March 7, 2022
It’s getting to be that time of year when many of us are going to be invited to something dressy – weddings, baptisms, graduations etc etc.
These things can be much more fun if you have your outfit sorted!
Please note – a lot of the garments that look like plain old ordinary tee shirts are, in fact, cashmere tee shirts! They aren’t as warm to wear as you think they might be, and they give you a simple silhouette that’s still dressy, because of the fabric…
For this first outfit – if you buy this bag, you’d not be crazy AT ALL to buy at least a couple of garments in this shade of blue; J.Crew has quite an assortment…
Heather beachside blue sweater – J.Crew; earrings – LaFonn; silk chiffon scarf – Nordstrom; pleated skirt – Uniqlo; silver ballet flats – Ali McGraw; bag – MLE
If you’re one of us “anything, so long as it’s black!” people, a snazzy blouse and some sparkly jewelry will get you through a lot of things in life…
shirt – Halogen; earrings – Swarovski; skirt – J.Crew; bracelet – Swarovski; clutch bag – Simitri; ballet flats – Margaux
For those among us who aren’t super-dressy, a simple top and skirt, with good jewelry and lovely leather goods will send you out into the world looking perfect!
Heather stone cashmere tee – J.Crew; earrings – Matr Boomie; necklace – Talbots; skirt – Rag & Bone; bag – Fable England; ballet flats – Softwalk
Maybe you know that there’s a quite dressy wedding (or dinner party, or anniversary…) coming up… be prepared!
why yes, this is that same shade of blue as the sweater and tee shirt from last Monday…
Deep midnight top – J.Crew; labradorite earrings – Margo Morrison; labradorite necklace – Shar Oke; skirt – J.Crew; bag – Simitri; ballet flats – AGL
Maybe what’s dressy for you isn’t all THAT dressy – this would be perfect for anything school-related…
Crisp peach tee shirt – Lands’ End; earrings – Florideco; scarf – Nordstrom; skirt – Nordstrom; tote bag – Sostter; sandals – Sarto by Franco Sarto
Maybe you adore black, but want to lighten things up a little bit for a spring event? Your black cashmere tee shirt is an ideal backdrop for beautiful jewelry!
Cashmere tee shirt – J.Crew; earrings – Latelita; necklace – Latelita; dotted skirt – Anne Klein; crystal mesh clutch – Nina; sandals – Sam Edelman
I already have a wonderful black pleated chiffon skirt, but I picked up a simple black skirt a few days ago – I think I’m set!
Are you ready to be invited to something lovely?
love,
Janice
p.s. Four years ago, I started with a beautiful scarf, and then introduced a French 5-Piece Wardobe in blush to a black and white Common Wardrobe. It all works out well!
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I used to wear skirts a lot but I find that fit and length can be a challenge and you have to have a blouse or top to go with it. For occasion dressing, I choose dresses with a jacket or fancy cardigan. A dress adds to my height.
My big events this year are my son’s graduations. First up is his undergrad graduation in April, delayed from Summer 2020. I’m not sure what to wear, as it can still be cool, but I’m not buying anything new so it will be a dress and jacket/coat depending on the weather. Then its his Masters graduation in July, so I plan to wear the dress I bought for his original graduation – hope it still fits.
I wear skirts a lot for casual/business casual, but I do find them a bit tricky to style for dressier occasions because of the length of the top issue. I’m guessing the expectation is to tuck in each of these tops but is uncomfortable and looks terrible on me with my short waist. But worn untucked, the top can easily be too long to look right with the skirt. So like Beth T, I would probably go with a dress instead for a dressier occasion.
If I treat myself to an outfit like this, I will wear the sweater tee shirt untucked so that it falls just over the waistband of the skirt. This will lengthen my appallingly short waist a little bit, without bunching up over the fullest part of the skirt.
It’s a tricky proportion, but works well if you can get everything right!
hugs,
Janice
Yes I have the same problem. This is where a cropped but fitted top or blouse with a peplum works over the skirt. I loved the dark blue top and skirt.
Janice, that’s interesting about the sweater T being short enough to work with the skirt. Now I’m noticing that the bottom of the top does look like a sweater so it makes sense to try it untucked as you suggested. Hmmm…this is changing my calculations a bit…
I like the idea of a cashmere T shirt for transitional weather. Warm, yet not too warm. I have worn double short sleeve Ts in the in between weather of spring and fall. I’m not much for skirts. But a new decent pair of pants might definitely be called for this spring.
Good morning. I have a wedding later in the summer – which I’d quite forgotten about. In any case, I just purchased the navy floral midi skirt from the loft you featured last week some time. The colors of the flowers are the same as some of my T’s and tanks, score! Not only that, it was on sale with another %40 discount, so ended up being only $50. That’s a definite win in my book. Now for shoes….. I’m thinking sneakers….. maybe sparkly? Thanks Janice!
