Clothes for special occasions

[sesfw]

We are going to Vienna this summer and part of the trip will be very dressy receptions. I am in my mid 70s, a very casual dressing person (tees and cotton pants). I don't know where to begin to look for concert reception clothing.

I wear size 10-12, 5'0", and have the shape of a 70 yr old.  Don't want to spend a lot of funds as I'll probably never wear the clothing again.  Dressy pants/skirts and nice tops would be ideal.

Any and all ideas are welcome

Sorry mods ....... but I don't know where else to post this thread.  If in-appropriate, please either move or delete.

[Pants]

Rent the Runway! 

[Pants]

www.renttherunway.com/products/dress/gown?action=click_gowns&nav_location=submenu&object_type=top_nav

[bean29]

I have noticed my older relatives do more dressy pant suits and just go more casual. Can you just shop the better department stores? This is one situation when the clerks asks if they can help you-- you explain what you are looking for. They can be really helpful.

Good Luck. 

[Waffle]

I like Macy's for dressy occasion wear. If you're lucky you'll catch one of their good sales. 

[kittensaver]

Look for a simple dress in black jersey knit. It travels easily and is almost impossible to wrinkle in your suitcase.

You can wear it with sandals and bare legs during the day (with cute sunglass and a straw bag, a la Audrey Hepburn), with a jacket or sweater for dinners out, or dress it up with black stockings, black kitten heels, pearls (they are the most classic for a European venue) or other "statement" jewelry (and maybe a beautiful shawl too!) for the concert reception.

Have fun. I'm jealous!

ETA: if dresses are *just not* your thing, you can also dress up a plain black knit jersey top and pant set with short heels, beautiful jewelry and a beautiful shawl.

[Apple]

I live in jeans...  I would think something like this, with a flowy top, would be appropriate.  You can dress them up with the shirt/shoes/accessories.  Disclaimer: I have no idea how things look for petite sizes!


www.target.com/p/women-s-bi-stretch-twill-flare-leg-modern-pant-merona-153/-/A-16751628#prodSlot=medium_1_1

You might try checking out local thrift/second hand stores as well.

[Apple]

Also, I'm all for traveling light.  Take one or two outfits you like for the dressy stuff, and just reuse them.  No need for a new outfit each time.

[TheOtherMe]

For me, I could never wear a dress.  It's been so long since I've worn one and I am not starting to wear one again!

When my parents moved in to their new apartment here, mom immediately noticed that her clothes were not up to snuff.  She bought some much nicer tops and pants to wear.  No dresses for her either.

[sesfw]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't know Macy's would be so helpful. I'll start there.

I haven't worn a dress in years.  I was looking to get a nice pair of pants and a couple of different tops.  Everything needs to travel well and be washable.

A shopping I will go, a shopping I will go ......... Charge it .......... oops

[Tennesseer]

Apr 21, 2016 10:29:07 GMT -5 sesfw said:

We are going to Vienna this summer and part of the trip will be very dressy receptions. I am in my mid 70s, a very casual dressing person (tees and cotton pants). I don't know where to begin to look for concert reception clothing.

I wear size 10-12, 5'0", and have the shape of a 70 yr old.  Don't want to spend a lot of funds as I'll probably never wear the clothing again.  Dressy pants/skirts and nice tops would be ideal.

Any and all ideas are welcome

Sorry mods ....... but I don't know where else to post this thread.  If in-appropriate, please either move or delete.

sesfw-Vienna is world famous for its music concerts. By chance is this concert/reception a well-known annual event in Vienna? If yes, Google (or some other search engine) the concert name/venue and see if there are pictures of folks attending the concert and what they are wearing if you are not too sure how dressed up (or down) you need to be.

[mmhmm]

If you're most comfortable in pants, you might look for palazzo pants in materials like crepe, satin, or taffeta, along with long skirts in the same materials. With a few silk tops in corresponding colors, you've got it made. It's always worked for me.

