shopping help NEEDED
 

Hi guys,

I am trying to find a nice dress to wear to my step-father Tom's memorial in April. He passed away in November, but my mom wanted to have the memorial in April because of San Jacinto/Aggie Muster Day (she is a Texan, hopefully that explains everything!).

Anyhow, I don't have anything suitable to wear. I do have a nice, black suit, but I think it will be too formal and too warm for the occasion. Tom did pass away awhile ago, so it's not a super sad/black veil type occasion (my mom is wearing a lovely black/silver/lavender jacket with silver silky shell that I got her for her birthday right before Tom died, we had a little sniffle that he never got to see her wear it - he adored seeing my mother look fabulous and glamorous which is frankly all the time).

I'm looking for something suitable for the weather in a dark color (because it is a memorial) that I can wear again to work (business casual). Going with sandals is okay. Would prefer at least knee-length (due to the formality of the occasion).Trying to stay under 100.00 but the only dress I've found so far I like is WAY over that. Would prefer not strapless or sleeveless, but willing to work with a cardigan. So, I'm still looking and would appreciate any suggestions. I know this is a great place to ask for help, I'm still loving the gorgeous navy blue twin set from Talbot's that someone recommended to me last year (Meg?).

Current pic - Funky retro black/white shirt waist - drawbacks, too floral? too much boobs? Definitely on the spendy side, but I love the big skirt.

I like the funky retro dress Glory, and I think it would look great on you. It is a little pricey yes, but WHBM makes great stuff. I think it would look great for the memorial service.

I just bought three dresses at Limited (they are having a great buy two, get one free sale on everything in the store) but can only find pics of two of them:
http://www.thelimited.com/detail/v-n...-dress/3274306


http://www.thelimited.com/detail/suit-amp%3B-shine-dress/3274535

ETA: found the third one after all...

http://www.thelimited.com/detail/chi...-dress/3274536

They had several in this same vein that you might like also. I know you weren't looking for strapless or sleeveless, but the two sleeveless ones pair nicely with my long black scarf and/or my black cardigan.

I think that dress is so pretty!
I love White House/ Black Market and they mark things down pretty regularly. I would go in and see what else they have that is marked down. If you love that dress, ask when it might be marked down and hopefully it would be in time.

And yes, I understand the Aggie reference. I am (was) an Aggie!

Ooooh, WHBM...drooooool. FWIW, I've purchased 3 dresses there in my lifetime, and they tend to be the dresses I go to EVERY time when I need a quick, cute-looking outfit. If I hadn't shrunk out of them, I'd still wear them all of the time. In fact, I kind of want to get them altered.

Thanks, all! Those are cute dresses, Shannon! I had tried a lot of places, but hadn't even thought of the Limited. I used to love love love the Limited, but I probably haven't been a store in 10 years, they had gotten so...young looking there for awhile (which is weird, because I bought a lot of sensible grown up clothes there back in the day).

Personally I love the dress that Glory posted, and I think it'd be great for April in Texas..... The Limited dresses are nice, but a little too tailored for my taste for what that's worth. :lol:

What do you guys think of this one?

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=14514

And I kinda like this one!

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Produc...sembleid=50767

My favorite of all (so far) is the chiffon topped sheath (although I think I'd prefer a sheath of all one color for myself). I really, really like the White House Black Market one, too. Not so much on the Coldwater Creek choice, but the Donna Morgan from Macy's is very nice.

Gee. That probably doesn't help much, huh? Maybe you need to do a poll and get votes for each!

All are nice but like the black/white one best....

try the ebay store, BCH factory outlet.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2983116?...origin=related - too dressy?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3001917?...origin=related - too low cut?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2992436?...origin=related - sleeves too weird?

Originally Posted by Glory87:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2983116?...origin=related - too dressy? I like this one, it is dressy, but pretty.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3001917?...origin=related - too low cut? You could totally carry the low cut, I don't think it would be too bad at all. Though, might make you feel weird all day if you were already worried about it.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2992436?...origin=related - sleeves too weird? Cute, the sleeves look funky. :)

responses in red in the above quote... :)

On the other ones..

The Coldwater Creek is pretty 0 I have a hard time with overall patterns for me personally, but I love them on other people. Odd, I know.

The Donna Morgan one looks pretty, too, but I like it less than the others. I'm not fond of the wrap over style, for some reason, but I see people wear it and it looks good.

Also, if you really like the White House Black Market, do an ebay search. I have bought 2 dress off ebay for semi formal military events

How about this one:
http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonlin...F7B11&h=M&sk=M

or this skirt with a white top? (or any other color!)
http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonlin...F7B11&h=M&sk=M



I love the black/white dress, too.

Whoa - those are some awesome sale prices!!!! I love the wrap dress, I guess wrap dresses are big this year? Would be nice to be trendy for a change :)

Originally Posted by willow650:
try the ebay store, BCH factory outlet.

Can you return stuff? I don't have a FREAKISH body type, but I'm kind of short waisted, so I like to try everything on! I hate to buy things if I can't easily return it (like the WHBM dress, there are several stores around here I can return to).

I say go with the WHBM dress - google the store name with coupon code and you can find the $20 off $80 coupon code.
If it is cut too low for the service, add a black lace teddy underneath. That style will look fabulous on you!

I went to the mall today and totally struck out (well, I got a pair of socks). Forget about a dress for the memorial, I didn't like anything! There was way too much peasant stuff and 60s looking mod stuff. Ann Taylor had a cute little ruffly cardigan, but not for 79.00 (it was that super thin material that makes my bra strap look bulgey).

