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I am attending my cousin's wedding on Oct 5th in Milwaukee, where I have never been. My problems are many-fold. My husband and I are from New York, and no matter how much we try to dress down, we almost always feel overdressed. Also, the weather? The wedding is outside at the Botanical Gardens. Am I supposed to wear a chiffon-y type thing? It's still in the 70's here so that still seem almost appropriate.. I obviously need to layer, but with tights? Nylons? (Ugh) A jacket? Sweater? I'm leaning toward a super full short sleeve trench dress from Zara. Would sandals be too cold? Also, if I bust out a smoky-eye in Milwaukee will that be okay?
My off-the-cuff response to Abby's question is be yourself! Don't worry if you're more dressed up than the Midwestern cousins; they probably expect it, and you won't be comfortable trying to dress down. And yes, bust out the smokey eye, by all means; the other women at the wedding will be dying to know how you did it and maybe, just maybe, you'll inspire them to take it up a notch the next time they go out.
Okay, now let's talk practical. Weddings are dressy events, or should be, even the most casual of them (it's a celebration after all and we put on our best togs to celebrate) so a dress is a definite yes. But weddings don't mean chiffon or silk dresses, if that's not your style; a trench dress is perfect for an event like this. Abby can dress it up with some great jewelery -- big, bold earrings are huge this fall, as are gigantic cuff bracelets (wear two, one on each wrist, like Wonder Woman). If she wanted to give the trench dress a more romantic and traditional feel, she could wear it with big pearls or a faux antique pin. (Banana Republic trench dress, $225.00.)
I would suggest a shawl or wrap for layering, rather than a sweater or jacket; the trench dress is styled to look like a trench coat, obviously, which means that wearing your actual trench coat over it may be a little too much. A cardigan would be a fine layering piece, but why not be festive and go with a pashmina or merino wool shawl? It won't be cold enough to need any substantial layering, and a beautiful wrap is another easy way to make the trench dress more festive.
Although it's still warm enough these days for sandals, summer is offcially over; for a fall wedding, I would recommend either a peep-toe pump, perhaps in a great color or print, or an ankle boot. The boots will need tights with them, either in a color that matches the dress or in a shade that matches the boot, so that's a nice option if the temperature is going to drop at all. Abby could also pair peep toe pumps with tights, again in a shade that matches the dress or the shoe. But if the weather is going to be warm and relatively spring-like, bare legs are fine with a peep toe, but pedicure first, please. (Unisa Marzanne pump, $69.00 at Piperlime.)
Intrigued by the trench styling? So is Kim Moshtaghi at Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle.
StyleBakery's Daisly Lwellyn shares her top ten must-buys for fall.
Elizabeth Kurtz at The Hullaballo has the quick rundown on what's hott for fall (in case you're still confused).
Susan Wagner writes about style at BeautyHacks and ParentDish, and about everything else at Friday Playdate. Have a pressing style question? Email her at fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com.
