Formal wedding invite

kgalas said:
This is what I found when looking up formal wedding attire:

http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingguestinfo/ss/WearFallWedding.htm

Beavs, I don't think we were disputing the beauty of the dress or how Nancy would look. More that the dress' fabric, etc. weren't dressy enough for a black tie wedding, especially if it's being held in NYC. I agree that whatever Nancy wears will look good cause it's the person who makes the dress, and she's a beauty:)
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Klaudia, thank you! That is so helpful! I'm tending to agree with those who are saying the red dress is not quite formal enough. OMG I love that blue dress! And it's got spandex in it! :D
 
kgalas said:
I agree with Conni. Maybe something similar, but full length? I love Nicole Miller dresses, too!

http://www.nicolemiller.com/STRETCH_CDC_DRESS/pd/np/11/p/1503.html
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main...408474399545537&bmUID=1239631409878&ev19=1:48
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Klaudia, that first one would definitely work on me. At my age, you just know what works and what doesn't. I need something simple, because I'm petite and too much fabric just overwhelms me. That one would definitely work!
 
Conni said:
Nancy,

Gorgeous dress, but not formal enough. I would go for something long and a little more ornate. You can still go for that kind of style, but if you are talking tuxes, than all bets are off for going too far over the top. Think glamour!
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Good idea, Conni. How often do we get to go all out? I'm up for some glamour.
 
maddiesmum said:
Take another look at jcrew.com. They now specialize in dresses for weddings in different fabrics (which are all classier than jersey, sorry but....), colours and fits so there should be something to fit everyone. These dresses are classy without being fussy and never scream "mother of the bride" so you don't have to worry about looking matronly.

Hope this helps,

Clare
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No offense taken, Clare. I usually look for jersey because it stretches and my chest is out of proportion with my size, so I simply can't fit into a lot of things. But really, anything with some spandex will work.
 
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your opinions. I've been looking, and it's not as easy as it seems. I can't wear anything with a waistband, belt, sash, or any other kind of waist "detail". They all just enhance my short-waistedness. Ruching gives my waist a longer look. I also have issues about showing my upper back because, for some reason, I've developed spider veins on my upper back. When I go strapless, I tend to wear a little shrug or shawl to cover up. But looking at that red dress again, as much as I love it, I also love to dance at weddings and those long sleeves will just be too hot for me.

What do you think of this? The criss-cross in the back will draw the eye away from my skin. And it's got spandex, and the pleats are kind of like ruching:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999455...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=3
 
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Nancy, first let me say congrats to be able to wear a form fitting dress. My body wouldn't, ahem, allow me to do so at this point in time but perhaps someday. :D Since you haven't purchased a dress yet, I would also suggest looking for something a bit more formal. I don't have any specific suggestions but others here have great ideas. People will wear what they want to black tie events but since you have time, and it's not something your trying to make work from your closet, I say look for other options. I'll bet you'll have a great time. Every now and then, I like to attend formal gatherings. It makes me appreciate my casual lifestyle more! :p

Bam
 
Beavs said:
Wow! What do people consider "formal enough"? A ball gown? I think the dress is stunning and paired with the right shoes, jewelry, and handbag you should be the ultimate FancyNancy. I think it will look gorgeous on you!
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ITA!!!

Am I the only one who hates J.Crew? It reminds me of that dorky preppy couple in the mockumentary, Best in Show -- LOL!!! Seriously, I looked at the dresses in J.Crew and I found them to be totally uninspired. I guess I don't like dresses that scream "wedding apparel".

Nance, that black dress is gorgeous and would be perfect. You have impeccable taste and whatever you choose will be just right... no, BETTER than just right for the occasion!!;)
 
You're welcome! Funny-it's easier helping other people with fashion dilemmas than it is myself. I have major clothing anxiety every time I have to go somewhere. I love that black dress-it's gorgeous-just like you:)
 
Miss Lee said:
ITA!!!Nance, that black dress is gorgeous and would be perfect. You have impeccable taste and whatever you choose will be just right... no, BETTER than just right for the occasion!!;)
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Michele, I consider your taste to be impeccable. I'm glad you like the black dress. If you didn't, I swear I wouldn't consider it.
 
kgalas said:
You're welcome! Funny-it's easier helping other people with fashion dilemmas than it is myself. I have major clothing anxiety every time I have to go somewhere. I love that black dress-it's gorgeous-just like you:)
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Klaudia, you have great ideas and great taste, but I know what you mean. I don't get anxious so much as obsessive-compulsive. It's like I have to try on every dress in the world before I choose one.

