<p>I think whats really throwing me for a loop is that its considered a formal affair, but its on a Monday afternoon in June…I love lace…but most of it thats I’ve seen tends to be black, and that doesn’t seem appropriate.</p>
<p>I’ve been noticing a fair amount of lace in the new spring dresses and I like it very much.</p>
<p>This little Lilly Pulitzer white cardigan is shown over a lace dress and it looks fresh and pretty – the shoes are cute, too.</p>
<p>[Lilly</a> Pulitzer Hillary Cardigan - Dresses - Apparel - Women’s - Bloomingdale’s](<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lilly-pulitzer-hillary-cardigan?ID=585484&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results]Lilly”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lilly-pulitzer-hillary-cardigan?ID=585484&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results)</p>
<p>I don’t typically get thrown on what to wear but we received a wedding invitation to a beach wedding at 11:00 AM. Reception follows…at the beach. At the bottom of the invitation it says bring your bathing suits and flip flops. Wowser. I just can’t see myself wearing shorts even to a wedding in the sand on the beach. Flips I can do…I have a couple really cute pairs of turquoise flips one with a flower and one that’s beaded. I just got a bunch of silk wrapped turquoise bracelets. …what do you think about these maxi dress things. This one is cheap and the right colors or is long too strange for this am beach deal on a 55 year old woman. Am I better off in a short very casual sundress? My H will definitely wear shorts and some sort of top (not Hawaii type shirt and not a t-shirt). It’s in early June so it could be cool at 11 AM but I have a pashmina I can bring along. It’s polyester which feels strange to me but if it feels appropriate I can wear it and give it to Goodwill after the wedding. I’ve got several linen sundresses and shirt dresses in various materials but even those feel like they might be too dressy for hanging out at the beach.</p>
<p>[Gabriella</a> Rocha Honor Maxi Dress Black/Teal - 6pm.com](<a href=“Gabriella rocha honor maxi dress black teal gabriella | 6pm”>Gabriella rocha honor maxi dress black teal | 6pm)</p>
<p>I’m not a style mavin, but I think that black (navy) and white lace dress looks weird and without a cardigan seems too casual for NYC. </p>
<p>I do love that Always maxi-dress and think it would be perfect for the beach wedding that got mentioned further downthread.</p>
<p>Love the cork shoes - wish I could wear them!</p>
<p>Does anyone think it’s okay to wear a sleeveless black dress to my son’s afternoon graduation? Would black be appropriate for daytime? It’s very simple and I would pair it with grey shoes and minimum jewelry.</p>
<p>Here is the dress.
[Calvin</a> Klein Dress, Sleeveless Sheath - Womens Calvin Klein Womens Apparel - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-dress-sleeveless-sheath?ID=424669&cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-4-_-31-_-MP431]Calvin”>http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-dress-sleeveless-sheath?ID=424669&cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-4-_-31-_-MP431)</p>
<p>for the mom’s looking for graduation dresses:</p>
<p>check out Lord & Taylor. I walked through the store the other day and it has a HUGE selection of dresses, formal to casual and in-between. Lots of colors this season. Maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for there. I agree with the other posters that a graduation in NYC should have a dress with sleeves or a jacket or light sweater, not bare armed.</p>
<p>^^EmilyS: The dress is quite plain! It’s a quintessential “little black dress”, but for this occasion, I may opt for more of a garden party dress that has some color to it! And again, my own personal taste is not bare arms, even if you have the muscles! Check out Lord & Taylor and see if you find something a bit more unique.</p>
<p>Don’t rule out long dresses either! They can be cut down & tailored to a regular knee length dress. I did that with my S1’s bar mitzvah. I found an exquisite silver gown and jacket that I had cut down to a short suit and it was perfect for the day. Obviously, it’s easier and less expensive to find a dress already the length you want it, but I got creative in that case and it worked. The second time I actually bought my dress in a boutique on Long Island. However, Lord & Taylor has many, many stylish and pretty afordable dresses. Many with jackets or cardigans or short shrug type sweaters.</p>
<p>Is this the annual, what am I going to wear to graduation? </p>
<p>So she’s graduating outside in the football stadium from 10-12 on a Monday. The university recommends that you bring a hat, water and don’t wear heels. Do you really think that people are going to heed this? </p>
