<p>The trend on the red carpet and elsewhere has been statement earrings and a big cocktail ring and or bracelet(s) with no necklace. You still will see plenty of necklaces with evening wear, though. In general, I would pick either the necklace or the earrings to be the statement piece, but not both. With a big necklace, I’d do simple studs. With big hoop earrings, nothing around the neck. I agree with the others that with this particular dress, the brooch becomes a focal point, so even though the neckline of the dress is very simple, I would not do a necklace. I do think you are OK with the hoops and a ring or bracelet. No watch.</p>
<p>Personally, I would not use a collar necklace unless you have a very slim neckline. Even then I would hesitate. One of the very attractive features of this dress is the way the wrap elongates the neck, and in fact the entire torso. If you add a collar or rounded neckline, you will rob the dress of this impact. </p>
<p>So, I would lean toward just earrings and bracelet. The diamond hoops sound good and you could add something like this</p>
<p>[Givenchy</a> Bracelet, Crystal Three Row Stretch - Jewelry & Watches - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=562721&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results]Givenchy”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=562721&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results)</p>
<p>I wasn’t going to wear a necklace recently to a formal event and at the last moment I decided to wear one. I was wearing a strapless dress and somehow on the way out the door I thought maybe I was too exposed and added the necklace (like that was going to make a difference LOL). When I see pictures of myself at the event, the necklace looks fine, but really I should have had the confidence to stick to my plan. </p>
<p>If you can’t bring yourself to abandon the necklace, I would fine something that followed the neckline and didn’t break up the lines.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who never goes anywhere where I would have the opportunity to wear such a dress?
Today I am in exercise capri’s, white t shirt, and running shoes. Doing errands around the house and will take a walk. Might make a trip to Home Depot but will not change. Even if H and I go out tonight I will put on jeans, sandals and some sort of top or cashmere sweater.</p>
<p>lol at tiredofsnow’s post on the animal prints. Although once cute, that look has become unrelenting in my area. Certainly if you have a favorite piece, enjoy it, but as far as new acquisitions, at this point, I will be leaving them in the Serengeti…</p>
<p>Similarly, faux fur is all over. My dilemma is that I have several real fur pieces that I inherited, including a full length mink and several types of jackets, including nutria and Persian lamb. Seems like a shame not to wear, especially since a. the critters are long gone and b. essentially the same looks are in the stores, just fake.</p>
<p>Mom60 - I go to such events regularly. It is all I can do to keep up with the demands. Red Carpet events, fundraising galas, etcetera, etcetera. LOL</p>
<p>Actually, I can go looong periods of time without dressing up, but recently there has been a spate of such functions for me - graduation and the Boola Ball, a wedding where I was the SMOB, a really cool 40th wedding anniversary. It has been fun to dress-up!</p>
<p>Hi ladies - my niece is making her first communion in May. I am her godmother (though it’s pretty ceremonial only- I am not Catholic, but would raise her so if something happened to my sister/BIL).</p>
<p>In any case. I have a few options - a) dressy gold brocade suit (I’ve worn it to evening events /weddings / bar mitzvahs - jacket worn closed, skirt hits above the knee) - very simple jewelry with it as the fabric is statement enough or b) black wrap Shelli Segal dress (I wore to my children’s hs graduation), again with simple jewelry and nude peep toe heels. </p>
<p>The suit is elegant but I don’t want to look overly dressy for day if others might be in more sun-dressy type outfits; the black wrap dress is a great day dress, but would a black dress be inappropriate for the occasion?</p>
<p>If neither works, I could do various silk blouses with a pencil skirt. My arms don’t do sundresses! </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PG,
I like the brocade suit for a communion - most take place around Mother’s Day with a spring and Easter vibe. In my parish, you would not be overdressed one iota - many Catholics like to glam up for sacraments. So unless your sister’s church is very humble and dressed down, the suit should be perfect.</p>
<p>Has anyone on this wonderful thread ever ordered from Boden? Their catalog came today and I am drooling.</p>
