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I am attending a wedding in early November in the Catskills.  The information on the website says the ceremony and the cocktail hour will be outdoors and to “dress accordingly.”  I believe the reception will be inside (and with a lot of dancing, will end up being very warm) so I am not sure how to dress for the two different settings–outside and then inside.

The ceremony starts at 5pm.  Even though I’m in my early forties,I have no idea how to dress. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!!

–Ali, Brooklyn, NY

Look for a dress code on the wedding invitation or wedding website. When ‘Black Tie’ isn’t specified, you can assume the dress code is ‘Suits & Dresses.’ As a bit of a chic freak, I would say you should keep warm in a knee-length or midi-length stretch wool or knit sheath wrap or gathered dress, worn under a soft leather jacket, sweater coat or other lightweight knee-length coat. For women over forty, we use the Halsbrook.com site to illustrate trending wedding guest dresses. Sheer shiny leg wear, such as those from Wolford.com, in a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone will dress up your legs and also help to keep you warn, along with lined leather gloves.

When you go inside for dinner you should be able to check your coat and if not, drape it over the back of your chair before tucking your gloves into your jacket pocket. Earrings, a bracelet, cocktail ring, and beautiful shoes and evening bag will jazz up the outfit when your coat comes off.

~Didi