I bought a $50.00 A-line black strapless dress with a flared skirt. Made of a black cotton actually, not satin or whatever. Hits me just 1 inch above knee. Just right.

Originally bought for a lawyers' Christmas dinner (tuxedo affair), but am no longer working for firm.

Dress has 3 fine pink rows of satiny ribbon with 1 row of tiny beading, at top of bodice and repeated at near bottom edge of hem.

Will wear a handmade costume necklace my partner bought as a gift. No real jewels.

Really and honestly ...I just don't want to spend more money on another dress which I won't wear often. Black dress was bought over 2 years ago on sale.

Would that be inappropriate for my partner's son's wedding at end of this summer?

The other dress is a sleeveless $30.00 silver dress, with a round high neck collar that I wore at my sister's wedding. Had embossed s9lver leafy branches woven into fabric, spiralling vertically up dress. It is shorter and since it was form-fitting with lycra, I had to suck in my tummy by end of dinner. I actually love this dress except for the tummy watching requirement. Have worn it with silver ballet low shoes or silver low stacked heel sandals (like last year).

As you can see I am cheap....and lazy. Am I appropriate (for my age?)?

The black dress sounds beautiful. I love pink and black! The only possible problem is that it is black. I always wear black when I get dressed up, but I once attended a wedding where the bride asked that no one wear black because she thought it was bad luck. You might want to check with the bride. Other than that, it sounds perfect.

Has anyone else ever heard that?

I wore black to my daughter's wedding and I think his mother may have as well...they upped the date due to a job transfer...and I only had 2 weeks to get ready...and black was all I could find at the time...

Black is somewhat common as a color in weddings now...so if it's okay with the bride...since it's your partner's son...nice to check...

The silver also sounds lovely...but I agree...who wants to watch your tummy all the time!

I wanted to wear a black dress at my son's wedding. To liven it up I chose turquoise-gold jewelery and a fine gold-bronze scarf-stole to wear over the shoulders. Well, my son flipped out, and said a wedding is not a funeral; grrr, so I bought another dress; last minute. The black dress made me look slender, which was more important to me then a brighter colour. Now when I see the photos, I wished I had worn that black dress.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in Orchid. You can add colour to the dress with jewelery.

Could you also wear (with the black) a little feathery facinater in your hair..Like a cocktail hat in bygone times Bridal shops make them here...Its says "Occassion ans celebraion"
Mountain ash

I'm honestly not a big fan of black for weddings, but maybe I'm behind the times here.

I'd go with the silver. And I'm sure that you're the only one looking at your tummy. Everyone else is too pre-occupied with themselves or the celebration.

Well, am gonna wear this dress..after wandering around a few hrs. last week in stores....I figured why waste money buying another dress when already I have one I've never worn before at home.

Found a lovely large gauzy chiffon pink shawl-like scarf..to drape around the top part. For $20.00, I grabbed it. No more hunting for hrs. Better things to do with my weekend.

Probably will remove it when I eat...can't imagine how I can eat with it on without slopping food on it by accident....it's quite large on me.

Yes, bride has been consulted. Black is ok.

Did you see the movie Monster-in-Law with Jane Fonda? Her Mother in Law wore black to her wedding as an insult as if she were in grieving.

orchid, like the sound of the scarf. When is the wedding?

Your shopping expeditions sound like mine. I usually buzz through a bunch of stores and decide to wear what I already have and then dress it up with neat jewelry or a scarf. Who's getting married?

Wedding next week. So I might not be around here as often for a few days. LThe bridesmaids are wearing black, that's why as a courtesy I am wearing the pink shawl for first few hrs. before I take it off. Shawls normally aren't my style at all.

My partner's son is getting married. He works as a chef at a small bistro restaurant so actually he is prepping the food for the dress rehearsal dinner at the restaurant where he works. Someone else will cook it that evening for the small party. Unfortunately I can't make it before wedding, because I don't get that much vacation days benefits. Oh well but most likely this meal would be much better than their big reception (which they couldn't afford gourmetish food).

I praised the heavens that I found this gauzy pink shaw/large scarf...for a great price.