Ask the Audience: Fashion Help Please

I agree, wear the black and white dress this time. But that longer dress would be very cute shortened for more frequent wear. Have fun!

BTW, I support Dress for Success wholeheartedly because I've been there. As a young adult, my resume, cover letter, and phone calls were getting me interviews, but my thrift-store clothes were costing me offers. (This was back in the early 1980s, when standards for professional dress were much higher.) I spent years struggling at minimum wage as a result....until one lucky sale and $5 borrowed from a friend got me two sharp suits that landed me a clerical job at a bank a couple of weeks later. The barrier to success can really be that low...and that impossible to get over.

I love the black and white dress, and I think it would be perfect. And yes, the formal probably could be hemmed up to make a nice cocktail dress - what a great way to reuse a dress that otherwise might never be worn again!

But, having been in this position myself with truly no black dress (for a funeral, so a print wouldn't do), I went shopping at my favorite deep discounter, who always has the basics for $40 or less. I came out of there with a $12 dress and a $9 pair of pumps, both of which I wear often and in combination with other things. Sometimes it's OK to buy, particularly when it's something this basic.

I would go with the black and white one, simply because its in the closet. I wasn't aware that little black dress meant no color. And while, a print is less common, I would totally pull off a polka dot or other black and white print dress if it were me. Who am I to talk though, my little black dress is a dark red and black chintz.

Push them guidelines, sister.

Wear RED.

Well we all know you will knock them out tonight in the black and white dress and NEXT TIME you will knock them out in the shortened LBD. One thing I always remember when I am wearing something I am not 100% sure is the right thing to wear....most women are very preoccupied with the way they look and are much more critical of themselves than they would be of others. No one will think anything of your black and white dress and I am even willing to offer up the idea that you get lots of compliments tonight on the dress you are wearing.

Either way, have a great time!

I'd chose the black with white print. It's sophisticated, cool, summery and sharp.

If still wavering, you could select choice two, but it should be hemmed to knee or just abore the knee....

See? Chose the first one. And have fun!!!

Wear the black and white. I doubt very much if you're the only woman who doesn't have a little black dress -- I don't. If I were attending that event I'd be wearing a black and gold print, because that's the closest I could come.

I vote for wearing the black and white one, but shortening the long one, so that you have it ready next time you need a LBD. Will you show us pictures of what you decided to wear? I also really like the idea of a gauzy wrap, that would be stunning. Mo

Go with the black and white - it is darling. Make no apologies - you have nothing to apologize for - it is a great dress. I am betting you will see more than one dress that isn't totally black.

Olives. It's perfectly okay for an LBD to have a pattern as long as it's a well-fitting classic dress that you can wear just about anywhere.

I vote for the shortening the long dress idea :)

Wear the printed one! I don't know you personally, of course, but I know that you prove to be a bit spunky on the website. If anyone asks why you didn't go with all-black, you could just say something like, "Fashion rules are made to be broken, aren't they?" with a little wink and a smile. Then get them another martini.

If you act like whatever you wear, you meant to wear it, you will be fab! Good luck!

Another way to say "Little Black Dress" is "LBD" which can also mean "Long Black Dress," so I'd say go with the one you wore to the wedding!

Gotta love my logic :)

Olives - fo sho.

Go with the black dress with white - even with the pattern on it, it still qualifies as "little black dress". The long is too formal.

Heather, I didn't know you were so beautiful!

I would go with the print. It is summer, after all. If you really wanted to emphasize the black and/or dress it up for evening, you could add a gauzy black wrap around your shoulders.

Definitely the first one. Have fun!

I was just about to suggest shortening the black dress to cocktail or just-below-the-knee length; it will definitely be more versatile. You could even wear it under a jacket for other occasions.

If you don't have time for that, go with the print.

I think that no woman should be without a wonderful little black dress and this is the perfect excuse to go out a find one!

I'd go with the black and white print dress.

I really like the black & white one! It's fun, and if you are the only one wearing some white, who cares! :)

(well, if it were me, I wouldn't care, anyway...lol)

For this, I think the black and white one would be great. You can't go wrong.

I wouldn't think a crowd that gathers to be supportive of helping women get clothes together for jobs would be too unforgiving about what you show up in -- just show up.

The fashion rule I live by is that to overdress is better. That way, you're not embarrassed for not meeting the dress code. And people might look up to you more. Nah, not with pics floating around the internet w/ you putting food in your mouth like that! ;-)

I know it wasn't a listed option, but can you raid someone's closet? Is there anyone who lives nearby and is near your size?

I received a great suggestion via Twitter. Someone suggested shortening the long black dress. If I find time, I may look into that. Even if I don't find time for tomorrow's event it'd make the dress more versatile for future events.

I say go with the cocktail dress with white on it! The long one is nice, but probably wrong for the occasion. I don't think you have to wear all black, mostly black should suffice. Sounds like fun, wish I could attend!