes, it's ugly, but...

 

[Luvkitty33]

Men, this will probably bore you to tears. Just warning you.

Kitty and I (along with some other friends) have been invited to a Christmas cocktail party in mid-December. In keeping with our one-step-above-white-trash upbringing ( ), we're not entirely sure how to dress. Well, we've got the "dress" part down (we're not that stupid), but it's the details that are tripping us up. We both have dresses that will be quite suitable, but we're uncertain about accessories and hairstyles for a cocktail party in the winter. We've been to full formals and cocktail parties with our sorority in the past, but I'm sure that what works at a sorority function doesn't necessarily work at other events.

It's going to be cold, obviously, so how do we stay warm without looking like a couple of bumpkins? We both have thin, flimsy black wraps to drape 'round our shoulders, but that's not going to help much. Shawls just seem old-woman-y, and I don't think jackets would be acceptable. Are there any other options?

I know we should have stockings. What about shoes? I'm guessing dressy, strappy sandals? Kitty has a navy blue dress, and mine's a deep shade of plum. Do we try to find matching shoes (not bloody likely) or just try for silver (her) and black (me)? I think once we pick the shoes, the purses will be easy to find. I like the look of gloves, but gloves are a no-no with cocktail attire, aren't they? What about jewelry? We're both pretty averse to pearls (also old-woman-y in my book).

And hair? Obviously, we won't leave it down and straight like we do pretty much every other time in our lives. I think updos look elegant, but I don't know. Is that too over the top? Should we just curl our hair and leave it down? Somehow, that doesn't seem to be enough.

Yeah, this confuses the hell out of me. I'm a redneck. We don't do this kind of thing, LOL. I just don't want to embarrass myself. I want to appear classy not klassy. Any help would be most appreciated!

And, boys, if you actually made it this far without your eyes crossing, I'm proud. Wanna be my date? I don't have one or any prospects of one, either. If you're going to be in or around East Alabama in mid-December....

Sounds like a fun party! As for warmth, I can think of two options. One, you could just wear a nice coat that you take off as soon as you're inside. I have a long black dress coat that I wear to things like you're describing. Another option, depending on how cold you get, is a pashmina or wrap. It's more like a modern version of a shawl. I have a black velvet wrap that I use, and it's pretty warm. It's satin on the part that touches your body, and then black velvet (love that song, by the way!) on the outside. You can wear it over your shoulders or wrap it around you.

I love black strappy sandals, and that's almost always what I wear to fancy events. Definitely NO nylons or stockings with strappy sandals or with open-toed shoes. I hate them anyway so I never wear them, if I can avoid it. Unless it's for something sexy in the bedroom of course.

Hair styles.....hmmmm. Well, you have beautiful long hair so I think it would look gorgeous if you hot-rollered it and either wore it down or pull half of it up. If you tend to get hot at indoor, crowded functions, like I do, then you can wear it up in an up-do. I don't think that's overdoing it all nowadays.

For jewelry, I'd keep it pretty simple. Maybe wear some diamond studs or litttle drops, and a bracelet. Depending on the neckline of your dress you could wear a simple pendant necklace, or if your wearing your hair down and curly, you might even forego the necklace altogether.

Well, not sure if this was any help or not, but I hope you have fun regardless. Will you post pics.....I hope?

 

[Luvkitty33]

Just saw your post where you described your dress. If the sparkles are silver, then I would go with silver jewelry and/or rhinestone.....but very simple since the dress has a lot of sparkle already.

If the sparkles are gold, then I'd go with simple gold hoop earings, a simple drop-pendant style necklace, and a simple gold bracelet. Again, you might not even need to wear a necklace at all.

 

[Netzach]

I am so not understanding how hose and closed toes went out as much as they did. I can't get past it - sandals here valentine's day = insane.

I'd do a slingback, but make sure it's dressy, MAYBE a peep-toe. Satin or patent rather than regular leather. I would also do hose, sheer, black. (OK now that I read you are doing plum I might do either something silvery grey if your dress sparkles silver, or super *super* sheer and nude - nude hose are not icky when they are 12-10 denier) The wrap thing sounds reasonable. I own a black wool coat that goes day to night so I usually wear that to the one formal party I go to all year, scarf with some glitz to it.

