I would want more than a light wrap. How about a jacket?

While December is considered winter in PA unless you're up in Bradford County where it will probably snow the southern portions of the state shouldn't be freezing. And you are right about the TV anchors - nearly all of the local women reporters in Philadelphia wear sleeveless tops all year. But I do admire their toned arms.

We have been to holiday parties, weddings and other formal functions at the Union League and Academy of Music in the winter and I have seen outfits ranging from sheer, skimpy cocktail dresses with strappy open toed sandals to long sleeve knitted dresses to wool suits with dress trousers and boots.

I think Sushi is right about a jacket - even a short one. Judging from what I see on the hanger your dress appears to be fairly lightweight and you'll need something for warmth.

Would something like this appeal to you - it even looks like something you might be able to wear at home.

https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.0535783001.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rH9giim3OwuS_axHRqjeQ1coLpeD92C1KCV2JxGV4tNqKHCGTMt3qhoCMpoQAvD_BwE&CAWELAID=120032800000171352&s_kwcid=AL!860!3!295501444260!!!g!297421435105!&ef_id=VGKReAAABYov8xxi:20181014132934:s

Esp if you're from FL, what Dec temps may feel ok to us who are used to it, it will probably feel very cold to you. So I'd say the dress is fine, but definitely wear a jacket. You can always take it off for the reception if the place is warm or you warm up with dancing. It's a pretty dress.

This jacket has a pretty beading detail at the neckline: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/13147065420788448660?q=dressy+jacket+for+dresses&biw=1345&bih=766&prds=epd:13229687065974978823,paur:ClkAsKraX86n3BneaZwGynekLLIkkQAPmm6jALD5Jm5gPBui2DoZl50rjwl5p4EF9uVg-uZwJ5E-wd3afB6k6O0e0GGeN-21AoV3fLV6fh16HvZzAoFsh_FX2xIZAFPVH72mFp-5a8K-9EOTzaAaavao1MLHOg,prmr:1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL5uXEhobeAhVInlkKHbu6B_wQvxMIsgYoAA

Here's the thing though, although I like both Annie's and Marie's options, if you are going to invest in a good quality jacket, you might as well get a new dress with sleeves.

If you get something classic, it will be good for many years.

Also, if the blacks don't match up, it will look "off."

A cashmere type wrap can be warm enough. You will be indoors after all.

I am in PA and will agree with Maire-cate that women wear a broad range of formal attire for winter events. You can generally assume that the event spaces will be heated but some can be drafty.. and there's always the transitions from outdoors to indoors.

I think a jacket is a fine solution. Plenty of women will simply wear a wrap but personally, I don't think that would be enough for me-- even with a coat to travel to/from.

Oh-- and another point I agree with-- it does matter WHERE in PA you will be.

I remember when Mom was in FL and she told me that when the temps there dropped into the 50s on those rare cold snaps, the kids would be out waiting for the bus in hats and mittens.

I was thinking a more substantial jacket too. It seems like you’d be more likely to be able to reuse the jacket than a winter climate dress.

I think a shawl or wrap for simplicity purposes and also less $$ would be totally appropriate. I don't know how it is in real life, but I do like the one Eld linked to at H and M.

Nice dress too!

I think the dress is fine. Assuming all the wedding functions are indoors and you will have a coat/outerwear for wearing outdoors, a wrap should be fine for any indoor chill.

I guess it depends on the venue and whether it's early or late December. Late December is cold -- think of what you see on the New Year's Eve televised celebrations.. Some might be chilly. I think you would be fine in that dress with a wrap or shrug or pretty jacket. I hope they have valet parking or you will need a coat to get from the car to the door, either that or walk fast. I usually walk fast because I don't like bothering with a coat.

Don't forget that the tv anchors are sitting under hot lights. I can assure you they do not walk around like that all day in December!

Wish I could go sleeveless. My arms are awful.

Day wedding or evening wedding? If my arms were toned, I would wear that cute dress to an afternoon event. Would probably not wear it at night.

The flowers to me make me think more spring/summer for this dress vs. winter. I would try to find something else. But if you want to wear it, a solid black wrap/pashmina would work.

If I lived in Florida, and I went to a December wedding in Pennsylvania in a sleeveless dress, I'd freeze to death. When in Rome . . . .

If you're not averse to thrift or consignment shops, try there. Our friend lives near Orlando, but was going on a fall cruise in New England. She needed formal wear suitable for the weather. She went to Goodwill and bought a dress for a few dollars, wore it for the cruise, then donated it back when she got home. She basically rented it. :)

A good question I hadn’t even considered was time of day. i don’t even know the time of day the wedding is. That could be aother consideration as an early brunch would mean a more casual dress code.

I am sort of miffed at why a couple would schedule a wedding two days before Christmas.

I agree cmm. This timing is obviously convenient for them, for whatever the reason. Considering this, it's nice you are attending.

Again, I would check all the sales. You will be able to get a short/long sleeve dress for under $100.00. get something classic. Why not look your best?

Another option. Can you borrow a jacket or heavier wrap from a friend?

Since my life style doesn't include much dressing up, I buy a dress whenever the occasion arises. It is still important as well as fun for me to feel good in what I am wearing.

I think a Christmas wedding is a fun idea! Most people will have some time off, it’s different from the same old, same old, and if it’s not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day...it shouldn’t interfere with family events too much. Sounds like it will be a blast!

