Congratulations! I have no idea where to tell you to shop but I know you will find an amazing dress.

Yay, Amazon!

How about Kamalikulture? Is this still too casual?

http://www.amazon.com/KAMALIKU.....7?s=appare

I'd pile pearls onto this:

http://www.amazon.com/KAMALIKU.....4?s=appare

Here is the collection - sleeveless sheath? I just realized you run warm. I am always cold so it's natural for me to want to cover up:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb.....ure&s

What wonderful new Suz!! Congratulations!

First of all, congratulations on your nomination. My son was up for one of the awards a few years and had a good time at the event. As a male, it was a lot easier for him just to pull out a suit and tie!

I'd second the J Crew suggestion if you are looking online; most of their dressy wear is geared to weddings, but some of the dresses are quite wearable for other events.

I have a couple of Calgary suggestions, though. First, if you are up for going through a mall, I'd suggest you check out Chinook Mall on Macleod Trail. The section near the future location of Nordstroms has some nice shopping including BCBG, Armani Exchange, Burberry, Judith and Charles, etc. This location is supposed to eventually also house J Crew, Eileen Fisher, and some of the other US retailers.

Another suggestion is to do what my DIL does and call a personal shopper at Holt Renfrew, located in the city centre, to set aside a few items in your size and price range for you to check out. The Calgary contact number is (403) 269-7341. If your time is limited, that might be a better option than wandering through a mall trying to find something in your size. Holt can be expensive, but, some of their house brands are quite reasonable. For example, their Calgary store has the following peplum top and matching color-blocked skirt that could be interesting. And the price is quite reasonable.

http://www.holtrenfrew.com/sho.....0-9001-009

http://www.holtrenfrew.com/sho.....0-9003-009

Suz, huge congratulations on your nominations! Whilst I have no wardrobe or shopping suggestions, I just wanted to tell you I'm happy for you.

Congrats, Suz, how exciting!!! Can't wait to see what you choose.

How fantastic - congratulations Suz. I love the idea of navy for you - you would look stunning in a tux too:)

Just wanted to send my congratulations Suz!!
Does this mean you are a celebrity now?
(You are to us anyway.)

Mega congratulations! Totally no help on Canada shopping and gala shopping anyway--but you will look fab. Happy hunting!

Thank you, everyone! No, Lyn, I am most definitely not a celebrity. And I won't actually win a prize, either...(I am not being falsely modest; it's just that I have a pretty good idea of how these things go from past experiences.) Having said that, it's a huge honour to get the nominations themselves, so I am pleased as a summer poppy!

Gaylene, calling Holts in advance is a fabulous suggestion. In fact, the friend of a friend who loaned me a jacket in the summer used to be a stylist of some sort (I think she was actually an interior designer, but she is very into fashion, too) and she is close to my size. So I think she will have suggestions, and given her lifestyle, she probably is good friends with the stylist at Holts!

Angie, I LOVE the Kamalikulture dresses and think I might order one...but not sure they would be dressy enough. Or at least I might need an accessories intervention as well, to make them dressy enough! But that would be do-able. They are very reasonably priced.

Congratulations on the nomination, Suz!

Re: the Ralph Lauren dress. There are a lot of very similar versions of the dress with different fabrics, sleeves, and necklines. It might be worth popping over to the Bay and seeing what versions they have on offer.

Here is a boat neck but it has cap sleeves which I remember you are not crazy about:
http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/308845
And a cowl neck version (is this too low?):
http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/297491

A long one (maybe too dressy?):
http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/314430

Not a ralph lauren, but also interesting, a cobalt/black sheath, asymmetrical neck:http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/310974

ETA: WAs actually trying to find this RL dress for you but they didn't have it on the Bay website:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/la.....gin=keywor

Holts is where I would go. Definitely make an apt and give a budget etc. Calgary is probably perfect store too.

I love that peplum top and skirt Gaylene! So versatile and modern looking. At that price point maybe some killer shoes and/ or bag!?? Gee, I might have to check it out as we are invited to a wedding in Sept that specifies formal wear....Ack! What will I wear?

Congratulations, Suz! What an honor!

There's a Laura at the outlets on Division St. up by the 401. They have a petites section as well. There's also a Jones New York there - sometimes they have nice dresses too.

