@jollymama Maybe you should consider a fun print .
Well, this would be going out on a limb for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Tang-Pretty-Sleeve-Casual/dp/B00VHX8SQW/
jollymama, some CCers had very good luck with dresses by Eliza J from Nordstrom. They come in plus sizes, too, you need a size bigger than 16-18. For example:
@jollymama I like it, but you have to be comfortable .
@jollymama, how tall are you? Do you have nice ankles? I love Eileen Fisher, but I’d be looking for finer fabrics. I’d also lean towards tea length rather than maxi.
I would suggest something like this dress
http://www.eileenfisher.com/icon-tank-dress-in-silk-georgette-crepe/?&color=1963
coupled with some kind of fine, lightweight cardigan or top, such as these:
http://www.eileenfisher.com/drape-front-long-cardigan-in-fine-silk-linen/?&color=2159
http://www.eileenfisher.com/bateau-neck-box-top-in-featherweight-luxe-merino/?color=2308
http://www.eileenfisher.com/icon-long-duster-in-silk-georgette-crepe/?&color=2307
Also consider a gorgeous silk shawl.
A lot depends on you height and the proportions. Are you an apple, a pear, an hourglass?
I think the second link in Consolation’s second cluster - the bateau neck box top and those pants - would be perfect. Gorgeous colors and perfect for a wedding in the park.
@Consolation , I’m 5’4", so sometimes I wear regular length, sometimes petites. (Pants always petites, or shorten them.) Round in shape … nice ample bosom and cleavage (my best feature) with round belly, not much of a waist. I guess that makes me an apple. Average legs/ankles.
I like the lightweight top over the dress; also the bateau top with pants. Those look dressy to me.
I like the look of Eileen Fisher; I hate the prices.
Here’s a very sweet top – a lot less than the EF, and more formal looking – I would suggest with some wide pants. Pair it with a great, chunky necklace or an awesome scarf.
https://www.everlane.com/collections/womens-tops/products/womens-silk-short-sleeve-crew-white
What appeals to you more … The idea of a fun print, or the idea of something plainer but with a patterned shawl as Consolation suggested, and/or with fun jewelry?
Tell me this isn’t the very definition of hippy/artsy and fabulous!
https://www.■■■■■■■■/listing/210198215/white-resort-caftan-marine-style?ref=shop_home_active_16
If you want something a little more “out there” take a look at this from https://citronclothing.com
https://citronclothing.com/sale/item/P7928PS/CITRINE
It could look great with a mandarin style jacket or something similar .
Citrons offers many other Asian-inspired looks that might work well at a NorCal outdoor wedding.
When I was looking for something last year people suggested Eliza J and it worked perfectly. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-print-chiffon-halter-maxi-dress/3955309?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1277
For a summer wedding, I’d look for longer and flowing. It’s pretty early to find much in stores - spring and resort wea is ruling the racks. If you look as soon as the lines come out for summer, you’ll be able to snap something up. I waited too long to find the right dress for my nieces’ August '14 wedding and they’d moved on to fall.
Eileen Fisher usually has lovely silks for summer.
I really like those, @Anxiousmom1 … That looks very similar to what I wore to the Friday night event of DS’s wedding. Last summer (also in a shady outdoor area in NorCal). Layers is a very good idea, and it gets cold at night. Friday night I wore pants and a long silk dyed top over a shorter top. For the Saturday wedding I wore a dress that was fitted at the top but loose on the bottom, and brought both a suede type short jacket and a shawl. Just remember layers!! Good luck!
@katliamom, love that top.
I am roughly the same height and shape as @jollymama. I also wear petite pants for the length and proportion, but not petite tops. We have to be really careful about the wide pants look. They can be just overwhelming on a person who is not tall. A slimmer pant with a stretchy waist, or one that drapes well without too much bulk is usually better.
You might also want to look at JJill.
For example, this dress with a great shawl/jewelry
http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/product.aspx?item=5P017A&BID=743787867&h=P&rPFID=4031&sk=N
Are you comfortable letting us know where in Northern Ca. I have a lot of friends and family up north and to me there is a difference in locales. Marin more chic, Santa Rosa or Guerneville more casual.Also some areas will be hot where coastal could be chilly.
I think Eileen Fisher is great. Add some chunky jewelry and I think you would be fine. I do find that you need to try her stuff on. Some of it runs huge and I find long. I am not normally a petite but I like a petite in her dresses and tops.
Also think the brand Anxiousmom linked to would also be appropriate.
@Singersmom07 I wore Eliza J dresses Sat and Sun of DS’s shedding weekend. And the dress I word Sun was , not that dress, but made from that same print material as what you linked! Love that dress and designer!
This Pyramid Collection ad is coming up on the sidebar, probably because I clicked on several links above.
https://www.pyramidcollection.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=P51244+1X
I liked this one and a lilac lace one
Ack autocorrect again!! The dress I wore Sunday was a sundress, made from that same fabric. And I love that dress @twoinanddone . Lots of options it seems!
Re: shoes. Wedge heels work well for grassy areas! Pointy/spiky heels… not so much.