Silver would look great with black! I think the new look (from what I have seen on fashion shows) is to "pop" the accessories. So with black you would want a different color like silver, or gold, or maybe red (grin, I just bought a pair of red patent leather peep toe pumps to go with my little black dress). I bet you'll look wonderful! In case you are wondering, according to what I have heard it is no longer a no-no to mix metals, so if you want to wear gold jewelry with the silver shoes and bag you would be right in fashion.

I guess I have a different take on this than the other posters. I think that the MOB sets the formality of dress, and maybe length, but the MOG has the freedom to buy something that she likes and looks good in. If the OP looks best in pastels, I think she should get a pastel dress. She isn't part of the wedding party and doesn't need to match them. Perhaps she shouldn't clash with them, but that's about it. Since saris leave a portion of the midriff and back exposed, I'd not recommend the OP wear one unless she feels comfortable with that. And I don't think there is any need to wear a sari or a dress made from a sari, either. The sari is part of the bride's family's culture. There is no reason the groom's mother can't wear something reflective of her own culture. If the OP wants to wear a sari, fine. If she wants to wear a dress she is comfortable in, also fine. I'm concerned that making a sari into a dress could be difficult. I did once and it was tricky finding a pattern that would work with the fabric, as lindac mentions. I just quickly grabbed three dresses that would fit the bill for the time and place of the wedding (the first one would have to be shortened). Just as ideas. http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Products/ProductATB.aspx?productid=44607&ensembleid=50771 http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Products/ProductATB.aspx?productid=45857&ensembleid=52017# http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Products/ProductATB.aspx?productid=44603&ensembleid=50783

This is a useful dress. They're showing it rather 'dressed down' except for the strap shoes. IMO it needs some help to qualify as 'cocktail attire'. (Open shoes for sure. A tiny, dressy purse. Crystal or diamond jewelty for sparkle. Possibly a little cocktail hat or other bit of flash in your hair?) The dress is nicely low key for an *office* party. You probably don't want to be 'memorable'! LOL The invitation is encouraging dark suits and dresses -- and discouraging jeans and bland work attire. Will you please report back about the party? Tell us what everyone else was wearing. (This could be interesting!)

The Quince top and the Eileen Fisher top both just arrived. Quince: Nice fabric. Not a handkerchief weight linen but not heavy either. However, the fit is extremely odd. The armholes are HUGE and the body is skinny. It is like the armholes were cut for someone extremely obese whose midriff is model thin. Literally half of the side of my bra cup was visible and I couldn’t get it pulled over my hips. SMH. Eileen Fisher: Loved it BUT…when will I learn to order down a size in EF clothing?!?! The armholes are big, but not as big as the Quince top. The body is a little wide too. Unfortunately, since it was from EF Renew, there isn’t much choice in sizes. I like it enough to consider having it altered to fit. Oh, and the lavender top from Talbots with the interesting neckline also arrived. After having it go out of stock and then be re-stocked, I was skeptical that I would ever receive it. I did and it fits great and looks great! Thanks again, @Funkyart.