Pearls don't have to be horribly dull, but I've always scooped up something interesting, vintage, and rhinestone on ebay for stuff like this, or worn multiple strands of things at different lengths.

If you do a great necklace, do less great earrings or vice versa - I try to keep the jewelry non-competitive.

I don't think hair has to go up any more necessarily. I did a very veronica lake thing one NYE with hair over one eye and a floral barette over one ear in red - but that was a little more alterna-cocktail.

 

[nh23]

Coming from the same background.. I can't help you chick..lol. But I do want to see pics once you've got it all put together!

 

[FurryFury]

Half up, half down is as far as I'm willing to go on the hair. I'm one of those people that IMO, that don't look good without hair, glorious hair. You have to have a great slender facial shape for that shit to look good. I don't. Most women don't.

Strappy sandals in winter? I think not. Well, not for me, at least. I'm thinking boots with spike heels. You can get away with em cause it's winter, woo hoo!

Don't be surprised if would be submissive men start following you though . . .

Black goes with everything. That's just one of many reasons why I love it!

Wear a warm jacket or coat, take it off when you reach the inside warm part of the party. Keep the think wrap if you want to or feel you need to. Cloaks are another option.

I agree with you about pearls. They say (to me) I'm an uptight frigid bitch that never gets fucked.

Gloves can work depending again on the dress and the gloves. They could be a little over the top but, hey, they could be fun too.

 

[Yang4yin]

I think this site will give you answers to all your questions.

 

[BiBunny]

Half up, half down is as far as I'm willing to go on the hair. I'm one of those people that IMO, that don't look good without hair, glorious hair. You have to have a great slender facial shape for that shit to look good. I don't. Most women don't.

Strappy sandals in winter? I think not. Well, not for me, at least. I'm thinking boots with spike heels. You can get away with em cause it's winter, woo hoo!

Don't be surprised if would be submissive men start following you though . . .

I'm thinking no boots with a cocktail dress.

And you're a bad, bad man, Yang.

 

[Yang4yin]

And you're a bad, bad man, Yang.

That didn't give you any ideas?

 

[FurryFury]

I'm thinking no boots with a cocktail dress.

And you're a bad, bad man, Yang.

Depends on the boots and the dress. Trust me.

 

[FurryFury]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...GBMG3HL21.DTL&hw=Colleen+Abrie&sn=001&sc=1000

I'll point out this little gem:

DO: Try high boots with a cocktail dress just for fun.

*le sigh*

I thought I was being a maverick but nooooo . . .

 

[BiBunny]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...GBMG3HL21.DTL&hw=Colleen+Abrie&sn=001&sc=1000

I'll point out this little gem:

DO: Try high boots with a cocktail dress just for fun.

*le sigh*

I thought I was being a maverick but nooooo . . .

*Shudder* You might be able to get away with that in some parts of the world, but definitely not here. I still think white after Labor Day is the epitome of tacky. I'm a throwback.

 

[Luvkitty33]

Bunny, I was watching the Country Music Awards tonight, and Reba had on a plum dress that had a low-cut V in front. I noticed that she did not wear a necklace at all. She had on a single strand rhinestone or diamond bracelet and simple rhinstone or diamond drop earings (from what I could tell). I couldn't see what color her shoes were, though.

 

[BiBunny]

Bunny, I was watching the Country Music Awards tonight, and Reba had on a plum dress that had a low-cut V in front. I noticed that she did not wear a necklace at all. She had on a single strand rhinestone or diamond bracelet and simple rhinstone or diamond drop earings (from what I could tell). I couldn't see what color her shoes were, though.

Hmmm...thanks, Luvkitty! I have some decent-looking earrings, but I was kind of worried about the necklace. I don't own anything that would work, but, like you said, I might be able to get away without one. Maybe a nice updo, some great earrings, and no necklace.

And, yeah, once I get this sorted out and get some pics, I'll post them here.

 

[Netzach]

For the record, this uptight bitches' collar is a single strand of pearls, 16 in.

 

[Blushing Bottom]

Absolutely an up-do...never over the top in a formal setting and as for warmth you could both try a long velvet hooded cape. Not the warmest thing around but warmer that shawl wraps.


Oh and have fun!

