<p>I have to tone down my eating for the next few weeks so that I can wear the beautiful Rene Lezard dress that I already bought for my D’s graduation. It’s fitted at the waist and I’ll feel terrible if it’s too tight.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t know about you Gourmetmom, but sometimes out of the blue, I will eat something and the waist just disappears! Recently, we were going to a lovely fundraising event - I am within two or three pounds of my target weight -so I wasn’t worried. I knew what I was going to wear and I thought things were fine. I even tried on outfit that MORNING and it looked great. I am not sure what happened, but somewhere between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., something didn’t agree with me and that old tummy was just poppin’ out! Change of slacks, change of blouse. I really don’t eat much dairy and I had some greek yogurt that day and a little cheese that day. Who knows. The next day things were fine. </p>
<p>Getting older is NOT easy.</p>
<p>I think hormones play a big role in those unfair weight fluctuations. Hormones and carbs.</p>
<p>Lafalum84, I have one of those girls at home, too. She’s 5’8" and a size 2. The thing is, I NEVER looked like that. She is telling me to start wearing dresses, which made me think of my buddies on this thread and the quest for the right dress.</p>
<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>In my quest for a Mother of the Bride dress went to Nordstrom’s – and they had nothing! One Tadashi dress, and that was it. Tried Macy’s – nothing. I’m really not exaggerating. So little choice of classic, nice dresses. Any tips on where to look next?</p>
<p>It is difficult to give you advice without knowing your figure or budget, but here are a few ideas: </p>
<p>[JASON</a> WU<em>-</em>Beaded Envelope Dress<em>-</em>Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod49810048&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=89&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838]JASON”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod49810048&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=89&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838)</p>
<p>[Carmen</a> Marc Valvo<em>-</em>Brocade Dress<em>-</em>Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod52230127&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=94&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838]Carmen”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod52230127&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=94&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838)</p>
<p>[Carmen</a> Marc Valvo<em>-</em>Metallic Tweed Jacket & Dress<em>-</em>Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod52250022&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=100&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838]Carmen”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod52250022&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=100&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838)</p>
<p>[Calvin</a> Klein Collection<em>-</em>Sheer Off-The-Shoulder Dress<em>-</em>Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod48440001&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=151&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838]Calvin”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod48440001&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=151&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838)</p>
<p>[Lela</a> Rose<em>-</em>Twisted-Strap Dress<em>-</em>Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod48980056&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=152&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838]Lela”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod48980056&parentId=cat276838&masterId=cat262003&index=152&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat80001cat262003cat276838)</p>
<p>zetesis- my friend ordered dresses from Nordstrom online. ordered anything that looked interesting. Returned the rejects right away. She reordered every few weeks as new merchandise became available. One month before the wedding she had narrowed it down to 2 dresses.</p>
<p>GMom - oooh, I love that brocade dress! Unfortunately - only in a sixteen :(</p>
<p>older DD’s wedding isn’t until next summer - but if I see something I am buying now.</p>
<p>Some of your suggestions are out of my price range - but they are fun to see.</p>
<p>Budget $500 ( I would go higher, but that is my target, Jason Wu is clearly out of the question)</p>
<p>Size 6 (sometimes 4) Long arms, legs.</p>
<p>Want something sleeveless - shoulders are in good shape.</p>
<p>Oh, bridesmaids are wearing purple. DD is miss easygoing. They are wearing short dresses, they may choose their own, she gave some samples for them to consider.</p>
<p>Nordstrom online is the way to go! If you take your returns back to a Nordstrom store, your refund is issued on the spot. Other stores, like NM, have to ship things returned to their stores back to their warehouse (which takes up to 2 weeks!), and only then you get you refund. And Nordstrom sales people are the most helpful sales people in my shoppig experience.</p>
