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Ask Angie, and everyone: Wedding guest dress shopping questions/help.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have a wedding to attend Labor Day Weekend in Sonoma County, CA.
My arms and shoulders need to be covered and my dress a modest length for all events due to the religious beliefs of the bride and groom and their immediate families. It will be an outdoor ceremony with an indoor party afterwards. My collection of formal/dressy occasion items are too snug right now and I cannot count on them fitting much better in a few months.

Is it too soon to start shopping for a dress? Should I wait? Any thoughts on where I might look for a nice dress for such an occasion online?

Whatever I choose needs to be transported across the country in a carryon size suitcase. I do not have a separate hanging garment bag for travel.

What materials travel well and would be appropriate for the weather that time of year? I may not have access to a steamer or an iron.

Thanks!

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43 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In short, start shopping NOW! We can help you shop

DO NOT BUY 100% VISCOSE! It creases terribly. Viscose as a blend in the fibre content is fine.

Manmade fibres are the most crease-resistant. Blends are good too.

Consider separates!

I bet your accommodation will have means to press the outfits!

I've worn this dress to three funerals abroad - and packed it into my suitcase. It was perfectly pressed when I carefully folded it. I hung it out on the other side for a couple of days (it was humid, which helped), and the creases disappeared! 100% cotton.

1901 1901 Midi Shirtdress (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For one of the outfits, I'm thinking a pencil skirt with a pretty billowing blouse in the mid-tones you enjoy wearing. Covered yet dressy, and sleek - not too fitted. Sufficiently modest.

cat2

Veteran

If you will be at a hotel, they can receive a Fed Ex box for you. That’s how I ship nice pieces, freshly pressed and packed in tons of tissue paper.

Staysfit

Veteran

Angie, I love the idea of wearing a pencil skirt and pretty billowy blouse. Natural fibers….I am going to start searching to see what I find!

We are staying at an Airbnb. Hotels were too pricey. Maybe there will be something for pressing/steaming there? I suppose I can create some steam using a shower.

texasgal

Have you looked at MM Lafleur? Most of their clothes are machine washable and travel well. I got my MOB dress from them a few years ago.

Greyscale

Veteran

I bring my mini steamer with me when I fly to important events. And I’m a very light traveler - carry on only. Looks like mine is discontinued, but some options here https://www.thespruce.com/best.....rs-4154862

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I just booked an Airbnb for Sept. The listing is detailed enough to include whether there is a steamer/iron or not. Have you checked yours? Sounds like it would be a load off your mind.

Dressing according to someone else’s modesty standards is hard!

Does this work for you, or are the sleeves too puffy? https://www.cos.com/de_de/wome.....43006.html

You could put a light & breezy kimono over this one https://www.cos.com/de_de/wome.....20003.html

Greyscale

Veteran

Also, Sonoma can be relatively hot (average high in the 80s around Labor Day I think) but it’s dry, so long sleeves won’t be miserable. In fact it might be pleasant for sun protection!

A shirt dress is my go-to these days, if that’s not too casual.

And, in recent years wildfire smoke has been an occasional problem. Not constant, perhaps one weekend a year. Very low chance of affecting you but good to pack a real N95 mask just in case you get unlucky. (Other sorts of masks don’t filter out the smoke well enough.)

merwoman

Veteran

I’ve found shower steam to be very effective. Hang the garment on the shower rod, tuck the shower curtain in the tub, and full blast with the hot water. Exit the bathroom closing the bathroom door. Maybe let it run five minutes before turning it off . Residual steam will stick around for a while if you leave the door closed. Maybe give it a trial run at home to be sure it gives you good results.

CarolS

Veteran

Good luck with the outfit search!

I travel with a small empty spray bottle. When I arrive, I fill it with water, spritz anything that has wrinkled, and hang it on the shower rod. I also carry a hanger or two in case I run into a hotel that has those crazy hangers that are not removable.

It uses less hot water and is less invasive than the steaming up the bathroom thing, with which I always had mixed results.

This, of course, requires that the garments can handle direct application of water, but that's a requirement for anything that goes in my suitcase!

Anonymous

Do you already have the shoes you want to wear? That might influence what you pick out. I know when I'm packing for a trip, I always pick out shoes first, then pack to go with the shoes.

I'm reading all this with interest, since I'm also wedding-guest attire shopping. The one I'll be attending will be on a ranch in October, and I'm hoping to get ideas here, so thanks for posting about your hunt, staysfit!

Sal

Veteran

There are lots of lovely dresses around that might fit the bill. And I think a sleeved midi dress is always handy to have, my shirt dress is something I pull out often when I am not quite sure what to wear, and it always feels right.

I would email the Air BNB re an iron - I suspect they will have one available.

cat2

Veteran

I have a L’Agence shirt dress that is my go to for mildly dressy events. Maybe something like that would work? They have a similar one on sale this year.

