Quick Question
Do I need a new dress? Context. I’m heading to Houston at the end of the month, to a party thrown by a dear college friend for her son who was married in October in New York. Dress code: Festive/Cowboy.
More context. I do not need a new dress. But, do I want one? I will have to go as the Californian who came to visit. It happens. The party’s at a lovely old country club. I could wear this Dries van Noten, which I always take with me to Hawaii or anywhere semi-tropical.
Or, I could wear this, recently ordered from Ann Mashburn. (I do not care for the self belt look on the model). The dress is a tad voluminous, so I’d have it tailored some, or maybe order the next size down, but is the color good? Orange is a Strange New Land for me, outside of dorky tiger-laden costumes. Feel free to weigh in.
Needs a good steaming too.
Oh, and if you think my hair looks dark in this photo, and perhaps a little mauve, you’re right. Dark blonde semi-permanent hair color, when used on gray despite a stylist’s caution, veers lavender. Now I know what it feels like to have purplish hair! At least for the next few months. Novelty the drug of choice!
There is something about these nouveau-preppy sites, Ann Mashburn, Tuckernuck and even Halsbrook, that I can’t resist. Maybe my Princeton days, or those swingy Madison Avenue girls from my time in Manhattan haunt me, or perhaps genetic memory runs deep. Mystery.
Maybe it’s just the aesthetic – tailored but enthusiastic.
I can’t wait to see my college friends.
Quick Action
If you’ve seen the reports on the Stand Up For Science actions, and the thought of attending a protest has crossed your mind, I will say that it’s doable. Mobilize will have a list of events you could attend, sign in hand.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, in silk shantung, sensible shoes, or both.
56 Responses
Warning: Orange is not just the color associated with Princeton Tigers – it is the color associated with the UT-Austin Longhorns, so you may have to declare your loyalties if you wear that color in Houston! Of the two dresses shown, I much prefer the Dries Van Noten. But if “cowboy” is a theme, why not go with jeans and a fancy shirt? Another possibility: My husband describes Houston as “Los Angeles without the charm,” so think about what you would wear to a country club party in LA, and dress accordingly. Otherwise, since the hostess is a college friend, ask her about where on the spectrum of “fancy/cowboy” she would recommend that you land.
In any case, have fun – Texans throw great parties, whatever you happen to wear!
I will declare away, if asked;). As for why no cowboy boots, no jeans and silk shirt, etc. I simply find myself unable. Not in my wheelhouse, so to speak.
I love the orange dress on you so much, I might be ordering one for me today! No, to the dress you own for the theme. I like it with your (are they the Mephistos?). I don’t think I’d take the dress in – I think the voluminous and slight over-sized thing makes it chic. You could try the smaller size, but you might lose some of the carefree feel?
Yes!! I wish I’d seen Kathy’s response before I wrote mine ’cause my first instinct was to love the insouciant chic of the volume, and then I wasn’t sure. . .
I love it when we twin;). I have ordered the smaller size, but am keeping this one to compare. Thinking it over, I believe the pockets might make this too tricky to tailor well.
Enthusiastic vote for the orange here! (although THAT orange I would never ever vote for, as you know, not that I’m eligible, just saying. . . )
The photos on the model don’t sell it, but you do!! Really don’t like it belted (seems too much “faffing” as TNMA would say). . . and without the belt, the model seems to need to lean backward — because she’s trying to minimize volume? You carry off the volume beautifully, although the next size down or some tailoring would be even better.
Happy weekend!
Just saying, over and over and over:) Thanks for the vote of confidence in my non-belting strategy. I’m going to try the next size down, to see if I get just the right degree of volume.
The orange dress looks so good on you! And eligible or not, I wouldn’t vote for THAT orange either, Frances.
Thank you, and concur!
I like the orange! A lot!
Thank you!
And…I think those potential MOB Cult Gaia shoes would be amazing with the orange dress! Because I don’t think either of the shoes you’ve shown are exactly right.
Those Cult Gaia shoes keep calling my name!!