<p>I noticed that there were almost no dresses in the stores! It is prom season here in WA - where are the dresses? I feel sorry for the last minute shoppers who need a special occasion dress!</p>
<p>The links are just ideas. I would really hesitate to order online. If the bridesmaids are wearing purple, then gray, silver or pewter would look great on you. Not too matchy or pastel, yet sophisticated. </p>
<p>Carmen Marc Valvo is a well priced/quality line that would have lots of options. The fit is also really appropriate for a “mature,” yet toned body. Neiman Marcus carries a good selection.</p>
<p>wnp - Bluefly has it:</p>
<p>[Carmen</a> Marc Valvo metallic pink brocade jeweled dress at Bluefly](<a href=“http://www.bluefly.com/Carmen-Marc-Valvo-metallic-pink-brocade-jeweled-dress/cat60019/307961501/detail.fly]Carmen”>http://www.bluefly.com/Carmen-Marc-Valvo-metallic-pink-brocade-jeweled-dress/cat60019/307961501/detail.fly)</p>
<p>and many other Carmen Marc Valvo dresses as well:</p>
<p>[Carmen</a> Marc Valvo Dresses at Bluefly](<a href=“http://www.bluefly.com/Carmen-Marc-Valvo-Dresses/_/N-1z13z3lZ1ab7/list.fly]Carmen”>http://www.bluefly.com/Carmen-Marc-Valvo-Dresses/_/N-1z13z3lZ1ab7/list.fly)</p>
<p>And here is the selection on the designer’s website:</p>
<p>[CarmenMarcValvo</a> - Women](<a href=“http://shop.carmenmarcvalvo.com/catalog/list.aspx?CCode=5001^Women]CarmenMarcValvo”>http://shop.carmenmarcvalvo.com/catalog/list.aspx?CCode=5001^Women)</p>
<p>And here is the Shopstyle:</p>
<p>[Carmen</a> Marc Valvo | Shop for Carmen Marc Valvo Dresses at ShopStyle](<a href=“Women's Dresses | Shop The Largest Collection | ShopStyle”>Carmen Marc Valvo Women's Dresses | ShopStyle)</p>
<p>Our town is pretty much limited to Nordstrom or David’s Bridal - I looked online at Nordstrom’s selection, ordered the dress I liked in two different sizes, had them sent to the store, picked the one that fit, and they took the other back on the spot. Had them hem it instore - picked it up a week later. </p>
<p>Color on the website was true and it’s been easy. If you order and don’t like any of them, they’ll return them for you.</p>
<p>Six more weeks!</p>
<p>See, I agree with you about the colors. The problem is that generally those colors are terrible for me - fair, some freckles. I usually look so washed out. And I can’t wear my usual black. That’s why I thought that pink was interesting - for a pastel, it was very sophisticated. Oh, well. I have time. </p>
<p>I also like David Meister. I have one of his gowns that fits perfectly - and I have a Tadashi dress that younger DD refers to as my “soap opera mommy” dress. </p>
<p>Darn - I hate that mature thing.</p>
<p>This would be my choice - but I am not sure I want to go with the one shoulder look for MOB (actually SMOB - so I really don’t want to be outlandish).</p>
<p>[David</a> Meister One-Shoulder Metallic Dress - Categories - Bloomingdales.com](<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=467285&CategoryID=18545&LinkType=PDPZ1]David”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=467285&CategoryID=18545&LinkType=PDPZ1)</p>
<p>There does seem to be much more on line. Maybe that’s the way I need to go…</p>
<p>Gourmetmom - that Calvin gray gauzy number is exquisite, I actually think maybe worth $1,495. Just gorgeous. But the MOB might upstage the bride.</p>
<p>A one-shoulder dress may look too racy for a MOB. You don’t want to get the guests “talking” about you.</p>
<p>That’s EXACTLY what I was thinking. Isn’t it funny, I could probably wear a STRAPLESS dress with a shawl and it wouldn’t look as provocative. </p>
<p>Anyway - as the title of the thread suggests, we are looking to dress young, not scandalous! :0</p>
<p>What is this thread doing to me??? I just love this questing after dresses on the net.</p>
<p>Two that I just came across on Nordstrom - one is a swirly red, the other the perfect Betty dress from Madmen. I want both!</p>
<p>[Teri</a> Jon Belted Silk Shantung Shirtdress - Day Dresses - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3078811/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=29]Teri”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3078811/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=29)</p>
<p>[Lauren</a> by Ralph Lauren Faux Wrap Matte Jersey Dress - Day Dresses - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3082771/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=33]Lauren”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3082771/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=33)</p>
<p>Oh dear. I love that Terri Jon dress. So Audrey, so Mad Men. Such a pretty color. Hmmm. If only I could think of a reason I need it.</p>
<p>Ventured out for one more go …</p>
<p>Found a Tadashi Shoji dress at Nordstrom’s Rack. Not sure if it’s “the dress” for me as MOB but for the price I’m going to keep it anyway (it’s a a kind of purple/cobalt blue; not sure if it’s TOO blue).</p>
<p>Got a navy/white dress at Nodstroms for the rehearsal, and a black halter dress for misc. other things.</p>
<p>After that, I stopped at the fabric store, picked out a couple of patterns, and called my friend’s dressmaker. I have a hunch that may be the way I end up; this guy really can make anything…</p>
<p>My husband told me to take the dress I bought at Macy’s back, as it’s “too old.” Happy to oblige.</p>