You've probably already looked here, but Anthropologie has some very pretty dresses in their Wedding Guest section, and they're quite reasonably priced. Hardly any boho to be seen!

http://tinyurl.com/j2utk5k

I think you have the right to be negative about our dress choices in the market - it's not your body! Dresses seem made for some imaginary ideally proportionate ratio - small bust, defined waist, hips (but not too much hips). I find all sheath dresses too tight in the bust, shoulders and waist and too large in the hips. They always look ideal zipped halfway up the back on me. I really only wear shift dresses for this reason and show my legs - but it would be nice to show some figure now and then.

Xtabay, there are some really pretty dresses on there -- I looked a month or so, and just took another look in case there was something new. Unfortunately, many of those are either not right for me (spaghetti straps), or for the occasion (maxi or too evening). There was one I really liked (the V-neck floral sheath), but the reviews say it's sparkly, which I don't want for a daytime garden wedding. Bummer!

Una, yes! I hear you, girlfriend. Sadly, I can't even resort to shift dresses and show leg, because my legs just are not all that. Below the knee, they're fine, but hemlines above the knee are just all wrong on me. So sad. Biking and running have done a lot of wonderful things for me, but they don't change the basic shape of one's legs.

Well, don't be discouraged. I was helping my best friend find one last year, and it took many expeditions. We finally found the perfect one at Neiman's, on sale. It was quite a saga, and exhausting for sure, but it had a happy ending.

Add me to the chorus...major dress shopping difficulties, always. And yet we are opposite figure types. I'm an IT, currently very Apple also. So who do these dresses fit?

Peru, I am guessing rectangles and slim hourglasses with not much in the way of curves and perfect proportions, maybe?

WHAT IS IT WITH ALL THE SHORT DRESSES. The industry is finally giving us sleeves, but they can't seem to give us length. It's quite ridiculous.

Janet, I agree. And I know Angie (who is one of those lucky people) may say that not all dresses look best on that figure type, but my guess is that they at least technically fit, which is a barrier I can't seem to get past!

And Angie, it's funny, but the designers like Ted Baker who make some gorgeous printed midi length dresses seem to make impossible fits. Argh.

Janet, I feel your pain regarding event dresses. We literally did not attend a gala charity event a couple of years ago because I returned 4 dresses (too body con, utterly sheer, too clubwear hookerish, too grandmother of the bride) before giving up in tears. Plus, most of what was available was sleeveless or even strapless -- and this event was scheduled for January in NYC.

It's probably a mercy that I quit before I found a dress, because then I would have had to find shoes with a 1" or lower heel that did not look dowdy. Yeah, that's easy to do.

I have always had great luck with dresses at Bloomingdales.

I'm with you on not liking all the Coachella style!
Dresses are so tricky because you can't buy one e.g. in Size 6 Rectangle Shape; Size 10 IT shape and so on. And that's really what we all need. In addition of course to good lengths. I can't think of a business model for the brands we know to be able to offer a wider size range like that -- I know some of them have the straight fit, curvy fit pants, but it would be interesting to see it taken a little further. Maybe we need to set up our own YLF angel investor firm to support designers!

Janet, I too spent the morning dress shopping. I need something fairly conservative for an event. Like you I don't want anything too short. I came away with nothing. The only thing I'm considering, other than what's in my closet is this dress which comes in various colors and could be made more interesting with shoes and jewelry. All in all my experience was much like yours--discouraging.

Well I'm happy to hear that when the sales hit I should have plenty of boho pieces to look through! ^^

Dresses are tough, more empathy from me. If shorties like me find them all too short, there's some serious lack of length going around.

Dresses, aarrgh!
I also can't relate to, throw on a dress, effortless one-step outfit. I only wish!
I don't want a true midi--just need that extra inch or sometimes 2 to get to kneecap.

I'd lend you my Vivienne Westwood bright blue dress, but it's probably too big for you.

So sorry you are having so much trouble. I hope this search will one day be just an amusing story.
I also remember that you looked good in your backup outfit.
I had a wedding to go to a while back. I just couldn't figure out the right thing to wear. Since it was "just" my friend's daughter's, it was not as stressful as your search. But still...
Right before the wedding I picked up some items I had consigned that had not sold. I ended up pairing a barely there open long openwork sweater I had purchased in the interim with the dress I picked up.

I call it the boneyard boho --- you should try Kohl's clearance racks. There's something so sad about a flouncy top with a raveling hem jammed into a rack that's labeled "80% off."

Jackets, though --- that's sounds fab!

I'm looking for an afternoon concert dress and a dress for a wedding in August, but I'm strongly considering a skirt and a dressy blouse! So hard to find something that suits!