BTW, is this a bit too cheesy? It comes in petite, I love the dark red color, and the price is relatively low. I don't want to break the bank for a dress I may never wear again. Michele? Others?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2952482...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=4
 
nancy324 said:
BTW, is this a bit too cheesy? It comes in petite, I love the dark red color, and the price is relatively low. I don't want to break the bank for a dress I may never wear again. Michele? Others? http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2952482/...bo=6014150&P=4
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Nance, it's stunning and that color is perfect for you!! You should order it and try it on. My concern would be comfort, but that's because I don't like dresses with boning. I love the shoes, too!!
 
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Miss Lee said:
Nance, it's stunning and that color is perfect for you!! You should order it and try it on. My concern would be comfort, but that's because I don't like dresses with boning. I love the shoes, too!!
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I know. Those shoes are perfect. I don't mind boning. The question is whether I can fit my chest into that bodice. But it looks adjustable. And with all that fabric around the midsection, I can eat all I want, and not worry about it. ;)
 
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Hi - sort of butting in here, but I have been to several black tie events (with a closet of dresses only worn once to prove it lol). I remember being nervous about my first one (I was definitely very young to be at a black tie event---company christmas party... thank heavens my boyfriend's sister loaned me something that totally worked..anyway, point is I know it is nerve wracking to come up with something that is affordable and appropriate so I wanted to help if I could :) ... red would be fine for a social party, but for a wedding it could be perceived as inappropriate and drawing attention from the bride because red is an eye catcher....I would shy away from it....the first dress, besides being red, was too informal...
any of these below would work, but I am not sure if they are your style or price range (the last one might be a good fit based on your description of what looks good on you and it is a steal at that price; you could definitely add a wrap or a bolero to it):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3012764...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=4

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3009757...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=5

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3025581...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=9

if it is black tie required, people will dress to the nines....typically most women wear ankle length dresses or below the knee....if it is optional, you can go with a a very dressy cocktail dress (above the knee)....BCBG Max Azria usually has a good selection...

Conversely, I also have a closet full of dresses I can offer you... :) what size are you? lol

Hope that helps!
 
That's one of the dresses I fixate on every time I'm over on the Nordstrom website. Awesome. Looks fuschia on my computer, though.
 
Nancy:

I like the Calvin Klein black dress very much. Incredibly classy. Wow! I also like the red one down in the corner of that page, the BCBG MaxAzria, take a closer look at it. Also, the next red one you showed us, the Alex Evening one, also a good choice. Of these three, the BCBG one is my fave, with the CK black dress a close second.

For me it's not so much the colour that matters, but the fit and cut combined with the colour of the first dress that I just thought was a no-go. I disagree that red cannot be for weddings. I think it depends on what each particular red dress is saying, see what I mean? I don't personally subscribe to books on etiquette and rules are meant to be broken!

That CK dress could be worn for multiple occasions. You could shorten it after the wedding and use it for formal lawyer dos? It could become your new LBD. Right? Do you see the possibilities here?

Thanks for not taking offence Nancy, I certainly didn't intend any. Nice talking to you!

Clare
 
nancy324 said:
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your opinions. I've been looking, and it's not as easy as it seems. I can't wear anything with a waistband, belt, sash, or any other kind of waist "detail". They all just enhance my short-waistedness. Ruching gives my waist a longer look. I also have issues about showing my upper back because, for some reason, I've developed spider veins on my upper back. When I go strapless, I tend to wear a little shrug or shawl to cover up. But looking at that red dress again, as much as I love it, I also love to dance at weddings and those long sleeves will just be too hot for me.

What do you think of this? The criss-cross in the back will draw the eye away from my skin. And it's got spandex, and the pleats are kind of like ruching:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999455...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014150&P=3
Click to expand...

Yeah, that one's pretty spectacular, yet simple.
 
maddiesmum said:
Nancy:

I like the Calvin Klein black dress very much. Incredibly classy. Wow! I also like the red one down in the corner of that page, the BCBG MaxAzria, take a closer look at it. Also, the next red one you showed us, the Alex Evening one, also a good choice. Of these three, the BCBG one is my fave, with the CK black dress a close second. Clare
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It's gorgeous, Clare. Probably has a bit too much drapery for me to get lost in, though.
 
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