What to wear to this that I can make by Saturday!!!

[Karen Roth]

Oh please help me sewing and fashion friends!   I am about to accept a last minute invitation (last minute as I just found out I'm free and had previously had other plans)...if I can figure out what to wear!  It's for a fundraiser for a music/theater group for Broadway destined young people.  It's being held in a private residence Saturday night.  No idea how formal/casual and the only person I'll know is the one I'm going with.   I could shop but brought home a lot of work and if i don't find what's just right that time's gone... heaven knows there's a closet full of great fabric waiting to go somewhere special!  Most of the fundraisers I've participated in in the last years have been high school band type things like running snack bars or washing cars or selling/loading Christmas trees for a high school soccer team.... I'm pretty sure those clothes won't be the right ones!   If it were nice but not black tie kind of formal nice what would you do?   If its southern California jeans and nice jackets casual I'm set.  maybe instead of worrying about what to wear first I should just say ok then ask about attire.... suggestions welcome in the meanwhile!  Thank you!!!

[LizGo]

What exactly are you going to be doing? Sometimes that helps give an idea of how formal or casual the event will be. Is it a wine and cheese, a sit down meal, a bbq, cocktails? What is your taste/style? What part of the country are you in?  Usually if I want to whip together a last minute outfit I look at Loes Hinse patterns first.  Most can be constructed in a couple of hours and yeild (IMHO) elegant results, especailly if you have some fabulous fabric.  But LH may not be your style.....Do you have any idea what you amy want to wear; pants, jacket, dress.....?

[Karla]

My best guess:  a black wrap knit top with a deep neckline and either a matching or contrasting (print?) skirt, depending on the expected dressiness of the event.  Jewelry and shoes can be customized to send either an "I'm dressed up" or "I'm casual" message.

[Karen Roth]

Karla that's along the lines of what I started thinking.  Liz you're right about details!!!   San Diego area, inland so mid 50s at night, I think it's safe to guess no bbq but probably wandering inside/outside, starts around 6.  I think I look best in tailored but don't want to look like I came from work.  Prefer close fitting.  The wrap idea is a good one, hmm, do I have right fabrics for that other than rayon knits???  I was looking at a vogue wrap top last night....

[Karendee]

Movinon,

My "go to" type wardrobe selections for occasions where dress is unknown consist of nice black pants, a smashing top/jacket and semi-precious gemstone earrings. The wrap top would be beautiful then with your gorgeous hair, show off a necklace or earrings that are sizable. I stay away from gold, smaller "good" jewelry. Shoes could be strappy heels if you can walk in them. Take a small purse and you'll fit in with any level of formality from jeans wearers to semi-formal attire. This look is  a young, trendy/classis combo that will make you feel comfortable for the entire evening--in my opinion.

Karen  (Karendee)

[LizGo]

Do you have any black matte jersey?  My thought last night was the LH NY dress - VIEW A It is close fitting, the v neck is flattering.  I made this dress and have worn it lots.  I think it's sexy, but not overtly so.  You could go for the minimalist look and just wear some fabulous shoes, or make a statement with some funky jewellry.  Or make something along that line.  A wrap dress in black jersey would be nice. THIS ONE should go together quickly.  I also like THIS ONE.  I made THIS DRESS twice and it went together in no time. It was easy to fit too - I made the same size for DD as for myself - although we are not the same size and it fit us both.

[Karen Roth]

thanks for all the great tips!  I'd rather wear a dress or skirt but seems like anything I come up with is too dressy or too tailored, I do much better w/summer dresses but you've some great ideas...I may even have one or two of those patterns  but I don't think I have black matte jersey, do still have that nice rayon knit though.  I just got back from shopping w/DS for fun things like baseball cleats and uniform parts and retrieving stuff for the weekend's sports left at his dad's house so I am just getting started (coffee time!).   After getting the description that it will be "probably dresses and pants but not too formal, just no denim, casual dressy, maybe layers in case we go outside".... how's that for concise? That's so southern California vague.... I came up with http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V7998.htm?tab=very_easy_vogue_sportswear&page=6 and got some matte satin, not too reflective, on the way home for black pencil pants.  And a skirt if I can't decide still.  all very simple and should be quick though I just realized I was thinking knit or velvet burnout for the top, not crisp as recommended but I think it will work.  Will shop the closet soon as I get up.  And absolutely the high spikey heels Karendee mentioned.  Thanks so much to all, sometimes it just takes mention of something or a style to bring something to mind and make it click! 
BTW Karendee and I share the same name, it's my old username but I changed as I was being cyberstalked. Thought twice about posting a pic, or signing my name in case a search is done by name.  Got some scathing comments/email about having so much fabric stashed and laughing w/my sewing friends about it.  How handy it is at times like these... 
K aren

[Karendee]

Sounds as though you have your clothing situation all worked out. It is fun to confer with others concerning what to wear for a specific occasions. I have three sisters (all living in different cities) but we contact each other regularly  for a dose of "fashion advise" as my son used to call it. He's now 25 and no longer cares about the long phone convesations about fashion, but the sisters do. I think that's one of the most fun things about sewing--making a distinctive mark with the clothing you wear to include your individuality.

Movinon, have a wonderful evening; I'm sure you'll look perfect. It was also fun to hear about our sharing a name in common. Hopefully,  all that cyber-business is over now.

Karendee