Formal dresses: the hunt is on - YouLookFab Forum

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Formal dresses: the hunt is on

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Well, it's begun...I've started hunting down a formal dress for my cruise. Five weeks may seem like a long ways off, but it really isn't when you account for potential alterations, planning suitable accessories etc. Factor in the possibility of delivery to Canada and it's time to get in gear.

Formal options in plus sizes are honestly depressing. I have a few possibilities coming to Rina's boutique, and I've tried on a grand total of two other gowns elsewhere in the city (both non-starters). I have another stop planned on the weekend, but I've been hitting up pretty much any online store that delivers here and carries things in my range. On a side note, it's beyond frustrating to be on the cusp of straight sizes, but not there yet. Boo. Who knew 35 pounds would make so little difference.

Anyway, I am interested in your take on the following two dresses.

1. What on earth colour is "Mineral?" Is it silver?
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....ID=jmFbSQd

2. I suspect midnight is a nice dark blue? Is that so?
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....intnl=true

I'd be greatful for more detailed descriptions of these gowns so I can see if they should even be contenders.

On a related note, I may have to ask one of you to borrow an address. I'll have to order some shoes, and Zappos no longer delivers here. Would that be possible?

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I prefer #1. The front drapiness is really lovely. The mineral color does look silver to me, but more matte than i would call silver.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Michelle, both dresses are splendid. The first (from Saks Fifth Avenue) is a taupe colour (I would NOT call it silver), with a silvery sash-like waist detail. The front is like a wrap dress, very low-cut, with many gathers draping from top to bottom of the ankle-length gown, all twisting out centrally from a knot below the bust. It's gorgeous and elegant. Keep in mind the colour is matte and understated (earthy), but the design is the star.

The second (from Bloomingdale's) is Tadashi Shoji's offering, in a jewel-toned royal blue. It's got a square neck, cap sleeves, and a high waist with lots of gathers on the bust. I view it as more formal than the first dress - and being tafetta, may be harder and heavier to pack...? It's beautiful too, just ultra formal.

I hope this helps!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Helen's done a great job of description. #1 is more modern and would definitely be easier to pack, however, unless you're long waisted or tall it will likely be cleavage city! I think a seamstress could fix this pretty handily, though. #2 is a very classic, elegant look and the color is amazing -- a vivid but still deep and sophisticated blue. I'd read the reviews to see if anyone is having trouble getting the draped section across the abdomen to lay correctly. It's kind of a grecian look across the midsection, which I would like very much as long as it fit well. Good luck and happy hunting, Michelle!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Helen, those are great descriptions - thank you.
This is most frustrating. Based on these, I'm inclined to dismiss them both. I *don't* want a grecian look for my formal gown. I want something that really sticks close to my waist and only flares out/gets flowy around the hip area. Neither of these sound like the answer, although the colour of the second one sounds right on.
The taupe colour of the first dress really doesn't sound like my scene at all, unfortunately.

It's funny - I have the perfect dress pictured in my head. Shame noone read my mind lately and made it. :p When I've reached my goal size I may have someone do just that, but it's not worth the expense at this stage of the game.

taylor

Veteran

Michele, I think your gut reaction is right!
The first dress is lovely but not your color, The second dress is the most beautiful shade of blue but not your style...very fussy and I agree with Helen likely hard to pack:(
We should keep looking.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Agree with Helen, the first 'mineral' dress looks like a slightly slate-ey shade of taupe. Very elegant, the colour and the fabric sheen. Adding to Helen's description, the fabric appears to have a subtle self-stripe --- which possibly explains Helen and JennyAnne calling it matte while I thought there's a bit of a sheen when the model moves --- with the stripes running horizontally on the 'skirt' part and the arms. The shoulders have ruching, so that the fabric lies in pleatlike folds over the bust, going to the waist knot in front (you can barely see the stripes there). The back is also pleated from the silver-sequinned waistband up to the ruched shoulders. There is also ruching at the bottom of the three-quarter length sleeve. The dress is floor-length on the model, but that's possibly for effect.

The second one, I agree with Helen --- looks more formal than the first, in part because it also has a stole. Adding a little more detail. Shoulders are gathered where the fabric meets the top of the bodice, at the side, near the underarm. There's a little jewelled brooch at that gathering point on one side. The cap sleeves are very small, with the dress almost looking like it just has wide gathered shoulders. There is ruching along the side of the dress on the opposite side from the brooch, so that the fabric folds and drapes along the bust and belly. The back is smooth, just back-waist darts and a waist seam (and of course the zipper).

