That dress is all that can go wrong with EF! Yikes! I saw some pretty cream EF flowy pants and blouses recently and wished I had an occasion to wear something like that. Congrats on your upcoming retirement. I'm right behind you in June, but am looking at a river cruise vs. a party.

Congrats on your retirement!

Since it's at home, yes to the slim black pants and silky blouse. Buy a new blouse just because.......

You probably want a "something new" fix for this special occasion. Maybe a top in velvet?

Dresses aren't in my everyday repertoire, so I do try to buy them for various occasions for that very reason.

I would buy a new blouse, but then casually keep looking for a dress if that is what you truly want. It will take the pressure off having a backup outfit.

I know - what was I thinking! I have an EF dress that I love but it looked bad in a picture so I was engaging in magical thinking.

bonnie - a river cruise sounds great. Congratulations to you as well! I feel fortunate to be able to do this at 62. There are so many other things I'd like to do while relatively young and healthy. DH is still working and can't get away for any long trips so I am taking a summer road trip with my DD and a spa trip with a girlfriend. That's as far as I've gotten with travel planning.

Thanks eld - I think that is good advice. I have these shoes in black that are festive and comfortable believe it or not.

Shoes

Those shoes are a wow!

Congrats on your retirement!

I think you should wear whatever makes you feel fabulous, be it pants or dress. When it comes to dresses, I always like what edith head had to say...it should be tight enough to show that you're a woman but loose enough to show that you're a lady. So look for whatever enhances an hour glass figure and lengthens the line of the leg.

On those shoes...the screen kept flipping so if it's the first blahnik heeled sandal that pops up, my only comment would be to not wear them with long pants or skirt. I had a pair of sandals with stones on top and they would catch on the pant hem and start ripping at the threads. Not good. They'd be great with ankle pants though.

Thanks Annie. I don't know what happened to the link but I hope I fixed it. I have worn them with a dress but think they will work with ankle pants. I think slim pants with a silk top is my focus right now - maybe hits the entertaining at home note better than a dress - unless the right easy elegant dress comes along.

Congratulations on your retirement!

Ruby, take a look at Mtn, the recent post on her fashion thread. there are two tops that could work for your party.

I like the knit gold sweater and the floral black blouse!

Another vote for slim pants with heels and a silk top! I did a search at SaksOffFifth and found a lot of good stuff, plus they have a very detailed search engine. You may want to look there?

eld - those are both so cute. Love the gold knit! However, my sleeveless days are behind me :(. But great inspiration!

mtn - I forget about SaksOffFifth and LastCall. Will take a look tonight. I'm looking at black slim pants - particularly like Theory but could also see a nice tux pant. Did you find a pair in your search?

I found a pair but they were $250 and fit oddly (elastic waist in the back). I ended up going with these from the Gap:

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1077009&pcid=1011761&vid=1&pid=836833022

I think of them as something you can dress up or down...

I like the pants you ordered mtnrdredux. They even come in my plus size! Don't think I could order and have them by this Saturday tho. lol

i bet you could! if you don't mind mega shipping charges! there is also a way to find out if they have them in any local stores! Id try it : )

Those are cute and I love the idea of them as an elevated casual pant!