<p>Thanks, zipyourlips! Will def. check out that site.</p>
<p>TheAnalyst–a compliment from a teen means a lot! One day I realized that everything I had on (well, except for shoes, sox, underwear) was from a consignment store or yard sale (fitted Express shirt, Express pants, bag, blazer). I think that was the day a guy holding the door for me at the WaWa said “woo hoo” lound enough for most of the store to turn around. Kind of embarrassing, but credit to the second-hand purchases!</p>
<p>Speaking of Goodwill, a local department store is asking for Goodwill donations in exchange for a 20% coupon for anything at their store. I think they do this a couple of times a year, and of course I have to go to the Goodwill a couple of weeks later to have first dibs at what was donated!</p>
<p>Having lived in Dallas for 28 years, I TOTALLY get the jewelry comment! But to a tea of any kind I’d wear a spring dress or floral skirt and nice top. Think of it as a costume. I have a few floral sun dresses that I pair with sweaters with 3/4 sleeves…pretty, but not slutty OR dowdy.</p>
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<p>LOL a much wiser woman once told me everthing is just costume in the end.</p>
<p>thanks for all the tips…costume? I could do that.</p>
<p>Interesting comments re: the jewelry! I never got into that, either (except eng/wed band) but see a lot more stylish jewelry, now that I’m back to work (I used to just wear a string of pearls w/conservative suit…now that seems dated).</p>
<p>If anyone would care to give some more details about the jewelry (and, can you really tell if something is ‘not real’?) that would be great.</p>
<p>Found a stylish tote/bag today at TJ Maxx (helps to go to several of their stores). Burlington Coat Factory also had a nice selection. Faux croc in black. Simple, and much more chic that the canvas thing I’ve been carrying. Can transform into laptop carrier, true briefcase if need-be in the future.</p>
<p>It looks kinda like this, but wider:
[Merona</a> Tote - Black : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/176-0033483-4589311?asin=B001KAUF8G&AFID=pricegrabber_df&LNM=Indoor_Living|Luggage|B001KAUF8G&CPNG=luggage&ref=tgt_adv_XSP10001]Merona”>http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/176-0033483-4589311?asin=B001KAUF8G&AFID=pricegrabber_df&LNM=Indoor_Living|Luggage|B001KAUF8G&CPNG=luggage&ref=tgt_adv_XSP10001)</p>
<p>…and for $19.99</p>
<p>Victoria’s Secret is having a deal now, if you try on one type of bra (‘the perfect’ I think) you get $5 off your total price (of anything) at the register.</p>
<p>Back to the tea outfit…do you have Stein Mart stores? When I think of tea-y clothes I own (as well as Christmas party clothes and Easter dresses), lots come from Stein Mart.</p>
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One of my southern SILs and her friends wear a daily uniform of jeans (the high-end expensive ones that horrified some on the jeans threads) usually open-toed shoes (sometimes heels, sometimes thongs) and either diamonds (rings, earrings, tennis bracelets) or rather large pieces of interesting artist made jewelry. In their 30’s most of them wore pearls with everything including velour sweat suits, but not so much anymore. I can not tell if the diamonds are real and know for a fact that when my SIL lost a “real” stone out of a loose setting she switched to CZ for daily wear. The flowered dress Missypie is suggesting is absolutely the standard and appropriate southern tea party look imho --or else a pastel suit. A few years back that is what my SIL would have worn. These days, a little older and more traveled, she would probably wear black linen pants with a white blouse, open toed heels, and jewelry, a logo handbag. And designer sunglasses. But if she wore her daily uniform I don’t know that anyone would really raise an eyebrow. Though they might think she hadn’t cared about the occasion enough to change her clothes LOL.</p>
<p>Candace, after the tea could you please let us know what was worn??? I’m getting very interested.</p>
<p>I like the black linen pants with white blouse suggestion. But I have never owned a logo purse. I have a black Lucky hobo purse that was my most expensive handbag purchase. I need to give the handbag some thought. I never really was into changing out my purse. And my shoes are also a problem. I have tried on so many pairs of pumps and never end up buying a pair. I own lots of “cruise” clothes that don’t seem right for this occasion. I do have a Steinmart nearby but never seem to find anything there. Most of the clothes would look better on my mother.</p>
<p>Candace: I do not own a logo purse, am not suggesting you purchase one and personally tend to “distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes” - just trying to give you an idea of “the look” as I imagine it. As stated before it has been a really long time since I’ve been at one of these events myself though I have been to southern bridal shower teas in recent years and think that is just about the same thing.</p>
<p>Alh, I appreciate all your tips. I think that I am ready to head out to the stores with an idea what to look for now. So thanks everyone for all the help. I will post again with a description of what I buy.</p>
<p>For the tea I would wear a dress and sweater, a skirt and heels or dressy slacks/jacket. Be true to your own tastes though and get something you’ll wear again!</p>
<p>Something else just occurred to me. I am pretty slow. How many non-southern moms of out-of-state or international students are going to be at this tea? Are they all going to wear feminine florals because they think that’s the unofficial dress code? Or their regular clothes, maybe even including saris, which have been worn to some graduation festivities I’ve attended?</p>
<p>AH HA moment: maybe it’s not like you are dressing to fit into a certain southern cultural norm for this particular event.</p>
<p>Well…I bought nothing! I tried on so many outfits it is all a blur. The salesperson at Nordstrum kept bringing more dresses till I had to say " I quit". And Macy’s and Saks had nothing for me. I even tried Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and more…I still have a few weeks, so maybe some more spring clothes will still come to the stores. They still had lots of wintery sale clothes. Oh well…</p>
<p>Candace: See what you can borrow from your friends!</p>
<p>I agree, especially if you’re not planning to wear the outfit often, you might be best asking your friends or relatives who are similarly-sized if they have something that would work for this event.
You can accessorize it so it’s “you.” Sometimes Ross and Sears have interesting offerings as well. I’ve been surprised to find things I liked better there than at Macy’s or Nordstroms (less trendy).</p>
<p>Went on another shopping trip to Goodwill Boutique (OK…so that really isn’t the name…). Got JJill jacket and pants, Talbots slacks and sweater, Sigrid Olsen jacket, Banana republic T and a no name jacket that I happen to like. total $36</p>
<p>Went to the mall today to find conservative pumps and white, tailored shirt to wear w/suit (going more conserv, now) for an interview tomorrow.</p>
<p>The mall was stuffed w/cruise-wear and 3 inch gladiator sandles. I wonder where the people who work for a living in conservative professions shop? I had this same experience when I started out working, 12 years ago. Oh well! JC Penney had some items.</p>
<p>Good luck on your interview!!</p>
<p>Banana for tailored shirts- or my favorite, Thomas Pink (expensive but worth it for lawyer-clothes). Also, Facconnable brand shirts at Nordstrom.</p>