Keep in mind that being taffeta, the drape lines are stiffer, with the folds standing out a little higher from the body on the second one, while the first is softer and sits closer to the body. Both are Tadashi Shoji designs. Both are gorgeous.

I think the second is perhaps a more arresting design, in terms of both colour as well as the material and cut --- a gown to make an entrance in; the first would be more versatile, perhaps less fussy to wear, subdued elegance with details of the design (like the self-stripe, shimmer of the sequins) emerging as you move.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I'm glad I can help with the process, Michelle! I need to clarify though, before you get too frustrated, that the first dress is quite clingy and shapely. It is NOT an empire-waist, waist-surrendering dress at all. It is fitted close to one's curves, with the draping providing a design accent. It is most DEFINITELY waist defining. And yes, you are right, MandipaM, there is a bit of sheen (both on the fabric of the dress and of course the silvery sash.)

And my bad! They are BOTH Tadashi Shoji designs.

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Here are a couple links from Nordstroms that I think would look fab on you.

Deep purple, with a fitted beaded bodice, and flowy flared skirt. It has a very slight V shape to the neckline, with tank top style straps about 1.5 inches wide. It comes with a cute beaded matching jacket.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/j-.....n=category

A brighter purple gown with wider straps. It has sort of fluttery layers at the bodice and skirt, and had a cinched band at the waist. This one also comes in shimmering chocolate.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ad.....ltback=180

Also, I noticed this dress while I was peeking around the Nordstroms site and it screamed YOU. It's knee length, bright royal blue, slightly drapey, but still fitted at the waist. If you come in under budget with your formal gown, grab this dress! It's gorgeous!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/su.....ltback=252

Keep us updated!

bj1111

Veteran

the last dress that girl x linked to is a winner for a cocktail event. jewel toned blue that reminds me of a reef. the design is simple with a slightly draped neckline that hits the upper sternum. definitely shaped thru the waist but skims. ever somslight dolman sleeve.

if this came in a floor length, it would be my first choice.

how committed are you to a gown? how about a tuxedo shirt and a floor length skirt?

san

Veteran

Michelle both of the dresses are gorgeous! Wow I'd love to see you try on both. I love dress #1 so much in design and how it flows, but I love dress #2 for the color.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

How about the igigi dresses? They are very modern. She really knows how to dress curvy women. I love the margaux dress from the site. Sorry I cannot link to it from my phone. It is knee length. I don't know if that rules it out for you. It is shimmery black all over with a fitted blousey top, a defined waist and a fitted pencil skirt. The reviews say it is lined. I feel like I am not doing it justice in my description. It looks very pretty and more modern than the gowns you linked above.

Ps you can use my address if you need to

Anonymous

Hi Michelle,

The ladies have provided you with amazing descriptions. I am not sure if I'm loving either one but I think the color in #2 will be much more flattering on you, but the ladies are right, the dress must be very hard to pack.

I think you are getting closer so I think this is progress. You can also use my address, no problem:)

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks all.
Rita: None of the current offerings on the Igigi site are lighting my fire. I have indeed checked them all. And no, knee-length won't work this time out I'm afraid.
Zap et al: yeah, I've effectively ruled out both these two linked above. I'm really not seeing anything online that's lighting my fire. I've checked Nordy's Macy's, Saks, Bloomingdales, Dillards and Lord an Taylor. Argh.

celia

Veteran

Hi Michelle.
From Girl X suggestions the Adrianna Papell dress is in a gorgeous purple shade that I think it would look great on you, but is kind of a Greek style.
The Suzi Chin is almost your favorite shade of blue and has a great shape but is a knee length.
What is your dream shaped dress? If you want we can look around on the other weekend together.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Do you have the opportunity to go to a good department store in person? They always seem to have more formal stuff in the stores than online.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Celia: that would be too much fun! We need to hang out soon anyway. My dream dress has a fitted bodice and a gently-flared skirt that doesn't move out until it reaches the hips. My dream dress would be red, but I'm open to any colour really that's within my good shade zone.
Rita: you'd be appalled at the selection in department stores here. The plus-size section at The Bay, which is our answer to Macy's, had nary a formal gown to be seen. A specialty plus-size boutique within the store had two, neither of which worked well. It's a nightmare.