I guess I'm going to order the White House Black Market dress and hope for the best!

I think the WHBM dress will be fabulous Glory! I only have one dress from them, and it is way too big for me now, but I loved it! It was great quality and is still in really great shape and a classic style. Good luck!

See if you can apply for a WHBM rewards card online - I have one and I get coupons in the mail all the time. It isn't a credit card, just one of those 'reward for spending' cards.

I like the Macy's dress as well as the Coldwater Creek and Talbot's all are excellent choices with Coldwater Creek getting a slight edge over the others. It looks perfect for the occasion and weather then. WHBM dress is beauty but price wise I would pick one of the others. Let us know what you think when you get it.

I do have to say, after trying on a jersey wrap dress, jersey is OFF THE TABLE. That is some unforgiving fabric - every lump and bump was on display! I usually look pretty good in clothes, but man, jersey is NOT my friend.

I soooo love shopping to help someone else look great. I'm incredibly grumpy that we live so far apart!

Have you tried the Nordstrom Rack?

I went there this weekend and found an awesome dress. I can't find the exact one online but this is the shape (one I found is dark blue, light blue and white, kind of floral). It is the most flattering dress I ever found other than it shows my arms but I'll fix that.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2970153?...origin=related

My fave is the Donna Morgan. Of course, I think you'll be fab in whatever you choose...:)

Oooh, Nordstrom rack had some winners!

Here's a new contender, but can it go the distance???

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2994215/...bo=6014144&P=2

I'd recommend going to an actual store as well :)

There are stores in Costa Mesa, San Marcos, San Diego and Laguna hills.

Oh and I think that dress is less fab than the others but what about something like this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3001226/...bo=6007554&P=2
or this?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2957107/...bo=6007554&P=2

or this?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2995034/...bo=6007554&P=2

Similar if you like that style, is this one:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2951127/...bo=6007554&P=3

Uhh yeah, lots of options. There was an Anne Klein dress they had but its size 8 and I think you are smaller than that?

Those are pretty, but I have a very specific need (memorial for my step dad, during the day, TX in April). The first is too low cut (way too much chest for a funeral), the second is too dressy (but pretty, I would so wear it to a party), hmmm, the third - I'm just not in to brocade. The last one has potential!

I went to a Nordstrom's on Sunday. I think shopping on the internet has SPOILED me for store shopping. The internet is so neat and tidy, all the dresses together, all the skirts together, I can sort by color. The stores were just a mess, way too much garish stuff, weird peasant outfits, everything looked way too young. Every rack was a mishmash of colors and styles and sizes!

Glory, did you ask for help at Nordstrom's? I get excellent service there--top notch, "Pretty Woman" type of service. I went in a couple of months ago and told the saleslady I wanted to find some good jeans. She brought over 60 pairs from four different dept. for me to try since I didn't know my size in the different brands.

Yup, I had difficult shopping in the store, it was just UGH! I hate trying on things too and then running back and forth.

Of course I was feeling a bit guilty about the $70 on the dress I bought until my husband spent $400 on a new suit (his other suits are way OLD)

Shopping
 

Originally Posted by Glory87:
Oooh, Nordstrom rack had some winners!

Here's a new contender, but can it go the distance???

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2994215/...bo=6014144&P=2

This is a great looking classicly tailored dress, add a little bling and accessories and it could go anywhere.

Thank you guys SO MUCH. This thread has been so much fun!

I have decided to buy this one:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2994215/...bo=6014144&P=2

It's not the snazziest, but it's absolutely perfect for the occasion (both the service and the weather) and with a pair of knee-high boots it is perfect for work as well. And it's cheaper than some of the other options. I did dearly dearly love the retro black/white dress, but it's spendy. I will just keep watching the website like a hawk and hope for a sale! I didn't realize until now that the 2 malls closest to my house don't have a WHBM location, the closest one is in La Jolla!

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone:
Glory, did you ask for help at Nordstrom's? I get excellent service there--top notch, "Pretty Woman" type of service. I went in a couple of months ago and told the saleslady I wanted to find some good jeans. She brought over 60 pairs from four different dept. for me to try since I didn't know my size in the different brands.

A lady did try to help me at Nordstrom's but they just didn't have any good options. She kept bringing me "LBDs" instead of just "BDs"

Glory, the one you picked is the one I would have chosen. I like it for it's classic lines , you can always dress it up or down. Should be perfect for the memorial service and you will get a lot of use from it afterwards.

Great choice Glory! It will drape beautifully. You will look terrific!

The dress came! It's actually a little more booberiffic than I had intended (a little low cut, a little snug) but it's a perfect dress for a funeral, really. That is a relief! It also has pockets! It fits beautifully, which is also a relief.

Booberific tops can be complimented with a camisole, I do that a lot :)

Glory, send us a picture in your dress, it sounds great. I agree with Nelie , camis are so useful.

I will definitely make sure I get a picture and will post it. I'm also going to cut my hair! I've enjoyed having long hair, but I'm getting kind of tired of it (and it's a bit damaged and split and prone to super frizz). I'm not going to go super short, shoulder length I think. I'm also thinking about bangs - I haven't had bangs since...99 or so!

I think you would look great with shorter hair. My experience with hair went like this. I had very long hair and had never intended to cut it, until I broke my shoulder and it became so difficult to take care of, it was traumatic to have it cut, I first had it cut about shoulder length, next time a little bit shorter. A couple of weeks ago I went in for a trim and she cut it really short, more than I wanted, but I must say it evidently looks good as I get a lot of compliments. I say go for it, but a little at a time until you see how you like it.