<p>I stopped at the mall tonight since I had to kill some time before a wine party. I felt like the stores are practically giving stuff away. Everything at Talbot’s was 30% off, and I felt like the selection was MUCH less frumpy than Talbot’s has been the last decade or so. I got a really nice bright (not navy) blue blazer/jacket and a nice lightweight turtleneck sweater for work. At Gap I got some fun sweaters and nice cropped trousers (30-40% off or something like that) and at Limited I struck out. Did buy some skinny trousers but the sale was 50% off a 2nd pair, which I didn’t want to do.</p>
<p>Is anyone else annoyed at the kiosk vendors at the mall. I read an article once in WSJ about how they are brought over from the middle east and put up in dorm-style apartments and work the kiosks. They are so aggressive and try to rope you in by saying “Can I ask you something?” Ugh.</p>
<p>Wow, MOfWC, it sounds like the deals and sales are already in full swing! Talbots has done something right - I actually like a lot of what they sell this year. Count me in as another member of the Mall Kiosk Hater Club. I feel no remorse about telling those people to leave me alone.</p>
<p>MOWC- agree that kiosk vendors at some malls are actually aggressive to the point of being physically intimidating. I went to the mall info. booth to report one who followed me while pushing products in my face. I was given a form to fill out and send to mall management and was told it is a very common complaint. In the form, I expressed how that behavior discouraged me from coming to this mall. Interestingly enough, there has been a real change in behavior of kiosk personnel at this location. Maybe there is power in numbers when people speak up. Good luck.</p>
<p>I love the Talbots dress - it doesn’t seem t0o young to me at all. I think I’d need to wear something tummy flattening to pull it off though. I’m not sure about the necklace and watch - but I see the watch has gold not silver with the diamonds so it might well be fine with the gold pearls. What would people suggest for the neck if you keep the watch?</p>
<p>Maybe a more delicate strand of crystals. In that case, I’d wear sheer black stockings and look for ornamented shoes. Just balancing the glitter and texture across the whole outfit.</p>
<p>I think you still want the necklace close to the neck, however. For example,</p>
<p>Love that black Talbot’s dress. As long as it fits you properly, i.e. nothing too tight, no way the style is too young. As for the accessories, if I had to choose, I would lean toward earrings, the watch and/or bracelets and/or a cocktail ring and let the pretty boatneck stand out as a focal point on its own. If you want to go with the necklace, I would try it on with the dress just to be sure they go together - hard for me to tell from the photo if it would be a bit too much of the same shape (i.e. round with round), but may be just fine. I like the DKNY or Wolford black tights that are somewhere between matte and sheer. I have a pair of kitten heels that would go great with it! </p>
<p>I was about to weigh in on my admiration for the new Dansko XPs. Much more lightweight than the old ones, and a more flexible sole, so it’s a much better walking shoe now. Love them for arch support and wore them on a two week trip where I walked up to 8 miles every day and felt like I was still walking on air by the end of the day. But - I used to have the occasional out of the blue turned ankle while wearing my old Danskos. It only happened in those shoes. Thought the new ones would be a big improvement (especially after walking all over for weeks and no problem in them). UnfortunatelyI’ve since turned my ankle in these twice - second time I fell out on the street while walking. Usually happens on uneven surfaces. I know there are a lot of Dansko fans on this thread, so just be aware.</p>
<p>I was all dressed for work the other morning with my black clunky Danskos and read our morning paper fashion section advising women to NOT wear “baked potato shoes”. Oops.</p>
<p>I only wear “baked potato shoes” aka Danskos & Merrills. Based on what my orthopedist, physical therapist & chiropractor tell me, it’s the best thing for my stupid back. I also wore white leather Keds under my wedding dress; I was still dancing at the end of the night. I’ll happily take comfort over fashion, since it lets me have more fun for a longer time ;)</p>
<p>Wow, some great posts since I last checked in. </p>
<p>RobD, I love the term “baked potato shoe” but have no idea what it means. </p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for the feedback on my holiday ensemble. Yes, I agree the torsade necklace isn’t right for the dress. Alumother’s suggestion of the crystal necklace is well taken. I happen to have one of those, can be worn long or doubled. It will go with my crystal and gold plated watch – all set now, I think!</p>
<p>Those kiosk hawkers really annoy me, especially the ones selling anti-wrinkle potions. I tend to snarl at them, which just shocked my DH the other day. He thought I was outrageously rude not to stop and answer their “question”!</p>
<p>ps
Danskos are fine for stability until you have the rare but really scary and painful wobble that ends in an ankle twist. They aren’t high heels but they put you onto a fairly high platform and when the foot slips off of that platform it can be really shockingly painful. I still love 'em though. Really liking the deep wine red pair - they work great with cords and jeans.</p>
<p>Baked potato means that the shoes are big, lumpy and round, shaped much like a baked potato! The XPs are a bit less clunky looking than the old ones, but I am under absolutely no illusions that Danskos are a fashion choice - I just love how they feel. IMO clogs are cute looking with straight jeans - i will take along a pair of flats or wedges if I am going somewhere nicer than the grocery store or shopping afterwards.</p>
<p>Sewhappy, that’s exactly what happened to me. Ouch!</p>
