MOTB dress saga ongoing: travel to mall vs. stay online? - YouLookFab Forum

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MOTB dress saga ongoing: travel to mall vs. stay online?

unfrumped

Veteran

I am still looking for my MOTB outfit. I'm saying outfit because while I think a dress should be easier to carry off, I would definitely consider a spring pantsuit. I've tried about 7 dresses now from Nordie's and Macy's but no go. Shopped Dillards IRL and
online. Talbots New items has a maybe.

I could make a trip to Dallas and browse Nordstrom, Macy, Neiman and a few others IRL - hadn't invested the time for that because I assumed that screening out all the duds online would just be more productive since I'm so fussy about dress fits. But it can be hard, online, to see unusual possibilitesthat maybe store arrangements and collections might spark.

DH knows I'm worried about it and was sweet enough to ask if I wanted to.make a whirlwind trip this weekend. The 2 methods aren't mutually exclusive but of course the
trip is a time sump and other stuff goes undone.

Improbably also not looking surrounding online but my batting average is bad and charges for delivery for " maybe's " add up.
One thing that's scary is that the spring dresses are mostly sleeveless. Ive not rejected any on that basis but am alert to
the challenge of finding a spring jacket that works with a random dress and is not white or cream.

What are some pro and cons you can see-- make the trip to spark ideas and maybe get
lucky vs. hunker down more onlineor both?

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

unfrumped

Veteran

Sorry, device changes text, so "surrounding" was supposed to be something like not looking in enough places online.

Jules

Veteran

Are you against a white or cream jacket because it is the bride's colour? I think it would be fine, even nice in pictures with the bride and the presumably white men's shirts, but that's up to you and the bride of course.
I would make the trip, being fussy about fit is a good reason to try things on in store, and you've probably done enough research and legwork at this point to shop effectively. But there might be more spring dresses out in stores in a few weeks? Not sure about Dallas seasonal shopping...

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I think formal wear is definitely a face to face bricks and mortar shopping capsule. You simply can't tell what's going to look good on you from online photos. Things that look like nothing on the hanger can look spectacular on, and vice versa! If you have the opportunity to go to a real full size department store, with actual help, like Nordie's, I think it would be worth it.... Also, I am pretty consistently a 4P, which is like never stocked in stores.... but if I go to a real store, I might be able to easily try to dresses that range in size from 2-6, and perhaps a few of them actually work for a petite. It's just not possible to do this by ordering online.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks Jules. I was trying to avoid such jackets I guess because In photos, and sitting , I figured my outfit would appear more brides colors than I would prefer, as the jacket would take center stage.
Yes,more dresses are appearing almost daily but I hadexpectedthe retailers to be way ahead by now and I need lead time for potential alterations ,jacket, shoes and all that. If I were just a guest I would not be this fretful,of course, about the " right" things.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Shopping in person is preferable to me. There is so much variation in sizing that, imho, it is important to try multiple sizes. Also, it is annoying to get all excited about something, wait for it for 2 weeks, then discover it doesn't work. Of course you could just order tons of dresses from some places that offer free shipping and return them later. Not sure what size you wear bit have you tried Ann Taylor?

unfrumped

Veteran

In dresses I am running 2-4 and finding real troubles with too- short lengths and short-waisted fit in that size.

Anonymous

I think at this point you should take your DH up on the shopping trip offer and scour the stores. Even if you don't find anything, trying on a lot of dresses will help narrow down fit options and preferences, and might even open you up to some possibilities you wouldn't have bothered to order! I think you have nothing to lose by spending the weekend shopping - you will make headway to some degree, if not bring home *the* dress!

Carole

Veteran

I am in this boat, too, but I have until August to figure things out. I'm not finding anything at all in the stores and a few possibilities on line. I feel I can't make any decisions about what to wear until the MOTB picks her dress. I would love to wear a long gown as I have a difficult time finding shorter dresses long enough.

