@thumper1 Don’t think I have heard of Steinmart before. I’m not super fond of the dress with jacket thing. It still feels like it screams out “MOB!” Also, while not against sleeveless dresses, I’m leaning toward not wearing sleeveless due to both late May and late September wedding dates (not super hot) and the fact that my arms are not my best asset.
@jym626 Thanks for looking around for me! Generally, I don’t wear Plus Sizes, but it is always an option to look at them as well.
I don’t expect you to remember this from my early posts here, but I was also saying that a full gown is not necessary at D2’s September wedding, as it is not a black tie type wedding and my D is not really formal or traditional and most of the guests are in their upper 20s and low 30s and artsy. As I wrote, I haven’t contacted MOG about what she may opt to wear yet, but when I met her a few years ago on two occasions, albeit casual situations, she did not strike me as fashionable or the dressy type, and doesn’t wear make up to my knowledge. Very sweet. Thin.
D2 got engaged first (last April) and asked D1 to be Maid of Honor. D1 got engaged in July and so D2 switched D1 to be Matron of Honor and her best friend to be Maid of Honor. When D1 got engaged, she asked D2 to be her Maid of Honor (and yes, she is not having a bridal party or other invited guests). D2 is doing those things though.
I looked at Bergdorf’s website but their stuff it pretty avante garde and pretty $$$$$$ They had an Oscar de la Renta that looks a lot like some of the ones here, but was over $3K!
@jym626 I appreciate your looking. I looked at all the dresses on Nordstrom’s site already.
Re: your first link…yes, I had seen that one. I ruled it out as having a bit too much bling and it is straight and I think the one I have as my current first choice (on paper)'s shape would be better for me, and I just like it more.
Re: your second link…I had also seen that one already and while it is nice, it is not all that special to me and kinda ordinary.
Re: your third link…LOL>…that was originally on my list of bookmarks I created a while back! That was when D was contemplating a color scheme of burgundy and gold, which she did end up picking, but then told me she didn’t like the idea of my dressing in the color scheme (which is only a scheme for the bridal party (and nothing elsand even then, they are not wearing matching outfits). Thus, I started over and no longer will wear burgundy or gold and also she is against MOB in ivory since she is wearing ivory (I respect that). So, that dress is now out.
The Oscar de la Renta dress (which I think I had seen before) is totally out of the question on price alone, but frankly, I don’t think that dress looks all that different than many currently being shown for a couple hundred dollars. It is not unusual, in any case, even if pretty.
I’m laughing. Sorry, but if you knew her schedule since I sent her the links over the weekend, you’d know why. .I purposely mentioned in the subject heading to the email to her to let it wait. In a text, she acknowledged receiving it and said she’d look at it this week. My D is has been basically working 7 days and nights a week lately. But I think she will get a chance maybe one night later in the week. Today was a major presentation for her of original work at a well known theater in NYC that required tons of work leading up to it, all the while she is in full time rehearsals for another show. Heck, she has had to wait many weeks since we went bridal dress shopping to go for the follow up visit with her Maid of Honor to make the final selection at the bridal shop. It will be close to two months since the original appointment because she could only find one day off to do it later this month. She is juggling several projects/jobs in her field at one time. Also, she and her fiancé are doing ALL of the wedding planning and arrangements on their own.
I’ll try to post what she thinks…when I hear back.
I can’t afford it myself (and don’t know many who could), but that O de la R dress is exceptionally lovely and really looks a zillion times nicer to my eye than the $200-$300 dresses. I thought you were posting it to make us all weep!
And if you touched the fabric, you would appreciate the difference even more! No, I cannot afford a $3k dress from Bergman But… I can afford a $3k dress selling for $300 on Real Real.
I’m sure the fabric on the Oscar de la Renta dress is far nicer than on the dresses for a few hundred dollars. However, style-wise, it is not all that unique and does look similar to dresses for less. It’s pretty, but not super special in my opinion.
At my old job, we had a black tie party every year. Plus my ex had black tie events. Now, I don’t really have the need for a dress like that I wish I did …
Sigh … I also wonder how those dresses have been altered. The really good thing about the high end designer stuff is that it is usually cut loooong … And would therefore work on a 6-footer like me. But if the previous owner was of a normal height and had expert alterations … Not going to work.
But sigh …
Edited to add: yeah, looking at it more closely, I can tell that dress would be 6" too short on me. BB – you surely have a need for a ball gown! Get it and post a head-cut-off shot as your profile pic!
My son is getting married September 2017! I have already started thinking about my dress (even though most details of the wedding aren’t decided yet). It is so interesting to see all of your suggestions !! Just wondering though, many of the dresses shown are so short. Do you all wear them several inches above your knees? I am 62, 5 feet 7 ,weigh about 126 and am in good shape. I’m not comfortable in short skirts though. I’m hoping tea length or long.
Let me chime in on the Oscar dress – it’s made in Italy of wool lace, with a silk lining. The quality is not just in the fabric, but also in the cut and sewing. I can tell by the way it fits the young model that it would be quite flattering on a mature figure. If you saw someone wearing it in person, the price difference would make more sense. 3K is steep, but it’s on a different planet compared to the polyester lace dresses.
The gown is gorgeous and would make quite a statement!
@stevienj - I’m roughly the same height and weight as you and in my mid 50s. I wear my dresses right at the top of the kneecap. I don’t like short dresses on older women - looks inappropriate IMO. The only exception is a beach caftan or coverup.
Many retailers post the height of the model and the size she is wearing. A typical Nordstrom, Saks, etc. model is anywhere from 5’9" to 5’11". Additionally, a dress shown on a model is usually size 2-4. A larger size dress will be at least an inch longer, so if you are an average height and wear 8-10, add 4-5 inches to the length shown.
Yes, I tend to keep most dresses around my kneecaps as well. I’m in my 50s and fit as well. I think that length is more appropriate for most people who are thin, fit and < 40s. Fortunately, most dresses are only shorter on ultra tall models and naturally fall around my kneecaps on me. I am 5’ 5.5"
I wish I did …