<p>I have two options right now. One is a black and gray wrap dress, It’s cute but has cap sleeves and for some reason my white flabby arms don’t look great in it. I have a shrug which has 3/4 sleeves and looks good with this dress if it won’t be too hot. I bought it for a memorial service and wore black pumps but would like to pair a different pair of shoes, any ideas?</p>
<p>The other option is this skirt [Talbots</a> - Ikat Pencil Skirt | Skirts | Petites Discover your new look at Talbots. Shop our Ikat Pencil Skirt for stylish clothing and accessories with a modern twist at Talbots](<a href=“Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots”>Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots). I’m not sure what to wear with it. I have a 3/4 cashmere cardigan in a bright blue which matches. I bought a ballet neck t shirt but I didn’t like how it looked so I took it back. Trying to figure out what to wear and what shoes to pair it with. I also have a HS graduation party and was hoping to find something a little more casual so I could pair this skirt with flats for a outdoor party. The length of skirt on me is about an inch above the knee.</p>
<p>Any suggestions are very helpful.</p>
<p>I really like the maxi dress also. I think it would be perfect for a summer beach wedding. Could put a sweater on if it’s cooler. I saw a couple of cute maxi dresses at the Ann Taylor outlet.</p>
<p>EmilySpinach – I love that simple black sheath dress. It’s a look I often turn to but I don’t think I’d go with it for a graduation. Even going with a non-black sheath would be better somehow, say in navy or deep purple or better yet a deep green. Something more spring looking, not so severe.</p>
<p>This isn’t a true sheath dress but I have it in a blue print and it is hugely flattering and looks great with a little cardigan (I use a j crew Jackie cardigan with it):</p>
<p><a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-shirred-jersey-dress/3247134?origin=category&resultback=4592[/url]”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-shirred-jersey-dress/3247134?origin=category&resultback=4592</a></p>
<p>Beginning to think Mathmom might be right on Always’ lace and navy dress. Just too challenging to find the right sweater and the way the lace sort of wraps around the midsection might not be flattering for most bodies. I do love the idea of the white lace for mom of the graduate, though . . .</p>
<p>Emily - I had the same thought as sewhappy. The sheath in another color, yes. But a black sheath in celebratory daytime, probably not. BTW, you can find Calvin Klein dresses at TJ Maxx - regularly, for next to nothing, in great colors. </p>
<p>deb - I love that skirt and think you could do all sorts of things with it. A black tee and some wedges would be sufficient, or embellished sandals. I don’t think I’d wear a matching blue sweater - seems the skirt calls out for a little experimenting. What about a cotton button-front in french blue? Play a little menswear style against the ikat, but keep it in the same color family?</p>
<p>The truly adventurous could pattern mix, and wear a striped top, but that’s too advanced for me.:]</p>
<p>Thanks Alumother. I like the idea of a french blue button-front. I have a pair of silver flat sandals that I think would work nicely.</p>
<p>I didn’t really want to wear my funeral dress to graduation :)</p>
<p>Gosh, you have been busy on this thread!
Alwaysinterested – First – congrats on the occasion! You must be so happy! Your dress is very attractive and I like the impact of the unexpected blue lace on white. It’s a tricky dress to accessorize because the dark blue lace is striking by itself. I like the idea of a cute white cardigan, but I would love to find a shawl in white pique knit that might make the outfit a little more formal. Probably impossible and I wouldn’t want to add a third type of fabric.
By the way, Sewhappy – nice comment, but I am not a guru!! I am waaaay too conservative in my endeavors!
Gourmetmom – I don’t usually wear linen – but if the invite says jeans, I think linen would be a nice substitute. Linen has such a nice relaxed look. Are you sure you wouldn’t want a wider flare or boot cut pair of white jeans? I have one pair that I love in the summer with a pair of cute sandals. They are very similar to these:
[Ann</a> Taylor - Modern Denim White Trousers](<a href=“Modern Denim White Trousers”>Modern Denim White Trousers)
Those Louboutin shoes are awesome. I still would like to start a business that makes cute dress up shoes for little girls called “Little Loubies.” Instead of the signature red, they would have pink.
Momof3 – I think you should borrow Sewhappy’s dress. I LOVE that dress. Actually, if I were going to a wedding on a beach, I might think about a shorter dress just because it wouldn’t drag on the sand. Beach weddings look so romantic, but I think I like climate control!