Happy to hit a Laura for you here in Ottawa if you need. The Holt's is also here and not far from my house. I can pop up there on an evening if necessary. Just PM me if you need to!

Krista, how could you know that and I don't? Sheesh?! I thought they were gone for good when they moved out of our RioCan...hmmm.

And thanks for your offer.

Thanks, Mia. I agree about that cute peplum - it's a great outfit.

Diana, you are SO sweet to find links at the clunky Bay website for me!! I love the RL dress you were searching for. Alas, not at the Bay, but maybe elsewhere. And I really like the Jax one!! The angles definitely appeal to me and I can see that working well if the fit were good. And I love the blue. Maybe I should order it. I can always return anything to the Bay if it doesn't work, and there's no delivery charge. Thank you!!!

I am late and not versed in Canadian retail, so I just wanted to congratulate you! Wow, it is cool just to *know* a real, live, acclaimed writer. High five and hugs!

Chiming in to add my congratulations! And wanted to say while you will want to feel fab in an extra special outfit - your beautiful smile is what everyone will notice first.

Congratulations! A chiffon maxi skirt and a bustier-style top, if you could work either piece into later outfits, could be smashing, especially with a dramatic necklace. I'd spend money there, because the dinner tablecloth will conceal the bottom part for a good part of the evening. And comfortable shoes for your walk to the podium to accept the award.

Congratulations! This sounds very exciting! Looking forward to seeing your gala outfit!

Congratulations from me too! You may not consider yourself a celebrity but you are our YLF celebrity for sure!
I also can check some stores for you if you like - there are Laura, Melanie Lyne and The Bay in our mall.
There are 2 LBD at BR which may fit you: this one and this one if you want to go a classic LBD way. They will be stunning with your toned arms and shoulders and blonde short hair.
Some from Le Chateau: peplum lace, cobalt fitted sheath - I think neckline is not too deep and the color is stunning.
Another option - how about a stunning top with Leith trousers? I am not sure if the fabrication is dressy enough but I can see them on you with a sleeveless sparkly fitted top...
I am so excited for you! I have never been to Gala in my life so it sounds very intriguing!
Again - congratulations on your achievement!!!!

Congrats!! How exciting!

This is what I would wear to a gala. Probably more that you are thinking...and others, I've looked at some of the links...but gala! Just the word is fab.

http://m.whitehouseblackmarket.....#038;size=

I have not read a single comment (I will!) and will certainly have no idea what you should wear (but am dying to see what you find) but I have to say CONGRATULATIONS! Wow, what an honor! I am very excited for you!

BTW; Can I get your autograph?

Congratulations! I'm sure you will find something super fabulous!

Wonderful news! Congratulations, Suz.

Suz!!!! Congratulations! What a huge honor (very much deserved)! I'm so excited for you.

Great suggestions in this thread. I especially love the Jax ones, Angie's picks (with the right accesories), and the cobalt Le Chateau.

Don't forget that ZARA offers free shipping and free returns now. Club Monaco I think has free or low-cost shipping, and Aritzia has $8 shipping and $8 returns (free to the store).

I vote order a ton of stuff online now, and keep anything that's a possibility until after you go to Holt's in Calgary. That way there isn't too much pressure on that single shopping trip.

Congratulations and best of luck! Have you heard of Rent, Frock, Repeat? They will send you two sizes of a dress so you can choose which one is best for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one that might just sit in your closet.

SUZ! What a fantastic honor.

I'm useless aside to say go dressy. Don't underestimate fancy-pants separates though. [Ooh: what ABOUT fancy pants?]

Or is that amazing metallic (?) jacket you borrowed for some other fancy event too warm to be worn?

Is there any hope of finding something while you're traveling?

I'm all questions, but I blame the vicarious thrill of your nomination.

Vix: jacket does not belong to me, sadly, and was borrowed from a Calgary friend (and I will be in Toronto).

Yes, there is hope of finding something - -my husband reminded me that I have a day in Calgary before I return home!

Nicole - thank you!! I am going to follow up on that link. Amazing!

Ariadne, I did not know Zara ships / returns free in Canada, this is great news - thanks! (eh, more potential damage of course...)

Hey Suz!

I just went shopping for a grad banquet gown for myself, and I'm in Calgary, so if you're in town and need some help with where to look, I swear I've been to every store here that even tangentially carries dresses. xD Let me know!