Little white dress

We've been invited to a huge social event, and I am hoping this doesn't go down the same as Little black dress. That was the party where we ended up at a table by ourselves, and I was wondering when the pig blood was going to drop.

I am feeling more confident these days. Embracing my silver hair and dressing with style has made me feel more comfortable in my skin. Not so worried about presenting myself socially anymore. I view this is an opportunity to showcase cool gray hair on the big stage!

Emergency call to Stylish Young Coworker. She was on it like Johnny Mission. I couldn't believe how fast she operates. Reconnaissance on what people wore last year. Links to outfits she thinks would look good. She even did a drive-by at Banana Republic to see what was in stock. All within 24 hours.

The dress we both liked was at Neiman's online, but I dilly dallied, and by the time I made up my mind to get it, it was gone. SYC was not amused. Her last words to me were said through gritted teeth before heading out for the weekend, "I hope you're going shopping. The party is next week."  

Yeah, yeah. I just haven't been in the mood. I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. It has been gloomy, wet and cold. I am grumpy and want to hang out in my jammies. In my case, it should be called Seasonal Asshole Disorder.

I had yesterday off, so I finally got up and out of the house to go shopping. I will say the lights at the mall are very bright, which is good for my SAD. Wish I'd realized this sooner. No wonder they call it retail therapy!  Here I am in the fitting room, snapping shots of different dresses with my iphone and emailing them to SYC for instant feedback.

   

She said the first one was just OK, but she loved the white. Later, she loved the dark blue wrap dress, which she said would look fab with the right jewelry. Later she said, let's talk. What is the cost per wear of each dress? If you only wear the white once a year and it's mega-pricey, screw it. The wrap is class. For the record, she said, my fav is white, but you need to consider CPW.

By this time, I've abandoned the white dress and am trying on stuff from the sale rack at Macy's. I'm about to buy a brown dress with little rows of nylon fringe all over it for $59, when I get a new email from SYC. She is at the hair salon, and it just so happens we share the same stylist. Sometimes this is too cozy for comfort.

Paige says get the white dress.  Screw the CPW. 

There you have it. SYC and my hairdresser agree. Who am I to argue? I buy the white dress. Now we are arguing over shoes. 

Comments

[Michelle]

The three of you are right. Everybody wears black, but you will really stand out (in a good way) in the white dress, which looks fantastic on you. It shows you have a shape and makes you look longer than the other two do. Can't wait to see the shoes!

[SYC]

Readers what do you think of these shoes http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=298346&productGroup=316371

Pretty hot with dress and CPW low=good.

[Paula]

Shoes are "ouch"-inducing!

I know it's really OL but I can't personally do those skyscraper heels. Cute but painful...and maybe a little too heavy a silhouette for the dress.

Have you tried them on together? Don't suffer if they're not mega cute together.

[Michelle]

Shoes are very cute as long as Donna can comfortably wear the 3-1/4" heel. With as many shoes as there are in the world, I see no reason to ever buy painful ones.

[Peg]

The dress is lovely and Donna looks terrific in it. Re the shoes, I echo the reservations of previous posters.

[Donna Pekar]

Such great feedback! I ordered the shoes, but I'm pretty sure they will be going back. The OLs rule -- feet must be comfy. And Paula -- the heavy silhouette comment sounds like you know what you are doing. I had the same feeling, but didn't express it as well. We shall see. I actually like it with black tights and my OTK boots, believe it or not. I have nude wedges -- perhaps with nude fishnets? I was also thinking of something kind of campy like a black patent mary jane. Don't stroke out SYC! Last thought -- the party is optional "western" dress. I could do cowboy boots...

[SYC]

My face cringed with the thought of you wearing black patent mary janes and that beautiful dress. It's almost as bad as bad as the white flops http://www.rockthesilver.com/rock_the_silver/2009/08/white-flops.html

It should be noted that the shoes that cool Paige and I picked have nike air support. Suck it up with the 3 1/4 height.

[barbara]

All dresses are nice. Here the argument for the champagne one:
1. You own already one fine black dress.
2. The wrapdress is cute, but you could wear it for business as well.
The champagne dress looks really great on you and you could wear it with bare legs and highheel sandals (I don't know the dresscode).
I like SYC's recommandation for the heels, but I could'nt stand them. Even if they have nike air support.
What about evening booties? Unfortunately I don't know what OTK boots are.
And, not forget this topic: what clutch do you wear with the outfit?
I'm not lucky with the nude wedges and fishnet.
And please, post a pic of the whole outfit!
Don't forget to choose a nice pair of earrings out of your collection.

Most of all: Have fun.

[Sarah Salway]

Just found your blog via Advanced Style - brilliant. Will be back here often. And I think the white dress is beautiful. Enjoy the party!

[Donna Pekar]

Sarah -- thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Love Advanced Style. More to come on the dress. If only I could go barefoot!

[Pam Robbins]

I'm stumped on leg wear. Love, love love dress and shoes, so have sent your link to my girls, ages 34 & 30. Neither have answered, but think I am so cool for following a style blog!!!