Inexpensive "cocktail" dress and wedding question

[eliza61]

I swear I have the goofyiest, most annoying family known to man. ***sighs***

Anyhoo a cousin of mine is getting married in 2 weeks. Yes we are really close, we are the same age (50ish ) lived 10 blocks away in our youth, etc ets. so not attending isn't really an option.

So this is her 3rd wedding and I know nowadays anything goes but I really wish she had just gone to Vegas and been done with it.

Wedding is October 1st. we still don't have invitations (supposedly went out yesterday) and she texted me asking all the women to wear a cocktail dress. which of course I don't really have.

I totally admit that I feel a little annoyed which is probably not the proper attitude but why do weddings now have "conditions"? I really don't want to spend money on a dress I'll only wear once. I'm trying ot get out of that habit.

Anyway anyone know where to score a cheap cocktail dress (under 100 bucks).

 

[charming23]

If you have any good thrift shops around, try those. I have had good luck lately and got a cute cocktail dress at one for a wedding this summer for under $30.

A couple of other good places to try are Macy's, Kohl's, and JC Penney's. They usually have good sales where you can get one for a good price.

Good Luck.

 

[Darcy03231]

Do you have a classic "little black dress"? If not, I would invest in one. You can use them for lots of occasions and dress them up or down as the occasion requires. I have a couple and have bought all of them for under $50.

 

[crisi]

Another option (both the above are good - I've gotten miles out of dressing up my little black dress) is a Marshalls/TJ Maxx - or a place like Nordstrom Rack. Marshalls in my neck of the woods is a great place for a "$50 cocktail dress."

 

[mjkacmom]

Every woman should have a go-to "little black dress." Heck, even dd15 has one. I don't know what else people wear to weddings? Men wear suits, women wear dresses.

 

[gracie1]

Definately try JC Penneys. That is where I get all of my cocktail dresses. Can get a lot of them under $50 and sumetimes under $40!
Also check out their website under clearance.

 

[Soulsearching]

A great basic black dress is an asset to have in the closet.

Good for a wedding, a funeral, dinner out, a play, etc. It covers all bases.

You can dress it up with jewlery and a great pair of heels.

Dress it down with a pair of black boots and a belt add a blazer and your out for the day.

The key is to get one with a little stretch and aline. So if you go up size or a down a size, it still fits!

 

[eliza61]

thanks guys,
I do have a classic "little black" dress. Unfortunately that would be one of the 2 colors she requesting we don't wear. the other is white. She having a 11:00am service with a 12:30 brunch and wants light or bright colors.

I hate themed weddings.

 

[rapunzelmom]

scored an excellent cocktail dress this summer at a consignment store, $12. even found shoes and handbag there. total outfil $38 and got tons of compliments.

 

[Sinderelly]

thanks guys,
I do have a classic "little black" dress. Unfortunately that would be one of the 2 colors she requesting we don't wear. the other is white. She having a 11:00am service with a 12:30 brunch and wants light or bright colors.

I hate themed weddings.

Not requesting certain colors to be worn seems " a little picky". I would think she would focus more of having friends/family there to enjoy her day.
If you have one in your area try a Ross store. They have great bargains on dresses.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I would accommodate her request by wearing the current LBD and using bright accessories like jewelry, shoes, belt, or sweater (whatever goes with the dress style).

 

[mjkacmom]

I would accommodate her request by wearing the current LBD and using bright accessories like jewelry, shoes, belt, or sweater (whatever goes with the dress style).

Great idea! I can't imagine telling people they can't wear black, since that's the most popular color. I do understand the white, since that's been a tradition forever.

 

[luckyfin]

thanks guys,
I do have a classic "little black" dress. Unfortunately that would be one of the 2 colors she requesting we don't wear. the other is white. She having a 11:00am service with a 12:30 brunch and wants light or bright colors.

I hate themed weddings.

This is very strange to me, asking people to wear a cocktail dress to an afternoon brunch wedding reception. I think I would focus less on the cocktail dress part and more on the color part. Good luck!

 

[kaytieeldr]

What else do you have? Let's see if we can dress you appropriately with your existing wardrobe .

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Do you have a dress barn near you? I've been able to get cheap cocktail dresses there for around 50 to 100 dollars.

 

[crisi]

Great idea! I can't imagine telling people they can't wear black, since that's the most popular color. I do understand the white, since that's been a tradition forever.

Not wearing black to a wedding has also been a tradition forever in Western weddings. Its relaxed in the past 20+ years, but this is an older bride.

I wouldn't go as far as to think anyone going to a wedding in black was being purposefully offensive now a days, but I'll admit that I still raise my eyebrow while admitting I'm horribly old fashioned.

If I'm old enough to think that wearing the color of mourning to a wedding is in bad taste, the bride is as well (I'm a few years younger than "fiftish"). At least she's letting people know.

 

[DOREEN1779]

I see you live in Southern Jersey. Find the nearest Annie Sez or Loeman's. You can get a classic name brand cocktail dress for under $100 that will last you many years. Doreen

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

borrow one from a friend

 

[punkin]

Not wearing black to a wedding has also been a tradition forever in Western weddings. Its relaxed in the past 20+ years, but this is an older bride.

I wouldn't go as far as to think anyone going to a wedding in black was being purposefully offensive now a days, but I'll admit that I still raise my eyebrow while admitting I'm horribly old fashioned.

If I'm old enough to think that wearing the color of mourning to a wedding is in bad taste, the bride is as well (I'm a few years younger than "fiftish"). At least she's letting people know.

I was brought up that only the bride wears white (and that's all she wears unless she'd been married before) and no one wears black. I realize times have changed, but I still would never wear black or white to a wedding.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

thanks guys,
I do have a classic "little black" dress. Unfortunately that would be one of the 2 colors she requesting we don't wear. the other is white. She having a 11:00am service with a 12:30 brunch and wants light or bright colors.

I hate themed weddings.

I wouldn't follow suit, if you asked me. If I am not in the wedding party, the closest I will come to conforming is on formality. (informal, semiformal, or formal) And then I RSVP accordingly.


As far as black--I was in a black and white themed wedding. My bridesmaid gown was black. I am going to a red and black themed wedding next weekend. I imagine the dresses will have some black in them. My step-mother scoffs. But I have never been to a funeral in an evening gown, so I tend to not listen to her.