Help me pick a dress for a black tie wedding
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Anonymous
| DCUMers -- I need help picking a dress to wear to a black tie wedding in Charleston, SC, at the end of April. I will be 2 months postpartum so something forgiving will be necessary, though I've already dropped a lot of weight, I still have a pot belly. My style is classic/preppy, and my figure is fairly proportional with a little more weight in my hips like lots of ladies. I'm having a harder time picking something because the bride is in fashion in NYC, and the groom is in finance, so the guests are going to be pretty well put together. I appreciate any suggestions from you all (with links)? Budget wise, I'd like to stay under $300. |
Anonymous
| OP, check Rent the Runway (renttherunway.com). You will need to register to look at the dresses, but it's free to register. Basically, they have tons of designer dresses that you rent for 4 days for a fraction of what the dress actually costs. (As little as $100 in some cases.) You tell them the date you need it; they will ship it to you, you wear it, and ship it back. I like to do this from time to time for events like this where I need a dress but don't feel like spending lots of $$$ on a formal dress I have little use for. They really have a good selection. |
Anonymous
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On color -bride and groom are from NYC, where black is probably more acceptable, but since wedding is in SC, I would expect you'd want to do color instead of black.
Empire waist is good. |
Anonymous
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I've had luck shopping dresses at Nordstrom. The sales staff are helpful and they have a nice selection. If you can, shop with a good friend who will probably be more forgiving than you will be on yourself.
I love the dresses from Boden but you'd have to order now to get it in time in case it didn't fit. Their shipping can take a little longer than average. Www.bodenusa.com Some will be too casual but they have some pretty dresses with really nice details and the price is right. Let's of empire waists, also. |
Anonymous
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I have found J Crew dresses to be more forgiving in the midsection. I wore one of their dresses well into my second trimester and it was actually fitted with a boned bodice, but ended just above the belly pooch with an A-line skirt, so it was super flattering.
As a basic you'll want to go with a fabric that can hide a lot. I'd also invest in a body slimmer undergarment for some comfort and extra support 'on top'. I like this in a color other than the grey default: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/dresses/solid/PRDOVR~43115/43115.jsp Here is another that looks like it will hit your tummy, but you'll notice the waist ends just above where the bulge starts. The crinkles will hide a lot and the upper halter will detract: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/dresses/solid/PRDOVR~49388/49388.jsp |
Anonymous
Anonymous
i just bought the second dress in the wine color and it is a beautiful dress. i think it would disguise any sort of bulge because the waist is just above the natural waist. |
Anonymous
| Really liking the blue Jill Stuart dress - elegant and forgiving. Perfect for that time of the year in Charleston. Pair it with some great earrings and clutch. |
Anonymous
| Op her - thanks for the responses. Is a long dress expected for black tie? I always wear knee length for black tie events in dc, but they're professional occasions. |
Anonymous
| For a black tie wedding I would say long, especially in Charleston. DC is the only city I’ve know people to wear formal cocktail dress to black tie events. Keep in mind the bride, bridal party and family of the bride & groom will all be in long dresses if it is truly a black tie event. I am assuming the wedding is after 6PM. |