Bijou

Veteran

I find lace does not crease at all and so my lace dress which take up next to no room in a suitcase is very good for travelling. Angie bought a beautiful navy lace dress recently.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

So many great tips on this thread! Yes, definitely check with the airbnb about iron/steamer availability. No, it is not too early to start looking!

MsMaven

Veteran

I bought a black lace midi skirt just before the lockdown so haven't worn it much, but it doesn't wrinkle and is washable. Something like this with a dressy top would be great. It's slightly full, so not a pencil, and for me that makes it more comfortable. I prefer to wear a lace skirt to an all lace dress or top.

Lynette

Hi staysfit, I grew up in Sonoma County. It will most likely be hot at that time of year. They have what we call an Indian summer where the hottest months are September and October. The last five years have become even hotter than usual. And there have been unusual winds making it the most dangerous season for fires. I still have family there so praying this year will be better.

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like fun! Definitely start looking now! Love Bijou's lace dress. I could see something like that looking great on you.

We enjoy staying at AirBNB's for these kinds of events, especially if there is a group of us. I agree that they should be able to tell you if there is an iron or steamer available for use.

Staysfit

Veteran

I went through the dresses in my holding zone and found two that fit me. I may be able to make them work IF I can find appropriate toppers and accessories for them. I also have a medium purple maxi length DVF wrap dress with 3/4 sleeves, although it’s heavier than the other two and I typically wear it to winter events.

One is a charcoal colored silk/cotton blend Rachel Comey dress. It would be very easy for travel. It’s very light and takes up almost no space, plus it has a crinkle texture! Does it look too casual? Could it be a good rehearsal dinner or wedding guest dress when paired with the right topper?

https://shoprhoan.com/products.....oal-pucker

The is the silk and linen blend Max Mara dress I purchased a couple years ago during NAS. Its more polished but also more likely to wrinkle. I’m less fond of the pale blush color.

Otaria Flounce Hem Silk

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Rachel Comey dress looks fab! I hate to cover it up - but know that you need to. Will it work with one of your jackets? Might be hot outdoors for September in Sonoma ......not sure.

Ideally you need a dress with lightweight sleeves! Lets see the DVF

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was thinking of a blouses in these shapes with a pencil skirt - but in your colours. Covered, elegant, breezy, dressy:

https://www.trinaturk.com/products/ravishing-top

https://www.trinaturk.com/products/owl-top-1

https://www.trinaturk.com/products/haypress-top

https://www.trinaturk.com/products/concourse-top-5

cat2

Veteran

Your two current dresses look great, can you find a dressy summery open knit topper? A cream would work with both.

RobinF

Veteran

I don't think the black dress looks too casual for a wedding, unless it is a more formal event? Could you use a shawl-like wrapper with it instead of a jacket or sweater? Seems like that wouldn't interfere as much with the nice details of the dress.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Your dresses look great. And II hesitate to say this but it could be as warm as 100 degrees with dry heat, or it could rain ( very very unlikely but possible).

Staysfit

Veteran

Angie, the tops you linked are great! Wearing a top like that with a pencil skirt has been a long time favorite silhouette.

RobinF, I have a couple large scarves that can be tied into a shawl or bolero. I need to test them and see how the colors work. I also found a kimono that might work.

Staysfit

Veteran

Barbara Diane and Lynette, if it’s 100 degrees, I hope the Rachel Comey dress will work, it’s remarkably light and should be comfortable. (If anything is comfortable in that sort of heat!). It’s dark enough that I’m not worried about it being a bit sheer. My undergarments do not show, and yet, it is 100% silk so very breathable. Seems like I should be looking for a good sunhat and maybe an umbrella or parasol!
(So difficult because I do not want to block anyones view being the tall person in front, etc.)

Cat2, I like the idea of a dressy open knit topper. I may even be able to make one! LOL! I took a look at l’agence. I usually like their clothes. They have a maxi shirt dress available right now in a very nice bright light blue background with a reddish brown and white jungle theme animal print. The silhouette reminds me of my long DVF wrap dress.

Ms.Maven, your lace skirt sounds lovely. Bijou, your lace dress is gorgeous! I have a lace dress (Shoshana) in a color I love. It’s slightly snug right now. It technically does fit…I can put it on and zip it up but there’s no room for expansion if I eat, LOL! I think the lining is synthetic so I decided against it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Staysfit, sounds like it's coming together, and the creative juices are flowing!

I'm wearing this Trina Turk blouse again today - along the lines of what I linked to, and it's glorious I must say. Highly recommend the vibe

Trina Turk Trina Turk Sunrise Vista 2 Floral-Print Top

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cat2

Veteran

So glad this is coming together and you get to wear pieces that have no doubt been languishing in your closet. One off point trip tip is to make sure everything is fully refundable, should there be a fire in the Wine Country.

Bijou

Veteran

Staysfit, I found this blouse on Yoox that may be a possibility. Being 100% silk, it would be light to wear and breathable. Currently 25% off the list price.

EMPORIO ARMANI | Light pink Women‘s Blouse | YOOX

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