Help! Winter wedding attire - tomorrow!

[Elmorton]

I have a wedding reception to attend tomorrow.

Details: Held at a botanical center, 7:30 dinner, reception only (following a private ceremony). I expect it to be a traditional Midwest affair - so maybe a little more casual than other parts of the country, but church-appropriate attire. There is a ton of snow on the ground, and it's freezing cold (should be a whopping 10 or 12 degrees tomorrow).

I have an LBD I can wear with a red cardigan and chunky pearls as a backup. BUT - I'd really like to get some use out a navy BM dress.

Edited: dress in post below. Again, it's navy.

Questions: do I need a closed-toe shoe? I have a pair of navy stappies, but they're beaded and a little fancy. Or, I have a pair of simple brown leather pumps. Would that look awful? Should I do a shawl of some sort? How would you make this winter appropriate? Or should I go with the backup LBD? Suggestions, please!<

 

[Elmorton]

Rgg... okay, here''s my attempt to update the photo:

 

[FrekeChild]

El,
I have no idea about the midwest part of it, so I don''t really know what is or isn''t appropriate in that regard. (Here in the southwest if you get someone who is really into that southwestern thing you might get some broomstick skirts with peasant blouses and ten tons of silver and turquoise...no comment.)

So before I hit on the shoes part of it--what are you going to wear over your dress? Sweater? Jacket?

 

[AmberGretchen]

Do you have any boots or booties or a peep-toe shoe of some kind? I just think you might freeze in the snow.

Alternatively, you could do what some of my friends did at a wedding I went to a couple of months ago when it was sleeting outside - they wore wellies to get there, and then changed into strappies once they got to the wedding

 

[Elmorton]

Thanks Amber and Freke, I probably do need to clarify a bit!!

Freke, ahhh, I love that all regions present their own set of problems, haha. There will certainly be someone there tomorrow who is wearing jeans, because it seems like there always is SOMEONE who does that in this region (ick), so in that context, I''d rather err toward casual (since that''s not my tendency) than too dressy.

In terms of a wrap - that''s kindof the question! I have no idea what to wear over the dress, but I''m guessing I''ll need something. The dress is kindof a matte crepe, which I think I can get away with in winter, and it''s a dark navy...but I think a satiny shawl would be totally over the top too fancy. I''ve never actually been to a wedding in the winter (spring, summer, and early fall reign supreme here), so I''ve never had to worry much about wraps because sleeveless or a light cardigan is usually fine. I''m totally stumped with what to stick over my shoulders.

What about a gold-tone or navy pashmina-type wrap? Would that work or look horrible?

Could a person pull off a sweater of some sort with this? I have a cropped navy sweater that I wear over dresses all the time in the spring/summer. Since it''s just the reception (not ceremony too) I''m not really that worried about sitting in a cold pew or something, but I probably do want to have that option of something over my shoulders, right?

Shoes: I could totally wear a pair of boots in, or even have DH drop me off at the door...I''m just wanting to make sure shoes make the dress look more winter appropriate (everything I have in gold/silver/navy is pretty strappy and summery). Maybe a nude pump? Another issue - I hate, hate hosiery. Are naked legs still OK? I used to go naked leg in winter when I was younger (think Homecoming and Sorority Formal! I''m getting old...), but now that tights are back, is hosiery, too?

I have time to do a little bit of shopping tomorrow, but I need a few ideas of what I should be looking for or if I should scrap the idea all together. I have no problem with the idea of finding last-minute shoes or a wrap if I know what I''m shooting for. Any suggestions welcome

 

[Elmorton]

Maybe something like this?

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/191-9784779-9826441?ASIN=B001GF3N9S&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B001GF3N9S|Adi_Designs_Brown_Pashmina_Shawl_with_Fringe&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B001GF3N9S&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

 

[PinkTower]

My legs would look like chicken legs in January with no hosiery.
If you are lucky enough to have some color on your legs, it would be fine. Otherwise, maybe a self-tanner?
I would absolutely freeze right now if my legs were bare, but I am cold natured.

The dress is really pretty, and the color is great for this time of year. I like silver with navy. Can you just wear boots in and then change into your strappy sandals?

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol. I''ve had to think about many of the same issues since we''re getting married next week and I *may* have gone overboard with buying dresses to wear every night (I NEVER really dress up, so I figured I''d take advantage). Vegas is still pretty chilly at night in the winter, although certainly no snow!

Anyway, so I''m wearing:
-shiny champagne dress, champagne closed toe satin heels, Ann Taylor Loft sweater (light tan/khaki) with gold threading through it as well
-gray/black dress, with velvet mandarin collar over the top, black leather closed toe heels
-Hot pink dress, with different black velvet cropped jacket over it, black leather closed toe heels
-black ruffled dress with black ruffled satin jacket, black leather closed toe heels

I am also taking a variety of pashminas/scarves and plan on wearing a ton of those.

I''m going naked leg too. I hate hosiery with a burning passion, so I feel ya on that one. I don''t care about the color of my legs--I''d rather be cold and comfortable than uncomfortable and a tiny bit warmer--and I have terrible circulation and am cold almost all of the time.

I''d probably do dressy boots or closed toed nude heels for shoes, a dressy sweater/pashmina/blazer/tuxedo jacket/cute dressy jacket/cardigan with cute buttons in silver/gold/navy/maybe even white on top.

I just spent a TON of time looking for a cute something-with-long-sleeves for my MOH to wear over her black cocktail dress for the wedding and it was NOT fun. Unfortunately just after doing that, all of the New Years fun stuff came out. I think you could easily find something dress to wear. I''d just worry about keeping warm!

 

[Elmorton]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!! Pinktower, I probably will either opt for boots or just RUN into the reception. My winter dress coat is wool and full-length, so it shouldn''t be too bad. Thankfully, my legs do retain a bit of color - not a whole lot, but I''m probably okay since pale is in, though I think I might have a tinted lotion in the back of my linen closet, so thanks for the idea!

Freke, I''m glad to know I''m not the only one baring my legs. And OMG I can''t believe it''s so close to your wedding!! Early best wishes!!! Your wardrobe sounds fab.

So I ended up running around with DH after dinner tonight and here''s what I ended up with:

Pashmina - I think it may be the exact one I posted from Le Target, but IRL it''s more of a light matte gold

Shoes - a deep burgandy patent t-strap (closed toe). They''re um...actually a 1/2 size too small, but I figure I''ll be sitting all through dinner, right?? And they''re SUPER cute with the dress. I rummaged around in my jewelry box, and I found a green/blue jewel-toned faux pearl necklace with smoky brown/wine colored beads, so I think I''m all tied together.

I really wanted a pair of nude pumps though, but they were nowhere to be found, as all the marked down holiday stuff was silver or black, and new stuff wasn''t really out yet.

 

[Elmorton]

I found 'em - here's the shoes

 

[FrekeChild]

Those are CUTE! Love them!

(And yeah, I''m totally freaking out. Mostly about how my wardrobe is going to get wrinkled!)

 

[Elmorton]

Thanks!!

Re wrinkles - Pack a travel steamer. It doesn''t take more than a minute to steam something...I love steamers. Just be careful with anything silk. I''ve never had problems with any other type of fabric. Also, I''ve heard tissue paper between layers/folds can help a ton, too. Good luck hon! I can''t wait to see the pics.