Gala-wear poll

[scarlettina]

Tomorrow evening, I'm accompanying my beloved e_bourne and markbourne to the Book-It Repertory Theater's annual fundraising gala. e_bourne tells me that she's seen people dress in everything from casual clothes to over-the-top formal wear. This leaves me with a conundrum! What to wear?! The Web site suggests that sparkle and a bit of whimsy are in order. I've also rather belatedly discovered that they've expressed an enthusiasm for pink for the evening. (It's not a requirement but a bit of the aforementioned whimsy.) Since I have no pink of the sort they've suggested, I have three choices that might be party-worthy. They are:

The Oscars Dress: This is how I describe the most formal of my evening wear, a dress that few of my friends have actually seen. It's a floor-length burgundy column dress with a square neckline and a tulle-like tuxedo jacket. It used to hug my curves, but it's currently two sizes too large for me. Upon trying it on, I discovered that the jacket hides the looseness around the torso and it still looks good. It's actually pretty understated but definitely formal.

The Dana Scully Suit: This is how I describe what I might otherwise call my interview suit: A burgundy sheath dress to the knee with a jacket as long as the dress. It's another piece of clothing that's two sizes too big camouflaged by a jacket. It dresses up well with heels and the right jewelry but is less showy than the Oscars dress.

The Spring Dress: This is the dress that I (ostensibly) purchased to wear to my brother's wedding: black-and-white dress with a full, flared skirt, thick black waist band, and a little black bolero jacket. It's the right size. To dress it up, I'd wear heels and lots of sparklies, or maybe I'd go a little over-the-top with my black feather boa instead of the bolero.

Help me, my minions! You're my only hope! [Poll #1720860]

Comments

[lagilman]

My experience with things like this is that understated formalwear is your best bet. If they're emphasizing whimsy, find something small but eye-catching to glam it up (opera gloves, a sparkly pin, a feathered hat) that you can remove if you feel self-conscious in it on arrival.

[dsmoen.livejournal.com]

Any chance you can wear a brighter feather boa?

I'd wear:
http://www.igigi.com/from-russia-with-love-dress.html

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Now tha t is a gorgeous dress, and full of whimsy!Paisley octopi! How lovely!

Sadly, I have no brighter feather boa, though I suppose if I found a way to get to the party and costume store, I might be able to find a pink one. Hm...

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Slippers (the Hawaii word for flip flops), board shorts, and a tank top. There's a reason I love living here.

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

My black jeans/black blazer/white shirt/bow tie combo looks pretty close to a tuxedo -- maybe I'd wear that. Or just a shirt'n'tie.

[e-bourne.livejournal.com]

People wear boas, I swear! So you can't go wrong with a boa. I've actually felt the lack of one.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I'll have to play with it a little tomorrow and see how I feel about it. Could be entertaining.

[bedii.livejournal.com]

For you I'd say The Spring Dress with a pink scarf, or maybe a choker, so if you decided it didn't work you could stash it in a pocket. Since everything I have is from when I weighed 75 pounds less than I do now, if I attended I think I'd come as a baggy pile of clothing....

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Kilt, swallowtail jacket, tabi boots. 'Cause nothing says whimsy more than- no, wait, that's cultural appropriation to the nines.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

You'd look smashing. Eccentric...but smashing!

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of a spring dress, because it IS spring.

Personally, I hate every 'fancy' thing I own. I might hit the thrift stores for something I liked. I'd probably try to find something pink, but I like pink.

[shelly-rae.livejournal.com]

I've never been to a fancy event so I don't know what I'd wear. Someday I hope to have an excuse to find out.
Have a great time!
Anon