Okay so it’s been MONTHS since I’ve done a Fashion Question of the Week. That’s because of YOU, not ME. All of your questions died off, and I had no questions either, so I just let it drop. Okay, so it was you AND me. I guess we’re all such confident fashionistas we just didn’t have any more questions???
Well, until now, anyways. Megan has a question, so put your thinking caps on. I need your help.
Megan asks: I am going to TK4′s cousin’s wedding in Austin, Texas in May. The wedding is at 7:30 p.m. and outside at a ranch. I’m thinking that it probably will not be as dressy as the evening weddings that I am used to up here [in Philadelphia]. What’s a girl to wear?
I say: Hmmm… Good question. Since I have spent my entire adult life up here as well, I’m not entirely sure, although I expect your instincts about it not being quite as dressy are bang-on. I expect Austin will be pretty warm in May, so I’m thinking a summery dress with a light-weight silk cardigan, bare legs, and heeled sandals. Here are some suggestions:
Then I love patent leather sandals, such as these.
I know the gladiator is all the rage, but I haven’t quite overcome my shock and horror yet. All in due time, I’m sure. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Stacy London sporting a pair. I spent the whole show trying to get a good look at her feet, wondering WHAT is she THINKING!? Then they started popping up everywhere. I dunno, I just don’t get it. They don’t seem to be flattering or feminine in the least, but I’m still not saying never. It usually takes me longer than most for my eye to adjust to new styles that I don’t instinctively love.
What do YOU say? I need to hear from y’all down the Texas way. What do you wear to an evening wedding at a ranch in May? Am I on the right track?
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I don’t know about Texas, but I’m loving that raspberry colored number in the upper left for cocktails in Del Mar at sunset… pretty pretty pretty!!!
Thinking about this one… factors to consider and work to be done.
Y’all, hang on!
Thanks for the advice! I love your fashion advice
I’m loving the raspberry dress but, like you, am still on the fence about the gladiator sandals. I’m afraid that they would make my feet look like boats!
I say for Austin….go with the bottom left purple print number! You should have beautiful weather there in May. I lived there for 2 years while my hubby went to grad school. Have a great time!
I agree with you on the dress choice, I really like the. Maybe she could check with the bride just to be sure they are not doing a super formal wedding although I doubt it being on a ranch outside. Sounds like fun really.
Eeeew, no when are those silly gladiator shoes going away? I want to know because I can’t stand them. The don’t look nice on anyone and are filling up the shelves at the store when they could be stocking them with cute sandals instead.
Welcome to Austin Megan—it will either be hot and dry or pouring rain! Since we are in a drought I’m praying for the rain. Those dresses are right on target. We are very casual here! Enjoy the wedding!
I live an hour west of Austin and just wanted to say if the wedding is at a ranch the dresses would be perfect however, if the wedding is at said ranch it is highly possible that she will have to walk in the grass and Im not sure how those shoes would work. She might want to bring some cute sassy flip flops. Also, May weather in Texas can very from HOT to chilly depending on the weather – if a cool front is blowing through she might want to bring a little sweater. If there is no sign of cooler weather then it will more than likely be 80 degrees. If you guys need anything else just let me know.
Mandy
-”got 1 twins?”
The problem with the gladiator style is they typically place a line/band right at that awkward place between the ankle and the foot. Does that make sense? The same reason you don’t wear horizontal stripes if you want to look thinner.. you don’t bring attention to the width with LINES.
I think I’d ask just how “ranchy” the ranch is. Like Mandy above, I’d worry about having to walk through grass at the very least. Heels would make it difficult.
Also… I don’t know where Austin falls in the time zones, but at 7:30 pm it might still be very light outside. That’s almost like a daytime wedding in some ways. So I think the casual dresses are spot-on.
I’m agreeing with all these other Texas ladies. It may be a little chilly in the evening outside, so bring a sweater. But the dresses our favorite housewife suggested are way cute!
Ok – been thinking about it. I think your dress options are pretty spot on. Things are very much on the casual side of things around here. However, in the evening, especially if you are out from town a bit, you will want a light sweater with those bare shoulders. May is nice weather, but it can still get cool in the evenings sometimes, especially in the hill country.
I would choose between the bottom two. For me and my chest size, the bottom left would work better than the right (that high neck makes those of us that are bigger busted look even bigger).
I have concerns about the high heeled sandals. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a cute heel sandal as much as the next girl, but I’m thinking a little bit of practicality may be in order here. We’re talking outside. Unless they have a large terrace, you are likely talking about a lot of dirt and grass. And with as dry as it is, I’m not talking nice soft St. Ausustine either. It’ll likely be pokey and prikley. Definitely go with sandals and no hose, but you might try to find a heel that is wider/chunkier so that your heels don’t sink down in the dirt with every step… I hate that. Just a thought.