[Pants]

Apr 21, 2016 22:19:56 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

If you're most comfortable in pants, you might look for palazzo pants in materials like crepe, satin, or taffeta, along with long skirts in the same materials. With a few silk tops in corresponding colors, you've got it made. It's always worked for me.

Satin and taffeta will wrinkle horribly though.

[mmhmm]

Apr 21, 2016 22:31:59 GMT -5 Pants said:

Apr 21, 2016 22:19:56 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

If you're most comfortable in pants, you might look for palazzo pants in materials like crepe, satin, or taffeta, along with long skirts in the same materials. With a few silk tops in corresponding colors, you've got it made. It's always worked for me.

Satin and taffeta will wrinkle horribly though.

Not if packed carefully. I always take a little iron and steamer with me anyway. Crepe is great if wrinkles are a worry.

[bean29]

On second thought, normally Macy's would be a good choice, but I think Macy's here in Milwaukee does not carry petites. Go to a department store that carries petites in the dressy clothing area. Boston Store is my go to store for better petites, although JC Penney's has decent Dresses in Petites. Also JC Penney's has a shopping base in your age demographic so they may have something that meets your needs. You are looking for a regular permanent employee that has worked that department for years. It may be an older woman, it may be a younger late 20's early 30's minority person but just explain what you told us and see what they come up with.

Also you need to find out which store in your area stocks the nicest dressy clothing and go there. There are probably 6 boston stores in my region, one or two carry more designer, have a better selection. That is the store you want to shop at. The clerks might tell you, or your friends might know... Not entirely sure how you might gather that nugget of info.

[bean29]

I don't mean to scare you if you don't normally shop designer names, but I am expecting you might find something on a clearance rack. I have done this more than a few times for MIL. My MIL does not like to shop, for her kids weddings she told me she needed a dress, I went to the store and brought home whatever I thought might work, and she went through it at home, then I take back the no's.

[NoNamePerson]

Don't know where you live but do you have a Talbots near you. They have a petite's department. Don't know that they will have what you are looking for but worth a shot. My mother loved shopping there. But she hit the sales. I can't vouch for them since I'm not petite.

[sesfw]

I live in the Phoenix area.  I know we have Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, Penny's.  I've never been in Talbots.

Are palazzo pants the ones that are full and the crotch is at the knees?  I wore a pair once many years ago and they were very comfortable.

I'll bite the bullet and place myself in the hands of someone knowledgeable and hope for the best.

I need to travel very light as this is just a part of the trip.  The rest of the trip will be tramping around.

My charge card is straining to break the bonds of frugal (cheap).

[Pants]

Apr 22, 2016 11:02:02 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I live in the Phoenix area.  I know we have Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, Penny's.  I've never been in Talbots.

Are palazzo pants the ones that are full and the crotch is at the knees?  I wore a pair once many years ago and they were very comfortable.

I'll bite the bullet and place myself in the hands of someone knowledgeable and hope for the best.

I need to travel very light as this is just a part of the trip.  The rest of the trip will be tramping around.

My charge card is straining to break the bonds of frugal (cheap).

I think you may be talking about harem pants. www.google.com/search?q=harem+pants&espv=2&biw=937&bih=639&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjvmeL62KLMAhVMFj4KHXweD38Q_AUIBygC#imgrc=NNBV06aX51whyM%3A

Palazzo pants: www.google.com/search?q=harem+pants&espv=2&biw=937&bih=639&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjvmeL62KLMAhVMFj4KHXweD38Q_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=palazzo+pants+formal+wear&imgrc=StcSvU8FpfGznM%3A

[sesfw]

I went to Macy's today and while the floor person tried to be helpful they didn't have anything suitable. So we went to Dillard's.

Dillard's had a wide range of suitable items and a very helpful sales lady.  I chose chiffon black pants and a two piece top that is white with black accents and some glitz. 

I'll keep looking for a second top but I lost my YM card buying this one.

I'm a satisfied camper ............ thank you for all your ideas.