dorkforcemom

and don't forget the big hair...

sunny16

Thanks, everyone! DH checked with a woman at the company that's hosting the party, and she said jeans and a t-shirt. That didn't sound quite right to me, so he's going to doublecheck. He will probably be wearing his usual work clothes, a button down shirt and pants, so he'll be fine.

Seamus, you're right, I didn't want to look like a lame Yankee trying to pass. That's just not gonna happen. I will probably stick with my Gap boot-cut jeans and Timberland boots.

Diana, thanks so much for the link! I just might be able to find a shirt on that website that will work for me. I do have some silver and turquoise jewelry, but it's not western style. But maybe I'll wear it anyway.

I am planning on checking out downtown Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts on my own that morning before the party, so I will be in tourist mode, so I'll need to be comfortable. The party is at company headquarters. I don't think I'll have time to stop at the hotel and change in between becuase I'll be relying on cabs, rather than a rental car.

Anyway, thanks so much for the help, everyone! I'll keep you posted and post a pic when I get back.

lisettemac

Why, "Dallas casual," of course! LOL. When I was a summer associate at a big law firm in Dallas (lo these many years ago) that was the standard dress code for all social events. I found that it meant a sort of "country club" kind of look -- Lily Pulitzer, cute miniskirts w/ a cardigan tied around your neck, linen shorts, etc. I would go with that over the faux Western look for the same reason Seamus mentioned -- they can tell a Yankee trying to "pass" from a mile away!!

Diana

You're welcome Sunny!

When I got home last night after work, I had my Rod's Western Palace catalog in the mail - love their stuff!

They had some REALLY cute tops, and so I thought I would also give you a link to their website.

http://www.rods.com/dg/273,5_Ladies-...n-Blouses.html

Just for fun, here is a link to the bling bling belts I was talking about. (They are all the rage right now for we horsepeople. )

http://www.rods.com/dg/329,253_Ladie...one-Belts.html

GoTravel

I don't think I'd wear Timberland boots. Probably something a little dressier.

To a woman from Texas, jeans and a tee shirt means Seven jeans and a Michael Stars or Kitson tee.

Diana

"To a woman from Texas, jeans and a tee shirt means Seven jeans and a Michael Stars or Kitson tee."

Uh, no. I spend a LOT of time in Texas and OKC, and at the type of function the OP is describing.

CristinaB and Seamus got it right...

GoTravel

Let me say then in particular events I've been to in Dallas.

Diana

GoT,

I'm sure that if you wore Sevens and a MS tee to the Houson BBQ cookoff, no one would say anything to you.

sunny16

Diana, thanks again for the links! They are giving me a good idea of what would be appropriate. It looks to me like I could get away with a nice white oxford shirt, no? (And plan to ruin it the first time I get BBQ sauce on myself, LOL!) And thanks for the belt link...those are too cool!

GoTravel, thanks for the help. The Seven jeans look great, but I will probably pass on them for now...

Kansan

Sunny16, do you like skirts? A country skirt with your boots could be a fun outfit. Then add a cute belt and a simple top to accent your turquoise jewelry.

OO

I agree with GoT on the Timberlands...unless you mean something other than what I'm picturing. You don't need cowboy boots, but I'm sure you have some nice boots you wear with jeans in the city. Think sort of citified-country...if you can imagine that.

Maybe I spent too many years in Dallas, but the women really can dress, even for functions like this. Great jeans and a nice top, feminine, citified country again. A little glitzy. I'm not so keen on oxford for gals for an evening affair.

My husband has the greatest shirt for functions like these, but it'll go anywhere, not just Texas. It's made by Stubbs and has wonderful metal buttons on a strip. He's had his for ages, but I just found a link for them so they are still available: http://tinyurl.com/ytzbky It looks great with jeans.

cristinab

sunny16,

I hope you are keeping warm in NYC. We just got back and it was 9 degrees (windchill even worse) when we left this morning! I have never been in weather so cold and windy except for maybe at the peak of a mountain in colorado and then with more gear on! Despite the temperature we had a great time in your city! Just out of curiosity, what did you decide to go with for the chili cookoff?

maryanntex

http://www.rodeohouston.com/et/bbqc/bbqc_index.aspx
You might want to check out the rodeo website. Since there were 146,000 people at the BBQ Cookoff last year, it probably doesn't make much difference what you wear. Also, there are tons of vendors at Reliant Arena selling every kind of Western wear imaginable, so you could wait and buy something there if you're so inclined.

sunny16

You guys are being so helpful!

Kansan: Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not really a skirt person, and I'd really feel awkward in a country skirt.

OO, my Timberlands probably aren't what you're thinking; they're not the kind of boot you'd wear to go work in the woods. They are pull-on boots with an elastic gussett on either side. I think they'll work fine.

Maryanntex, thanks for the link! That is a big help. I'm sure you're right and no one will care what I'm wearing anyway.

I'm still thinking along the lines of some sort of button-down shirt, either from one of the links Diana sent me or something similar.

Cristinab, I'm glad you had a good time here even though you got here just in time for our first big chill of the year! I have gotten a little sidetracked from shopping for the Houston trip because I've been shopping for more cold-weather gear. I just hope I won't need it in Houson!

cristinab

Well, you shouldn't need the kind of cold weather gear you are looking for in NYC right now. However, as any Houstonian will tell you, most years it ends up being cold (40-50 degrees) and rainy for the start of rodeo! I always feel sorry for all of the trail riders who have to ride in that weather for days!

islandwed

Hi!

I actually don't have any suggestions on your most recent posting - so sorry! But I found your posting from last year regarding your wedding in St. Croix at the Buccaneer. My fiance and I torn between getting married in the US Virgin Island vs the BVI. How was your wedding at the Buccaneer? How many guests did you have? We'll have about 30 people.
Thanks for your help!
Oh -we are planning a November wedding.
Thanks!
Melinda

sunny16

Sorry, that wasn't me. But congratulations and best of luck on your wedding!

beachbum

My first thought; a bib!

sunny16

The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to stick with what I know and am comfortable with. So what do you guys think of this top from LL Bean?
http://tinyurl.com/ynnhhn

I know it's a Northeast brand, but I think this top might work, provided the weather holds up.

maryanntex

I'm not sure that top will be warm enough. Many years it has been unbelievably cold at Rodeo time. Sometimes, a leather jacket is all you need, but I also have memories of one year wearing a long wool coat and gloves and a hat. Of course, it could be 80 degrees, too. One never knows.