<p>We are invited to a fiftieth wedding anniversary mass with a buffet dinner to follow in the church social hall. The family hosting the party will likely be pretty dressed up as they’re having portraits done before the mass.</p>
<p>I am battling plantar fasciitis so I could not wear most dress shoes without being miserable, so that really limits what I can wear. I do have a pair of leather clogs that I think I could be okay in for the evening, but they’re definitely casual. Will I look really ridiculous if I show up in khakis and clogs? Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Dark pants would probably be better than khakis, especially with clogs. Long, dark pants. (to hide the clogs ;-)). Maybe a dressier top and a big necklace so you don’t look too casual.</p>
<p>I don’t do dress shoes. I think I’d wear a dressier pair of pants than khakis, but they might work if the top was dressy enough. I’ve got a black knit pants I wear for occasions like this.</p>
<p>I see nothing wrong with the clogs myself (but I live in VT where everyone wears 'em including me). But the khakis sound too casual to me. I would go with very nice pants or a nice longer skirt and tights and a dressier top or sweater. Possibly even a coordinated jacket/pant combination. I also think there are many types of dresses that look good with tights and clogs. It sounds like a special event.</p>
<p>I would dress dressy with sneakers or a noticable medical device such as Ace bandage or compression sock (or whatever treats PF). You’ll get credit for trying and understanding nods for your condition.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! I kind of knew khakis weren’t dressy enough, but I was hoping I was overthinking it. I’m going to look for dark pants or a long skirt. Unfortunately, I live in a smallish city that’s devoid of decent shopping. I usually just shop on the internet, but the party is Saturday so it probably wouldn’t get here in time. </p>
<p>Where do you find clothes these days? I had the disconcerting experience of shopping at both Chicos and Talbots and being the only woman in there under 70. I had my 13 year old with me and he said,“Are you sure you’re in the right store?”</p>
<p>Chicos varies from place to place. We have several locations in this area and the demographics at each store vary wildly. I bought my last pair of black pants there when I was shopping with my mom and love them. I thought it was more for an older crowd too, but I ended up seeing several things I liked. For a pair of slacks, I wouldn’t rule them out. I have seen cute stuff at Talbots online, but the stores all look so matronly - too many cardigans.</p>
<p>Not being familiar with PF, could you wear a pair of ballet flats, or is that not enough support?</p>
<p>If you simply have to wear the clogs for medical reason, I’d wear dark pants and then something special up top to draw attention away from them. I think they either tend to look what I call the sturdy-gal-archetype or a bit outdated preppy / old-lady. I think it’s hard for them to look stylish when they are so clunky. But that’s just me, of course!</p>
<p>I buy almost all my clothing in catalogues and online (I also live in a rural area). It’s Tuesday. Certain really good catalogues tend to get it here in two days even at regular shipping. But if you did not want to chance that, you could do two day delivery.</p>
<p>Some that seem to delivery very quickly even at the regular shipping rates are JJill and Talbots.</p>
<p>Here, we’ll style you. Look at the cap-toe flats and the leopard flats on this page. Black pants, a simple top, a statement necklace, you’re set.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips about Naot and the plantar fasciitis shoe link. I’ve never tried Naot but I’ve seen them in catalogues. It’s nice to have another option because Birkenstocks are just not going to work for anything dressy.</p>
<p>When you said “clogs” in your first post, I did not think you meant Birkenstocks. Did you? If so, I don’t think those would look right. I thought you meant more like Danskos or some such. While I don’t currently wear Danskos but have and my D has them I do have clog styled shoes that I think one could wear to such an event with either dark tights or dark pants. I thought that was what you meant initially. If you mean Birkenstocks, which are extremely casual, perhaps you may wish to look into Naot, Dansko, Born, and similar makes which are very comfortable, not that dressy or much of a heel, but are definitely a step up in appearance from Birkies.</p>
<p>Dansko makes some very attractive clogs, from dressy to boots. They also have an online outlet, danskooutlet.com. It doesn’t have everything but there’s usually a decent assortment.</p>