New top to update a skirt -- ideas?

[swampy]

My BIL is graduating from law school near the end of May. We'll be going out to a very fancy dinner in DC and I'm feeling lost on what to wear. I have some nice dress things, but I've already worn the only ones that seem appropriate in front of my ILs (more than once) and I don't want to seem like I only have 3 nice outfits ... even if it's mostly true. ;)

We're on a tight budget, but it's recently loosened up somewhat -- I still don't want to buy an entire outfit though. I have a very flowy black skirt, a very fine, soft micro-fiber cotton, that hits a little below my knees, fitted around the hips and a little flared at the bottom, with an uneven hem -- not asymmetrical, just not straight across all the way around. I think if I could find a new top to wear with this, it would be enough of a departure that it wouldn't be terrible to wear it in front of them.

Before, I've worn with it:
- a fitted, v-neck, tip-of-the-shoulder black tank
- a pale green, 3/4 length sleeve, boat-neck fitted shirt.
- a white cable-knit tank

I could wear one of those again, but as I said, it's getting a little embarassing. :( But looking online ... I can't find a thing that's different enough from what I've worn before that would look good with the skirt. My search is nearing the end of it's rope, so I was wondering if anyone else had an idea for me -- any help would be much appreciated!

Other considerations:
- I would like to spend $50 or less
- The only dress shoes I have that would be appropriate are pink. :o I think I need something in a neutral-ish color so I'm not a rainbow in the midst of dark colors....
- I am 5'8", about 125, and 32D -- so slim cut and fitted is OK, but I *need* to wear a bra for support, so strapless would probably not work.

Thank you so much for ideas, in advance!!!

[laura]

It's hard to find things w/o a pic of the skirt, but what about one of these faux-wrap tops?

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/139055_7742l.jpg

Silk lace cami? (maybe w/ a pashmina/wrap?)

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/139199_7636l.jpg

(not sure about the color)

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/133262_8054l.jpg

http://fp.anntaylor.com/@v=0148@/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/139435_7222l.jpg

A sheer blouse w/ a cami/tank you already own?

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/172408.jpg

This one is $$$ but it would be great:

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/175219.jpg

BR has some sale tops that might fit, also, but it's hard to know w/o seeing the skirt - you may want to check them out, though.

[vee05]

Macys for $33

http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/2/optimized/216242_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

Macys $26

http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/5/optimized/224045_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

[swampy]

Hi Laura and Vee ... thanks for your suggestions.

Laura, I know that a pic's worth a thousand words in these situations. I don't have one of me wearing the skirt, but I might be able to take one over the weekend. In the meantime,

This is the skirt, although mine is in black:
http://i23.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/e7/37/68_1.JPG
That kind of shows how flowy and light the material is.

It looks about like this while I'm wearing it:
http://www.smartbargains.com/images/product/105829/1058293937_LG.jpg
except more fitted through the hips...


The skirt is kind of old, so it's not online anymore...

I *really* like the first two you posted, Laura, although I'm afraid a wrap top might not be dressy enough. (Same with the 4th, come to think about it -- good, but not very dressy?)

The last few, as well as the 2nd one Vee posted, I think might be too wide around the waist since the skirt is so fitted around my hips and flared at the bottom. I've seen many tops that have a lot of material hanging down, but I don't think it would balance very well with the flared skirt. :confused: :confused:

Vee -- I really like the first shirt! It's not exactly the right pink, but if they had it in other colors it would be very good. :)

[ssstephanie]

Just wanted to say whatever you do decide on, get black. Black is always dressy especially if it's a simple top with not too many bells and whistles. It always looks elegant and you can really dress it up with jewelry if you wanted. I suggest something black in a V-neck, that would look awesome with that skirt(in black).

Examples:

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/18892.jpg

in black
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/171534.jpg

this would be super
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/23854.jpg



I also suggest going to Nordstrom Rack if you have one in your area, you can always find DKNY, BCBG, Elie Tahari, etc. there for super cheap. Good luck!

