<p>The red suit will be great. When looking for shoes, you may want to consider some of the dressy, patterned shoes out there, something that includes the red in your suit. I have seen some stunning women who were wearing clothing in a solid color and chic, patterned, high-heeled shoes. You will look very with-it if it’s something that’s within your comfort zone.</p>
<p>When I have to go to a formal affair, I usually wear a very simple black tea length dress and a strand of pearls, and pearl earrings. It’s simple, I look and feel good in it, and it fits in for most any event. I have summer and winter versions of this little black dress…winter one is a very simple sculpted velvet long sleeve. Warm weather version is a sleeveless black dress with very simple black beading near the neckline. </p>
<p>I also have a red silk shantung dress with a 3/4 jacket (dress is knee length) that I have worn, and a burgundy silk shantung pants suit with a 3/4 length jacket. I have worn both to formal events. Silk always looks good.</p>
<p>I don’t wear a full length to the floor dress unless “formal attire” is specified in the invitation. And for that…I have a (surprise) black long dress, again very simple.</p>
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<p>Why not?? You’re on your way to an event. Go for it.</p>
<p>thumper1- what is a 3/4 length jacket?</p>
<p>I am shameless about what I wear where. I remember going to the bus station for after prom breakfast many, many, many years ago. No one there was dressed like I was!</p>
<p>I don’t do PM…and don’t want to reveal too much about you (or me), but I think I know which event you are attending, and, while the honoree males will be in tuxes…and the honoree females will be in long dresses…the females not being honored will be mostly in “cocktail” attire — fancy “party” dresses that are not floor length. A red suit with a dressy camisole or blouse and some bling accessories (if that’s your style) will be fine.</p>
<p>There were a couple of times in college where a bunch of us showed up at an IHOP near Georgia Tech around 3:30-4 am wearing party garb…ah, to be 19!</p>
<p>A 3/4 length jacket comes down somewhere closer to my knees than my waist…a LONG jacket. The one I have that goes with the red silk shantung dress…the jacket is actually only 2 inches shorter than the dress. It’s a very flattering style on me…hides all the “flaws”.</p>
<p>2boysima,
Thanks! ;)</p>
<p>Mark Twain: beware of events requiring new clothes. Me, I’d go with the black velvet skirt and the black and blue glittery jacket. It sounds like a lovely combination, and it must be your style or you wouldn’t have mentioned it. The red suit may well work, too, but… People are not there to look at you, but you want to look good in photographs. Does the suit pull anywhere? How does it look after you’ve been sitting a while? Does it hang well?</p>
<p>When I was watching the debates, I noticed that Hillary’s clothes don’t fit her properly; they pull in strange ways. She didn’t look comfortable. You don’t want that look.</p>
<p>(I used to make all my own clothes (yes, including tailored suits) so I am acutely aware of good fit.)</p>
<p>dmd77,
I am also an inveterate sewer – so things like linings that pull and things I have to fidget with are big no-nos on my list. If I were a kid now, I’d be diagnosed with sensory integration disorder for all my klutziness, aversion to labels, sensations, etc. I’d like to taper the red jacket a bit more, but am debating whether I want to start THAT project right now. I fear I’d have to perform major deconstruction!</p>
<p>Think I may try on my options at home tonight, fish for compliments/opinions and see what to do before I go buy shoes! I like to have a trial run before I wear something ‘new’ – just so how I know the item will wear on me in various situations.</p>
<p>hahahha, countingdown! I missed the 2nd page of this thread…I saw you were the last poster, so I popped in to see what you’d decided on. </p>
<p>Imagine my surprise when I read your post at the top of page 3, and read it incorrectly as “invertabrate sewer” (and thought sewer…like the kind underground)… WHAT THE ****? LOL. Obviously, I read on and figured it out. I did go back and read p. 2… I think that all your options sound awesome. (and I like your shopping style!!!)</p>
<p>“Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes,” is from Henry David Thoreau: Walden</p>
<p>But I like**** an occasional new thing or two, and often, the “enterprise” is the best and only excuse in my otherwise dull and dreary existence ;).</p>
<p>Mafool: thanks! I knew someone would correct me; I made the post, took my dogs for a walk, realized I’d gotten the quote wrong… and there you are.</p>