I am going to the ballet this evening and my dilemma relates to the weather. Even though it is mid-May, it is unseasonably cold. The high today is 10C or 50F and it will cool off by evening.
I have two options as far as I see it. I have a tailored black wool Ann Taylor dress that has sleeves just past the elbow, a scoop neck and a velvet bow about 2" wide that is across the front just below the bust. Simple and appropriate and I could wear it with a pair of d'orsay pumps (big peep toe) in deep teal with black heels, edging and bow on toe with sheer black hose. If I wear this, I will likely wear a deep rose faux pearl bracelet and slightly chunky purple glass earings with metallic flecks.
The other option is to dress for the season rather than the weather and wear a cocktail dress, bare legs, and sandals. I have quite a few dresses but the three I will likely choose from are a deep red silk chiffon maggy london with sweatheart neckline, a wedgewood blue grecian style maggy london also in chiffon with charmeuse waist, or a black chiffon v front and back with subtle beading on the empire waist.
What would you suggest? Dress for the weather or the season? This time of year is so difficult in our climate.
I like to dress warm but your outfit sounds like it looks wintery by the colors. I've learned to be crafty at dressing warm this year. I love my spring colors so I will wear tights or long leggings under dresses and skirts, and always a sweater/cardigan/hoodie over anything so I'm totally covered.
I hate being cold, but I agree that your warmer outfit sounds fairly wintery in terms of the colors and materials (velvet). So I voted to "dress for the season" rather than the weather -- but only if you have a good trench coat/wrap/cardigan that you can put on to help stay warm.