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Need help for an anniversary dinner

delurked

Veteran

My parents are celebrating a big anniversary milestone in Vegas in a couple months. I had intended to wear something I currently own, but now my mom is talking about getting a long dress, plus we are going to church before we have dinner. I am realizing I should perhaps be wearing a fancier dress than I had intended, thus I ordered a dress to try.

I got a BR dress in the mail that might have worked if my torso wasn’t so darn long. It’s hard to see the detail, but the waistline is higher than I’d like, so it’s not as flattering as it could be. That’s why I end up in shift dresses a lot.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=797637002

Pics of the BR dress plus what I had intended to wear with a couple shoe choices I already own. I was hoping to avoid shopping, but will do what’s needed for the event.

I need advice how to proceed.

ETA - I will keep looking and post some dressing room pics if I have some new possibilities.

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from VioletMyra

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I much prefer the vibe of the long BR dress - you are gorgeous in blue, delurked. Finding it hard to assess the fit, though. Can you stand further away from the mirror and wear a heeled pump or bootie, perhaps?

LOVE Vegas. Sounds like a brilliant celebration.

delurked

Veteran

I added a couple other pics above. Hopefully it’s easier to see the waist.

I agree it’s a better vibe for the event.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Delurked, you're so pretty! I love the dressy blue dress and can't see an issue. I agree with Angie that it looks a much better vibe for this event than the other one. Always worried if I don't agree with Angie so phew! Sorry that it means spending money Do you not have anything else with that dressy vibe?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

OOOH. Sooo gorgeous. Thanks for taking the extra pics. Fab with the heeled pumps. (You won't be cold? Vegas IS cold in Winter. In fact, it can snow).

Try adding a black skinny belt and turning back the cuff of the sleeves.

delurked

Veteran

Angie - I will not be able to wear those black pumps. They are strictly sitting shoes, so perhaps I’ll solicit opinions on what might work with the dress.

I run hot all the time, but I have a faux leather jacket I’d like with it.
I’ve added another pic above with a belt and turned up the sleeves. Booties in the last pic are just placeholders.

Jenni - the only dress I have that could have worked is a summer dress. I did a huge closet clean out, for which I’m glad. It wasn’t just that things didn’t fit, it’s that my style and what I’m comfortable in has changed over the years, and it’s worth it to me to find something I like for this. It will necessitate a shoe purchase as well, but as long as I get something I can wear afterwards, I’m ok with it.

delurked

Veteran

Uh oh - my DH had an immediate dislike of the BR dress. Like, he really really didn’t like it. Honestly, he rarely has an opinion, so when he does, I try to accommodate. I’ll have to consider this.

Anonymous

I think you need a new dress for this. The bandage style looks dressed to go out but not really dressed "up". Maybe the new one is just a little too far in the other direction. The belt and the turned back cuffs helped a lot so maybe something in between? A shift style with an overlay of sheer material? A flowy fabric but fewer ruffles?

Sara L.

Veteran

Oh the blue dress is so pretty on you but if your DH doesn't like, I agree with finding another. My DH doesn't usually have strong opinions either so when he does I usually try to find something different as well.

JAileen

Veteran

Uh oh. I understand. My husband rarely comments on my clothes, so once when he said my shoes looked clunky, I really took notice.

Didn't you get a long dress for a wedding or other religious event in the last year or so? Do you still have it? Maybe it didn't survive the cleanup.

delurked

Veteran

JAileen - yes, the red dress. It is still in the closet, but I consider it more of a spring/summer dress. That’s the one I mentioned above in response to Jenni that could have worked if seasonally appropriate.

Sara - DH definitely likes the short dress better. He totally didn’t get the flouncy things on the BR dress. I know I don’t have to wear something he likes, but I prefer to when possible. If I loved it, it’s easier to ignore his dislike.

The thing is I have had many dresses I love, and the BR dress I feel like “oh, this could work”. Not “oh, I love this” I do love the color and feel it’s almost right. But not in a way I’ll feel my most confident.

Isabel - yes, I thought going out would work in Vegas till I heard the church and dressier part.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay. Back to the drawing board. Can't wear a dress that hubs is allergic to. I get it. (But soooo cute styled at the end with the turned back cuffs and skinny belt).

delurked

Veteran

Angie - if you run acrosss anything that makes you think of me for this event, please let me know. Don’t be too surprised if I have some dressing room pics soon. There aren’t a lot of places to try dresses where I live, so I may be looking online as well, although in person is a lot easier to get a good fit.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can relate to the angst of a dress search! It’s a bummer that hubs is not a fan of that dress, but I know the feeling — my husband likes so much of my style that when he has such a negative reaction, I feel it’s important to find something better. Onward and upward!

delurked

Veteran

Janet - he likes the short dress and doesn’t understand why I don’t just wear that. He doesn’t really get the dress needing to fit the occasion.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Agreed. Important for husband not to seriously dislike it.

Zibbets

Veteran

I agree with the others. If DH doesn't like it, it's not the right dress. Great color and cut on you though. Is it the camo that's throwing him? Maybe you could look for something similar in a different print.

The other dress is fab, but if your mom is wearing something long, it's probably not the right thing. Take it for a different night!

delurked

Veteran

Zibbets - I do like camo more than him, but it was the ruffles that threw him. Guess I’m not usually so frilly. The good news is DD wore a long dress earlier this year that will totally repurpose for this event. I don’t try to get DH to dress up beyond his comfort zone. I don’t care if we look like we are mismatched. He’s got something that will suffice and would be annoyed if I drag him to the stores for something better. I will keep looking.

Style Fan

Veteran

The camo dress looked great on you but if DH didn't like it then off it goes. The colour was beautiful on you. This is a good year for dresses.

Bijou

Veteran

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. The right dress is out there. You look great in both of these.

krishnidoux

Veteran

The blue dress is definitively more appropriate, the short dress is very flattering, but maybe not quite adapted for this occasion.

You are not completely satisfied with the blue dress's fit, and Hubby doesn't like it: keep looking. You don't want to hamper your recently cleaned out closet with one more thing you might not wear that much afterwards.

I too have a long torso and had luck with Ralf Lauren dresses regarding this. I find them in the RL section at The Bay (in Canada).

VioletMyra

Sorry for the late posting but I wondered if you had considered a long formal skirt and blouse. You could separate them later to style each as you wished.

Best wishes for a lovely time when the event rolls around.

Denise