I need a complete 'classically beautiful' outfit for Tues - help!

[SacreBlue]

Hi everyone, I am going out to an art exhibition opening on Tues night and am treating myself to a complete new outfit (poss even jewellery if I can afford)

I am a winter? so a friend has told me v tall and a 16ish top and 12 bottom.

I have in my head a Grecian type white dress as I suit white and grecian/roman sort of ties in with the art angle tho I quite like twenties style too (art deco) and very strong colours also suit me.

So far I've not found any full length ones that don't stop half mast on my ankles or even mid calf

Can anyone help?

I think that quiz one looks very cheap and tarty, sorry.

You would be better off being less formal or evening dress and in something that looks better quality, particularly if you are representing a client.

I like it.

I'm not Aris something 'work' in the traditional sense wouldn't be in keeping, it's more...umm not quite 'showmanship' but heading that way.

The last one (winter) I wore a bat wing knee length soft gold dress, I am thinking a white or bold colour will be more summery as well as suit my colouring so I could go for a much simpler cut I suppose

coast more 'work-like' despite my previous post! I could go big wavy hair with it?

I have multicoloured heels that would suit it

Thanks for all the suggestions, am going into town tomorrow armed with a list of shops/brands to try :)

I agree with schmee and would veer towards fab chic rather than long/formal like this vibe: ditzydaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/saturday-style-inspirationolivia-palermo.html

I like the Mary Portas, Michael Kors and Pinko links above but I bet you will look fab!

Sorry - you have to scroll down to the second pic.

This?:

I like the coast, but it is very worky. Mind you, I always veer towards the smarter.

Grecian maxi fits your original brief.

I did get into town as I was working on my website so I am going this morning when town will be quiet (everyone's been warned off because of traffic for G8 so I can dander down in the drizzle at my leisure

I had a look thru existing dresses and really will be trying to find something as tethers says from my original brief. I did try to explain upthread that I always wear sthg striking to these types of things and I know some may be thinking 'don't do it!' but I have done and will continue to do as it is a 'thing' like ;

It is not like traditional work setting in my industry it needs to be more theatrical eg Helena Bonham-Carter - even if you don't like her or her style you definitely know she has arrived, likewise Vivienne Westwood. Wondering what will be wearing is part of (some) of my work so events like this tie into that and the outfit needs to be beyond smart/work etc

I think 'classically beautiful' was the right phrase in my head but referred to classical period in my head and I forgot obvs that it would mean something completely different to others.

Anyhoo off to put on my flats and coat and I'll update sobbing from changing rooms from my phone when I'm checking bicnod's G8 thread

Thank you for all taking the time and lots of the outfits would be great for other things (like conferences) so have booked marked them for later too depending on how much today's runs me.

I think you're going to look way over dressed and a loon tbh

SacreBlue Go on express your individuality! It is the spice of life. One person's loon is another person's visionary.

Kind of Classical period

So what are you wearing r

cat that is lovely, daft thank you :) no one will think I'm a loon at all, tbh elliot most of the people who will be there have seen me in a fur coat and wedding dress and in nothing at all so even a very smart (office) outfit just wouldn't cut it, except, granted, if it was a conference type affair.

Those who haven't seen me in person may have seen the paintings and even if they haven't it makes an excellent talking point and an example of the extra effort I go to for my clients.

lil shopping expedition not successful but I have most of tomorrow for another reccy, at outlets out of town. I still have a lot of outfits the clients haven't seen thanks to my lovely DS who is a seamstress.

I've a claret and a navy cloumn dress I have singled out as possible stand-bys, both will work with the gold accessories. The claret is strapless and that is the only thing I have an issue with as I don't have a good strapless bra (total oversight). The navy is sleeveless but I am not keen on the textured material the bodice is done with (picky about texture)

I just had white, flowy, in my minds eye. Am swaying to the claret because the material is lovely - a mid weight soft satin - and the colour is a bit more oomph than the navy even tho it's still on the dark side of what I would like.

If I can, I'll try and get some pics up on my profile but it will be tomorrow morning.

I am not abandoning the white Grecian as it will be excellent for the wardrobe so everyone's input has been helpful - the more office work outfits as well as I do attend conferences where something my clients appreciate wouldn't be appropriate.

No advice - I just wanted to say how lovely it is to hear someone wanting to look amazing even if they are going to be "over dressed" compared to others. I always think it is better to be over dressed than under dressed. It make me feel good, and I think it makes the world a slightly happier place if people make an effort. Have a great time.

Would love to hear what you choose! This made me feel very nostalgic. I used to make a splash when getting dressed up but somewhere along the way that got lost, but I hadn't noticed. Your thread made me realise that! Hope you have a good night!

Ah thanks scrip and fancy :) I really appreciate that!

Tbh I was a real tomboy, then a heavy metal fan so my work now is a real revelation in enjoying dressing up. Feel actually v lucky that I get a chance to 'dress up' now and get paid for it. It does help to have advice on work (theatrical type) work (conference or office type) and well, not asked advice on my casual wear yet as frankly I revert to tomboy there even at my age!

Sacreblue I am dying to know what it is you do - are you a muse / model?

Got it in one cat which is why being a bit 'flamboyant' is perfectly ok in my world, lots of my clients are too - it can be a tiny bit exhausting hence the CBA attitude when I'm off

Have a great time tonight, what have you decided on?

Just home :) put the claret one on and was horrified so I will have to doctor it if I am ever going to wear it.

I ended up in a black and white asymmetric dress with fabulous multicoloured shoes and was lucky I got it together before the thing started, I didn't have time to do anything special with my hair but it suited the outfit fine as it was. The black and white was good against what tan I have so it was quite summery. The heels are always appreciated - one of my artists claims they are her favourite shoes and took a picture of them!

Great night, good turn out and the obligatory drink and discussion after. I'll be back in mufti tomorrow and call in when it's quiet to get another look at the works.

Thanks for the help guys and I have a shopping list prepared when my next invoice comes in - so I may just give away some of the dresses I have that don't suit rather than inflict my not brilliant sewing skills on them!