And at 7:30, it’s going to be dusk. Be ready for the bugs. Hopefully we will have had some rain by then and the bugs will be out in full force. Plan on wearing OFF! instead of your favorite eau de parfum.
Have fun and enjoy Austin.
I’m only 5’4″ so I never wear a strap across the front of my ankle. My legs look longer when I wear a shoe like the first photo in this post.
Those are fun dresses! And I’m not so sure on the gladiator shoes either…
I love the first dress on the left! I’m with you on the gladiator sandals. I just don’t get it! I think they are dreadful on anyone.
I’m not from Texas, but I love that first dress!
Another Texas girl here and I like the dresses, especially the first two. And that’s a good point about walking on grass in heels. What about some pretty, embellished flat sandals? Or at least wear a very low heeled sandal.
I don’t know anything about Texas. Or ranches. Although it did occur to me I’d rather not be aerating the grass with my sandals!
I do, however, love those gladiators. Of course if you’re thin, tall and have perfect legs they look awesome! But for us poor slobs (me, at 5’3″ and chubby) I like the super modified, simplified sandals that have a hint of the gladiator look. That means a wide strap going vertically across the top of my foot but not all the way up to the ankle. Then, I’ve seen ones where there are very clean looking straps that don’t look like roman leather jobs.
I love the silver number you have up. I couldn’t wear them, but I bet you could!
I am loving the top left pink empire waisted dress…mostly because I wore the exact same dress in chocolate brown to my brother’s winter afternoon wedding 2 months ago
Good choices and yes, the gladiator is just not my cup of tea. At least the ones you showed aren’t gladiator FLATS. I cannot handle them. AT. ALL.
The first two are my faves
LOVE the black floral. The blk and wht stripe- nice but not with my hips…hehe
Loving the black floral… where is that one from.
Oh. And I still can not do gladiator either. Ewww to ankle straps!
Been there, done that on the Texas Ranch wedding scene. I would tell your reader not to underestimate the Texas Ranch Wedding scene as far as getting all dressed up. These ranchers have old, old $$ and lots of friends with old, old $$ and when they all get together it is QUITE the scene. These women know how to put it all together for a fun night under the stars. I was shocked at the level of glamour and sophistication.
With that said, I would go for something like the pink one or the one underneath it. Do not not not wear stilettos….go with a more moderate heel.
Buy some sort of wrap or jacket because the weather is Crazy with a capital C in May. She could easily wake up to 80 degree temps and find herself rather breez after a cold front whips through.
I really like the floraly printed dress. And yes it will be quite warm in Austin in May (I’m from there!). And I think the second sandal is cute but I’m WAY too short to wear shoes that cut me off and the ankles like that! HA!
She can also bring a wrap (or pashmina) since scarfs are alll the rage, or a fitted blazer (or boyfriend style blazer-more slouchy-the new thing to wear too with a dress)-love your dress choices!
LOVE the dresses!!! Not totally into the gladiator shoes…I don’t think I can wear them and enjoy them..ha
have you looked at the LOFT? they have some ADORABLE dresses this spring!!!
(p.s. no gladiator shoes!)
I’m the last person to ask for fashion advice. I about had a heart attack trying to figure out how to wear a scarf at Blissdom.
But I love What Not to Wear, and I agree – Stacy should NOT be wearing gladiator shoes!
Just echoing others here. Any of the dresses would be great. And flat sandals would be far more practical for outdoors. Depending on her age, she could pull off a less dressy sundress and cute flip-flops. I mean it. There are people there with old money, but also a wide variety of what is acceptable. So, good advice Jo-Lynne, way to go!
Well if Texas weddings are anything like South Carolina weddings, I would say you should assume it will be more dressy, not less.
I have to agree with Susan. I’ve lived in Texas all of my 31 years, and 28 of those years have been in Austin. Ask about the Ranch! You might not be going to some barn wedding. Most ranches are beautiful and you may be going to a very formal event.
Although Ausin is known for being casual, we also know how to glam it up!! I would check, nothing worse than showing up too casual! I would also imagine that there will be flooring, and if you do walk in some grass it won’t be all night!
I do think the top two dresses are adorable and love the patent leather sandals!
I think your suggestions are spot-on. But I have to agree with you about gladiator sandals. Ug-ly.
Now, if you can give me a suggestion about what to wear to my brother’s wedding this weekend (at 39 weeks pregnant!!!), I’d be most grateful.