I wore sparkly sneakers to my niece’s reception; much the best shoes for dancing!
Good idea!
Question: does anyone still wear stockings? My “older” legs aren’t pretty. Yes, I wear shorts in summer but have a problem with skirts without stockings. What do you wear on legs now? Most news anchors that I see are bare legged. Great when you are young not great for me.
I still wear 10 denier nude tights with skirts and dresses unless its really hot. For smart events, I buy M&S tights with a shapewear or tummy control panel. Lighter and not so hot as some other shapewear
Margaret, on the rare occasion that I dress up, I do wear stockings if I’m wearing a closed toe shoe.I shopped online for the sheerest, lowest denier number I could find. Because I shopped online, I bought a couple shades to get a shade that wasn’t too warm/cool and returned the packages that weren’t just right. And because I’m realistic, I ordered a second backup pair ;)
Thank you both, Beth and V, for your help and input. I will check out your suggestions. Thanks.
I must dress very formally because many of these look like my everyday dress!! I LOVE most all!! The brown one is really me!!
There is no real transition from cold to hot weather in my area. Although the idea of a short sleeved cashmere top is so enticing, the reality is that there is a very narrow opportunity to wear them. I have to remind and restrain myself.
I have seen and touched the JCrew cashmere sweaters. They are nice!
I am the odd duck who lost weight (intentionally) during the height of the pandemic, and all of my skirts are too big and are in the donation bin. I am going strong with my “Nothing New in ’22” intention, so it’s a good thing I have several dresses that can be dressed up or down for special occasions.
Regarding hose, I tossed all of mine years ago and have never looked back. I wear opaque tights in the winter (navy or black, depending on my outfit), and use Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs when it’s too warm for tights but I still want coverage.
I do love the idea of cashmere tees … they will be on my list for purchases in ’23.
OHHH, I love this collection! A new skirt for spring & some tops to match…
My dress up occasions this year will be 4 black tie nights while cruising. Black and white dress for black and white themed night. 2 black cocktail dresses and a full length beaded dark red dress. Same shoes and bag. Probably be another 4/5 formal nights as well and the cocktail dresses will be worn again plus a black trouser suit with a white collar. Still the same shoes and bag. It’s casual nights I struggle with. We sail to and from England so no luggage limit.
I love every single one of these outfits! I actually bought a camel and black skirt which is very similar to the one you chose last month and will be wearing it for my children’s joint 18th and 21st birthday meal at the end of this month. I also have a black skirt very like the brown skirt. I hanker for the blues…
These are absolutely lovely! Thank you for showing us such beautiful outfits. I am on the lookout for many items, since I lost weight (intentionally), and now my wardrobe is too big for me. I want to be very patient and find items that will go with one another, so your blog is a huge inspiration!
I’ve been a reader for some time now, but I was fine with my clothes, so now that I “have” to get new clothes, I can make it better! Thanks for your work, it brings joy to my days.
My daughter is graduating from high school, so there will be that event. I have a couple of dresses, but would love another skirt. I will have to keep an eye out! Thanks for showing these with t-shirt looking shirts, here in the PNW that is how I would wear my skirts.
This is where a matching blouse and skirt outfit would work. So difficult to find these days.
Nicole Rudolph on YouTube did a video on the history of capsule wardrobes, which go back to about the turn of the 20th century. Even if you’re not into watching her plan a 1920s wardrobe for an upcoming even (I TOTALLY was), check out the first part of the video for some history! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF8bYfyUyBI
Thank you Amy, that was fascinating to watch!
Oh wow what an amazing video … I got totally sucked in seeing her dress her paper dolls.
Hi Janice and Everyone! Love all the colors and examples, especially with skirts. I usually shy away from cashmere because I’m such a stain magnet, but a black cashmere s/s top is worth considering.
I am actually going to a fancy event this weekend- a silent with additional live auction to benefit scholarships at my high school alma mater. I have a killer black velvet skirt that now I am thinking about. My niece is getting married in September, so I have to think about something stylish yet flexible enough for dancing 😊
Re: hosiery: I will wear tights or stockings with dresses/skirts in fall/winter. Spring choices are determined by weather. I usually buy below-the-knee or midi or ankle length skirts for summer, thereby bypassing the need for hosiery.
That midnight blue is gorgeous. Perfect for weddings, grads etc.
Skin color fish net stockings work well for a bit of camouflage while remaining cool in warm weather.
I did wear that black (midi-length) velvet skirt with a go!d blazer I got on sale on closeout with a l/s black shell and nice(r) black boots. (It was snowing). My classmate thought my outfit was fabulous!