Sigh. They are spectacular. But I must curb my proclivities. I have pieces of clothing that are works of art hanging in my closet and I wear them once a year if lucky. Can I really justify more?
Agree with all —
The orange dress looks fabulous on you!!
Your hair color looks great in the photos, too. Didn’t notice the lavender .
The dress is perfect for a Houston country club.
Been there. Done that several years ago.
Wishing you a wonderful time!!
Well thank you!!! Houston country clubs are the bomb. I love Houston. My experience of it has been all about art and diversity and phenomenal food.
I suggest you shorten the orange dress and show some leg. Then the volume will look fun!
I was thinking about shortening it an inch or so…
ORANGE
Succinct and to the point! Thank you:)
I agree with Kathy about the Cult Gaia shoes!!
The orange dress really looks spectacular on you! I think the darker hair color may actually play a role since that can alter the point at which we fall on the Autumn spectrum. Victoire is right about sports in the South, but all you might get are well-intentioned icebreakers bordering on light teasing. You’re visiting a college friend — everyone will know it’s Princeton orange, and if not, you have many stories to share and can connect that way. Definitely go for the orange dress. :)
Seeing college friends sounds so fun. That’s something joyful to look forward to in this otherwise-stressful time. Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you! I sigh over those shoes, but I just don’t know how often I’d wear them…Thanks for the perspective both on the darker hair AND the sports in the South:)
As someone who has spent a lot of her life owning a fashion company, I can tell you the orange will photograph a lot better if you happen to be in the photos. Another color to consider for you would be pink. A metallic bag and shoes would be a nice touch if you use the orange.
I’d love to wear metallic shoes. My bag will probably be blue. I don’t imagine I’ll be in the photos, except as a crowd shot, but that’s a good tip. Thank you!
Definitely the orange one, no belt and I agree with whom said to have it shortened a bit. Then do accessorise it with statement jewellery, like silver chains and chandelier earrings, or go for lots of turquoise custom jewellery for a striking contrast.
Ooops – I meant costume jewellery!
Thanks for the styling ideas! I have to wear 14K gold or platinum, because of a nickel allergy, so my jewelry choices will be limited to what I own already. But I bet I can dig down and find something.
Both dresses are nice but I’m an old fashioned girl and love the more trapped dries dress. But whomever suggested nice jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat had the right idea. If that isn’t formal enough i think a flouncy skirt, cowboy boots or any boots, a plaid shirt and cowboy hat. Maybe you can beg, borrow or go to a thrift shop to put that all together. If I lived near you I’d go with you!
Oh, let’s thrift together some time! I’m terrible at it.
Orange is your color! Go for it!
Only figured this out 50 years later LOL. Both things, actually, orange and going for it.
Being from Texas you will get University of Texas comments possibly with the orange dress but it is definitely the better of the two. Houston light takes stronger colors better. Another idea if you are buying and want something fun would be one of the Sundance Catalogue dresses. Or at least look at them for styling. That is probably close to what most people will be wearing. Or think Santa Fe style. Even better if you add cowboy boots. Actually the orange dress with cowboy boots and a little turquoise and you would fit right in. I wore this to my daughter’s Austin TX rehearsal dinner/Texas theme:
https://www.sundanceliving.com/products/miraflores-mesh-dress?_pos=39&_sid=c5e162892&_ss=r
Have fun. Nothing like a big Texas party.
That dress for your daughter’s rehearsal dinner is so pretty! So reminiscent of the Mexican dresses we all wore in California in the early 1970s. And I love that you know how Houston light works. That’s when we know we are home.
I love the orange dress on you! As a Texan, I say yes to cowboy boots and a bit of turquoise with it. I would leave the dress voluminous.
Susan hits the nail right on the head! The Orange silk for sure.
Boots, turquoise, maybe even a jaunty bit of turquoise eyeliner on the bottom lash line? Or turquoise nail polish!? Have fun! It’s spring here in south Texas and we are all in a party spirit. xox
The Longhorns wear a wretched ox blood color that is a football field away from your wonderful orange! You look splendid in it!
