Help dress me for 2 October weddings

[jent]

So, I've been invited to two Columbus Day weekend weddings this year. While I have a decent # of fancy dresses, pretty much all of them are summer-y, so I think I can justify buying at least one new dress :wink2:

I don't have much free time to shop IRL, so I searched online. Previously I've gotten my dresses from Ann Taylor or ATL but I just wasn't wowed by what they had online. Do they have more in-store? I tried JCrew, but their formal stuff seems aimed at bridesmaids, so even though it looks nice I'd worry about being mistaken for a bridesmaid.

Any suggestions for where to start? I'm petite (5' 0"), so it's gotta be a store that carries petite.

[lizzywednesday]

I thought that all the Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft stuff was only carried online.

Although J. Crew's site specifically calls their non-bride dresses "bridesmaids" I think they'd work just fine for a guest ... just get a basic neutral - navy, black or brown - rather than a bright color and you should be fine.

What other requirements do you have besides petites? (For myself, I have to purchase dresses with a lot of structure or else I look like I'm wearing a burlap sack. I like things with princess seaming, boning and A-line skirts ... and, these days, something I can wear a real bra with is a HUGE plus!)

[Claki]

I have seen the Ann Taylor Celebrations stuff in store at a more upscale mall. As I recall, it was mostly the same as online and probably not as many sizing options for the different colors.

[jent]

Hmmm... maybe AT/ATL have changed; the last dress I bought from there was for a wedding 4 years ago.

Other requirements? I'm kind of pear-shaped, I tend to avoid really straight dresses; I guess I tend to look for, as you put it, structure. Color-wise, I'm open to anything; I was thinking something more interesting than a little black dress, although actually, since my only LBD is >10yr old and I never wear it, I suppose I could use one of those too. I think I look best in darker colors (black, brown, wine tones) which works for fall.

One of the weddings is at an outdoor venue: http://www.fruitlands.org/weddings

I don't have to shop online; I could take an afternoon to go to a B&M store, I just kind of don't know where to go anymore.

I looked at the JCrew stuff again and you're right, it could work. I think this one is definitely too bridesmaid-y, even in black:
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~17664/17664.jsp

But I kind of like this one and think it could work in black: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~63196/63196.jsp

And what about this one? Dressy enough for a wedding? http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~18087/18087.jsp

[jent]

:BUMP:
Anyone? I know there are some shoppers on this board.

Though I came up with another option: Nordstrom's! I've never been to one but I like their online selection; there's a store a little less than an hour away in a mall with an AT & ATL, so I might be able to make a 1/2 excursion while DH watches DD.

[boolady]

I don't know where you live, but when I have a wedding or something, I love to go to Lord and Taylor. Of all of the department stores in my area, they have the best dress section, hands down.

[Andi98989]

What about something like this:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=404700&CategoryID=37916

Not sure if you have one by where you live, but in a moment of desperation a year or two ago, I stopped in at Dress Barn and actually had really good luck finding things there.

http://www.dressbarn.com/flashHome.jsp

[clb]

But I kind of like this one and think it could work in black: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~63196/63196.jsp (http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR%7E63196/63196.jsp)

I have this dress in black. I got it to wear to a wedding I was a guest at 3 or 4 yrs ago. It was very flattering. I am attending a wedding next month and I would wear this dress if I could still fit into it. Need to loose a few more pounds before that will happen though.
I found something at macy's but it is a little trendy so I will return it if I can find something better. I agree with the PP about lord and taylor. Plus, they always have coupons.

[graciebellesmomma]

i'll play!

love this in black, brown or the vintage blue.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~96454/96454.jsp

this in the same colors as above.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~96454/96454.jsp

love this in choco or black
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~99838/99838.jsp

this in holiday red.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~11427/11427.jsp

love this one!
in wine
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~17379/17379.jsp

[lizzywednesday]

...

But I kind of like this one and think it could work in black: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~63196/63196.jsp

I think that one's perfect.

Being pear-shaped myself (although I am tall, so that's a whole other kettle of fish for me) I can empathize with the issues you're experiencing ... however, the last dress I bought for a wedding (worn to two so far ... not gonna happen for my brother's wedding in January, though) had that lovely v-shaped, crossover neckline and the "cummerbund" detail at the waist to nip me in ... and disguise the bit of a tummy I'd gained since turning 30(!) ... and it was in a deep winey-purple color. (I have dark hair and pale skin and tend to prefer colors to black or navy, which I feel wash me out. My default-neutral is chocolate brown.)

Just get a really good bra and browse through your jewelry for something with impact ... I went with a multi-strand "floating" necklace that I found at Target.

Also, if you're worried about bare shoulders or being too cool outside, I'd get an inexpensive Pashmina-style wrap (I have three from Chinatown, for which I paid less than $4 each, but not everyone's got access to a big city & street vendors like I do!)


And what about this one? Dressy enough for a wedding? http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~18087/18087.jsp

Yes, dressy enough with the right shoes & jewelry, but not as nice as the other one.

Go with the sleeveless and get a wrap. You will look beautiful. =)