I'd look for a beaded light sweater if I had the figure for it. Can wear with other things and can take it off if too hot. Or a beaded shawl.

My sister who lives in FL wears a jacket in PA if it is below 70.

We grew up in PA, allowed to go swimming if the temperature was over 70.

I think you will be cold without some sort of actual jacket for the dress even if women from PA are in sleeveless.

Most holiday seasons we have at least one wedding invitation, so I think it's a pretty popular time for weddings. One of the good things is that churches are usually already decorated saving the bride a bundle on the floral budget.

Would you consider a sleeveless black dress like this:

I would chose a simple dress like this and pair it with a wrap and some jewelry with a bit of bling for a wedding. This same dress can be dressed down for other occasions so don't think of it as a one event dress.

The dress you posted reads summer and casual to me. I think for a Christmas wedding people will be dressed up, at least that has been my experience.

I am from PA and would need a much heavier dress and a jacket ( and a turtleneck) :)

I think that a jacket like Carol posted, not black or white, would be perfect for indoors. I can't imagine that most people would handle the chill without a coat to and from the venue. Ask friends if they have something appropriate to borrow. If not, perhaps something from Rent the Runway for a coat. I took a look at their "cold weather" dresses and a ton are sleeveless, so that's not a lot of help.

Silk underthings can keep you warm too = )

I understood that you will of course wear a coat/jacket whatever to get to the venue. There is no way that bare arms will work in December. I assumed that you were looking for guidance AT the wedding. In that case I still think a wrap, shawl, jacket whatever will be adequate for sure.

Don't put yourself in a dangerous situation, have adequate warm clothing at hand. I would not risk making the trip to a colder climate without a proper choice for the weather possibilities. We cannot predict how mother nature will behave! I too think that dress reads more spring or summer. Thrift shopping and consignment stores might be a good option. Then you can always consign it later if you feel you will not need a coat or jacket again.

https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-philadelphia/

Extremely affordable long jacket available in several colors and sizes.

Urban CoCo Women's Open Front Long Sleeve Long Basic Cardigan (2XL, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073RZ5RQR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UCWXBbAS2Z39M

This navy dress at Nordstrom Rack is nice (and cheap). I live in Florida and would wear this on cooler days/evenings here December-January. This might also work up north for a wedding. It's lined.

I like the neckline. Add a long necklace with pendant or dainty choker.

Don't know your size. The smaller sizes are sold out. Starts at 10. Maybe it's on another site.

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/2542280?cm_mmc=feeds--adlucent--google-_-pla&utm_source=adlucent&utm_medium=feeds&utm_content=google&utm_campaign=pla&utm_channel=shopping_acq_p&sid=545650&aid=%5BADL%5D%20%5BPLA%5D%20%20-%20Categories%20-%20Non-Brand%5BMobile%5D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzrm-l8KN3gIVkEoNCh1vNg0-EAQYBiABEgKRTfD_BwE&color=NAVY

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How about these? You could wear them with the dress OR jeans down here. Wouldn't go to waste! I really like these as long as they are barely noticeable metallic.

Add some navy sheer tights?

Thanks to all. Justterrilyn I was hoping you would chime in as a fellow Floridian. Love that blue dress but I am a size 4 which strangely enough seems to sell out quickly on some websites.

I am almost 5-8 and a size 4 so I tend to try and wear something more fitted as I can get lost in something flowy or blousy. i don’t mind wearing high heels for a special occasion but when they are over 3 inches or so I start to feel self conscious about my height. I tend to look a bit like Olive Oyl.

5'8 and size 4, well, that opens up a lot of options for lucky you. I would still look for something a bit classic with a twist. Doing that will give you a go to dress to have on hand. I don't like spending money on clothing for just one use. It has to have double or triple duty capabilities. If I lived up north I might feel differently but who wants to waste money...not me.

ETA: I'm much shorter than you but cannot walk nicely anymore in real high heels. The above are 2.5 and that's about my limit.

I live in Ohio, near PA and I will say that the weather is anything but predictable. It could be high of 15 or high of 60. There could be a foot of snow or green grass. HAHA!

I think you need to find out about time of day and venue.

It's cold here in Philadelphia today. I will have to change my recommendation and say that you will freeze in that dress. You would be okay with a pretty jacket over it, I think. You will want panty hose, too.

You could check Ru Lala. That site has a bunch of dresses in your size with great markdowns.

me personally, i don't think the dress is season appropriate (flowers) and quite frankly not dressy enough. that's a dress appropriate for a wedding shower, retirement party etc.... i would rather be over dressed than under.

i bought a beautiful dress and Lord and Taylor, on sale!! it was regularly $180, and bought for $54. there are deals out there, just do some shopping. dresses today are a dime a dozen. even TJMaxx has wedding appropriate dresses.

most dresses are sleeveless today, u just need a wrap for indoors and Dec. here in PA, a coat sure.!! although agree with arkansasgirl, it can go either way here. where in PA are u going ???

I think a lot depends on your metabolism. I have low blood pressure and am almost always chilly so I almost always bring a jacket, sweater or standby wrap of some sort, depending on the outfit. Getting something black or white would give you flexibility to wear with other outfits too. Could even be a short sleeved or 3/4 sleeved shrug if you think you'll overheat. You want nylons as others have said. And a nice coat for travel to and from the venue.