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Posted 7/14/2015 5:31 PM (GMT -5)
I haven't worn a dress in 35 years but my son is getting married and I need one now! Day one of shopping was bad. I don't want anything tight on my body or hard to put on or take off. No buttons, zippers, scratchy clothes, or anything hot! And that is just the beginning of my requirements. I want to be able to move comfortably in the outfit.

I also can't stand perfume or those smelly room fresheners. Of course I was bombarded by these all day. Needless to say I am getting a headache now. I also spent about an hour online looking for something to order instead. The one possibility was not available in my size any longer.

The worse part is still to come. Tomorrow the mall. Yuk! Then, when I do get the outfit there is the shoe issue. Like some of you I only wear sandals which here in Southern Ca. Is fine, but the Midwest in late fall, not so sure.

Just venting. I know some of you can relate.
Posted 7/14/2015 7:11 PM (GMT -5)
Boy, I sure can relate with that. My oldest daughter and her boyfriend are getting quite serious and I, also, don't own a dress. I look terrible in dresses too plus I also wear only sandals. I keep hoping they will elope and that will solve the problem. tongue

I hope you have good luck at the mall...double yuk!

Sherrine
Posted 7/14/2015 7:21 PM (GMT -5)
Dear friend - I had 2 sons get married in two years, so I am well- practiced in wedding shopping! I tried online - there are actually sites specializing in mother of the bride/groom dresses. I'd try googling to look at these sites.
I ended up getting both of my dresses at a major department store. I am the same as you - nothing scratchy, hot, etc. I ended up with two dresses I would consider even wearing again for a special occasion.
For shoes, I'd recommend going online. The sites I used let you return with no postage.
And even if you just take a dress or two home to try on, you can always return one or both. I think it is easier to try on at home.
One more thing - the nice thing about a long dress is that you won't need to wear hose. I chose mid-calf, because I liked those dresses best.
Don't forget a wrap - sometimes you can find cute ones at a near new shops.
Have fun!

Hope
Posted 7/14/2015 9:39 PM (GMT -5)
For both my daughters weddings i ordered online..tried them at home..usually had to order two sizes , since no matter what size i am ..i tend to run between sizes...

I was also losing weight, so i kept both sizes and got into the smaller just in time...gave the larger one to a friend going on a cruise..

For the first daughters wedding i found the perfect thing for me..

For the second wedding i found an ok dress..
I ordered it in two colors and sizes and returned the ones that did not work..

I wore dressier shoes for the ceremony , but took more comfy ones for the reception..even the brides do this now..

As a funny wedding story..my daughter went to Italy.. for their honeymoon, took her wedding dress..wore it all over florence, hired a photographer both here and in Italy ...so we have wedding photos from both countries...she wore bridal ballet slippers all over florence and that dress was absolutely disgusting when she got back...but has so many treasured memories.! Kids !
Posted 7/15/2015 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Try a David's Bridal shop. You can try on there in the shop and have it ordered in your size or color. They do alterations there too. They sell matching ballet slippers dyed to match your dress.
Posted 7/15/2015 7:22 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the suggestions. I have literally been up the whole night with headache and flare. No guessing why. Shopping stresses me something terrible. But I've had lots of time to think.

Sherrine, I think I have an answer for our dress problem. First, I'll have to get a Bedazzler, then I'll get a mumu (remember those?). I'll color coordinate the mumu to the bridesmaid dresses. Then I'll Bedazzle my SAS sandals to match. Then, if there is a wedding in your family I'll lend the Bedazzler to you. You can get a mumu too and Bedazzle your Birenstocks to match devil

I think I feel better already. Maybe I'll go to bed for a while now. Later today I might go to David's Bridal as suggested.
Posted 7/15/2015 9:14 AM (GMT -5)
Hey, I like your idea! I don't need the Bedazzler because I have a pair of black patent leather Birkenstock sandals...for those special occasions. smilewinkgrin

The muumuu is a great idea. It's either that or a special dress from the maternity department. You see, I have a huge, inoperable hernia...about the size of a soccer ball. I look half pregnant and have even been asked when the baby is due. LOL. (Gotta laugh or I would be crying.) This is why I look terrible in a dress. I have thin arms and legs, no butt, but this huge hernia and because of the hernia I have to buy things two sizes larger to go around it. I wear capris a lot but there is so much extra fabric in the legs that they look like clown pants on me. LOL.

