Possible light blue, navy and light pink MOB dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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Possible light blue, navy and light pink MOB dress?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi everyone, not sure how much I’ve mentioned our elder daughter’s Vietnamese-American boyfriend of several years? Anyway, they are finally marrying and hoping to live in the same country! Eventually may be able to live in a choice of Vietnam, USA or New Zealand. Various visa and citizenship hoops to jump through.
So the celebrations will be in Vietnam this November, a separate tea ceremony in a coastal village in the Mekong delta area and 5 days later a reception in Ho Chi Minh City.
I saw a dress in a magazine which I sort of fell in love with. It has embroidered flowers on it and a separate slip. I knew I would not look like the model in the magazine. I like the floaty bottom of it and the sheer sleeves.
The slip is polyester and the dress itself is nylon. I am not sure how flattering it is, the try-on is not with the sort of sandals I would wear and also no jewellery. They are holding it for 2 days. The bride likes it, but can I do better? The price is reasonable I feel for NZ full price, one of our homegrown brands called Loobie’s Story.
It will be really hot and humid in Vietnam. Rebecca is wearing a red ao dai ( Vietnamese costume) for the tea ceremony and a white Western wedding dress for the reception. They actually got legally married in the Contra Costa county registrar’s office last week- she asked us not to come for that as she didn’t want us to spend on that trip, which made me a little sad, but she wore a white Sabatini dress I had given her and looked lovely and is very happy. She has flown back into NZ this morning even although now legally married ( partly it was to get a marriage certificate in English and start the timing for getting sponsored).
Pics 1-4 my possible dress. Pics 5-8 the happy couple in California last week, pretty stained glass windows at the registry office.
What do you think? I’m not totally sure even though I really love the dress, but have FOMO if I let it go. I suppose I feel old and hope it isn’t frumpy? It is a special looking dress with its embroidery and I would buy the perfect sandals. Rebecca thinks the sleeves may need taking in a little?

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38 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Congratulations!
How/where did they meet? Your daughter is beautiful, her husband is handsome, and the dress you bought her is perfect.

I like your dress but I’m wondering how breathable it will be in the heat and humidity.

rachylou

Veteran

Congratulations! I very much like the dress. Will it really be hot and humid in November?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Barbara Diane! They met in the San Francisco airport train station, if you can believe it ( I still hardly can and it was getting on for 6 years ago) on her very first day in the USA when she went to work there on a J 1 training visa.
I gave her the dress for Christmas in 2015. It’s lovely she wore it, made me feel a little bit part of the event.
You have a good point about the breathability, I am not sure how breathable nylon is? And the polyester slip won’t be...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think so Rachylou? I suppose I had better check Google and my Lonely Planet Vietnam book again before I decide yay or nay in the next 2 days. I understand the Mekong delta is pretty hot. The reception in HCMC will be air conditioned.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Jenni, the dress looks awesome on you! As long as you don’t think you’ll be too hot? I do think you need more formal shoes. What bag do you plan to wear? Do you have Colette Hayman there? You could get a nice metallic clutch in rose gold to pick out the pinks in the dress.

Your daughter looks beautiful and happy. Congratulations all around!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Your dress is really lovely! I like Brooklyn's idea for rose gold bag and perhaps shoes. I would shorten the sleeves. Your daughter and her husband look adorable, and how sweet that she wore the dress you gave her for the legal ceremony.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn would definitely get more formal shoes, but I meant sandals in a colour picking up something in the dress. Do you mean closed toe shoes? I thought a pretty pearlised pink nail polish would flash the toes up?
And we do have Colette by Colette Hayman which expanded here a few years back, I have seen the huge range of bags and have bought lovely earrings there for a song, good thinking!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Jenni, I don’t think you have to wear closed toe shoes. I know this forum prefers closed toed shoes in summer but I don’t think the culture is the same here and in NZ. I think pretty, refined open toed sandals would be fine. But the thongs that you are wearing (even though pretty) look too casual for the dress and occasion to me. Something strappy in pink or rose gold would be lovely. How exciting

Liesbeth

Veteran

I’m honestly not a huge fan of the dress. I like that it has a transparent layer and pretty embroidery but I think the combo of black, synthetics and long sleeved will leave you uncomfortable in the heat. I’d choose a sleeker or more fitted style. Is sleeveless an option or is it unacceptable there?
If you do go with it, yes maybe shorten and take in the sleeves a bit.
Ps: congratulations! And your daughter looks lovely!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh yes Brooklyn those sandals were just what I had on today, I was surprised that the shop actually had the dress as their website was not clear on the situation.
Thanks Firecracker, and thanks Liesbeth, I did hope for some “No” votes as well as I am not sure.
Sleeveless-not sure, will need to ask the groom and also his mother who is a seamstress in HCMCity ( aka Saigon). The ao dai have sleeves.