And hair? Obviously, we won't leave it down and straight like we do pretty much every other time in our lives. I think updos look elegant, but I don't know. Is that too over the top? Should we just curl our hair and leave it down? Somehow, that doesn't seem to be enough.

 

[h_i_s]

Men, this will probably bore you to tears. Just warning you.

Kitty and I (along with some other friends) have been invited to a Christmas cocktail party in mid-December. In keeping with our one-step-above-white-trash upbringing ( ), we're not entirely sure how to dress. Well, we've got the "dress" part down (we're not that stupid), but it's the details that are tripping us up. We both have dresses that will be quite suitable, but we're uncertain about accessories and hairstyles for a cocktail party in the winter. We've been to full formals and cocktail parties with our sorority in the past, but I'm sure that what works at a sorority function doesn't necessarily work at other events.

It's going to be cold, obviously, so how do we stay warm without looking like a couple of bumpkins? We both have thin, flimsy black wraps to drape 'round our shoulders, but that's not going to help much. Shawls just seem old-woman-y, and I don't think jackets would be acceptable. Are there any other options?

I know we should have stockings. What about shoes? I'm guessing dressy, strappy sandals? Kitty has a navy blue dress, and mine's a deep shade of plum. Do we try to find matching shoes (not bloody likely) or just try for silver (her) and black (me)? I think once we pick the shoes, the purses will be easy to find. I like the look of gloves, but gloves are a no-no with cocktail attire, aren't they? What about jewelry? We're both pretty averse to pearls (also old-woman-y in my book).

And hair? Obviously, we won't leave it down and straight like we do pretty much every other time in our lives. I think updos look elegant, but I don't know. Is that too over the top? Should we just curl our hair and leave it down? Somehow, that doesn't seem to be enough.

Yeah, this confuses the hell out of me. I'm a redneck. We don't do this kind of thing, LOL. I just don't want to embarrass myself. I want to appear classy not klassy. Any help would be most appreciated!

And, boys, if you actually made it this far without your eyes crossing, I'm proud. Wanna be my date? I don't have one or any prospects of one, either. If you're going to be in or around East Alabama in mid-December....

May seem too frumpy for some, but whenever in doubt, a chignon is classic and therefor will suit most any occasion. Many other styles of updos can look overdone or too trendy for more 'mature' occasions.
A chignon can be 'unfrumptified' when dressed up with a pretty barrette (gold, silver, pearl or rinestone accented work great).
We can get away with a strappy sandal when that is all we have, and unless we live in an area where it is very warm all year long.... a closed high heeled shoe is 'better'. Freaks me out a bit when I see strappy sandals being worn in the winter time where it is freezing or below and/or with snow on the ground....or a summer dress of summer fabric.... it's all comparable to wearing white pants here after Labor Day kind of 'freak me out' stuff. Nothing looks stupider than a woman shivering her ass off, toes all wet, snowed on, or turning blue for lack of common sense..... no matter how hot she thinks she looks. hehheh

 

[Luvkitty33]

I guess I should clarify my idea of wearing strappy sandals since several people have mentioned freezing toes, etc. I live in California so there is never snow to deal with. Rain and cold temps....yes, but I guess I like to suffer for fashion *laughs*

Actually, I can't wear closed shoes very comfortably anymore because of pain, but I also just happen to LOVE strappy sandals. If it's going to be a freezing cold, rainy, or snowy evening the night of the party, then I agree with the others that have suggested closed shoes.

Can't wait to see pics of you looking all gorgeous and sexy!! ETA that you always look gorgeous and sexy, but I can't wait to see you all dressed up looking gorgeous and sexy!!!

 

[Jezebel77]

Is it going to be at someones house? a banquet? restaurant? bar?

 

[FurryFury]

*Shudder* You might be able to get away with that in some parts of the world, but definitely not here. I still think white after Labor Day is the epitome of tacky. I'm a throwback.

I've never bought that idea.

 

[FurryFury]

Check this out?

http://www.ilovehollywould.com/partypics/2005!02!09!Fall_2005_Show_Pics/z3)_Jewel_Embroidered_Halter_Dress_with_Plum_Metallic_Boots_LO_-_Fall_2005.jpg

*now wonders if she looked tacky the night she met Sprinkles and Evil_Geoff*