^^^ I LOVE that dress in navy! Now that is what I would wear… (but why does that model look like she is 15!?
Pretty dress, soozie. I’ve not ordered from Boden before, but I’ll have to look through their website. I do tend to wear more structured than flowy, but if mathmom likes some of the soft surrounding clothing, here’s one more, a dress too.
Very simple that you can dress up with tall or short boots, tights, maybe a belt, jewelry and/or scarf…pretty bracelet, etc.
https://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Short_Santiago_Boatneck_Dress/
Another dress idea:
https://www.wraplondon.com/fashion-WC18-SWADRSK/skirts-dresses/eugenia-dress.htm
What do you think of the idea of a pair of patterned pants and then pair it with a cool sweater, maybe in cashmere or else a pretty top or blouse?
Print pants:
I love Boden - but their standard shipping seems to take forever!
I like the top mathmom found. At 5’6", she can certainly handle a long sweater.
I think the outfit should be conservative, with just the artsy factor in the jewelry. Most important is that she dresses in her style, so she feels comfortable. It sounds like Mathmom is a practical dresser. I can easily see her in Theory, Boss, Lauren, Tory, and --I happen to love some of Kate Spade outfits.
I order from Boden and I don’t think their shipping takes that long. It is usually less than a week.
Anyway, if you like the idea of the print pants, here is a pretty blouse that would go in black or white…if you don’t wish to do a sweater or a jacket look…I think this would give you a little artsy style with the print pants while still staying conservative…
Nice wool slacks, soft white blouse and a wonderful jacket or sweater and some of your great jewelry.
@alh I’m intrigued by the Talbot flannel dress, but on line only? GRRR. Do not like the shapeless Eileen Fisher one at all I’m not nearly artsy enough for the deconstructed dress. I like the grey silk better, but not the price. (I didn’t mention I’m a cheapskate did I?) I don’t like any of the shapeless dresses at all. I do like the Anala blouse though.
@BunsenBurner, I like that VonFurstenburg better, would have to try it on. The white blouse seems like something a chef would wear.I like alh’s version from SS better I think.
@soozievt I like the Annabel dresses in the plain colors. It occurs to me that I do have a similar olive green dress that might work. Hmm. Eugenia dress is also interesting. I love that Anne Taylor top, I might buy it even if I don’t wear it.
Yes, I am a terribly practical dresser, but I’m up for something a little more interesting from time to time. I loved the modcloth sun dresses I bought a couple of years ago and got lots of compliments whenever I wore them.
Rats the embroidered jacket isn’t available till December, So I guess I’m hitting the mall.
@mathmom, if you like the Ann Taylor blouse I showed you, here is a blouse I own that may appeal to you and it is now on sale:
http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/vivienne+top.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=2&refType=
You have to promise to report back, not only with what you wore, but with a full survey of the outfits of the fellow guests!
What do I do when I can’t sleep? Look for clothes for mathmom! 
Here’s another idea: What about a pantsuit? Are they too structured and conservative for you? It’ll certainly make your life easier if you don’t have to buy separates…here’s one example I just saw quickly:
Or something like this…plain and elegant & you can jazz it up with accessories. Just a thought!
This one is nice too. I’m going to sleep! I-)
How about something like this?
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-two-tone-dress?ID=1947346
or this?
Those are both very cute pantsuits @chochipcookie. @Himom, I like that second dress very much. @SoozieVT the second blouse is cute too, but I like your first find better. Hmm what to do, what to do…
Just an FYI - there is a suiting boutique at MyHabit today. A suit very similar to the second one linked by chocchipcookie is $79. MyHabit login is your Amazon creds.
ETA - it is the same suit. Plus, many others!
I think you should go out and buy a nice pair of black pants. You will get a lot more of wear out of them then a lot of the things being posted, IMO. For instance, going into the city for the day, dinner, theater, etc. Always appropriate for holiday dinners, too. I live in black pants 10 months of the year. They can also be dressed up or down easily.
I’d go to the Theory store in Greenwich. They have dozens of pant styles, plus lovely sweaters, jackets, etc.
emilybee, I agree that if I had some black pants I was really happy with a lot would fall into place. Do you think the Greenwich Theory is better supplied than the one at the Westchester Mall?
Nope. Go to whichever one is closest to you. I just assumed Greenwich was.
The mall is all of two minutes closer. Funny I would have thought it was more than that.