Attire for a dressy wedding
All those weddings that were postponed by the pandemic? They’re back on the calendar. We’re returning to normal — as readers once again start angsting about how to dress for the event. What a welcome change from a year ago. Wedding-What-to-Wear 2021 starts here …
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Now that things are loosening up, I will be attending three weddings this summer. I am a woman of a certain age, and am finding it difficult to find something appropriate to wear. I no longer can pull off short, sleeveless or skintight dresses. I like the look of dressy pants with an elegant top, but all the tops I find are sequined and matronly, or sleeveless. Do you have any ideas where I can find something?
— Sue O.
Dear Sue: You’re off to a great start with dressy pants. And finding a suitable top will, I hope, come easily once you know where to look. A good place to start is department stores or their websites. Don’t bother with the eveningwear departments. They sound too glitzy for your taste. Look for blouses with a relaxed fit like the JM Collection Smocked-Sleeve Necklace Top ($69.50) or JM Collection Crochet-Sleeve Keyhole Top ($54.50), both at Macy’s (macys. com). I’ve had good luck with silk-look or chiffony tops from the blouse selection at Zara (zara.com) like the Ruffled Flowy Blouse ($39.90), Gold Button Long Blouse ($39.90) or the Embroidered Eyelet Blouse ($49.90). Discounters like T.J. Maxx (tjmazz. tjx.com) and Marshalls (marshalls.com) have racks of tops (with sleeves!) that work well for special occasions.
And consignment and thrift shops are a great place to find wedding-worthy tops to dress up your pants — at amazing prices. And remember that even the simplest blouse or top looks celebratory with pearls or a knockout necklace.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
I have a wedding to attend in July and I’m wondering if flowy maxi dresses are still in style.
— Julie L.
Dear Julie: You bet! A maxi is a great look for a summer wedding. You’ll find plenty to choose from in stores and online in bold prints, small (or flashy) florals, solid colors and more. Wear yours with flats, sandals or kitten heels, and be sure that the dress is hemmed to touch the ankle or top of your foot but not to the ground — where you’ll be fighting with all that fabric on the dance floor.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am a 4-foot-10 woman and some shirts not tucked in (worn solo or over a cami or T-shirt) overwhelm me. I need to shorten them. What would be the rule of thumb for length me? Thanks for any help.
— Mary Jo T.
Dear Mary Jo: Because you’re petite, you’re right that a longish top is going to look like it swallowed you. Your best look will be to shorten the tops to an inch or two below your natural waistline.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail.com.