what to wear: high school reunion
29. May, 2008 by Teresa Morisco 
3 Comments
Summer is fast approaching and so are the many events that occur during the season where figuring out what to wear becomes a high priority. There is one that causes much angst because we realize we need to look absolutely smashing, no excuses. It’s the high school reunion. So here’s our reader question of the week:
A Reader Asks:
I seriously need your help! I recently received an invitation to my 20th high school reunion, so I checked your archives to see if you had any words of wisdom. I didn’t see anything specific to reunions, so I thought I’d ask.
My 20th high school reunion is this summer. I graduated from a small town and the invitation specifically stated that it will be a casual affair. There is a Friday night mixer and a Saturday afternoon/evening family affair. Can you recommend a few summer outfits that are understated, yet simply fabulous?
Wardrobe 911’s Style Prescription:
No matter if the invitation says “casual affair,” I guarantee you that every gal will make a special effort to look great. There is something about reunions that carry so much emotion for us and coming back home looking fabulous is paramount in our quest to overcome our awkward teenage years.
With that, you don’t want to look over-dressed, just effortless. Dressing for your personal coloring and body type are crucial in looking your best. (If you don’t know your body type, take our just-updated body type quiz.) The outfits shown are best for rectangles, hourglasses and inverted triangles — 85% of women according to research we conducted in 2007.
For a Friday night mixer, you will want to up it a notch because it’ll be the first time your former classmates will have seen you in 20 years. A beautiful summery dress is perfect and this season is all about the dress — there are TONS of wonderful options in the stores that will make your head spin. We’ve chosen a cute halter dress from Castle Starr in a shimmery neutral and paired it with a colorful strappy sandal. Other great dress options are Foley + Corinna’s jersey dresses or even Vince’s
effortless shift dress. Wear a beautiful silver cuff on one arm and your handsome sweetie on the other.
For the afternoon/evening family affair, something more casual is going to be appropriate. Shorts or jeans are pretty much the standard here. Dress them up a bit by choosing a dark wash or colored denim. Here, we choose a white jean by AG (a cropped version is also great) and pair it with a super-flattering knotted jersey top
by Chaiken. These tops are worth the price — stores can’t keep them in stock because they look GREAT on the body. Wear a cute sandal
and throw on the same arm candy from the night before and you’ll come across effortlessly stylish.
Hi Theresa,
sweet posts as always. I love this knotted top, but should it be avoided by large-busted women?
Thanks
hi rose –
it’s really a question of your comfort level. This particular style by Chaiken can make a woman who is more endowed feel like all eyes are on her assets. There are other styles by Chaiken in the same fabric that don’t draw that much attention to the bustline. If you draw a horizontal line right under the bust and take out the gathering above that line, the top will immediately be more flattering for a larger bust.
Hi, Theresa,
I’m 60, and I’ve been invited to a 40th school reunion. I’m really stuck, as I don’t know what to wear to the dance. My body type is Triangle. I’m 5ft. short, and really need your help.
Thanks