[laura]

I personally don't like black on black unless it matches exactly, but I'm OCD about that. Love those tops, though!

[looch]

me too laura, i can see the differences in black when the fabrics are different. For that reason, I love black and white together, especially white bottoms with a black top.

[ssstephanie]

Laura- I know what you mean about different fabrics/shades of black. That is a huge pet peeve of mine. 85% of my wardrobe is black but I've learned over the years which materials tend to gray.

I have to disagree though, I think full black for a formal event is fabulous. I'm very biased though. I wear full black at least 3 days a week.

[wendalah]

I think an asian-print kimono-style top would be just the thing. Very current and you'll look most stylish. Pair with black pumps or sandals, add a pair of hoop earrings, and it'll look brilliant.

There are tons on eBay: Just type in "Kimono top." Take your pick of any color.

http://www.yellowshampoo.com/pic/k7pcwhitea.JPG

http://www.picturesdome.com/ABICITY/KIMONO/KIMONO000508AS.jpg

http://www.fairyfairyland.com/images/3964as.jpg

http://www.fairyfairyland.com/images/6010as.jpg

http://www.chinatowner.com/images/products/31263/31263_largeF.jpg

[wendalah]

Bonus: You can dress the top down with jeans and wear it out for date night with hubby, or drinks with girlfriends!

[laura]

Oh, I do like black on black, I just usually purchase the pieces together so they match. I'm terrible about 'coordinating' the same color - it makes me twitch. Fine for others, just not for me!

I found this on clearance at BR, but it may pose a problem w/ a bra:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/362/362433/quick/br362433-00qlv01.jpg

Pretty, though!

And I like wendalah's kimono style top idea!

[ssstephanie]

And I mostly wear simple black because I am AWFUL at coordinating other colors!! I always feel like Rainbow Bright when I step away from black.

[swampy]

Wow, I love the kimono top idea. Thanks wendalah! I found a beautiful green one (http://cgi.ebay.com/K0053475-GREEN-KIMONO-SATIN-SILK-TANK-TOP-WRAP-S-34_W0QQitemZ9313447179QQcategoryZ63869QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem#ebayphotohosting)on on ebay. I would post it, but I can't copy the image. I look very good in that color, so if it's close to the true color and it fits alright, it should look very good on.

I know it's horrible, but I don't have any good black shoes. I have two pairs but both are hopelessly outdated. It is probably time for a new pair either way, so maybe now is as good a time as any to get some....

If for some reason the kimono top doesn't work, I'm not sure what else I'll do. DH and I spent some time shopping on Saturday, but I didn't find anything great at Nordstrom, BR, Marshall Fields, or Ann Taylor. I did find a turquoise knit top at A.T. with lace around the neckline, but I think it's a little casual for the event. I guess can always go back to my standby black v-neck. (I have a top that color-matches the skirt's black almost perfectly.) I agree with ssstephanie, all-black can't go wrong even if it isn't the most exciting -- and maybe they won't notice it's the same shirt. :o :(

Here's hoping w/ the green top though!


On a semi-related note: is there any way I can buy a single pair of black shoes that could work both for evening dress-up and business? I need a pair of shoes for my (black) skirt suit, and if I could kill two birds with one stone here it would be very useful. I was thinking pointy-toe slingbacks .. but that might be too stuffy for an evening out?

[JillianS]

I'm going to veto the kimono thing..not with black. I love the LAST top that sstephanie posted. Black with bright colours tends to almost always look cheap IMO.

[kalogrias]

Yes, you can most definitely find shoes that work with a suit and for a night out as well. The pair that I have and love (which I think is very versatile) is this (though I have the 2 1/4 inch heel, and this is the 3 inch version). They are completely classic and will never go out of style:

Nine West -- mine were $50, these are $70. A lot of places make pairs like this, so I would look around.
http://images.ninewest.com/images/products/NWFREDAPD.jpg