So... I posted on the menu thread that I have two parties to go to this weekend. Neither are a particularly 'dressy' party, but I know at least some will have on cute 'little black dress' type clothes at the one on Saturday. Friday MAY be a bit less dressy, but I'm imagining there will be at least a couple of cute little dresses amongst the crowd.

So... NSV... I went into Ross and tried on over 20 dresses... WHAT??! How can there be that many in my size??! I LOVED trying them all on! A few were too tight (Junior sweater dresses mostly), but overall I was pleased with what I saw in the mirror... actually a couple of times, I didn't recognize myself. It was definitely a completely weird yet really pleasant feeling. I had a hard time actually seeing myself, so I took pictures...

And then I started to panic. "Oh that's too tight"... you're too old for that... too short... too SAFE...

So, I bring to you guys... pictures of the dresses I tried on. I ended up buying NONE of them, but have my eye on two (or maybe 3) of these... two are very similar, and one is completely different.

I was panicking that I wouldn't look right... be too dressed up... not dressed enough... tights underneath? Leggings? Boots? Shoes? Accessories...what??!!

OMG. I'm a doofus. 

I love the red dress on you. 

Looks like you had a lot of fun.

I like the red one... I just worry because it's definitely well above the knee... I'm 51... not sure I should wear a dress above the knee... and what do I wear with it? Just nude pumps? Tights? Hose (do people still wear those)? 

What if I'm more dressed up than everyone else? Hahaha

You look great in all of them, but my favorites are The red one or the black lace

That's exactly what I think and no I don't think you're too old for them! You have lost time to make up for - rock those dresses girl!!

Above the knee is appropriate. You don't cross over into unappropriate until it's up over your head.

First off 51 is just a number and doesn't mean you have to dress like an old prude.  You have worked very hard and look dam good.

Now if it were me with this dress I would go with either tights or panty hoses in black that had some sort of design or bling to them like these or these.  There are so many different types of designs and prints on tights and hoses that you could find something sexy and sassy to go with that dress.

As for shoes it would be either black heels or black knee high heeled boots.  A pair of boots like this.

Stop showing me boots ON SALE at Nordstrom!!! OMG  I LOVE those boots!

I'll see if I pick that dress or not. After sleeping on it, I'm going to a couple more stores to see what else there is out there on the Cheap (since it won't fit me next year I hope).

Thanks for the great ideas! I honestly do love those boots (and THEY'LL fit me next year too!) 

I vote for the red dress too!  It is cheerful and in an appropriate seasonal color: FESTIVE RED.

You have worked hard and deserve to stand out a bit. 

The only black dress that you stand out in that has a party/going out flair to it is the black lace one. You appear to be geniuninely happy in that dress too.

So I vote for red dress and black lace dress in that order.  [Assuming that you care about my opinion].

And in the junior section!  That is just fantastic!  Juniors! I can really only wear junior tops (my body ate my boobs).

Awesome

Yes, the red one definitely is in the finals... I felt good in it, but worried because of the length... and not totally sure what to wear with it.

Maybe I should try it on again, and not be so lazy as to leave on my leggings and boots. ROLMAO!

The black lace one is the perfect 'safe' ****tail dress for a 51yo woman... it has the length, and even though my cleavage is off-centered in the picture (LOL), I think I could fix that. But it's also pretty dressy... and 'safe' again. 

I just dyed my hair purple... not sure if 'safe' is what I'm looking for. (but I do love it!)