Bijou

Veteran

Congratulations on your daughter's marriage, what a beautiful couple they make, the joy and love radiates from the photo.

Jenni, I love the dress and would love to own it myself, so obviously I don't think it is frumpy at all! However, this is such a special occasion, I think you need a dress that you feel sensational in and it seems that this one is not doing that for you. When I find the 100% RIGHT item, I always know immediately and so now I follow that instinct. I love you in bright colour and think something similar in colouring to your beautiful Bali dress may be more you - being vibrant to match your personality. However, you look elegant and beautiful in this dress, just shorten the sleeves.

As an aside, I have one Loobie's Story piece, my peacock denim jacket. I love that jacket and it is a complete workhorse, and something that I think would be gorgeous on you too.

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Jane

Veteran

DD is very beautiful and that is a lovely dress that she is wearing. The celebrations later this year sound terrific. They are a lovely couple! I can understand you feeling a little bit sad about missing out on the formal ceremony.

The dress is lovely, but I am not quite sure about the sleeves, they look a little long to me may be, but that can be sorted if you thought it a problem. I really like the detail and flowers, and I like that it looks good full length (thinking of photographs of the day). And I like it is a homegrown brand. I don't think it looks too old or frumpy at all. And I like how the slip gives silhouette without it being overly body con.

Shoes and bag will be fun to choose!

I would think that you might be in an air conditioned areas for the most part of the day, maybe? (FWIW, I wasn't too hot at all at the Indonesian wedding, because we were in a/c areas, even though what I wore was heavy and not man made fabrics).

Bennett

Veteran

This is a lovely dress and I agree that some footwear and a handbag in a soft metallic color from the floral embroidery of the dress would really look beautiful for a fashionable mother of the bride. Wow, not frumpy at all! Your daughter and son in law look amazing as well. Such a happy time!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you everyone. I showed the pics to my best friend tonight while out at dinner, she thinks the sleeves need shortening and has offered to look at it again with me tomorrow Sunday or else Monday afternoon ( which I have off). She says I look too serious in the pics and need to take suitable jewellery and shoes with me and smile! I also need to send the pics to my sister in England to check out. My friend did think I could buy it anyway and wear to other things if not the wedding! But that’s usually her solution so quite predictable
Showing you all is bound to help, and I should manage a decision by 2 more days x

Anonymous

Aww Congrats to your daughter and son in law! What a handsome couple
*carries off the stained glass*

As far as your dress "I was hoping for no votes" tells me everything, and you said it made you feel old. Though it's a pretty dress and I love the embroidery, I am saying no, because You feel bad in it.

Also, living with hot humid summers, I do not recommend sleeves in that weather (or closed shoes-feet swell). That looks like a very mild weather dress to me-like 60-65 degrees. The inside may have AC, but that's a short part of the day. Find something you Love, that you can't wait to wear and makes your heart sing

Also, you need the peacock jacket!

missvee

Veteran

I think the dress is lovely on you and with the sleeves shortened it should be perfect for the reception. You’ll need something else for the tea ceremony won’t you? Maybe the second dress could be a little more breathable in case you are outside walking a bit in the village.

kkards

Veteran

congratulations!

jenni, i like the dress, but the fact that you wrote this, tells me this is a no... I’m not totally sure even though I really love the dress, but have FOMO if I let it go. I suppose I feel old and hope it isn’t frumpy?
i'd practice some PPP and keep looking...

Staysfit

Veteran

Jenni NZ, my experience has been that first instincts are usually correct and FOMO is a real phenomenon. I think you know what you like and what works for you, and when it comes to a special occasion, you should wear the item that makes you feel best. The dress is very flattering on you. I was initially surprised because of it’s neutral palette, but that makes sense for a wedding. The rose gold flowers complement your skin tone, and the floaty overlay is elegant. I like the neckline and length. I agree the sleeves should be shortened. When I see this dress, it looks like something that could stand the test of time. It will still look nice when the wedding photos are pulled out 5, 10, and 30 years from now. I haven’t had to choose a MOB dress, but I anticipate thinking about that when making that choice.