Thank you! And that categorization of the color as wretched ox blood made my day:)
I LOVE the orange on you! If feels very vibrant and modern, but insouciant.
Official color-appoval, hooray! And you know how I love as much insouciance as I can forage;)
Manoman. The orange dress: I like a lot about how it looks on the model. More tapered, less underarm and sleeve volume. I even like the sash with the same trapunto stitching as the neckline. Looks like it’s reinforced from within to keep from collapsing at the waistline.
Mainly I’m struck by the elegantly framed neckline which is completely camoflaged by your glamorous hair, so I miss seeing the neckline in your modeling pix – it’s so perfect in its standalone simplicity, no necklaces needed. It’s International Women’s Day, throw back that hair!
BUT! If you select the orange dress, then There.Must.Be.Boots – these PERFECT orange Lama boots you wrote about in particular [where are they? GET THEM! it’s only been 10 years!]
https://lisacarnochan.com/2014/07/imaginary-texas-wearing-tony-llama-chanel/
“If you select the orange dress, then There.Must.Be.Boots” [to show up as requested, wearing Festive/Cowboy].
Thank you for excavating the good bits of this dress! Yes, I did manage to obscure the neckline. Silly me;).
I gave the boots to my daughter, which was also silly as I still ride some summers. She sold them, which, as she was a medical student at the time, was not silly at all. So no boots. I truly can’t do boots.
OMG. If you still have these boots…..!!!!!!!!!
They would, I agree, fit the dress code and the color scheme perfectly.
Orange dress without belt, add some turquoise and Pearls AND wear your pearl booties—your version of cowboy boots!
Yes, Lisa, do you still have the gold pearl booties? I started to suggest them to fit the theme, but didn’t because I thought I remembered you saying they’d be going out in a blaze of glory at an outdoor event not too long ago. If you still have them, they’re perfect!
Yes ma’am I do still have them! How about this, I’ll bring them to Texas just in case I get seized by the need to wear booties, but I’ll also bring what I actually plan to wear;). They didn’t make it to Sweden, so no blaze of glory for them. Perhaps that’s yet to come.
Love this plan! I do like the orange dress with your shoes above, but it never hurts to be extra prepared. :)
I always wear what I like and feel most comfortable in.
That said, conforming to the high style or casual requirements are always part of the decision.
At this point, do you have a preference?
Yes I do. Comfort in this case being both physical and situational. The orange feels more festive, and since I’m not doing the Cowboy part of the dress code, the least I can do is Festive It Up, so Clementine Lisa it is.
I don’t know whether you know that I spent part of my growing-up in Texas — my father was a petroleum engineer and he landed there just in time for me to attend high school in Houston (and then flee back east). My parents’ circle were River Oaks- and oil money-adjacent, so I got to witness a lot of parties in Houston even when I was not attending.
Out of which background I say: Girl, get you some shiny boots.
If you need a visual reference, https://www.instagram.com/melissasmrekar/ is a Dallas-area Junior Leaguer and fundraiser who frequently combines gorgeous boots with her posh dresses.
If I knew this, I’d let it slip my mind! My friend’s parents also lived in River Oaks. I know the shiny boots are a true thing and I also think at this age I’m deeply invested in showing up as who I am.
One day I’ll tell you the story, if I haven’t already, of going to a debutante party in Houston and wearing my Mexican sundress inappropriately. I think this is my redemption tour;).
My vote is for the orange dress…how about a short cowboy boot or cowboy hat?
Cannot see the mauve lavender tint in your hair…
Have fun!
Thanks, Leslie! I bet they have cowboy parties in Calgary, right? So nice to know the mauve is subtle;).
The orange if I have to choose. BUT as a Santa Fe resident, you really need a cool squash blossom necklace or cowboy boots or both! Trust me, if they say cowboy theme-they mean it! And it’s fun! Turquoise would totally set off that dress!
The Ann Mashburn dress looks great on you, color, shoes, everything. Have fun!