help! what cardigan/jacket can I wear with this dress?

[AuldAlliance]

I have this dress and want to wear it to a fairly formal work event (I'm an academic, not a cutting edge styist or power dressing business woman, though).

It hangs beautifully and cinches in my post-baby muffin tummy perfectly. But even here in Provence I can't wear short sleeves.

I can't find a nice fitted cardigan or jacket to go over it, which could be delivered by Thursday evening. I'm 5'5, size 10, have hazel/green eyes, light brown/reddish/fairish hair and the haggard face of a mother who hasn't slept for 7mths.

A bit of colour to liven it up would be nice, but not too much (we academics are seeerious, you know). I suit reds, greens, beiges and greys. I think.

Any good ideas?

TIA

how about a wrap rather than a jacket?

Lovely dress, btw.

Hmm, wrap is quite a good idea, would look nice. But it's a PhD viva and they are public, ceremonial events here. I'm on the panel. Don't know why I didn't say so, was being weirdly secretive as if anyone gave a stuff.
I wonder if a wrap wouldn't look a bit as if I was at a drinks party?
I don't have one, anyhow. Off to scout for one.

hopeful last-minute bump for the morning crew

Can't you wear a thin long sleeved top underneath it?

I love the dress. Very flattering.

The model is wearing a little leather jacket in one of the photos. Could you wear something in a similar shape? Or even in leather or would it make the look too casual?

Bonsoir, I haven't found one that works with the neckline of the dress.

Suiledonne, the shape is good, but I think leather is a bit too casual. However, I have been having trouble even finding a nice fitted jacket. I think I need to look at more classic shops, as everything at the moment is too 1980's revival.

Thanks, both of you.

I have a very nice Missoni shawl that would look great with your dress ....

Just wanted to say hello to Auld, really: Hello

I'm not good at internet shopping. Have you got a Zara near you? Have you got an hour to spend there? I think Zara is good for cardis and jackets. (lots of grey cardigans at the moment)

Hello, Franca! How's life?

There must be a Zara in Aix, but I don't have time to go to any shops. This viva has rocked the fragile balance of my juggling act.

Bonsoir, I'd have to sell at least one if not both of my kidneys to buy a Missoni shawl. And even then I probably wouldn't be able to afford it, given the likely state of my kidneys.

There are lots of Missoni look-alikes around!

Hello ! Oh I do understand. I think a grey cardigan would work with that dress, and shouldn't be too hard to find... though I understand lack of time.

Life was good until 2 days ago, when my 7 yr old ds became an insomniac .

Facetiousness aside, Bonsoir, I think the shawl/wrap idea wouldn't work.
I have a whole morning's classes to get through before the viva, and I can't see a shawl staying put, not with my 'active' teaching style.

Will note the idea, though, if I wear the dress to a more dressy function. What's your shawl like?

Franca, sorry to hear about the insomnia. Is there anything physical/psychological behind it?
If it's any consolation, DS1 - at 7mths - is still feeeding heartily at 11pm, 1am and 5am.

I always forget about Zara, since I shop online. Will try and get a "shopping" day organised before Christmas, and check out Zara and Gap and the other luddite shops that don't sell online.

Thanks again!

at active teaching style (what do you teach btw?)

To be honest I'm a bit lost with ds, as I can't really figure out what's going on. I'm sure he has some growing up angst, yesterday night he called me at about 3 am, I went to sleep in his bed, hoping this would calm him down, but he fell back to sleep 2 hrs later . I'll ring his pediatrician if it happens again tonight.

Sorry for hijack btw, I hope you manage to get some time at the luddite shops!

i think that for a smart work occasion you need a smart jacket, like you would wear to the office.

smart day wear rather than evening type outfit IYSWIM

i assume the men will be wearing lounge suits?

do you wear robes?

Not in France, she doesn't! French women are much more glam in the workplace than British women - dresses and scarves and cleavages are quite normal workwear here!

really? Should one be glam even on the panel for a viva? Here normal business wear would be expected.

LOL at the thought of candidate at viva flashing norks and flicking scarf at external examiner

The whole point is that the concept of "normal business wear" is different here

indeed!

a red jacket and a statement necklace or scarf like in the picture.

Yes Bonjour (rather neat, that, having Bonjour and Bonsoir on my thread), I need a nice fitted red jacket.

But I can't find one

The women here are indeed more glam in the workplace, though in academia that isn't always the case, it has to be said.

Franca, I teach in an English dept, am meant to teach British lit. but have sneaked into translation and related fields where it is less depressing.

I have found one on the Esprit website, but it is black. (and I can't link)
I need red.
Or a nice grey.
Or even a nice green, at a (tight) pinch.

Or the red one on here: www.comptoirdescotonniers.com/fr/fr/eBoutique/catalogue01.aspx?catcode=F1_VESTES_ET_MANTEAUX(Catalog ue) but I'm not sure it is fitted enough.

oops, sorry about that link

Or a cardigan like this, but without the musketeer's sleeves. And at a lower price.

school run calls...

Ah, that's interesting Auld (the english lit/translation thingy)

Yes, I find Comptoir ridiculously over priced for what it is...