<p>The key to dressing young and keeping your feet happy at the same time is being able to find something that falls in between “stilts” and “baked potatoes” on the shoe spectrum. LOL, love both of these terms!</p>
<p>RobD- Did you see that in the paper yesterday? </p>
<p>I have always gone for comfort over fashion, but I think you can do both. (says the wearerof Birkys, potato shoes, Vibram Five Fingers and cowboy boots) I have 3 pairs of Dansko clogs (wine, brown, black) and, honestly, I can’t decide how much I really like them. They are a good “go to” shoe and look OK with work trousers. However, they ARE a high platform and stepping on a rock or something can be catastrophic. They are also heavy and stiff. Good support, though. I find I’m ready to ditch them at the end of the day. Son in law wears his Danskos all day every day at the hospital and swears by them. Summer seems easier for me. There are cute, comfort sandals.</p>
<p>Sewhappy - glad you are going with the watch and then a different necklace. Since I have such a chubby face, I would probably go with a very long pendant necklace that landed well below neckline or even NO necklace and earrings that complemented the watch. I usually wear shorter necklaces with V-necks to avoid the dreaded ROUND, ROUND, ROUND look. Now, perhaps you have a much more angular face - but me? I am the child whose mom didn’t realize had mumps because my face always looked like that. She just thought the coat made my face look chubbier than usual.</p>
<p>wnp, are we twins separated in space and time? OMG - I “diagnosed” myself with mupms and dragged my sorry little body to the pediatrician’s office to confirm my unscientific diagnosis. My mom refused to believe that there was anything wrong with me. She thought I simply OD’d on candy. My face is as round as they get (gee, thanks, Genghis Khan for mixing your Mongolian genes with the genes of my ancestors), and I avoid anythig round - sunglasses, necklines, etc. V-neck dresses and sweaters are my wardrobe staples.</p>
<p>Taking a break from the kitchen – just learned the dinner I was going to wear the talbots dress to is at a country club with dancing. That still works right? My DH is Mr. Happy Legs. He will want to dance all night. This makes me re-think the shoes. The old black pumps are not good for dancing. Also, I just dunno about the black dress. I may have to venture out in Black Friday shopping tomorrow. </p>
<p>Whoever mentioned the baked potato shoe wins my award for best funny fashion line of the year. </p>
<p>And bunsen and wnp – round faces are great as you get older, skinny faces look older sooner. I have a pretty full face too but as I’m getting older it’s getting leaner and to be honest I kind of like how it’s morphing. Or maybe my aging eyes are just tricking me when i look in the mirror. Or maybe it’s dementia . . .</p>
<p>sewhappy, I think the dress is perfectly fine for dancing, but I have no experience with East Coast country club attire. **Paging Alumother and Gourmetmom and everyone else who is familiar with attire for fancy dinners at country clubs! **Please rescue Sewhappy from Black Friday madness!</p>
<p>(My favorite dancing shoes are these (in brown):
[Gucci</a> - ‘paloma’ mid heel pump with interlocking G ornament and metal trim on back. 234806AGB001000](<a href=“http://www.gucci.com/cn-en/styles/234806AGB001000#]Gucci”>http://www.gucci.com/cn-en/styles/234806AGB001000#)
So sturdy and the heel does not feel like 2.5 inches! I got them for $135 at Nordy’s during the great recession of 2008/2009, shoved in my closet and only recently “discovered” that they are perfect for the dance floor. The SA who helped me could not believe that the price was for real. I would not want to wear them for a walk in the city, though - there are too many cracks in or sidewalks for the skinny heels to get trapped.)</p>
<p>Ooh . . . those Gucci’s are gorgeous. I also am a big fan of Beautifeel shoes, have a pair that is too summery for this outing (open toe, sling back). They are made in Israel, I believe. Super comfortable, elegant shoes.</p>
<p>DD and I will venture out tomorrow to scout accent shoes for my ensemble. Have attended a prior event at this country club – it’s really a fun place, an old horse farm converted into a big club. The wallpaper slays me. A gazillion rooms and each one with a really over-the-top decor, always with wallpaper matching window treatments matching upholstery. Such a sensibility. I think the dress for all its 30 dollar price will do just fine. If I feel daunted I’ll just flash my silly crystal and gold plated watch – from a distance it looks like the real deal!</p>
<p>Hope everyone is out there stimulating the economy today!</p>
<p>I don’t have much country club at night experience. Have been with family to the Longmeadow MA and Somerset NJ clubs, but only for lunch. My father wouldn’t join the Atherton Circus Club, back in the day, because they didn’t let in blacks or Jews and he stood by his beliefs. As kids we grumbled about no snack bar time but understood there were things more important. I’ve also been to the Bayou Club in Houston, several times, with college roommates, including to a wedding rehearsal dinner. It was quite grand. </p>
<p>In sum, I’d have to guess on night country club attire, and would assume it’d be like a fancy get together at a friend’s house, when they pull out the stops, send invites, and indicate champagne may be involved.</p>
<p>I think your dress, for $30, is just as good as many that cost far more. Go for it with the shoes. The Guccis are great. And I adore my Louboutin Simple 70s. Quite comfortable, classic design. You could always do shoe feathers, if you wanted to make an impact:).</p>
LOL, love both of these terms!</p>
The SA who helped me could not believe that the price was for real. I would not want to wear them for a walk in the city, though - there are too many cracks in or sidewalks for the skinny heels to get trapped.)</p>