how to ... dress up for the office picnic

Our office is shutting down at 1PM this Friday to have a picnic at Central Park. This has had me thinking for days about what I should wear. I've never been at a picnic in Central Park in much more than a bikini and shorts, so I can't imagine surviving an afternoon there swathed in lots of fabric. At the same time, these are people I work with so I'd die if I end up dressed less than appropriately. So I've decided that the way to go is a sundress of modest length (in case we decided to get on the rowboat) and minimal straps like the one below. It's pretty, summery and made of jersey so I won't have to worry about wrinkles.

Dress at Anthropologie, Cardigan by J. Crew, Cuff at Anthropologie, Necklace by Club Monaco, Sandals by J. Crew, Bag by Tory Burch at Bloomingdales
Central Park Boathouse image at Flickr

The cardigan would really be more for the office in the morning and will be stowed in my tote during the picnic. T-strap sandals would be sensible footwear, but in metallic leather they wouldn't be too casual for work. And then a little bling here and there to jazz the outfit up (though the jewelry will likely be discarded in the heat later on). I think it works. Now to re-create the outfit with items from my own closet ...