When S1 was getting married there were months I ordered many dresses online for my daughter and myself. I tried to order at the beginning of my billing cycle so that I could try and return before the closing date!
My CCards have a pretty high limit. When I buy and promptly return, the credit is applied pretty quickly so my credit limit is restored and I don’t end owing all that much in any billing period. It hasn’t been all that big of a problem but the items I’ve been buying have been mostly $200 or less apiece rather than $1000+ apiece. Still, same policy would work for me.
Most dresses came within a week. I tried them on and returned them immediately if any were a no. I’m sure I have ordered and returned at least 50 for D1’s wedding.
For my mom’s shoe shopping, I’m sure I ordered & returned dozens of shoes. I’ve ordered at least 1/2 a dozen coats for S and at least a dozen or more dresses for myself. I returned all the clothing I have purchased for S and given up trying to buy for him as things don’t fit right. I have returned all but the one dress I kept for myself as well. It has not been a problem and the stores are fine, as they don’t have the range of styles and sizes in their stores so are fine with the returns that they either ship back or put in their stores.
For photos, solids (or subtle print) might make sense.
For DD’s wedding, one of the dresses I liked a lot had a large-ish print floral jacket. A friend pointed out that for photos solids often work better. I’m glad I took her advise. (I did love the set, especially the sleeveless dress, which had a very “forgiving” style… when I saw it on sale later for $80 I bought it. It came in handy for my dad’s 90th birthday party)
I liked the Alex Evening choices at Dillards best.
https://www.dillards.com/brand/Alex+Evenings
This is the one I chose for MOB a few years ago. It was Oct , and jacket was great for outdoor ceremony. Indoors when it got warm I took off the jacket https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-evenings-petite-embellished-jacket-dress/505209748
https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-evenings-sequined-lace-rosette-rose-gown/504913852
This is a great dress…I had it in lavender which isn’t made anymore. But the sapphire blue is gorgeous. It has a tiny bit of bling, fabric has a little “give”…and it’s machine washable!
Re. Floral prints…they can be very stunning and look terrific in pictures at weddings. It all depends on the venue and type of wedding. I’ve seen some gorgeous wedding pictures with the MOG in a very gorgeous floral print dress. It suited the wedding and family well.
I ordered tons of dresses through the mail and returned them before I actually had to pay for them on my credit card. However, I didn’t order any over $200. When you return them, make sure you get credited for the price you paid, not the current price.
I tried that Alex Evenings rosette dress in the blue a couple times in my search. It’s very pretty, just didn’t work for my shape.
I ended up finding mine on the clearance rack at Lord & Taylor when I was returning a bunch.
I am wearing that Alex Evenings dress in violet for D’s wedding next month. More blue than violet. Very flattering and not too tight.
Beautiful!
D was married last year, May in central CA. Evening wedding with outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. Country club style atmosphere.
I am in the ‘comfort trumps all’ category. If it pinches, if it doesn’t let you breath, if you can’t go to the bathroom, if your feet are screaming and if you are afraid to eat, drink or dance - then what could be a wonderful event where you can enjoy everything - turns into an endurance contest. Who wants to spend the time thinking 'can’t wait to get out of the Spanx, bra, shoe.
This is what wore… https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/1851303/carmen-marc-valvo-infusion-floral-ballgown-dress?color=CREAM%20MULTI
I was able to have it altered so that the top had cups (hence no bra and I’m a 36C/D) with an elasticized band that hooked in the back. The style of the skirt hid my (still very small) menopot. Oh, and the dress had pockets!
I had some rather not comfortable - but bearable for a short period of time -shoes in mind for the ceremony and pics, with plans to change into red tennis shoes for the dancing. A month before I broke a toe - out went the ‘nice’ shoes and I had to settle on some other workable pair for the first part of the evening.
It was the most wonderful of events. I enjoyed every moment from the start at 3:00 p.m. with pictures at the beach to the after party lasting until 1:00 a.m. at the hotel. Nothing hurt, nothing squeezed.
Can’t imagine having spending 10 hours in discomfort.
Lovely dress, @dietz199!!! So good to hear you had a wonderful time!
We just got back from Aspen, where there are a few amazing consignment stores. My friend, looking for mother-of-the-groom clothes, got two designer dresses and a stunning silk blouse - all for under $100. Next time I need to dress up, I’m heading back up to Aspen.
@dietz199 – that is a fabulous dress!
@dietz199 Love that dress! The asymmetry of the waist band is intriguing. And pockets!
Best MOG dress story I’ve ever heard…a friend went to Nordstrom Rack…and it was clear the racks time. Her sister found the perfect MOB dress…right color, and right size. Tadaschi Sodgi (oh that’s not spelled right but I bet you know the designer).
Dress fit perfectly, not one alteration needed. Off to the register. The clerk says “you know…your dress cost $1.”
Say what? But yes…the dress cost $1. It was retail over $500.
So…my friend went back and bought the $100 pair of shoes she liked!
I bought my MOG dress at Rack on the clearance rack. It was just above the knee length - wearing a long dress would have made me so unhappy. My dress was $12 - and I loved it!
Wow—some of you are getting amazing deals — beautiful outfits practically given away! Awesome!
No good Rack around here.
Love dietz’s dress.
I AM going for a bit of “va va boom,” (but a muted color.) D1 thinks it’s a great idea. Have seen the sort I want for not much $$.
Godson’s wife got her dress at a shop that sold samples and remainders and was closing. Something like $40, no alterations, and delightfully a little vintage looking.
I got my online from Neiman Marcus on a Flash Sale. I absolutely loved it, and it was $160 all in (with tax included). I had to have a small adjustment in the straps (typical for me, as I am not busty), but that was inexpensive. No hemming needed.
Per mailorder returns, I far favor the websites where I have a local store. (Yes, I can and do shop in the store too… but size/color selection is often better online, especially for Petites.)