My daughter Tatiana got married in Ascoli Piceno with over 100 well dressed Italian men and women in attendance.  How to dress as the prospective suocera (“mother-in-law” in Italian) with suitable chicness was easily accomplished right in my own neighborhood. 

First stop: Donna Lewis  at 309 Cameron Street (703 548 2452)for a serious investment in clothing that I could wear to the wedding festivities and the rest of my life.  Chris Lewis primarily uses Belvest in Italy to do suits and dresses.  We went through books of swatches of beautiful fabrics and chose a deep blue herringbone linen and a black and gray seersucker.  He had both a shell dress and slacks made to go with two classic jackets. Plus one yellow sleeveless shirt in linen and a fancier black silk one..  At the last minute, Chris decided to have his dressmaker fashion a backup black dress, fitted In the style of Sophia Loren (sort of like Dave Barry’s backup dog but much more sexy and stylish).   I wore these constantly throughout the two week trip. 

Next stop:  The Shoe Hive.  I was so worried about losing luggage that I picked up a dandy gray and black canvas and leather bag by Sequoia at Shoe Hive, in which I stuffed some wedding clothes, just in case… Once I had the outfits squared away,  the rest of me needed to be fitted at The Full Cup.  After my uplifting experience, those too got packed in my anxiety bag.

Having been told by the sister of the bride that she did not want to see her mother running down the hotel in bare feet and tee shirt at night, I picked up at The Shoe Hive a cool night shirt and Patricia Green  slippers along with the best panty hose I have ever owned (they never once had runs). 

Earlier at The Shoe Hive,  I had gotten some cool dark gray wedges which also went into my anxiety bag.  Then I went to Hysteria next door, and picked up a blue patent leather clutch for the Big Day.  All the better to be prepared to sit down in a café for an aperitivo after all the stress.   Finally, a quick trip to Bellacara for a Bliss and Frederic Fekkai  fix, plus some cool  Sue Devitt make up including some very racy eye shadow. 

I didn’t lose my luggage, didn’t need  to shop in the duty-free store at the Charles DeGaulle Holding Tank, the wedding day was  gorgeous, and the mother-of-the-bride was molta chic!