Funky, I think the pants you posted are too casual for a wedding because of their length.

If you were to go with slacks, you need full-length, in a loose fit, not tailored. I am sure others here will disagree, but the outfit in your first picture looks like something you would go to for an evening work event.

Why don't you want to wear the dress?

Eld.. I said this in the previous thread where you commented also: I bought the wrap vest NOT the pants. I do appreciate your thoughts on the jacket. I will likely wear wide leg ankle pants which I think look sufficiently formal and not tailored.

The dress is very sparkly.. more than shows in the photo. I don't think it's appropriate for a wedding (at least not on the aunt.. MOB/MOG sure). I have about 6 other dresses that fit well enough and don't scream about my figure flaws but I think they make me look middle aged. I do love the fit and color of this so I am keeping it for another occasion.

I need to run to work.. but I will try to check in again later.

I think the second outfit above would be great for a casual, fall wedding if the pants were longer. I would wear pants in a heartbeat, but Eld is right. They would need to be slacks like a wool or silk depending on the occasion.

I also really like that wrap top.

I really like that ivory wrap and think it could look stunning with black crepe pants - but you say the knit may be too casual? I can't tell what the fabric is in the pic and it appears to drape nicely, but you know what it looks like close up. The white jacket feels kind of meh for a wedding - keep looking for something less structured, maybe with a bit of lurex or sparkle somewhere to dress it up.

I am probably biased. : )

But yes of course, you can wear pants. I agree the shawl is too informal, and the white jacket a little too simple. Look at St John knits perhaps for something with a bit more embellishment?

Just as an example ....

I checked anthro, nothing white, but these are dressy

The pants I'll wear are crepe and trust me -- they are dressy enough. The pants you are commenting on are cotton knit. NOT what I would wear.

Mtn the style you are showing is a fav of mine and it is not only flattering but I like it with my jewelry. I have quite a few in black --but again I think black is out I have a fuchsia one maybe too much color lol

There's an event in the atrium of my building today and a woman was wearing pants like mine with a loose silk shirt -- it really looked nice I think shoes and jewelry will elevate to wedding attire

I dont think fuchsia is too much if it is dressy enough.

If it were me, I would be looking for a velvet jacket, they are so "in" right now.

I took screenshots of a bunch i might consider -- note that a lot of them have textural detail you need to zoom in for. It is too much to post so I will email it!

Don't worry about looking middle aged! You can be age-appropriate and still stylish! Look at Lily Tomlin last night at the Emmys compared to Jane Fonda. Jane looked like someone who is afraid to look older than 30 (before anyone jumps all over me, yes, she is in great shape, but she doesn't even look like herself and her long blonde pony tail was silly)! Lily looked beautiful, imo. Of course, they are both way older than I am and I am now lumped in with "old" or "elderly" (yikes) now that I am 65. I still wear whatever I want, but not what younger women (30s say) wear. I made the mistake of wearing heels to a party thrown by my DS and DIL's friends for them. By the end of the night I probably looked like I was 105 going down the stairs to leave. Felt fine until that point. So, now, flats for me unless I am wearing trousers and need the height. I don't care.

The jackets Mtn showed work for any age I think! I also think pants and a wonderful jacket, sweater, or shirt/blouse often looks wonderful.

If you feel good in what you wear, it will show! Don't despair. We all feel frumpy sometimes. I find that if my DIL shops with me, she gives great advice, being an amazingly beautiful and stylish woman, and I end up with clothes that garner compliments. I am working toward fitting into a pair of BCBG pants that she helped me pick out 15 years ago before I started gaining weight.

We've had four family weddings in the last year and I wore pants to all of them......

Ok so while I was just tryin' to help out Funky, I had to buy these cute Pjs on Gilt for DD. Only $18 and free shipping

One time I wore a pants outfit to a wedding, I forget the name of the set. The pants were long and flowy with a matching long tunic, both Lavender. Comfortable and perfect! I'll look around online, but they were similar to the 2nd picture you showed, but still different.

Hopefully this link will work. You can get them from casual to dressy.

Pant's Set/ weddings

Lol robo. Stuff hitting the fan here today. Will respond more this evening!! Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

lol i know robo!

I am kind of bummed that you all universailly nixed the first jacket. I thought it was a keeper because the wide lapels seemed dressier to me.. they're wider than i'd wear in the office. I also liked that it's ivory wool.. no question of it being season appropriate.

Mtn shared many great options in email (thank you again!) .. a number of which I'd have nixed from my search if I'd followed my "rules". I think I need a more open mind, so I am widening my searches.

Oakley, I think the less structured pants suits are very nice-- but that's the kind of outfit my mother would wear. I just can't go there.

Speaking of my mother, she's still campaigning for the dress.

Search continues tomorrow. Tonight I have a killer headache.

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions!

How come I do not see a link to pj's on MtnRd post.

Lyban - I think mtn deleted it because she thought it a bit distracting from the thread topic. Cute pjs though.

I haven't worn a dress or skirt in more than a decade. Pants are always appropriate IMO. How dressy the outfit needs to be depends on the venue. People seem to overthink the whole thing. Most other guests aren't going to judge what you wear. The ones who do wouldn't be people I care about so *ahem* them. And the wedding couple invited you to share their moment because they think highly of you - no matter what you wear to their wedding (I hope). So please yourself. Wear what you are comfortable in - both physically and psychologically. I like the bright color options. Celebrate!

Funky, would you wear something like this?

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/Johnny-Was-Jazzy-Kimono-Style-Printed-Jacket-Petite-Petite/prod196210183_cat58780736__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat58780736%2526pageSize%253D30%2526Nao%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=prod196210183&xbcpath=cat58780736%2Ccat7440735%2Ccat000730%2Ccat000000&cmCat=product

I was considering wearing pants and something like this to an annual holiday party (where the dress code is similar to a wedding) last year but I ended up wearing a dress in the end.

This jacket from Talbots is so cute but probably too warm. (Wool)

Or maybe no jacket and instead a dressy top? Also Talbots.

Thanks, Sue! I also love the ruffle jacket but I wish it was in a crepe material.. and a tad shorter. The pants I want to wear do need a shorter jacket.. but the pants are easy to switch out. I may try the jacket.

LOVE the bell sleeves we're seeing this year-- I picked up a few for summer and they always perked up my day and made me feel fun and cute. Not loving talbots lace this season but I am keeping my eye out for a pretty bell sleeve.

Funny you mentioned a kimono.. I wore one today and I don't know. Easy as they are, I just don't feel "dressed" in one.

I have a ton of variations on a black suit and I am wondering if I should just wear something I have and putting my $$$ into new jewelry!

I have this jacket in black (sorry no pics of the black) that I think is a little more special than "office wear"..

And then there are all the beeeautiful items I find that are out of my budget.. I absolutely love this cape jacket from burberry (below). I am really starting to think I should go with what I have or buy one of the ubiquitous Michael kors or calvin klein dresses and spend my money on something i'll wear week to week!

or chanel... sigh