I honestly would consider an elegant outfit that had palazzo pants...something soft and flowing and in a beautiful color that can hide a soccer ball under it. The pants give the illusion of a long dress.

You will find the PERFECT outfit and then will wonder why you worried so much. It's hanging on a rack right now waiting for you to find it. Tell us all about it when you do find it, okay?

Sherrine
Posted 7/15/2015 9:24 AM (GMT -5)
Oh, I also have to dress shop, daughter is geing married in 2016, she moved it from 2015 because of my brothers. If your going to the mall Macys opens at 10 a.m. so I would suggest you get there as early as possible try on a few for sizing then look online and try to find something...
Also, call the mother of the bride because she gets first choice for dress color. Always...and many well wishes to you!
Posted 7/17/2015 9:17 AM (GMT -5)
How is the shopping going?
Please update us if your up to it...
Posted 7/17/2015 4:30 PM (GMT -5)
I haven't found anything yet, but my future DIL has suggested a few more colors that she thought would be good. This widens what I will look at. The big problem is this time of year the summer stuff is all on sale and the fall clothes is just trickling in.

I think there will be more choices if I wait a few weeks. At least I hope so.

Thanks for asking. I'll be sure to let you know when I do get "The Dress".
Posted 7/17/2015 4:43 PM (GMT -5)
actually the fall wardrobes should be in stores now or very soon, Christmas is already up at Hallmark and Hobby Lobby! and Michaels...
Posted 7/20/2015 8:08 PM (GMT -5)
I've been going thru the same thing myself, so I know the 'fun' you've been having w/ shopping. I tried looking in the mall, Macy's & such. Nothing! My DD asked me to go w/ her re her dress, I said YES! We went to a David's Bridal shop that's about 45 minutes from us. She found a gorgeous gown . . . and shoes, veil, necklace, & . . . lol. Everything went together beautifully. I cried just seeing her all dolled up in the store, I will be a mess at the wedding. :)

I looked around for a full length gown - had a general idea of what I wanted. All they had were knee length - NOOOO! The mother of the groom & I get along great, so we have been shopping together to encourage each other on our mission. lol I looked online to see if anybody had what I wanted. Nothing. I finally looked at David's Bridal online and lo and behold, they had the exact gown I wanted in a full length. Time for another road trip. I was able to get the gown, the saleslady was wonderful, no perfumes or scents to get me. The lady got a chair for me for the changing room. I did not have alterations done yet, but the lady asked did I want it tight or a bit loose. You know what I answered! ;)

I had to wear a bra that day, I was in pain for the better part of a wk after that adventure. Last wk the other mother & I went for shoes. It wasn't pretty. I tried a very low heel on and my left foot felt like an electrical shock slammed into the ball of my foot several times. My friend found a lovely pair that will look great w/ her gown. I wish I could find a pair of 'dress sneakers' - only half joking.

I like Sherrine's idea. My older sister wore a gorgeous pants suit to her DD's wedding. She looked stunning!

I hope we all find the complete ensemble for our darling childrens' weddings. And I hope at the end of that special day, all we remember is what a beautiful day it was for our babies.

Hope you all have a peaceful evening and a great day tomorrow.

God bless. Alice.
Posted 7/20/2015 11:36 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Alice. I don't feel alone after hearing from you and the others.

I am going to look around a little this week. Macy's, Penney's, and Chico's were a big NO. We have a David's Bridal kind of close but I was told it was closed. I live in a very hot snowbird kind of area in Southern Ca and a lot of places close for July and August because not enough people stay here in the summer and it costs too much for the air conditioning. I don't know if that is the case with David's.

