Formal Dress - Floor Length

[etwahl]

Please help me find a dress for the Marine Corps. Ball. I hate that I have to buy a formal dress every year for this, as they often end up being "wear once" dresses. Last year I bought a dress from Max Studio - a fitted floor length black dress, one shoulder. It was great and I will keep it for future events, but need something new this year. I usually end up with black and am fine if I do it again this year. Just need some ideas! I'm a size 6 in dresses, usually.

I am not a great fan of strapless dresses - I always feel like they are falling down and I am constantly pulling it up.

Just looking online, I've found this so far, though I see it's now sold out in size 6.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-lace-chiffon-gown/3227426?origin=shoppingbag

[SnuggleBuggles]

Why not do Rent the Runway instead? A few people here have have done that and were really pleased!

[etwahl]

Why not do Rent the Runway instead? A few people here have have done that and were really pleased!

You know, I heard of that once, but never looked into it. I'm going to look into that!

ETA: I'm afraid I'd rip the dress or something, or stain it :) Last year I bought my dress at the last minute and didn't have time to hem it. I then proceeded to step on the hem and rip it a bit :( Plus I'm picky enough that I'd be afraid I'd order it and then would hate it!

[smiles33]

I would take a closer look at Rent the Runway. I haven't used them yet but seriously considered it and the website said they could send 2 sizes (in case 6 is too big/small with certain brands) and you can get a second style for a reduced rate in case the first one just doesn't fit right. I'm sure they have some sort of insurance policy for damage. I would TOTALLY use them because it's much cheaper than buying. Seriously, how many floor-length dresses can a girl use?

[jerigirl]

You should organize a dress swap between all of the wives! Especially if this function is something you go to every year!

[MamaMolly]

I have two dresses for the MCB that I alternate. We tend to have 2 year postings, though! ;)

I think a swap is a great idea. We did that a couple of years ago with shoes and jewelry. It was a lot of fun. It was a loaner swap, so we all got our stuff back after the ball but it was so nice to have new, albeit borrowed, feathers!

I bought one of my dresses at a bridal shop. It was a clearance bride's maid dress and cost around $30. Nordie's is always good, too: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-dresses-shop?origin=leftnav

[AnnieW625]

Do you have Loehmann's in San Diego? (I saw in the other mom fashion post you are a SAHM in SD) I got a great (non floor length) dress there for $15 a few years back. I also scored a few months ago and got a great Calvin Klein dress from Nordstrom Rack fopr $20 in August, again not floor length, but there was a nice selection of floor length dresses for under $100.

I was tempted by Rent the Runway as well for the last event, but ended up getting the $20 dress instead.

[Minnifer]

I just went to a formal wedding a few weeks ago and after scouring all of the usual stores in the area (Lord & Taylor, Bloomies, Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, etc etc), wound up with a gorgeous full-length black dress from - wait for it - JC Penney, of all places! And it was $50!!!! I would never, ever have believed it - sorry, don't mean to sound like a total snob but I truly do not associate that store w/nice dressy dresses, LOL - I know they've recently revamped themselves so perhaps this is one of the changes. Anyway, I tried to find it online to link to, but couldn't. If you have one near you, definitely worth a shot since they had a good number of nice things at great prices (I found another cocktail dress there too at the same time and it rang up at $12(!), so even though I have nothing else to go to in the near-term, I'm keeping it just in case).

[waitingforgrace]

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/alex-evenings-dress-off-the-shoulder-sequin-lace-evening-gown?ID=729017&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DEvening/Formal%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D238%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId %3D77


http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-dress-sleeveless-cowl-neck-jersey-gown?ID=724611&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DEvening/Formal%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D238%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId %3D80

[etwahl]

You guys have given me a few more spots to look, thank you! I hadn't thought of stores like Nordstrom Rack, Macy's or Leohmann's. I'll have to try and get there this week.

[firstbaby]

The dress you first linked to has the 6 back in stock ;)

Here are some suggestions from Neiman's:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Aidan-Mattox-Beaded-V-Neck-Gown-Formal/prod151150153_cat35350732__/?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat35350732%2 526pageSize%253D30%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%25 3D&eItemId=prod151150153&cmCat=product

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Erin-Fetherston-Beaded-Halter-Gown-Formal/prod150620082_cat35350732__/?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat35350732%2 526pageSize%253D30%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%25 3D&eItemId=prod150620082&cmCat=product

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Badgley-Mischka-Strapless-Ruffled-Gown-Evening/prod151070129/?eVar4=You%20May%20Also%20Like%20RR