Stressing over what to wear

tayylor65

So my dad is remarrying this May and I'm having trouble finding the perfectly appropriate dress--I'm booking/planning the weekend this month.

It's mid May on the water in Maryland.  TYPICALLY the temperature at the time is around 70 degrees however it'll likely be breezy next to the Chesapeake Bay + weather is always fickle around that time and could be more like 60 degrees or close to 80 degrees.  Also, the ceremony is at 6PM.  I'm having trouble attire-wise because it's a "casual" wedding (Dad's wearing khakis and button down/polo for example) but the ceremony's at 6PM, full cocktail hour and seated dinner, and the entire mansion/property is rented out for that Friday-Sunday, but only immediate family (around 25 people).  

The timing/style of the wedding seems formal (nice cocktail style dress) but Dad says casual.  I know I'm overly worrying about this but I want to look really nice without over-doing it (can you tell I have a lot of anxiety over this whole wedding in general?).  

This is the only thing I've found that could keep me warm/cool depending on weather, is conservative without being too dressy (or is it too stuffy?), and could still be very flattering in the proper way.  

I'd get it in the blue, paired with pointed toe off-white 2-inch heels, maybe my chunky pearl necklace (?) and pearl earrings, and a white/white with some sort of print pashmina for my shoulders if it's chilly.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23746332&catId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&popId=CLOTHES&navCount=231&color=071&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&templateType=subCategory#BVRRWidgetID

Any other dress/accessory suggestions are appreciated!

Habs2Hart

I'm not a huge fan of that dress, but it could be pretty on the right person.  I think the length is a bit strange. 

I'd be inclined to wear a nice flowing maxi dress and bring a pashmina. 

tenofcups4me

I think it's a pretty dress, but to me it reads as something more appropriate for an indoor somewhat formal daytime wedding, especially paired with the heels and pearls you're describing. I'd be inclined to go for something a bit more "fun" -- maybe more flowy or with some sort of a pattern and less conservative, but of course that's a matter of personal style (I tend not to dress conservatively, maybe you do?).

tayylor65

Thanks for the input!  I definitely would go in-store to try it on before buying.  I'm 5'10" so it could hit at a really awkward spot around my knees.  I love maxi dresses but being so tall I feel awkward in them unless it's worn to the pool or beach.  

annakb8

I think it would look better with nude shoes as well, but I generally think everything looks better with nude shoes.

Also, I like the legnth. Longer "midi" legnth dresses are very in style right now. I also like to dress pretty conservatively most of the time so I guess that's part of the reason why I like it. 

Habs2Hart

I just read the reviews.  When I first looked at the dress, it looked like it would land at a weird place quite below the knee, almost mid calf (and it probably would on me) but I see that you are quite tall.  You can probably pull it off quite well.  I wish the fabric wasn't a knit.  I think the shape is nice. 

I do agree with nude heels though. 

tayylor65

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_stressing-over-wear?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0d475b4c-80e1-4768-ad42-ecbef8ac6027Post:716b3f0f-5645-4609-acac-657dd65006de">Re: Stressing over what to wear</a>:
[QUOTE]You could always dress it up with some sparkly jewelery too. I agree that white/off-white heels seem more daytime to me. You could do nude maybe?
Posted by rachers1017[/QUOTE]

<div>I have a bunch of silver jewelry I could wear?  Or also diamond drop earrings but I don't want to look too glitzy if no one else is.  Nude heels is a great idea!  I'll have to see if I can find a pair that aren't too tall.</div>

froggatt.clare

That's a great dress and you can dress it up or down.  I agree with PPs that a pashmina or a cardigan would go well with it, and keep you warm if needed.  Maybe a black blazer with a scarf if temps are unusually chilly?

I think silver accessories would go very well with the color.  Perhaps a statement necklace since the dress is rather simple.

mbody

Have you considered a dress with little sleeves? I think they would be ok even with 80 degree weather at 6 PM or if it's colder you could always put a sweater on. What about something like this? Comes in a few different colors:

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/dresses/weartowork/PRDOVR~48444/48444.jsp

or

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=69887&vid=1&pid=450157&scid=450157012

You can always put a brown shrug or sweater on with this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/michael-michael-kors-sleeveless-shirtdress/3219554?origin=category&resultback=978

http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12413462&cp=4213686.4414406.3905241&parentPage=family

MyUserName1

I love the dress.  I would pair it with nude heels, sparkly jewelry and a patterned cardigan in case it was cold.  I think it looks appropriate for the event you're describing and like something you could wear again a lot.

And then loan it to me, kay?