Shopping help? I need a dress for a wedding.

[Clarity]

I have no idea what dress would be appropriate, I don't typically wear dresses if I can avoid it. :shrug: It was a tomboy thing that I didn't apparently outgrow.

The wedding is in late April in New England, at 5:30p.m. It will be held in a very lovely hotel overlooking the water. My girls are in the wedding and will be wearing white and gold.

I'm plus size, 14 with a generous bst, so I need coverage and support! I have cool tones and look best in jewel colors. Can I wear black to an April wedding?

And, I just looked at the wedding itinerary again...oh dear...do I have to have a dress for the Rehearsal Dinner too? Wait...how on earth am I going to go to a rehearsal dinner when I have two small children. 7:00p.m. is terribly late to be starting dinner! Ack.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Yes, you need a dress or just something dressy for the rehearsal dinner. The 7pm start is one reason we do a late bedtime all the time around. My kids are still going strong at 7. Maybe you could inch bedtime back a few nights before the wedding so they have a bit more energy for these 2 later nights?

This is a splurge but gorgeous for your shape:
http://www.bluefly.com/Tadashi-pacific-blue-silk-jewel-waist-dance-dress/cat20110/304763701/detail.fly

Look through these on Nordstrom. I see a lot of potentials.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail= Y&mode=pfind&tuid=5ac8a3da-c3a2-4a79-9a40-46ccfcd02a6e&catID=6014146&size=RegularL&sizename=Regular+L+%2812-14%29&searchorigin=ProductFinder&findertype=2&findertypereqd=N

Beth

[TwinFoxes]

Jersey is your friend. It's comfy, looks good, and is easy to keep looking good. This might work:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076844/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014146&P=2

You might also look for wrap styles, and styles that have a cummerbund style waist. I'm on my iPhone now, but once I'm on our computer I'll post more styles. (I love shopping for others!)

ETA: the blue dress Beth linked to is lovely!

[MelissaTC]

If you are a true plus size, check out the selection at http://www.kiyonna.com/plus-size-clothing/Cocktail.html . They also have a little black dress selection. I am a 12/14...more like a 14 now but plus size clothing is too big on me. I would also check out Lane Bryant. They have expanded their dressy clothing selection.

[lizzywednesday]

The dress from Bluefly is exactly the style I was going to suggest!

Having been through this myself pre-baby, I purchased a similarly structured dress at Macy's in a wine color. (Of course, mine was for a late September wedding.)

Also, IMO, black is classic year-round, but I think you'll feel so pretty in the blue-splurge dress that I wouldn't pass it up!

[Clarity]

Beth, the blue dress is beautiful! And thanks for the help and advice. It might be more of a splurge than I'd like but I'll definitely consider it.


Yes, you need a dress or just something dressy for the rehearsal dinner. The 7pm start is one reason we do a late bedtime all the time around. My kids are still going strong at 7. Maybe you could inch bedtime back a few nights before the wedding so they have a bit more energy for these 2 later nights?

This is a splurge but gorgeous for your shape:
http://www.bluefly.com/Tadashi-pacific-blue-silk-jewel-waist-dance-dress/cat20110/304763701/detail.fly

Look through these on Nordstrom. I see a lot of potentials.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail= Y&mode=pfind&tuid=5ac8a3da-c3a2-4a79-9a40-46ccfcd02a6e&catID=6014146&size=RegularL&sizename=Regular+L+%2812-14%29&searchorigin=ProductFinder&findertype=2&findertypereqd=N

Beth

[Clarity]

Thanks for the suggestions. I love people who love to shop, they're so helpful! I'll keep jersey in mind as I look around. I am clueless about dresses so everything is invaluable help. :)


Jersey is your friend. It's comfy, looks good, and is easy to keep looking good. This might work:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076844/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014146&P=2

You might also look for wrap styles, and styles that have a cummerbund style waist. I'm on my iPhone now, but once I'm on our computer I'll post more styles. (I love shopping for others!)

ETA: the blue dress Beth linked to is lovely!

[Clarity]

If you are a true plus size, check out the selection at http://www.kiyonna.com/plus-size-clothing/Cocktail.html . They also have a little black dress selection. I am a 12/14...more like a 14 now but plus size clothing is too big on me. I would also check out Lane Bryant. They have expanded their dressy clothing selection.

