Shopping for dresses (vent ahead)

[agnes!]

I hate it.

I've been looking for a pretty dress to wear to an early afternoon wedding near San Francisco (take place next week) for *ages*. I don't want a dress that looks like it meant to go to the Oscars on Cindy Spelling's back, I don't want a cocktail-suit, I don't want to wear black (the bride's family is from another country and I don't want to be the relative who shows up in black - they might not understand), I don't want to wear any of the muted fall-tones that are SO popular this fall - they look like death on me. Gack - muted orange! Gack - avocado-green! Gack - off-colored purple! Gack - yellow! brown! taupe! Gackgackgack...
I just want a pretty dress.

And I can't find one that fits at all or one that looks...PRETTY. You know, "pretty"?. And I'm getting really upset about it.

Thanks for listening - carry on.

agnes!

 

[SC Minnie]

I found some really nice dresses at of all places Ross and TJ Maxx after seraching and searching. I wore one on formal night on our cruise in July and they were really nice. They were simple but very nice- came just below the knee. This is one of them

 

[Darcy03231]

How about this?

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...ND=13&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=50444|64329|64334

I find I usually do best at Macy's or JC Penney.

 

[missypie]

Have you looked on-line on the Ann Taylor web site?
Talbots used to have some nice ones, too, but I don't think they carry special occasion dresses anymore.

 

[DizBelle]

Try JCPenny. They seem to have a good selection of dresses.

 

[JEmaryland]

Tommy Bahama has some really cute dresses. I got one at their outlet store for a cruise I just went on. They have 34 pages of dresses on their website, TommyBahama.com.

 

[Rora]

I second everyone else's suggestions- TJMaxx, Ross, Kohls, etc have great, typically cheaper finds.

Ann Taylor Loft has great dresses and you should be able to find some happy summer-y ones on sale that you could dress up.

I've always found that Dillards has great dresses too!

Good luck, OP!

 

[java]

Don't know what SIZE you are looking for but I always have luck at Nordstroms.

Here is regular size "guest of the wedding' dresses- plenty in brights!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR/0~2376...5&searchorigin=ProductFinder&findertypereqd=N

 

[MIGrandma]

I've always had good luck with Penneys (mall store, or catalog ordering) and Coldwater Creek.

 

[agnes!]

See, the thing is, is that a special-occasion type dress (hard to describe but "fancy" with sequins or crystals) or a cocktail-suit probably would be out of place at this wedding. I just want a really pretty "dress".

I've looked at Nordstrom Rack, Dress Barn, couple of different Marshall's... I found one dress at a Marshall's that I liked, but not quite in my size as I am quite busty.

Thanks for the suggestions. I did just take a look at the Tommy Bahama website, those dresses are really cute but I normally cannot order dresses online due to my "fitting" issues. Tomorrow I'll go to the nearest Kohl's and J.C. Penney's and there's a TJ Maxx not too far from here - I might run over there tonight for a little bit.

It shouldn't be this upsetting to try to find a dress that fits *and* is in a flattering color. (*sigh*)

agnes!

 

[pezheadmeg]

I've so been there. I spent multiple lunch days last week down on the selling floor trying to find the right pretty dress. It was to the point that the sales staff got tried of looking at me. Or they got tired of the store's fashion authority muttering that we had nothing fashionable that would fit my curvy chest area and send the right message.

I ended up finding a great printed silk blend top in the right colors that works right. I figured if I need to make it dressy I can pair it the cream silk skirt I keep in my closet.

But I've had tons of luck at Ann Taylor Loft. It's my first stop that I go to for dresses usually. I think it says a lot that I do visual for Macy's, but anytime I need a dress I head right for Ann Taylor. There's always something there that works.

It's all about the accessories sometimes too. Never underestimate the power of the right accessory.

 

[Debbie7452]

I find Kohl's to be a waste of time for dresses. Lots of great separates, but very few dress styles, IMO

Good Luck looking! I know just where you're coming from and sympathize. My last pretty dress came from Penney's. They had a big selection in my area.

 

[Debbie7452]

oh yes, I forgot! Palais Royal is good for dresses (if you have that where you are).

 

[MJMouse]

agnes!

I feel your pain. I dress shopped for MONTHS this summer (online and in person) before finding four (yes 4...) dresses this weekend. They were even on sale!

I think you're in my area... I found them at Potomac Mills. If you haven't been down there are some good sales right now.

Also, I echo the Ann Taylor recommendation. Order online and take back to the store... the one in Old Town is wonderful about taking returns from online orders.

You might also try the Talbots Outlet in Springfield.

Good luck!

 

[java]

I think this is cute and it's only $38! I like halter styles myself(big chest)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2989057...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014174&P=1

 

[agnes!]

Unfortunately that color is only available in a Size 6, but I did take a look at what was available in other sizes/colors.

agnes!

 

[redlight]

I think this is cute and it's only $38! I like halter styles myself(big chest)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2989057...Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014174&P=1

I like it too.

 

[agnes!]

I checked out T.J Maxx, but they had *nothing*...seriously. Am going to the Talbott's Outlet(HATE the regular Talbott's will never walk in there ever EVER again). Am thinking about Ann Taylor (I just hope they don't laugh when I walk in the store) but am first going to also make the trek to Loehmann's.

This has been absolutely (and surprisingly-so) excruciating, right up there with shopping for a swimsuit.

agnes!

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm having the same problem, only I need a dress for DD9 for my BFF's wedding!!! Good luck, I hope you find something soon!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Don't know what SIZE you are looking for but I always have luck at Nordstroms.

Here is regular size "guest of the wedding' dresses- plenty in brights!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014174?mediumthumbnail=Y&mode=pfind&tuid=5ac8a3da-c3a2-4a79-9a40-46ccfcd02a6e&catID=6014174&sort=5&searchorigin=ProductFinder&findertypereqd=N

bought all my dresses on line for our QM2 cruise.