<p>I have ordered several things from this fall catalog- they are pretty true to size, although carefully read the reviews of fit & fabric.</p>
<p>I saw a few cute things in the new Boden catalog last night that are on my “wish list” for brightening up my winter wardrobe. Oh and I love it, my 84 year old mom ordered the Boden swing coat. She’s always loved swing coats and I can remember them all through the years!</p>
<p>lol, what a dear mom you must have, momofthreeboys. That swing coat is adorable.</p>
<p>I second the brocade suit. Sounds lovely to me!</p>
<p>EK - that mustard swing coat looks like one you posted. I really like it!</p>
<p>I’m useless with communions, but I just wanted to check - wnp, you’d wear a bracelet with that dress? Even with the long sleeves?</p>
<p>Yes. I have long arms and I am sure there would be enough room. Also, with the fabric, it could be pushed up a bit or folded under. </p>
<p>Now - the above statement would be subject to trial IRL - and if it looked squishy it would go! </p>
<p>I have tried on that particular bracelet and it is really very nice. I think Givenchy makes great costume jewelry. I feel bad sometimes, my DH has given me some beautiful “real” jewelry, but I often opt for a costume piece because it makes the outfit look fresh (& young!).</p>
<p>Took a second look at the dress in blue - and the model has on a bracelet similar to what I would like. Actually, I am really lovin’ this dress. I would wear my hair back in a severe bun. Geez, I have to think of a reason I might need it!</p>
<p>Understood. I have a horror of fidgeting with sleeves, but that’s personal taste. I also always wear precious stone jewelry, again, personal taste.</p>
<p>I already have a perfectly good bathrobe, but I want this one: [“vintage</a>” Starlet Robe I - Misses Size Bath Robes, Misses Sleepwear | Soft Surroundings](<a href=“http://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Vintage_Starlet_Robe_I/]"vintage”>Womens Pajamas, Robes & Nightgowns | Soft Surroundings)</p>
<p>The zebra soiree was a big success. My dh looked great in his black shirt, black pants and this necktie: [Amazon.com:</a> TopTie™ Unisex Zebra Animal Print Skinny Necktie Tie: Clothing](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/TopTie-Unisex-Animal-Skinny-Necktie/dp/B003YXQR6Q]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/TopTie-Unisex-Animal-Skinny-Necktie/dp/B003YXQR6Q) He would have looked perfect except it seems he doesn’t own a black pair of shoes, or at least he didn’t put them on. Most of the attendees wore black or white (and this being NY) mostly black, but there was one woman who had found a great pair of zebra striped tights. (No white just opaque black and sheer black) and there were a couple of pairs of gorgeous zebra shoes, that made me think I might need to rethink my antipathy to high heels. (I did wear heels, just not very high ones.) One woman wore a short sheath dress - all white sequins with a black 1960’s-ish pattern in black sequins that was really striking. </p>
<p>I love my dress, I’ve had it for a few years, but I’d forgotten how nice it swirls when you dance so I’m not really regretting those too young more zebra-y outfits. The band was great, it started a bit bluesy, but then went into lots of good dancing music from the 60s and 70s. Food was great, decor was fun. Black and white checked dance floor.</p>
<p>What a GORGEOUS bathrobe! I wish it wasn’t dry clean only or I’d be tempted, tho in HI, there is rarely any need for a bathrobe, especially one as warm as this one looks. Does look like a starlet!</p>
<p>CJane, since the animals have been dead for a while… feel free to wear your fur pieces (as long as they look modern-ish retro and do not smell of mothballs :)). The fake furs are so good, even PETA will have a hard time figuring out if your mink used to have 4 legs or consisted of mostly carbon and hydrogen prior to becoming your coat :)</p>
<p>OKay, ladies, I’m running a little experiment: I will not buy a single piece of clothing that was made in China for a year. That will be quite a challenge, but I think I can do it.</p>
<p>BB, that’s a good experiment but can you also try to keep tabs on WHERE each article of clothing you do buy is made? Maybe I’ll try that for 2012. Interesting to try to be more aware.</p>
<p>I do try to buy local & US produce and foods, tho that can be challenging as well.</p>
<p>In our parish, First Communion mass is at 9:30am, so while the suit sounds lovely, it would be a bit formal. Is the First Communion coming up or is it in the spring? Ours are generally after Mother’s Day, more of a day dresses/suit style tends to be the norm.</p>