Melissa, what is a "true plus size"? I find I buy plus top sizes - because of my bust size, but plus size pants don't fit particularly well. I guess that would mean I would be a true plus size for a dress, right?

[MelissaTC]

Melissa, what is a "true plus size"? I find I buy plus top sizes - because of my bust size, but plus size pants don't fit particularly well. I guess that would mean I would be a true plus size for a dress, right?

I never seem to fill in the tops and the bottoms are always too big on the hips, etc... I would check out both plus and regular and see what fits best. Don't discount going to Macys or Penneys.I have had great luck finding flattering $100-$150 dresses at Macys that are half that at Penneys (with a sale that always seems to be going on!).

[erosenst]

Love the blue Tadashi. And FWIW, when I was shopping for a "black-tie" dress a few years ago, I found a Tadashi that I loved - similar cut, although very different fabric and floor length. The sales woman told me they were actually designed for women with full busts (after I commented on how well it fit on top).

Only downside is that I could only wear it twice, as the top layer was *very* thin (?) and got a number of pulls in it. Looks like this might be similar. But if you really think you'll only wear it once, not an issue.

Good luck!

[Clarity]

Yes, you need a dress or just something dressy for the rehearsal dinner. The 7pm start is one reason we do a late bedtime all the time around. My kids are still going strong at 7. Maybe you could inch bedtime back a few nights before the wedding so they have a bit more energy for these 2 later nights?

Beth, a little OT here. But, how do you handle later bedtimes and school? The reason my dd's have an earlier bedtime (7:30p-8:00p) is because they get up between 6:30 and 7:00a.m. to get ready for an 8 hour day at daycare/preschool. DD1 (3.5) doesn't take a nap anymore and is a beast by bedtime. If she doesn't get to bed a bit earlier then she doesn't get enough rest. But, absolutely, an occasional late night is fine.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ds1 has to be at school at 8 and I wake him up at 7:10 so bedtime is 8pm (doesn't actually fall asleep till after 9 though). Back when he had to be at school at 9 I would have bedtime be at 9pm. Weekends we have almost always moved things back by an hour. Ds2 goes to bed at 9pm and wakes up around 8am. So, now that ds1 is older his bedtime is earlier. I would love for him to fall asleep a bit earlier but he does ok with his amount of sleep.

Beth

[Clarity]

I was just curious. It sounds like we both work around the wake up time. I had wondered if you did too. It's hard when we've got to have them up and out so early. DD used to stay up until 9p.m. but when she gave up her nap I deliberately moved bedtime up. Thanks!

[ThreeofUs]

Just chiming in here with "layers" - NE in the spring is nippy to downright cold, especially in a hotel on water. Makes me shiver just to think about it, and you know where I live! ;)

You're still nursing, too, right? Will you need access for your DD while in these clothes?

What about black slacks and a dressy jacket over a nice, nursing-friendly blouse for the rehearsal dinner? You really don't have to wear a dress to both, after all.

Then for the wedding, splurge on something that makes you feel beautiful and might be reusable as career-wear. What about a dress with a long jacket that goes over it?

Maybe a jersey dress like these:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Ellen-Tracy-Womens-Matte-Jersey-Dress/4146388/product.html
or
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3056777/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1

with a bolero or other cool jacket from a place like Coldwater Creek - you know, with beading or something shiny to dress it up.

In fact, I think CC is having a huge sale, and they have very nice dresses on sale. If you really want to pinch pennies (like I am!), try Chadwick's sale.

GL!

[smilequeen]

I agree that the Tadashi brand is awesome for large busts. I am an E/F cup and I have had some and they fit really really well. I also think they tend to run a little on the bigger side. I'm a small 14 and at Christmas I bought one and needed a 12.

I honestly don't typically do dresses for rehearsal dinners, a skirt or a dressy pair of pants and a cool cardigan is what I'd do (maybe something with some embellishment...I love sequined cardigans and JCrew is my favorite place for them).

I also had this dress for a Christmas party this year and it was extremely slimming. This designer seems to have a few in this style...
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3034594/0~2376776~2374325~2384900?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2384900&P=2

Here is one in a different material
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3086828/0~2376776~2374325~2384900?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2384900&P=1