What should I wear?

Marc's office holiday party is in two weeks and I still don't know what I am wearing.  I spend my days in jeans and yoga pants and layered tees.  I need some serious fashion help. Fast!

I have friends who are loaning me dresses and accessories and other friends who are going to evaluate once again what looks best on me.  But! Before I get the candid, no-holds barred brutal honesty that only a great mom-friend can give, I ask you, readers, to give me your thoughts on the following borderline fashion-don'ts.  Please keep in mind these photos are crappy, they were taken by Marc, in a hurry and I am not wearing the right bra or shoes, as if that makes a difference. But still, humor me, okay?  Oh, and be gentle, please.

(Note: I really do have stubby legs and not much of a defined waist, even though I wear a smaller jean size than I have in years. Whaaa?)

Option 1

Honestly, this dress fits like a glove and I love it.  It is on loan from the Jodifur collection. I'm thinking silver shoes and some circle earrings and matching necklace.  Also, the long sleeves would be nice for a December holiday party on a dinner-cruise boat on the river.  This dress makes my waist look like it is 9 inches around.

 

Option 2

I dug this out of the depths of my closet.  I swear to God I am not making this up, I  owned this dress in high school.  It is fake velvet or something equally hideous and inappropriate for the light of day, not to mention the twenty-first century but Marc wanted to see something all black, and besides a maternity dress that I bought off Ebay, this was all I had.

Option 3

This is another dress on loan from the above referenced friend and fabulous blogger.  Loose Asian-ish sleeves and nice neckline. But, eh? I don't do it justice. And, what shoes? I would be able to wear some of my gold jewelery though.

Option 4

This is a nice dress. I got in on sale at Macy's when I wasn't even shopping for dresses.  It was on super sale and it's a nice dress. I don't think I have even worn it yet.  I won't be wearing my glasses the night of the event.  Silver shoes?

...and the back of this dress has a cool little sashy thing.  Added plus is that I have a coat that is this exact same color.

Please leave a comment and let me know which dress or "look" is best suited for an office Christmas party.  Feel free to advise me on shoes and accessories, etc ... I'm a huge fashion DON'T.

Comments

[Diana Funk]

I agree with the majority. Option 1, definitely! It is so flattering on you! And I love the pattern, and yes, it makes your waist look so teeny-tiny (and as Stacy on WNTW would tell you, it's always good to flatter the narrowest part of you... I have been watching too much TLC). Red shoes and bag would be awesome! If not, black, or maybe silver. You could also punch it up with some pink (pink bag and pashmina, etc). I agree witcha, you need to be comfortable in what you're wearing. I think this looks most comfortable, and most elegant.

I love talking fashion.

Have fun, youse guys!!

ps-- Good taste, Jodi!!! :)

[christine]

I say go with option 1 if you want to be more comfy, and option 3 if you have to wear something more formal. I think both look great on you. I love Talking Budgie's idea of adding a splash of red to option 1. Let us know what you choose! :)

[De in D.C.]

Did Marc's invite have a dress code? I'd say #1 but it might not be dressy enough if they specified semi-formal or something like that on the invite. I wore this to my company holiday party last year, which was semi-formal, and fit in pretty well:
http://tinyurl.com/6nmfol
(if you're a size 14 you're welcome to borrow, lol)

If you need dressier than #1, I'd say #4. Yes silver shoes and some ostentatious dangly rhinestone earrings.

[Stacy Kravitz]

Marc liked 3 and 4 and also 2. I don't think he liked 1 as much as me, but I'm the one wearing it. He didn't think 1 was fancy enough, but I don't want to be over dressed or overly fancy -- just classy. And COMFORTABLE.

[Hilary]

Hmmm I should probably not still be (nice sentence structure, I know) thinking about this Dress Issue but what was Marc's opinion? Just curious.

[Hilary]

I like Option 1 but I LOVE option 3. The first one is pretty and if it feels great I say go for it but the third is so different and hip and I think the sleeves are gorgeous. The colors in 3 are also totally flattering to your skin. Am psyched to hear what you decide!!

[jodifur]

Can I vote if it's my dress? I say number one.

[Talking Budgie]

I love dress number one. You look fantastic. I think you could pair it with a red belt or necklace and red shoes, and it would make it even more smart holiday party-ish. It's incredibly flattering and the neckline is gorgeous on you.