Dear Laia,

Okay, I'm really excited about this concert. I'm a little stuck because I loooove Dolly Parton and I also looooove dressing up for things. However, a pink rhinestone square-dance dress with cowboy boots feels a little bit like wearing the t-shirt of the band you are going to see (a total fashion no-no I've heard). 

My personal style--while influenced by Dolly to be sure-- is also fairly influenced by Charlie Chaplin, old foreign ladies, young children, and, um, actual fashion. I like to describe it as hipster-adjacent-thriftstore-fabulous. The only thing I won't wear is high heels.

So, what do I wear that says "While I adore Dolly Parton sincerely, my embrace of the country lifestyle is not without irony"? Also, this concert is in Los Angeles, not Tennessee.

Thank you ever so much,

A

Thank you for writing in A, and how fun that you're going to see Dolly! I am not generally in the camp that dresses up for special events–mostly because I'm too lazy–although I did dress up as Posh Spice to see the Spice Girls a couple years ago. I mean I was wearing my regular clothes that I wore all the time so I don't know if that counts, but anyways, the point is that it can be really fun and that you don't need to look like Dolly Part 2-Electric Bogaloo to be in the spirit of "dressing up for the occasion."

If you're not down for a whole costume change, why not incorporate some of the details that make Dolly so Dolly? You mentioned sequins, so I'm going to run with it. 

Disclaimer: Thrifting for a funky sequined top would probably be the best/coolest alternative for you. However, since there are no online thrift stores (other than eBay!), I will illustrate my point with items you can buy at the store.

So yeah! Sequin tops are fun, easy-to-find and honestly? You'll probably wear it again on another night you are in a funny party mood. You could pair them with your favorite jeans or if you want to be more authentic, a skirt, although it doesn't have to be a crazy tight or crazy A-line skirt. Remember we are going for THE ESSENCE and not an actual replica!

Sequin shorts would also be a really fun option and given the fact that they have been sort of trendy lately, they are easy to find and you won't really look like you're wearing a costume. I would pair these with your favorite shirt, and if you want to add another subtle nod to Dolly, maybe pairing them with a sort of classic cowboy button-down shirt could be a cool idea? I'm all about wearing opposites, so if you're wearing sequin shorts, pairing them with an item at the opposite end of the spectrum will surely be a winner. 

Fun, right? So think Sequins! Or maybe Fringe! And have a blast with Dolly!

Have a fashion conundrum? Let me at it! Send me all your queries to laia@janepratt.com.