I like the idea of a duster over the dress.
Here’s a dress from Talbots that is styled with a duster, I think it looks very spring appropriate, this is the link for that duster
https://www.talbots.com/apparel/sweaters/tipped-linen-duster/P191121083.html?cgid=apparel-sweaters&dwvar_P191121083_color=BLACK/IVORY&dwvar_P191121083_sizeType=MS#start=1
I think your dress would be good with this look
If you’re event is inside and you’re driving to it and parking, I would not buy the coat based on the event or the dress. In fact, if it’s me, I’m just leaving the coat in the car and not having to hassle with it inside. I can walk for 5 mins outside in even not so warm April weather!
deb922- I like that look a lot too! Raclut also sent me a link to a duster that would look very nice.
abasket- that is a very good point! I’m leaning towards getting a wrap that I could wear inside and I could ditch the coat in the car!
Here is the link to the duster from Macy’s.
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/charter-club-cashmere-duster-cardigan-created-for-macys?ID=7280126&CategoryID=260&swatchColor=Ice%20Grey%20Heather#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D2%26ruleId%3D78%26kws%3Dcashmere%20duster%26lskws%3Dcashmere%20duster%26searchType%3Dls%26searchPass%3DallMultiMatchWithSpelling%26slotId%3D1
Thanks for that link, @raclut. I just ordered one in black.
I like the dusters as well. It may be that for this particular event, you don’t really need a coat; a wrap might be fine. But I do still like the idea of a spring coat just in general in terms of updating a wardrobe. I often feel like I need something as an outer layer and it shouldn’t always be a puffy jacket from llbean or patagonia!
^Yes, that was my original thought as well but it may be wiser to wear a wrap or a duster and try to get a spring coat when I’m not under the gun time wise and can get something that I really love and can use for longer.
I’m confused by the title here. These garments you are looking at are not coats, ie garments you put on when you go outside, because outside is colder than inside. They are jackets, which you propose to wear inside over a dress, to be warmer or to present a more finished appearance. You are proposing wearing a sleeveless dress, but since it’s too early to wear a sleeveless dress, you want to wear a pretty jacket over it. Good idea, but let’s be clear what we’re talking about.
April in NJ seems early for a white linen duster.
Clickable links to the two jackets:
Very thin polyester/rayon drape-front open duster: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-drape-front-lightweight-jacket/5089393
Double-breasted cream linen duster: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/prima-double-breasted-long-linen-cotton-jacket/5167843
I vote against the double-breasted jacket. You want to show the dress, but wearing a double-breasted jacket open doesn’t work right, even if it’s shown in the photo.
Those coats are not really suitable for indoor wear either. For indoors, I would wear something like this:
https://www.dillards.com/p/eileen-fisher-long-open-front-jacket/508952239?di=05682259_zi_graphite
https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/eileen-fisher-long-cardigan/5144931
The dress is a fit and flare. I like it with the pictured short open cardigan (scroll down) because then I can still see the fitted waist and the flared skirt. Wearing a longer drapy cardigan covers up the cut of the dress.
CF- I wasn’t planning on wearing one of the original 2 coats/jackets inside the event but just to be warmer on the way there and not be wearing a casual not quite long enough fleece jacket over the dress. I could do that and will just take it off when I get there which is what I usually do. I originally was hoping I could find a spring coat that’s a little dressier than what I currently own and could get more wear out of than just this one event. I’m not sure either of those first 2 coats is a really good investment now so may wait and keep my eye out for one in the future.
Several people have made suggestions for something I could wear at the event in case it’s too chilly for that dress such as a duster or a wrap. Or maybe you’re right and it really won’t be warm enough to consider wearing that dress at all. Also, I have a lightweight 3/4 length cardigan that goes with the dress that I could wear inside so I wouldn’t be bare armed.
I originally was hoping to buy something new to wear but circumstances have conspired to keep me from being able to shop lately so I was trying to use something I already own and like. I do appreciate all the input as it has helped me to focus my thoughts and figure out what I want to wear. I don’t currently own a lot of dressier clothes.
BB- I do like that second Eileen Fisher cardigan that you linked above, not the right color though.
CF- that cardigan is similar to the one I have. So maybe I was overthinking and should not worry about what coat I wear over it and just wear it with the cardigan at the event. At this point I’m going to do a little internet shopping and maybe check some of the stores in town to see if I can come up with a plan B and see what the weather is going to be as it gets closer to the event. Thanks all!
@“Cardinal Fang” , those are spring coats. Not meant for inside. It might be a 55 degree sunny day, a little chill. You just want something light weight to put on. I’d buy either one of those for that purpose.
At the beginning of April, the daily HIGH temperature in NJ would be expected to be high 50s to low 60s. At the end of April, the daily HIGH would be expected to be mid 60s to low 70s. If I were packing for a trip to NJ (where I grew up) in May, I would not be packing a sleeveless dress with a thin polyester top, believing that the thin poly top was appropriate outerwear and the sleeveless dress appropriate daytime wear inside. But then, I get cold easily. YMMV.
You could have a day with a high in the low 80s, where your dress and light poly top would be great. Or you could have a rainy day in the 40s and be freezing. Most likely, it’ll be cool.
When I went to my last reunion (5 years ago), I had five different outfits with me. This was for a July event…so definitely summer. BUT with AC at the event, I didn’t want to be cold. Our event was also an evening event…and the dress was a little more dressy than the dress this poster posted.
I have a reunion this summer…and if I can pull it off weight wise, I want to wear the dress I wore to our 20th reunion which was 30 years ago. Let’s just say, my weight has “shifted” so we will see. It’s a tea length dress with 3/4 length sleeves…and I love it (which is why it’s still hanging in my closet).
I am not a sleeveless dress wearer unless I have a wrap or something to use.
I think the cardigan you have will be great with that dress.
I get what you are saying about a nice spring jacket. It’s always a hole in my wardrobe because there’s not that much out there and spring can be so up and down as far as temperatures.
Probably about 10 years ago, I found a nice plaid trench like raincoat at Marshall’s in Tennessee where my mom lives. I have worn the heck out of it. It’s kinda dressy but not too much. It’s light and the perfect weight. But it’s not a coat I have found here in Michigan where I am still wearing my puffer coat at the end of March.
I also have the same problem with shoes. What do you wear in these shoulder seasons? I just ordered 2 pair of sandals to wear with a dress I have for a graduation. I guess I don’t know what I want, lol!
Thanks! deb922- I live in Michigan now too! Maybe that’s why I’ve never found that kind of a coat here. Maybe I need to look when I visit my friends in Tennessee where I grew up 
thumper1- I’m always bringing several outfits too so I can decide on the actual day. I am hoping to try to pack a little lighter this time.
When we were on a college visit trip with my S on his spring break in April to Boston, the day we visited NEC it was 80 degrees, 2 days later when we visited Boston Conservatory it was in the 40s and raining!
@deb22, let us help you with your footwear! I guess it all depends on the weather. Have 2 options. What color and heel height are you looking for!