Gray Day

It’s gray and drizzly today and generally very blah, which is kind of how this week has been. I got our taxes done and filed, which always takes longer than I expect. But it’s done, so yay for being responsible.

We have a formal dinner with a friend coming up next month, and Mr. M needed a new suit, so we decided to try our luck at Goodwill last night. Friends, he got a suit that looks tailored to him, plus a brand-new suit jacket that matches some pants he already had, a waistcoat, and a pair of dress shoes for less than $50.

I’m so jealous. The women’s section was, let’s say, less good.

Luckily, I have a clearance dress arriving today, which will either look ’20s glam or like a shiny bathrobe, and only time will tell. 😂 I did also order a safer backup dress, so if it’s shiny bathrobe, at least I’ll have options.

We rarely dress up, so it’s a fun excuse to look fancy, and the dress code said to err on the side of too much rather than not enough. I’m thinking about buying a fascinator, like I’m a duchess or some such nonsense. Ooh, and one of those long cigarette holder thingies, never mind that I don’t smoke and never have. I can just wave it around while I bemoan the peasantry.

I love it when a plan comes together. 😂

Do you dress up on the regular, or is it a rare event? Also, do you own a fascinator, and if so, is it awesome?

16 thoughts on “Gray Day”

  1. I used to be on the Board of Directors at a community theater and went to all the shows as part of that position. No fascinators since I don’t wear hats much but I did have both black and white opera length gloves. I donated them to the costume department along with a lot of very fancy costume jewelry when I moved away.

    I have no need for them now, but I still miss the black gloves.

  2. Sounds like fun! WHO goes to formal dinners anymore! lol
    I make my own fascinators. You can too! They are easy! You can get most stuff at the craft store and with some hot glue and special placing, you can layer feathers onto an alligator clip and BAM, you got yourself a fancy fascinator. I’m sure you can find a tutorial on Youtube. You can do it!
    Hope ya’ll have fun!

  3. I usually add false eyelashes for any event that requires dressing up–including Halloween! If you’re erring on the side of too much, I definitely suggest those. Maybe even stick on little jewels at the corners of your eyes.
    If not a fascinator, maybe some ’20s beaded fringe/headband? Flapper style never goes out of style!

    1. I’ve never worn false eyelashes, but this would be the perfect event, so I’m off to watch some videos on how to get them on my eye rather than in my eye, lol. And a beaded headband is a great idea, too! Thanks!

  4. we just went to a tea party hosted by the only Victorian house remaining in our area. this tea party was themed steampunk! we didn’t dress up, but I love how creative people are with the concept. lace, velvet, corsets, stockings, googles, fascinators, canes, monocles, capes, and gloves galore! I was also pleasantly surprised to see people in their 60s and 70s dressed to the nines in steampunk!!! there were even steampunk desserts; a cog/gear sugar cookie with edible bronze glitter and mascarpone with a Roman clock dusted onto it.

    1. I’m definitely hoping to be one of the 60 and 70-year-olds that goes all out at theme events when I get to that age. How fun! Also, now I totally want a cape. :)

  5. I wish you and Mr M a fabulous time. Men always seem to have an easier time finding great clothes at less expense than women, don’t they. Glad he got great deals. Your slinky robe and potential accessories sound fascinating. 😁 Happy you have a backup though.

    Me and formal attire are like cement and salad. I’m all about no fuss, no muss, so my default is a tee, capris/jeans/shorts, and sneakers/sandals, and no makeup ever. Even when I was supposed to be in business attire for a former job, I’d wear slacks with plain cotton shirts (basically long-sleeved tees). In my adult life, I’ve only ever worn a dress three times: at my brother’s engagement dinner and wedding, and a night at a dog charity event with a former boss.

    If I tried to use cosmetics, I wouldn’t look like a clown (kess is more!), but I’d more than likely blind myself. I sure as heck can’t do cat eyes and have no idea what primer, foundation, and toner, etc, are used for besides evening out blemishes.

    1. Yeah, I’m def with you on the casual jeans/tee. That’s my go-to as well. And my smoky eye attempts often end up looking like a black eye, which is not exactly the sexy look I was going for, but it’s fun to try new things, even when I’m terrible at them!

  6. Hope you’re having lots of fun at the Dinner and the dress is lovely.
    For a 20s Party I was invited to some time ago I glamoured up a black cocktail dress with gloves and a long necklace, as a sort of fascinator I found a shiny feather-clip (barette?) for my hair. That is probably similar to what was mentioned as a diy in the comments and can be added to the also mentioned headband if you feel a little extra is needed.

  7. Long gloves are fun but…unexpectedly awkward? Like, if you are eating finger foods, or even sit down dinner, do you take them off? Where do you put them? I have a couple pairs but I can’t remember the last time I wore them.

    There is a distinct lack of formal events in my life, but I do costume design and cosplay, so I am all about the dressup. I agree, fascinators can be very easy to make.

  8. I made people dress up formal for my birthday this year and had a house party. It was great, everyone was happy to have an excuse to dress up. I hope you have fun!!

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