<p>I think there can be a tendency to keep clothes that are just “okay” or “good enough” when we buy online. In a store, we can try multiple items at the same time and compare. The evaluation that goes on in the dressing room cannot be compared to trying one item at home - it is, indeed, an evolutionary process. </p>
<p>I’m suggesting that WNP go to a shopping hub - not the local mall - and try on 20 or 30 dresses to find the perfect one. Did I hear that you’re not too far from K of P?</p>
<p>(Man, it is 62 degrees in here, my hands are frozen stiff, and I keep making more typos than I typically do!).
I tend to do just the opposite - I end up buying more than I need in the stores and keeping what I bought (“oh, I can always use two little black dresses, can’t I?”). I do not have this problem with online shopping/returns: if it is ugly or does not fit, off to the UPS store it goes! But if you bring a shopping buddy along, make stops for coffee, food, etc. and treat it as a fun outing instead of turning shopping into mall blitzkrieg, shopping is a lot of fun!</p>
<p>On-line shopping has changed my life, at 5’10" and plus sized shopping at stores tends to be fruitless at best. </p>
<p>I shared in another thread that for my son’s upcoming graduation I am wearing a maxi dress. I tend to forget about that option but there really are a lot of good choices out there at this time. A lot of Maxi dresses have the bonus of being easy to dress up or down.</p>
<p>I’m wearing one I bought last year and bringing a good cardigan (the graduation will be indoors and air conditioned…heaven here in south Texas!) that matches the yellow perfectly. Gold jewelry, brown sandles, a nice husband who will carry my lipstick and hankie and I’m all set!</p>
<p>Here is my dress, <a href=“http://www.more.com/images/photo/image/24/42/photo/2442/original/06-maxi-dress.jpg[/url]”>http://www.more.com/images/photo/image/24/42/photo/2442/original/06-maxi-dress.jpg</a></p>
<p>Oh, and I completely agree about making friends with a good tailor. I would cry if mine moved!</p>
<p>Okay, as usual our GourmetMom is our star - the “confusing”, ugly and very expensive dress is just . . . oh, my . . . my third and loudest belly laugh of the day.</p>
<p>Someone please start our thread for the really reprehensible fashion mistakes out there!</p>
<p>That Armani dress looks like a demented skater’s costume!</p>
<p>When I started this thread last year I was just beginning to think about my dress as SMOB. I didn’t know if the MOB was wearing long or short (long) and I was just gathering ideas. I am now beginning in earnest. I am planning a trip to a major mall in March when younger D is home for spring break. </p>
<p>My question of the day - is silver off limits? I saw a David Meister dress that I know would fit me perfectly. I have something similar in black and it is one of my two favorite dresses. </p>
<p>[David</a> Meister - Sequin Cutout-Back Gown - Neiman Marcus](<a href=“http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod122060065&parentId=cat35350732&masterId=cat9360733&index=11&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat17740747cat000131cat9360733cat35350732]David”>http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod122060065&parentId=cat35350732&masterId=cat9360733&index=11&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat17740747cat000131cat9360733cat35350732)</p>
<p>WNP…nothing wrong with the color silver. I am also looking for silver options for D1’s August wedding. The BMs are in tangerine but the men will be in silver tuxes. I don’t want too much “bling” though so I don’t stand out in pictures and take away from D1’s day.</p>
<p>Ooohh, lovely, lovely gown. My only concern is the one that NMinn already raised - the dress being too “blingy” in pictures and taking attention away from the bride. Does it come in any other fabric?</p>
<p>^I think I’d just ask the bride in this case. I like the dress. I don’t think it’s too blingy but then my mother-in-law wore bubble-gum pink.</p>
<p>D’s dress is just absolutely exquisite and I don’t think it would in any way take away from her gown. I want to see the dress IRL to see if it is too blingy. </p>
<p>The David Meister dress I have in black has small crushed sequins and actually they are very subtle. That’s sort of what I was hoping this would look like IRL. </p>
<p>D’s colors are purple and I thought purple shoes would be fun!</p>
<p>Anyway - lots of time (well not really) and I will keep scouting things out until March.</p>
<p>oooh, update. Email from D:</p>
<p>“That’s beautiful! I’ve heard he makes great clothes. Go for it!”</p>
<p>That silver dress is beautiful.</p>
<p>Awesome! You’ve got her seal of approval. Go for it, wnp! I think silver would look great with purple. There should some great options for purple shoes in the stores right now.</p>
<p>Thanks - I will have to see it IRL before I decide. It may look too slinky or the color may look gruesome on me. </p>
<p>But do I have a great D (hate to call her my step-daughter because it compromises our relationship) or what? She is truly a gem.</p>
<p>Go for it WNP!! It will look lovely with purple! :)</p>
<p>wnp, I recommend ordering the dress now and returning it if you do not like it. Things can sell out, and in my experience, NM brick and mortar stores have a totally different set of merchandise. NM gives you 60 days to return a full-price item ordered from the website, and you can bring your return to a NM store (I do it all the time to avoid paying return shipping costs).</p>
<p>OH, I know you are right - but see Gourmetmom’s advice? I am the person who doesn’t return. Although this purchase is way too expensive and frivolous to buy and not use!</p>
<p>By the way - off topic sorta - thanks everyone. Like many on CC my life has been consumed with aging parents. Right now, just for today, both folks are doing okay. I have been writing reports, wasting time, online browsing, and talking with my gal pals on CC. I needed this break. You are all terrific.</p>
<p>Love the dress, WnP2. And if you order the dress and it is not right, I will be happy to nag, urge, or otherwise support you w/r to returning it.</p>
<p>So glad the folks are OK, even if just for today.</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>mafool</p>
<p>Lol, mafool. I will join the nagging choir if needed. </p>
<p>Wnp, I’m very glad that you got a little break today.</p>
<p>Yes, I was going to offer to return it for her until I realized it would be just the same from her end!</p>
<p>Silver is completely ‘on-trend’ this year…even your guy Tadashi is doing it!</p>
<p>[Tadashi</a> AA090570L Dress - NewYorkDress.com](<a href=“http://www.newyorkdress.com/Tadashi/AA090570L.html]Tadashi”>http://www.newyorkdress.com/Tadashi/AA090570L.html)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go matchy-matchy with the shoes and bag…too bridal. Maybe hot pink?</p>
![http://www.more.com/images/photo/image/24/42/photo/2442/original/06-maxi-dress.jpg[/url]](http://www.more.com/images/photo/image/24/42/photo/2442/original/06-maxi-dress.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