Deb – I really like the skirt. Whenever I see Ikat prints I always want to add some type of primitive jewelry. And I would definitely get comfy footwear for the event. Outside ceremonies are not the place for heels that sink in the grass.</p>
<p>Sewhappy’s dress is beautiful but too dressy for this beach wedding. I decided no on the maxi and found a short casual dress.</p>
<p>wnp - you just have to take the glory, you ARE a DY Guru!</p>
<p>I actually think Deb’s skirt could go to the Beach Wedding. At first, I couldn’t quite figure out that skirt, but now I’m getting it. Down right hip in a way that we mature types can pull off. Alum’s idea about the French blue collared shirt with it is sublime. Love that idea of the tailored with the Bohemian.</p>
<p>Little Loubies is just a great idea. I’m on Amtrak right now headed to DC and treating myself to Business Class. There is the most darling little girl in the seat across from me. All perfect accessories, shoes matching the carry on matching the hair bow. I think maybe the most fun in fashion is dressing little girls and mature girls like us.</p>
<p>Well hello train travelers and wedding-goers alike:). Glad you like the button front idea. You could always wear orange Havianas with the ensemble if you wanted to be a) color adventurous b) casual but I think silver would look smashing.</p>
<p>FYI Talbot’s has added new reductions to their spring sale, including the Ikat pencil skirt deb922 mentioned upthread --additional mark-downs…Just bought it for myself…Seems to be a nice sale…</p>
<p>So my beloved DVF periwinkle dress arrived and to my delight it fits perfectly and although I certainly don’t look like the Bloomingdale’s model I feel as if the dress is flattering and very age/season appropriate. Will wear to a “parent’s of the admitted students” event, a high school graduation summa cum laude luncheon and a parent gathering “while our kids go to prom.” Then plan to pack it for when I tag along with DH to a trip to a conference in SF in May. Now to find the right shoes . . .</p>
<p>Here it is again. I usually wear a 2 in higher end clothes but I called Bloomingdales and talked with a boutique dresses “consultant” who recommended the 4 because “Diane runs small”. Am already lusting for another of these.</p>
<p>[DIANE</a> von FURSTENBERG Wrap Dress - Mindy Silk Jersey - Contemporary - Bloomingdale’s](<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/diane-von-furstenberg-wrap-dress-mindy-silk-jersey?ID=604125&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results]DIANE”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/diane-von-furstenberg-wrap-dress-mindy-silk-jersey?ID=604125&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results)</p>
<p>Besides Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom also has many dresses suitable for graduations. On-line just look under “day” dresses in whatever price range (I tried $150-$200) and you will see many dresses. If you choose sleeveless, then maybe try to pair it with a cardigan or shrug or wrap or short jacket…</p>
<p>[Talbots</a> - Ikat Pencil Skirt | Skirts | Petites Discover your new look at Talbots. Shop our Ikat Pencil Skirt for stylish clothing and accessories with a modern twist at Talbots](<a href=“Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots”>Women's Clothing & Apparel | Talbots)</p>
<p>I saw this skirt last night at our local high school’s spring musical. The lady wearing it sat near us, so I got a good look! She paired it with a raspberry tank/cami and a lovely black cardigan/wrap. Her shoes were a black patent peep toe with wedge heel. She looked very ‘pulled together’! Not a pencil-thin woman, but the skirt’s pattern was very slenderizing on her. </p>
<p>It took me a minute to remember where I’d seen it, but the Dressing Young thread came to mind fairly quickly!</p>
<p>Deb, did you make it your choice for graduation? I can envision it as being a good one…</p>
<p>I think dressing how you feel is a good idea. Skinny jeans are very comfortable because of the stretchiness of the fabric. I can’t even stand to wear old fashioned jeans that don’t have the Lycra in the material. Leggings are very comfortable as well. </p>
<p>I love the idea of wearing leggings with a loose sheer top that hangs to the hips or longer with a cute tank underneath. If you are going to wear something that shows off everything such as leggings or jeggings then a long loose shirt or sweater looks very cute with it and will cover up your rear.</p>
<p>I thought this was a thread about dressing young and appropriately, but now am not sure…Anyway wanted to add my 2-cents because i wonder the same thing. I never quite made the full transition between the juniors and women’s departments. I go back and forth to find what looks good on me, and do wonder a lot what is appropriate for different ages. I guess it depends on the individual. Some things i would not wear…</p>