I would definitely take a trip to a bigger city to increase the odds of finding the perfect dress. For me that would be Seattle and a 2 hour trip, so that's not too bad. I don't recall reading when the big day is, but I think a road trip may end up saving you time in the long run and minimize the worry. Good Luck! Keep us posted.

unfrumped

Veteran

It seems like the thing to do. It's a 5-6 hour trip. I need to.look at it as just increasing the odds. Timing is funny- any sooner and they don't have as much spring stuff. This weekend is available and later may be too .late even though more items are coming in.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Take the trip. Look on it as an exploratory mission. Ask the salespeople what's coming down the pike. Explain your dilemma. You probably won't find "the" outfit this trip, but you may get some really good leads. And you may be lucky. TRY ON. Even if you are doubtful. And take pics if you can.

Good luck!!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Take the trip - but before you leave, make sure your mindset is 'right' - resolve that this is going to be a fun trip, something to be enjoyed!

Bring a camera or use your cellphone, take fitting-room pictures of the really good stuff, and the really ridiculous stuff. Style your hair and put on a little makeup before you start shopping, so you feel pretty all day, because it can get really discouraging to hunt and hunt and hunt and not come up with anything that fits. And plan some other, small things, like pick a well-reviewed cafe or small restaurant and lunch there.

If you make it special, it takes away the anxiety.

jlyns

Might this be the time to take advantage of the Nordstrom personal stylist service? You can call ahead for an appointment and send photos of what you've seen so far, what you are looking for, etc. I've never used the service, and I'm sure your success would be dependent on a good match of personalities, etc, but might be an efficient way to shop all the departments.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I second using the stylist service, at least at Nordstroms, and maybe at the others as well. They can pull possibilities in your size and will know the inventory.

Oh --- and have a great dinner, while you're there!

ElleH

Veteran

I think shopping in person will be a time saver in the long run. Some Nordstroms have a bridal department too.

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm gonna go pack and make my list of things not to forget to consider!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with the others, take the trip. I like the idea of a pants suit too.

ElleH

Veteran

Have you considered a matching shawl or pashmina with a sleeveless dress?

Anonymous

I'm a long-time lurker here, and didn't really intend to introduce myself this way, but I've lived in Dallas for over 30 years and purchased a lot of special occasion dresses in that time. If you do plan to come shopping here, may I offer a few suggestions?

1) I'd encourage you to start at Neiman Marcus NorthPark. There is a LARGE dress department on the second floor that carries brands like Kay Unger, Tadashi Shoji, Carmen Marc Valvo, David Meister etc. I don't know exactly where they are as far as seasonal transition this week, but most likely you'll see a better selection there than any place else in town. Keep an eye out for one of the salespeople who looks like she's been there a while -- they know their stock and can make good suggestions.

2) Another promising option is Tootsies at Preston Center. It is not far from NorthPark. It's a smaller selection and skews a little younger, but has some lovely items and some of the same brands as NM.

3) Though I am a big fan of Nordstrom, their selection of special occasion dresses at NorthPark and the Galleria is pretty thin, and tends toward full-length kind of glitzy numbers. Still, the "one" dress could be lurking almost anywhere, so I wouldn't rule them out. Historically, the special occasion selection has been better at their Galleria store, but they seem to have changed the merchandising (sp?) some there since they remodeled, so I don't know if that is still true.
Once the dress is found, Nordstrom would be an ideal place to look for the perfect shoes!

4) Macy's and Dillard's (both have stores at NorthPark) are worth a look if the first three don't yield results, but hopefully you won't get that far. If you do, IMHO the Macy's at the Galleria has a better selection of the type of dress I think you are looking for.

If you have any questions I might be able to answer, please let me know. Hope you find your dream dress quickly and then can have a little fun with your husband while you are here in the city!

(Disclaimer: I don't have a connection to any of the establishments mentioned in this post -- except as a customer.)

unfrumped

Veteran

Elle,I do use wraps.for some occasions, but for this I would actually like a covered upper arm, not having to keep adjusting a wrap. I would still consider it with a short sleeve if for a bit of extra warmth. Picky picky, I know!
Ryce. thank you for the tour guide! It's great because I went to Galleria last fall,and then looked up Northpark this afternoon and printed the store list and told DH we should go there first this time. So hoping it works out.