Help me shop for my 10 year reunion!

[s_gosney]

Hey ladies. My 10 year HS reunion is coming up and I need a new outfit. The main event is a picnic, so pretty casual. DD will be with me, so it needs to be somewhat mom friendly. I'm pretty modest and don't want something that's going to show too much cleavage (what little I have to show ;)). Also, I don't think I'd be comfortable with anything strapless b/c dd pulls on my clothes too much and I'm one of the organizers, so I have to be able to do more than just stand around and look pretty. :) I'm tall and thin, but definitely have "child-bearing hips" going on. I need something in a 4 or a 6 probably (please don't throw anything at me!) and something I could find in a B&M would be best because I put this off until the last minute.

So, I'm thinking of a casual summer dress and would love it if it could be casual enough to join my grad school wardrobe rotation since it's going to be summer here for 3 more months and dresses seem to be the best way to look cute and not die from heat exhaustion. Also, I know it seems weird to all you classy folks out there, but casual really is okay given both the nature of the event and the type of school I went to (true nerd school).

So, any ideas? Let me have 'em! Thanks! :)

[BeachBum]

I think you better get to the mall pronto! All the summer stuff has been on clearance for over a month here and is looking rather picked over. I'm not sure you'll be able to find something.
Another option would be capris and a cute top?

[SnuggleBuggles]

This was the summer for great dresses! I agree with the pp, hit the mall because you are bound to still see some of them for sale there. I was so sad to be pg this summer b/c I have just been waiting for years for such good dresses!

Remember that if you find a dress or shirt you like and it seems too low to you then go with a cami underneath.

Sorry about the links and no pics right here but I don't have an account at any of the photo sharing sites (nor am I positive on how to use them yet...I am so behind the times!!). But, here are some links and descriptions:

black, gauzy (100% cotton), a-line dress, shouldn't show cleavage, $39.99, doesn't look too dressy to me:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6563&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_280&N=1200064&Nty=1&categoryId=270&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Black&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

ATL also has some adorable skirts on their website. Here are some of them:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6802&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_279&N=1200063&Nty=1&categoryId=270&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Seaside%20Sand&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6801&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_279&N=1200063&Nty=1&categoryId=270&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Saddlebrown&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite
I'd probably pair either with a cute tank top.

This might be pushing it for you on the dressy scale but it is so pretty and comfy looking to me and it is marked down from like $150 to $50. :) It is a silk, printed, halter tie dress with an empire waist and a flowy knee length skirt:
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7420&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_349&N=1200065&Nty=1&categoryId=152&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Black&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

AT has a lot of good skirts too. None that jumped right out at me but you might want to check the sale section on line or at the store b/c we may have dif't taste. :)

khaki a-line skirt, knee length, 92% cotton/ 8% spandex (should be comfy to chase after dd!), $20, only online in size 00 but you may have luck at the store:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=26498&pid=466641

Banana Republic has some good shirts.
I don't think I would feel too dressed up in this tank for $35 (in eggplant) with that khaki skirt and some basic flats or sandals:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=35603&pid=514199&scid=514199032

I can't decide if I like this BR baby doll shirt or not. It would be pretty on the right person. :) I like the blue.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=35525&pid=514248&scid=514248022
I really like the simplicity and line of this cowl neck tank. It's a silk blend in gray or black for $48:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=29517&pid=514237&scid=514237002

This is a nice outfit from INC at Macy's (black crop pants $51.25 and a white or blue wrap shirt $29.25).
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=253947&CategoryID=26512
If you will be out in the grass I would go with a flat rather than a heel. This BR espadrille is nice (they have other colors/ prints too). My friend got them last year and lives in them. She doesn't use the lace up strap, which I think is a good idea.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=26508&pid=466661&scid=466661002
A wedge could work too though I personally wouldn't get white ones:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=26508&pid=466767&scid=466767022


Ooh, this is a pretty T Tahari dress from Macys. $50, v-neck, cap sleeves, brown/ white print, slightly above the knee:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=241897&CategoryID=24202&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=118&AdID=30057

HTH some. Happy shopping and have fun at your reunion!

Beth

[s_gosney]

Thanks Beth. I was hoping you'd be up for some cyber shopping. :) I really like several of your choices. I tried to drag dd out for some shopping this weekend, but it was a total bust. I think I'll have to sneak out the office early one day this week and hit the mall. The PP is right though that things are likely really picked over. Why oh why do I do this to myself? :)
I'll see what I can turn up. Thanks so much for your help!