<p>Kajon, I am seriously considering the third one on your list. in that teal they show. You can also order a matching wrap. What a great site!</p>
<p>OTOH, and you all can laugh (or cry), but I just went up to my closet to see if there’s any dress from ancient times just to see what sizes look on me now, and found a gorgeous evening dress I had to buy for the one dressy thing H and I went to a bunch of years ago. It’s ankle length, chiffony dark blue with subtle blue/gold flowers (but mostly dark), sleeveless, medium-high across neck, but very low back (one of my few “assets”–i have great shoulder blades, LOL), and still fits. Only wintry thing is a ribbon of velvet below bust–too out of season? And would it be huge faux pas to wear an old dress? (Okay, seriously, that’s now my emergency backup plan only…dont’ worry. )</p>
<p>If you have a dress that you love, and it suits the occasion…by all means wear it! It would be one thing of this were your MOTB dress for another wedding, but that is not the case. No matter what the event, I go shopping in my closet before I hit the stores!</p>
<p>Garland, you beat me to starting this thread! </p>
<p>I like the CC dress – it is in my DIL’s color scheme. May consider it for the rehearsal, if I can get the right size. Also like the portrait collar dress and the color is right. I do insist on wearing a regular bra for this stuff, and since we will be contra dancing, I am looking at knee or tea length with some swing in the skirt. I’m an apple with skinny legs and not much chest after all this weight loss. I’m currently a 16-18, depending on the cut, but if I maintain my current pace, perhaps a 14-16 by the beginning of August (which is as small as I will even go, since I am tall and sturdily built) Fit and flare works on me, esp if it skims my waist. </p>
<p>I got an Adriana Papell dress last summer for $50 at L&T which I love, but it’s a 20 and swims on me. With all the pleats and tucks, I’m not sure it is worth altering, and the armholes are may too large by now.</p>
<p>One word about offshore dress sites – check the reviews. I have read a lot of horror stories about quality and fit, and difficulty with returns. I’ve found a lot of stuff I like there, but the reviews scare me off.</p>
<p>I sew, and if I can find a pattern that sings to me, I may go that route.</p>
<p>I’ve seen several nice dresses in the Talbots catalog and in person at Ann Taylor this season. A trip to the Short Hills Mall would probably be productive - both stores, plus Nordstroms, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and Saks and you will likely find something that will work. Close to you in NJ, there are Coldwater Creek stores in Westfield & Clifton if you want to try on your first dress idea.</p>
<p>I looked up the Ann Taylor link and the first review was a someone complaining that she ordered a size 00 and it was too big. Seriously???</p>
<p>Garland - I looked up the store availablity for your CC dress and it is not avail within 150 miles of Westfield. Most likely not an in store item. But def call before you go in case someone returned one.</p>
<p>Before I forget. Make sure those online wedding shops accept returns.</p>
<p>Garland – if you haven’t done this already, I think your first step should be to go to a Nordstrom or other department store with a wide selection and start trying on dressses in all shapes. You can work with a personal shopper at the store. Try on dresses that you dont think will work-- say, dresses that go to mid-knee instead of longer. focus on the overall sillhouette instead of just the parts of your body you dont like. Accept that you might need alterations on the top to get a bottom half that fits. You may be surprised to see that shapes you are covinced won’t work actually might turn out to be the most flattering.</p>
<p>garland, congratulations! What a sweet problem to have.</p>
<p>If you are smaller at the top than at the hips, them a dress with fuller skirt might work best without alterations. Fitted dresses most likely will need to be altered. Something along this line:</p>
<p>The good news is that the stores are going to stock up on dresses for the upcoming Easter and the prom season, so you might have some luck at a brick and mortar place.</p>
<p>You can also try Zappos - they ship clothes overnight at no extra charge (free!) and take them back without charging you for shipping.</p>
<p>electronblue, thanks to the CC ads, they sold me a dress and a pair of the most hideous tights that are perfect for running on a local trail.</p>
<p>If the wedding is on a beach and the setting is casual and the OP likes prints, Lilly Pulitzer, Trina Turk, Tommy Bahama, Kate Spade are the few brands I’d look at.</p>
<p>I don’t know if it’s the case anymore, but it seems like in the past, when making a suit purchase men expected there would be alterations. This was the norm, the way it’s done. Women on the other hand, have more of a tendency to feel bad, like, oh, that’s an extra. Pamper yourself. It’s a wedding. :)</p>
<p>Count me as another MOB this spring who is appreciating this thread. This is our first wedding, and it’s informal, shabby chic, outside sort of thing (guys in khaki’s, girls in a variety of short vintagey sundresses.) The couple is adamant about sticking to a $10000 budget with 100 guests. Taco truck caterer. Croquet and bean bag toss. Activity placemats. I know nothing about this kind of wedding, having had a traditional church with cake and punch reception back in the dark ages.</p>
<p>So, in addition to being the MOB I’m also the officiant (I’m a clergy woman). In our tradition we don’t wear vestments or robes, so I’m trying to figure out what will work. When I’ve shown D dresses with jackets her comment is “too business-y” Ack. Oh, and I feel obligated not to spend more than she did on her dress ($350).</p>
<p>Loving looking at all your suggestions for garland. Maybe something flowy with a light cardigan would fulfill my need to look official and Ds not to be to formal. . .</p>
<p>M3G - Gap & Loft have some casual and colorful blazers this spring that might work over a floral dress for the ceremony and you can take it off for the reception. </p>
<p>[Shop</a> for women’s outerwear, like coats, jackets, and blazers. | Gap](<a href=“Gap”>Gap)</p>
<p>M3girls–one of the weddings my D is going to this summr is using a taco truck caterer! Is that a weird coincidence, or is this a thing I never heard of before?</p>
<p>We had set a 10K, 100 guest budget. The guests is a hard cap with the venue, but i’m afraid our caterer has teetered us over the 10K level. Luckily, we only have 1 girl! :)</p>
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What a sweet problem to have.</p>