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[llanfair]

Those dresses are fab, AverageBear.  I'd pair either one with simple but stunning jewellery - a bracelet and earrings.  Is your hair short enough to show earrings, or can you do an updo?

Make it elegant and understated.  Too much jewellery would be too fussy for those clean lines.

Something like this for a bracelet, maybe? You get the idea - go big or go home, say I, but at the same time, it's not fussy.

[systeme_d_]

Those dresses are indeed lovely, Averagebear.

You know what I'd do? Accessorize with a platinum-grey-silver bag and shoes.  It's tough to match a navy, particularly a navy satin.  But the beauty of a platinum-silver-grey bag and shoes is that they don't have to match.

You can also wear diamond earrings (I'd go with small drop earrings) and a bracelet.  You can skip the necklace.  I would, too.

Suggestions:

http://www.shoebuy.com/mad-style-3630a/446436/950234?cm_mmc=nextag-_-none-_-none-_-none

If something like that is too sparkly for you, go with a satin:

http://www.unforgettablemoments.com/Carolyn-Modern-Clutch--Platinum_p_72.html

[systeme_d_]

http://www.zappos.com/nina-criana-royal-silver-satin

http://www.zappos.com/vaneli-dedra-silver-satin?zlfid=a9

http://www.zappos.com/calvin-klein-dolly-silver-satin

http://www.zappos.com/gabriella-rocha-grazia-pewter-metallic-kid?zlfid=a9

Thanks for providing me with some fun here, Averagebear!

[marigolds]

I have a floor-length navy satin evening dress.  I wear red shoes with it (red Charles Jourdans with suede uppers and patent VERY high heels.) The gray sounds gorgeous though--and fits the wedding theme perfectly!

[compdoc]

I love the dresses, averagebear!

Silver/gray sounds good.

So does the red, if you want to stand out a bit more.

Also, off-white shoes and drop pearl earrings would work. Very classy.

Are we giving you too many choices? Then go with the silver/gray.

[averagebear]

Y'all are too fun! :)

Okay, so you've dressed me.  Thanks!!  The satin clutch and Nina shoes are perfect (unfortunately not available there in my size, but I can look elsewhere) and I LOVE that silver bangle.

I found some Stuart Weitzman shoes I adored too but I'll be damned if I'm paying more for the shoes than I did for the dress.  Sheesh.

(systeme_d_, do you hire out as a personal shopper?)

[llanfair]

Of course you realise we'll need a photo of the finished look, AverageBear! You can always put a paper plate on, right?

Love love love those shoes, Systeme_D.

[systeme_d_]

Yay!  Glad to help, Averagebear!  You will look smashing.

[mountainguy]

[bump]

I am considering wearing an ascot under my collar at a conference later this month. Trendy or pretentious?

[marigolds]

[bump]

I am considering wearing an ascot under my collar at a conference later this month. Trendy or pretentious?

I'm going to go with pretentious.  Convince me otherwise, because I want to love the idea! 

It's just so Thurston Howell.

[wegie]

Morning dress (although Ascot actually banned from the Royal Enclosure this week), in the hunting field, or with a velvet smoking jacket or dressing gown only.

Otherwise, never, ever, ever, unless you're a complete cad and a bounder.

[ab_grp]

Some fellows I know could certainly pull off an ascot.  My opinion: if you're feeling it you should go for it.  Your attitude will probably determine whether it is perceived as trendy or pretentious (or just fun!), right?

[elsie]

Since the thread has arrived, I need some help finding a purse with the following characteristics:

A long, adjustable shoulder strap (I don't care if it also has short straps as long as it has the long one.)
At least two sizable interior compartments, one of which is large enough to hold an iPad in a folding case with a keyboard

I can find the strap or I can find the interior compartments, but I've had the worst luck finding a purse that combines the strap and the interior compartments.

[terpsichore]

Since the thread has arrived, I need some help finding a purse with the following characteristics:

A long, adjustable shoulder strap (I don't care if it also has short straps as long as it has the long one.)
At least two sizable interior compartments, one of which is large enough to hold an iPad in a folding case with a keyboard

I can find the strap or I can find the interior compartments, but I've had the worst luck finding a purse that combines the strap and the interior compartments.

How about this?

http://www.builtny.com/neoprene-messenger-bag-for-ipad-prod.html

It's a messenger bag, but could work as a purse.

[systeme_d_]

I have a bag very like that one, Terpsichore, also made by Built NY, and I use it as a combo purse/laptop bag, just as you described.  It's very practical, rather durable, and I can recommend it.

But Elsie, what do you want in terms of style, and in terms of practicality?  The neoprene is light, which is a great thing.  But do you prefer leather?  What about colors? 

I also have a Coach messenger bag in leather.  It's big enough to fit a laptop, and it has another compartment, too.  It's more upscale in looks, and very durable, but it's heavier.