Can you help me dress for a wedding?

[mom2binsd]

The kids and I are going to a family wedding March 17th. We are in the midwest. Wedding is not at a super fancy reception hall, just your regular hotel ballroom. The other guests are not going to be dressed to the nines at all.

I do not own any dresses/skirts that are appropriate (have a springy skirt and summery dress).

Any dress/top must cover my arms, 3/4 sleeves are ok, I just don't do sleeveless, awful upper arms!

I am thinking about ordering this as the price is right, and can return locally, minus the shipping cost. No idea how it would look and I have a cuter belt. I would get the black http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=1c7c81b&DeptID=70656&CatID=80145&SO=0&Ne=4294957900+1490+1031+29+3+8+585&NOffset=2&shopperType=G&N=4294936942&Nao=0&PSO=0&bcCat=3&cmAMS_T=XGN3&cmAMS_C=MERCHA&cmAMS_Z=XGN3TOPOFRESULTS&CmCatId=70656|80145

I have nice stylish black dress pants, am wondering what I could wear with them to dress the outfit up, I also own a number of cute pairs of shoes. I also have a number of great necklaces, just need clothing!

I am about a size 8, but am super short 4 11". Limited local shopping (No Nordstrom or NR, we have regular dept stores (Macy's, JCpenney, Kohl's, Bergeners, Sears, Von Maur). Even getting an idea of something fashionable would be great.

Don't want to spend too much as there aren't any other occasions for me to get dressed up and I have lots of casual going out clothes.

[echoesofspring]

For $20, that looks like something that might be pretty versatile!

Do you ever do petite sizes? I'm 5'2" and I almost always have to wear petite, or things hit in the wrong place length and waist wise....here are some other ideas:

nordstrom's does free ship and returns these days, here's some ideas of some that aren't too expensive

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/eliza-j-portrait-collar-taffeta-dress/3205429?origin=category


http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-ponte-knit-sheath-dress/3192838?origin=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-faux-wrap-chiffon-dress-petite/3276916?origin=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-flutter-sleeve-jersey

[ourbabygirl]

I really like the dress you linked (even in red, but if you don't want to stand out that much, I understand ;)), and it seems like you couldn't beat that price (assuming they have it in store for you to pick up)!
I also like the dresses the PP linked, especially the green 'spruce' one (super elegant!)- that would go well for a St. Patty's Day wedding! :)

It would be fun to see what you end up getting/ wearing- please update when you find the winning combination!

[mom2binsd]

I think I may order the black one, for 25.00 I don't mind eating the 5.00 shipping if it doesn't work...and will keep looking at any and all suggestions.

The green is pretty, however I would need to have liposuction on my upper arms to wear it.

The portrait one is a pretty color but the style reminds me of a piano recital outfit...not sure why as I've never been to a piano recital...the last link didn't work.

I usually do buy petite sizes, but in dresses sometimes I get away with regular sizes...

Often the petite offerings are pretty sad/dumpy.

Keep any suggestions coming.

[echoesofspring]

I totally hear you on the petite offerings often being geared more towards my grandma than me!

As far as the sleeveless/cap sleeve dresses go, I have a little shrug I bought a few years ago (at jcpenny's, actually) that goes with a ton of my dresses. Sort of like this (although mine doesn't button)

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1de4075

It does increase the $ out of your pocket but you can layer that way if it gets too hot in the reception room, etc.

I'm not seeing much online that inspired me at Macy's but in the past I have had good luck there with dresses. They often have a large clearance section.

[mom2binsd]

Yup those shrugs are great, I have a cute white knit one that I wear in summer over all the sleeveless tops out there!

I saw this dress, and for some reason I think it's so cute, the pleated bodice could hide a few flaws (along with spanx) and I love the grey color and high waist..with my grey/blondish hair I tend look really nice in black/grey...but if it didn't work I don't have a Belk to return to ...why can't everyone have free returns and shipping like Nordies! It's one of the few dresses that with the jacket that I think look youthful!

http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Primary/Women/PRD~15002819850P/RM+Richards+Petite+Glitter+Satin+Jacket+Dress.jsp? cm_mmc=SearchDex-_-Product+Pages-_-RM+Richards+Wedding+Shop-_-rm-richards-petite-glitter-satin-jacket-dress-P15002819850P

[mom2binsd]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HuGO-BuSCATi-Womens-Black-Stretch-Microfiber-DreSS-10P-/130634421776?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3D LVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5915053189256230510

Now this is a cute dress, simple, why can't I find something like this in store so I can try it on. I have a suit from Hugo Buscati from age ages ages ago (bought by an old boyfriend from Victoria's Secret Catalog in the late 80's when they sold clothes) the skirt a size 2 can now be used as a dish cloth, but the blazer/jacket is a classic and I just wore it today with a white shirt and jeans.