Anyway, I am sure that I will find something. I just am not a shopper.
I do picture myself in flowing silky pants with a matching unstructured jacket more than a dress. Then my sandals won't really show. My sister mentioned pantyhose to me. 😳What? I haven't worn those in years.

My future DIL is so sweet and I am so happy about the wedding. I would never let she or my son know how stressed I am.
Posted 7/22/2015 6:43 PM (GMT -5)
The flowing silky pants sound lovely! And comforable..

11 yr ago I had to dress up for family member's wedding.. found lovely, low heeled dressy comfortable sandals ..
Brand name Helle.
Looked nice with the formal pantsuit I chose & have worn a couple of times since then.

Plus some nice bedroom slippers that i changed into as the event started winding down.

Sounds like you are getting closer to finding the perfect ensemble!
Posted 7/22/2015 8:41 PM (GMT -5)
I cannot remember the last time i saw anyone in panty hose...do people still wear those?

I did buy a shaper, but believe me i never wore it!
Posted 7/23/2015 12:11 AM (GMT -5)
My mom insists on wearing panty hose. She wears a compression type because of her varicose veins. Her legs are pretty bad looking.
Posted 7/23/2015 12:21 AM (GMT -5)
Tough thing to find!

When I shopped for my friend's daughter's wedding in March, I was lucky enough to find a full-length, long-sleeved velvety-type dress (LL Bean) at ARC that would keep me warm. It was dressy enough - or not ;) - but of course, I wasn't IN the wedding or the mother of anyone, so standards weren't so high. Heck, I was so cold at the reception I put my fleece jacket back on!

And I found a pair of black Sketchers "Walk" or something that I could stand to wear for a few hours - miracle of miracles.

Good luck, Puppylover!

Debbie
Posted 7/27/2015 2:44 PM (GMT -5)
I just found what could be a great website! go to:
www.fabvoguedress.com
They have MOB Dressess and get this they have MOB PantSuits! So you can get something!
Give it a check...
Posted 8/9/2015 1:26 PM (GMT -5)
Well, I found it!!😃

After weeks of trying on dresses of all kinds I realized the big problem was how short waisted I am. So, one morning I decided to look for a dressy jacket and work from there. After shopping all morning for a cute jacket I was ready to give up and go home. Then I decided to try the shop near my home that I found online. They sell desert casual clothes so I really didn't expect to find anything.

Walking to the dressing room to try on a blouse I saw 'IT". A Lacey knitted look cardigan with sparkly things on the front with a matching tank top. Perfect neutral color and my size. I bought it.

I forgot to mention that I can sew pretty good. I use to make all my clothes, but it does affect my neck, shoulders, arms, back and rear end. All that sitting and using hands and arms etc. That is why I wasn't going to make something for the wedding. Stress and perfection play into it too.

I am making the skirt to go with the jacket.. Watercolor looking silky with shades of blue and little swirls the color of the jacket. Going to make a matching scarf to drape around my neck.

Sherrine you reminded me about black patent shoes and I remembered that I have a pair of Sas patent sandals and also a silvery pair of another brand. I am all set. Now I just have to sew the skirt . Bias cut Aline which will drape nicely.

Thanks for all your comments. My problem is solved👍
Posted 8/9/2015 1:43 PM (GMT -5)
Hip hip hooray! It sounds lovely. You will look stunning!

Sherrine
Posted 8/9/2015 2:01 PM (GMT -5)
Sounds lovely! Wonderful talent, sewing!
Posted 8/9/2015 5:02 PM (GMT -5)
Great you could find something to inspire you : )

I think two pieces are often more comfy than a dress...

Its all doable once we set our mind to it

Lj
Posted 8/10/2015 4:50 PM (GMT -5)
So glad for you, if you can please post pictures of the lovely outfit...Sounds beautiful...s far I'm not having any luck finding a periwinkle dress...
I saw one online and think it would be perfect but it would have to be ordered and if the store I went to orders it and it looks bad 'd be stuck with it...inside me I know its the right dress...
So glad you found your perfect dress, HOORAY!
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