Thanks, Himom, but it 's the wrong blue. I want it to blend with teal. Also, different sleeves and neckline (different designer). I like the price, though!
I almost bought that Sundance dress for a wedding we went to a couple of weeks ago, but figured it might not be warm enough for an April wedding in the midwest. I’m glad I didn’t because it was pretty cold that day… sunny, but cold, and I was glad I had a heavier dress on.
I personally would not keep dress #1 for D2’s wedding as its at the top of your budget and doesn’t fit perfectly. (Was that a question you asked or have you moved on from that dress). I think a slightly tight dress would not make you feel your best and you want to be comfortable.
I really liked the navy and nude dress, very pretty. I’m getting all these dresses mixed up, sorry if that’s the one not available in your size anymore.
I like both of the dresses from sun dance. I think either would work but if you don’t like the one with the separate slip, then that’s out.
Just a couple of thoughts…
You might find a trip to the shops will give you a chance to try on some different styles. I went wedding dress shopping with a friend who was very set on the style she wanted before we went. BUT she tried on a huge variety of dresses, and found something she never would have oreviously considered or ordered online.
Another idea…I had a friend who did this too. Are there any dressmakers in your area? Another friend found a perfect dress. Her issue was she was very petite (under 5 feet tall) and the dresses she liked best didn’t fit her…at all. She found a dressmaker for two different events and had her dress made. She looked stunning!
My hat is off to those of you who can do this online. I would rather just go to a store and try stuff on until I got it right, vs see something I like and find out days later it doesn’t work on me or I misjudged the size.
Another thought is that you can go to Lord & Taylor or Nordstrom or Bloomie’s or even Macy’s and have a personal shopper assist you. When you are in the store you have the lingerie department right there. I have been assisted personally with bra fittings in L & T and Bloomie’s and they are very helpful.
I use Spanx but you have to make sure that whatever you buy, you are comfortable. i would not recommend a one-piece that does not snap at the bottom because it is a hassle when you have to use the bathroom- you don’t want to be practically getting undressed and re-dressed.
It is a shame about the first dress, it is lovely. I also like the Tadashi dress a lot.
I really love the dresses you posted ! I am going to consider a couple of those for myself…I looked at Sundance for my daughter’s wedding . I really loved one and then it just disappeared !
Popping back in. Thanks to everyone who has posted. It’s helpful.
A few comments regarding some recent posts…
I hear those of you who are saying it is better to go to the stores than to shop online. First, as I likely already mentioned, I have been an online/catalogue shopper for years. I lived in rural VT for 33 years until two years ago. So, for me, this is my norm. Also, there are benefits for me that those who don’t do this, may not realize. For those who wear an average or small size, if you go to the store, there may be numerous options to try on. For me, as an example, I can already tell on a site such as Nordstroms, if any dresses I like are in stock at the stores in my area, in my size, and so if they are not available, and I don’t really like anything else on the site, the trip to a store may not be fruitful. It may be different for someone of an easier size. For example, when D2 was here over Thanksgiving, I wanted to buy her a dress for the opening of her Off Broadway show. We went to Nordstroms. There was LOTS for her to try on (size 4 or 6, XS/S). Not so sure for myself. Another thing is I find WAY more selection when I look online than in a single store. It feels more efficient. I buy my wardrobe online, as well as my shoes, and I have certain favorite sites and catalogues. More is in stock online than in a single store. Plus there is the time element. I could go shopping, but I also work three jobs and online shopping is convenient. I don’t mind the returns so much.
As far as my first choice dress for D2’s September evening wedding that I ordered and is too snug in the midsection…I would never consider wearing it as is. I am not sure yet if I am returning it. I may have to. I have never used Spanx, but that may make a difference. Losing 15 pounds would also likely do it. But I may have to give the dress up.
Dresses I may consider ordering and seeing how they work instead are:
Generally speaking, I think a fit and flare style is best for me.
While I like the first two dresses on the list above, I am wondering if they are great for an evening affair because I could see wearing them in daytime too. The dress I had ordered and liked the most was far dressier (beading). The third dress above seems a bit dressier than the two before it.
D2 hasn’t had a chance to look at my links and she hasn’t been updated as to my order and the outcome and the two new dresses I found above (the Nue by Shani ones). Her schedule is VERY full. She apologized for not having gone over what I had sent her yet and more pressing things came up that we ended up discussing on phone calls.
As far as D1’s daytime wedding, I think I may return the salmon color dress to Sundance since I don’t love the lining and I truly like the dress I bought recently from Sundance better and think it actually would work nicely for her wedding.
EDIT: The second Nue by Shani dress listed above no longer seems to be in my size and so nix that.
From your post above, I like the dresses in the order you have listed them. 
Thanks @doschicos. I later found that the second dress is no longer available in my size and so that’s out.
I found 3 more possibilities.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tadashi-shoji-lace-fit-flare-dress-regular-petite/4028884?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashionsize=Regular%20XL-XXL%20(16-18)&fashioncolor=LATTE%2F%20BLACK
The style of this dress is likely good for me. The drawback is that the top is ivory lace and my D had asked me to not wear ivory. The top to her likely choice for her wedding dress is also ivory lace. This dress is not ALL ivory though. But I’d have to ask her before ordering it.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pisarro-nights-beaded-mesh-shift-dress-plus-size/4355352?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashionsize=Regular%20XL-XXL%20(16-18)&fashioncolor=BLUE
Drawback to this dress is that I do not typically buy Plus Size, but it could work. However, the smallest they have is size 18W and it says it runs large. I likely would have needed 16W. But I suppose if I really liked it, it could be taken in, if need be.
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Rickie-Freeman-for-Teri-Jon-Short-Sleeve-Lace-A-line-Cocktail-Dress/prod184820146_cat9360738__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.service%253FitemId%253Dcat9360738%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526Ns%253DPCS_SORT%2526refinements%253D4294965940%252C73700045%252C73700046&eItemId=prod184820146&cmCat=product
Drawback…price a bit more than I would like to spend and the discounts I saw last week are not showing now.
I would stay away from Pisarro Nights - while those dresses look good in pictures, the fabric is scratchy and just does not look good in person. I really like the Teri Jon dress and the ivory lace top Tadashi!
I like the last dress…probably because I’m not a fan of beige. I really don’t like that beaded shift…I think it looks sort of blah.
But the last one from Neiman…the navy one…I like that a lot. Well…except for the price!
Or this in navy:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/alex-evenings-embroidered-lace-sequined-sheath?ID=1650778&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=&selectedSize=XL%7C16%7C16W%7C18%7C18W%7C16%7C16W%7C18%7C18W#fn=SIZE%3DXL;;16;;16W;;18;;18W%26SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DFormal;;Party/Cocktail;;Special%20Occasion%26sp%3D5%26spc%3D644%26ruleId%3D77|BS|BA%26slotId%3D472
Drawback…could be too straight?
I like that Macy’s dress!
I don’t. It has this ribbon overlay lace pattern which could look really cheap and show as lumpy fabric in photos.
All this feedback helps…thanks ladies!
OK, so here is another one, but the drawback is that it is Adrianna Papell and similar to the one that had ben my first choice that I had ordered, and is snug. So, this one could be too:
In Lead.
(costs less than the one I had ordered)
Attractive dress in #157. In get it to see if it’s comfortable–maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised?! It looks amazing.
I know BB thinks the Macy’s dress looks cheap…but I would order that one and see what it looks like.
To be honest, I don’t really like the dresses that only come in that beige color. Not a fan of that color…at all.