Jeanne,

I think this is an infinitive phrase as adjective,
modifier of "house."  Compare a simpler version:

 It was an odd house in which to live.

"Which" refers to "house," of course, and is a
relative pronoun, object of "in." We could also just
say, " It was an odd house to live in." You can usually delete
the relative pronoun unless it is serving as a
subject.

Another interesting feature of your sentence is the
back-to-back infinitives, "to want to wear." We also
see that combination in "to try to do" and "to ask to
see," where the second infinitive is the object of the
first.

Don Stewart
writeforcollege.com
Keeper of the memory and method of Francis Christensen

*****

Jeanne Rodgers wrote:
> Can someone help me determine the function of the infinitive phrase in this sentence about Las Vegas from Joan Didion's book Slouching Towards Bethlehem?
>
> All of which makes it an extraordinarily stimulating and interesting place, but an odd one in which to want to wear a candlelight satin Priscilla of Boston wedding dress with Chantilly lace insets, tapered sleeves and a detachable modified train.
>
> Jeanne Rodgers
>
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