STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I need help - Formal wedding at 1pm

Hermes

First of all, congratulations! I didn't know you were getting married! Would love to see some details in the wedding section...

About the afternoon formal wedding. I personally think full length. What type of styling do you like for your neckline, arms, and waist? color preferences? spending limit? do you currently have anything full length to work with? weather? I think you're in Texas, right?

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Thanks D! Life has been hectic but I need help and yall are the best!

I was hoping you wouldn't say long. The wedding will be in New Orleans and April is normally 80s. One kink in the plan right now is that we will be driving down from BR to NOLA that day so I am hoping not to get too wrinkly but the hotel availability is nonexistent except the one she blocked rooms but it just doesn't make sense to book one with the times involved. I believe everything will be indoors.

So with that said. I'm not too picky. I'm a fat 6 to size 8 right now but trying to get that down but I don't want to bank on it at this point. I am not too picky on colors - just not pastels or anything too bright. I have nothing in my closet as I gave away all of my old sorority formals. I will need something for the formal nights on the cruise so I should be able to get a few uses out of the dress but it will need to be able to travel. Can we try and keep it around $200? Is that possible?

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

Hello, Aurora!
I"m new to the forum, by Suasoria's referral. So, hello!

I read your question, i think you can definetely be on the budget & formal. I'd go with jewel toned dress ( emerald green, navy, deep purple, plum, dark chocolate or black - always perfect). What's your color tone? Hair?. YOU can buy the simpliest dress, but if it fits you right - it'll stand out. Also, you can accessorize it with jewerly or floral pin ( back in fahsion), so that every time you wear it - it'll look slightly different & won't bore you as well.

I do think that it's important to pick a natural fiber dress, since synthetic might not wrinkle as much, however, a cheap yarn has a cheap look. So, a silk blend, or silk. Floor length. Don't try to buy online, I'd go to the store to try a few on. What are the usual brands you buy? For this amount ($200) I'd check ArdenB ( do you have those store in your city?), they always have something on the sale rack, Macys, maybe Bebe, H&M ( they have dressy clothes, but not at that much of a formal evening attire).Try boutiques in the mall, you never know, sometimes they want to promote themselves & have big sales.

Hermes

Let's see... no full length, no brights or pastels, and packable, and wearable to a formal wedding and formal cruise nights. Throw on a wrap for the wedding, and you should be all set.

That's a hard bill to fill, but this is what I found:

Tadashi, metallic jersey (should be good for packing), $188, bluefly:

style #300156701 gunmetal shutter pleat jersey halter dress

Tarte, jersey, $67, bluefly:

style #211345300 black jersey 'Claire' v-neck tie dress

here you go, and it's only $80! JUST KIDDING:

style #301432601 champagne silk eco chic short dress

this one is more toward tea-length, and it's packable jersey. Norma Kamali, $171, bluefly:

style #212153200 black jersey halter wrap dress

I'll continue poking around to see what I can find...

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Thanks Yana. I'm in Houston so there is a lot of decent shopping around here I just need to go to the mall and shop LOL.

I'm blonde and pale so jewel tones sound really nice.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Sorry D! I meant Full length would be fine I was just hoping for an etiquette miracle.

Claudia · Gucci

I have no advice, but just wanted to say HI!
I've been meaning to email you!

-- Edited by Claudia at 17:30, 2009-02-05

Hermes

Aurora wrote:

Sorry D! I meant Full length would be fine I was just hoping for an etiquette miracle.

argh - ok. I'll take another stab. I do think full-length is best, especially at a formal southern wedding.

all from bluefly:

$112

BCBG Max Azria $204:

Suasoria · Chanel

Woo-hoo! Hi Yana!!

Congrats on the engagement/wedding!

Honestly I think I would check with the bride about her specific expectations - some people say "formal" because they don't want people to show up in jeans, especially if the couple is reasonably young. If that's the case a cocktail dress would be fine, and 1 p.m. doesn't exactly call for evening attire. So it might be productive to email her and ask if she thinks you should wear something long or if you'll be appropriate in a knee-length nice dress (even email her links to ones you'd consider.)

For the church part I'd just make sure your shoulders are covered and you aren't showing too much cleavage.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

Congrats Aurora! I agree with Suasoria to check with the bride. At least here in SoCal - I very rarely see the younger women wear full length dresses to even formal weddings. All pretty much cocktail dresses - with the men in suits being formal enough.

I also think the fabric and style make a big difference in the formailty factor. I.e. I wouldn't go with cotton, poly, or jersey. Satins, chiffons, silk materials look more formal.

Congrats again!

alb · Marc Jacobs

hey aurora! if you want a deal you should check out the dresses section of your local tj maxx asap - they have silk j crew dresses that are adorable and for only $19.99!! i tried on a bunch today. i saw another girl trying the same ones on and we were trading our "reject" dresses in the dressing room. she said she was looking for something to wear to a wedding and that the same j crew dresses were on sale on the j crew website right now for $60! fyi they also had some cute dresses by laundry, bcbg, and calvin klein.

congrats on your engagement!!

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Thanks for the ideas D. I ended up ordering this one this morning from Neimans on sale. It was the very last one and looked like I might be able to get some use out of it other than just to this wedding and it is pretty bra compatible. Now I'm just crossing the fingers and hoping it fits ok.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Aurora wrote:

Thanks for the ideas D. I ended up ordering this one this morning from Neimans on sale. It was the very last one and looked like I might be able to get some use out of it other than just to this wedding and it is pretty bra compatible. Now I'm just crossing the fingers and hoping it fits ok.

pretty dress!