Great dress. I would add a muted scarf, a simple bracelet and some chunky heel pumps.

I'd say you can accessorize pretty much as you please. Nice dress. Sorry to hear of your loss.

Cawaps, it's indigo blue but reads navy in the store.

d_gw, I like the idea of a scarf and do have a couple that would work.

Thank you both for pushing me towards pumps, which is a safe bet.

Mtn, thank you for your kind words. Taken too soon at only 67 (15 months older than DH.) So_very_hard.

Nice dress. And I think a simple gold or silver chunky necklace and earrings would be fine. Scarves are in the way for me in a situation where I might be talking to and shaking hands with people and moving around a lot.

Pumps with a chunky heel are definitely appropriate, but if the weather is really warm, you could possibly wear a peep-toe. At least in the south it would be fine, maybe not for the church as you describe.

Thank you OutsidePlaying. I am searching on Zappo's and Nordstrom's now for a navy leather pump with a block heel.

I'm so sorry to hear about your BIL. When your peers in the family start to go, then it just gets too real. I hope your DH is doing ok...that's got to be so tough on him, his mother too!

I agree, closed toe pumps for sure. I was going to suggest a strand of pearls, but a scarf would be fine. Nothing too shiney-especially since it'll be in a Catholic church; you want to be sedate.

I would do a scarf or nothing at all at the neckline. Some simple earrings an closed toe shoes would likely be the safest bet. I am sorry to hear about your BIL.

Neetsiepie, I hadn't thought about pearls but I have a lovely set that would work well. You are so right about losing peers and now a beloved sibling. It has been difficult for DH. We walk the beach and plan the eulogy that he will give. My dear MIL has some dementia and lacks the ability to emote. She has yet to cry.

aktillery9, thank you. I have not ruled out a scarf. In fact I bought 2 when I thought I would wear the black wrap dress.

Here is one of the scarves, just purchased 2 days ago by a Cape artist:

((HUGS)) Bonnie Ann!

I would keep it simple.....pearls, understated gold or silver necklace and earrings. Depending on location and weather, a scarf might be hot around the neck this time of year. I would also keep a scarf very understated...small print or muted colors.

Thank you for the hug I pinkmountain! More beach walking and contemplating the eulogy today.

joaniepoanie, the idea of pearls or my simple diamond pendant is what I am leaning towards. Thank you!

The funeral will be in Massachusetts in mid-September so the weather could be 80 or it could be 60. We are hoping for warm with no rain for the gathering afterwards.

I appreciate your input.

Sorry for your loss Bonnie!

How on earth do siblings/close family members do the eulogy? How do they stay in control? It always amazes me. I would be blubbering so hard no one would understand me.

Thanks so much justerrilynn. My DH has done lots of corporate public speaking, but I don't know how he will get through this without tears. He doesn't either! When my Dad passed I delivered the eulogy, but it was hugely different, in that my Dad was 87 and both he and we, had time (10 months in Hospice) to prepare. That, coupled with the fact that it was a Protestant service, a memorial service, allowed some reflection of a life well lived and I kept it focused on all he had done in his life. I did not break down, but DH did a Bible reading and a reflection that brought him to tears......

DH will write his eulogy, then practice it. However many tears will surely be shed over the loss of a healthy 67 year old (sudden brain aneurysm-probably congenital. The ticking time bomb that potentially lies within us all.)

I'm sorry for your loss Bonnie. DH lost his youngest brother a few years ago to cancer. He ended up helping to care for him toward the end. Hardest thing he has faced and I don't think he's over it.

It's so horrible when it happens so suddenly like that. I haven't had to deal with sudden. Even with my brothers death where we didn't know where he was (missing) we knew it was something bad and had two months to prepare for the worse. Sudden is just so...I don't know, think I would be in denial.

I thought it would be easy to find navy pumps, yet here I sit 7 days before the funeral with 4 boxes to return to Zappo's and another box (please be "the ones") on the way.

In the meantime, I am back to work and have little time for this. Before starting back to work I went to several stores and started second guessing the decision to go with navy so I bought a similar dress in black. I already have black pumps.

My morning started with a phone call to my best friend, whose family all live in Florida in Irma's path. Who really cares about shoes, IYKWIM? It puts things into perspective.

She is trying to find a suitable MOB dress for her DD's wedding next month and has 6 dresses from Nordstom's, none of which she really likes. So she's not done yet.

Ironically I showed her the dress from Talbot's that I bought and she is considering it for the wedding (a very casual and low key event.)

My friend said, "just wear the black pumps you have" with the navy dress. So simple, but yet.....

Why is this so hard? Are booties taking over the shoe fashion world?

Bonnie_ann, I'm sorry about your brother-in-law. My strapping, healthy appearing husband died suddenly at 47, so I know what a shock it is to lose someone with no warning.

I think with navy, I would look for a nude shoe..it may open up the possibilities even though your time is short. Zappos is amazing. You could get more pairs by Tuesday if order placed today.

I couldn't sort by heel shape, not sure of the height you want, or your price point, but there are some nice options here. Nude goes with anything...year round:

Nude pumps

Wow Olychick, I had no idea. That must have been devastating to say the least. I am so sorry. I can't imagine how very difficult that must have been for you. How do you cope with such a tragic loss?

My SIL, niece and her husband are driving to MA from the FL panhandle, with BIL's ashes for the Funeral Mass next Saturday. I am so worried about them with Irma bearing down. SIL says they will be fine, but I just wished they had flown up vs. driving. They are bringing their dogs, which I do understand-somewhat.

Nude and another navy pair are on the way from Zappo's. Now I am finishing printing the return labels for the others. Thank you for the suggestion, Oilychick. I had not even thought of nude, but they will be more versatile than a pair of navy pumps.

Bonnie_ann - I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you all especially those driving from Florida. I hope everyone is safe.