My newly launched daughter needs a fancy dress for her company holiday party (semi-formal - they suggest a cocktail dress). She hasn’t bought or needed a fancy dress since her high school senior prom. Don’t want to spend a lot (so no high end designer dress), as she won’t have other occasions to wear it (if she stays at this job, there will be next year’s holiday party but she wouldn’t want to repeat the same outfit?)
Looking for suggestions on where to shop and what might be appropriate. Must be able to try it on (don’t know what will fit her as she never wears dresses). She doesn’t really like to wear black - prefers colors (prom dress was bright red!)
Rent the Runway sounds perfect for this. I haven’t used it, but if I were going to, I would note the brands of the dresses they carry, and go to a department store and try on tons of dresses in those brands to get a sense of the fit.
Honestly, I’d go with a little black cocktail dress and jazz it up with some good costume jewelry. Next year she can wear it with a sparkly shrug or some cool shoes if she needs to reuse it.
An LBD is one of those items that you really need to have in your wardrobe, because you never know when you need to pull it out, but it’s always appropriate.
As to where? It depends on her style and her shape, a lot. White House, Black Market has a lot of good ones, as does Banana Republic. Personally I like BCBG Max Azria.
Another vote for a classic, simple LBD. If she wears it next year, no one will notice that it is “the same dress.” A LBD is a perfect canvas for jazzing the look up with jewelry and shoes.
My daughter uses Rent the Runway all the time and gets stunning dresses for special occasions- even to go to the symphony! She said the reviews of the dresses are really good about helping with sizing. If it is really something you don’t think you will use much if you purchase, Rent the Runway is perfect! She loves their accessories, too.
I second H&M for a fun cocktail dress that won’t cost a lot. If it was my D I would heavily advise getting a little black dress for longevity. It will always come in handy. Try to get one she can pack if she ever travels. It can be used for dress up with tights or something if she travels. She might get one that is not so dressy and add fun jewelry and shoes. That way the dress can be used more casually
If the daughter doesn’t want to wear black, she can get a dress in navy or a jewel tone that looks good on her - just stay away from Christmassy colors. And no beading, to keep it versatile.
I agree that a nice cocktail dress is necessary for a young woman, so it’s best to buy, not rent or borrow, from any of the stores previous posters listed.
As for repeating an outfit at the next year’s party… I usually admire my coworkers’ dresses at these events, but if you ask me a week later what they wore, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. If one is concerned about pictures… no one will look at last year’s pictures, but if they do - they will be club-style and taken in a dark(ish) room, in a crowd.
I have several friends whose D’s use Rent the Runway. If you’re in Chicago, there’s even a brick and mortar store where you can try things on, but the reviews, with photos, are very helpful otherwise. Because you can get two sizes at a time and choose one, you’re not hosed if your choice doesn’t fit. They have all types from long gowns to tea-length etc. D decided not to use them because her bust is so hard to fit, but her friend looked like she’d stepped off the runway for prom in one of the rentals.
I vote Ross–that’s where my D likes to shop, as she can get great things at reasonable prices. Macy’s online has a larger selection than in store around here. She can get several sizes and styles and return what she doesn’t like/fit. I agree that a solid color dress like navy that is classic will serve well and doesn’t have to be black, :since she’s not a fan. Dark colors are dressier than lighter–with accessories, it should be fine.