I know everyone is saying polyester and nylon may be too warm for the season, location, and venue. My brother and I both fainted when we stood up at our first cousins wedding. It was truly a most embarrassing moment perpetuated for >30 years by the wedding video showing first me and then him collapsing as the ceremony proceeds. He was wearing a synthetic fiber suit, and I’m sure my dress was some sort of poly/nylon. Since then, I have shied away from synthetic fibers that do not breathe. I know this story conflicts with what I say above. Since this dress is so lovely, I would work hard to find out more about the venue before deciding if it’s “the one” for the event. Will there be shade? A canopy? Maybe you could get an interesting parasol? Is there going to be any A/C? If you keep it, but not for your daughter’s wedding, would it be used?

Your daughter and her “husband” make a lovely couple. Congratulations to both of them! It’s touching that she wore a dress from you for her civil ceremony.

RobinF

Veteran

Very exciting, such a cute couple! I like the dress on you, definitely shorten the sleeves though. That being said, you have a lot of time to look. But I get the FOMO too. Ugh, these decisions are hard. Anyway, I say it doesn’t look frumpy at all if that helps.

LaPed

Veteran

It sounds like you're not in love with the dress, and I think you can do better. I would worry about heat/humidity, and I'm just not sure this dress is true to your style. It is elegant, but it lacks some of the vibrancy and boldness I've come to expect from your outfits. PPP, I say!

DH and I did a civil ceremony five years ago -- largely for green card reasons, like your daughter. We didn't get nearly as dressed up as your daughter and son-in-law, and the office we went to definitely didn't have any beautiful stained glass windows! Our families were on the other side of the continent so we encouraged them not to fly out; we always said we'd have some kind of event later on, but still haven't bothered. I'm sure our folks would appreciate it if we did. Have a wonderful time in Vietnam! Your daughter and son-in-law look radiant.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I agree that the dress is FABULOUS, Jenni. Sleeves need shortening though.

Will you be in a/c? Then the dress is fine. If not - you will be hot! How about a dressier sandal?

You have time. So you can keep on looking.

DD is KILLER Stunning, and new hubs is very handsome!

Joy

Veteran

I vote keep the dress. It is a special and lovely dress for a special occasion. I agree with your daughter that the sleeves could use a little work. I know you will find some stunning shoes.
Your daughter looks beautiful and bright white is a great color on her.

JAileen

Veteran

I like the dress on you. In hot and humid I would want something cool. Maybe the mesh will be cool enough. If the bride likes it, then you’re set.

Did your daughter get married in California or are you referring to another Contra Costa?

Bonnie

Veteran

The dress is beautiful and I think it would be perfect for the wedding. Interesting story about your daughter and her husband and what a fab life she is having.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. I’m a weather geek (check the temp and humidity every day, because our bread is fussy... and I’m considering adding the dew point and pressure to this check) and I googled... 70s-80s F in the South. Humidity in the upper 90% range with dew point comfort level being ‘muggy’ but not ‘miserable.’

Hmm. That’s tough. I run cold and think the 70s are sweater weather. I’d conceivably wear polyester and long sleeves, but I think I’m odd-man-out there.

Mainelady

Veteran

Congratulations! Your DD is lovely and looks so happy. I really like the dress. The embroidery is beautiful. I like the suggestions of rose gold accessories and shortening the sleeves. I hope you will post pics from the celebration!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

What a “meant to be” kind of meet.
If you come out her way sometime maybe a YLF meet-up if you have time.

Gretchen

Veteran

Congrats to the happy couple!

I'm with your friend - keep this, have the sleeves shortened, and keep looking.

I think this would look lovely in pictures with the western white wedding dress, but don't know how it would stand up against the red of an ao dai. Maybe plan on this for the 2nd ceremony and look for something more single color for the 1st?

Also, +1 for a Bay area meet-up when you come visit!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

How lovely to wake up to all this. Thank you La P for your story, that helps. My daughter didn’t want us to spend the money to travel for what she said was a 30-minute ceremony and so, even though as a Mum I wanted to be there for that, I respected her choice. Three friends were the witnesses and the 5 of them went to lunch afterwards.
Yes J’Aileen, the county in California, that’s the county he lives in, she flies to either San Francisco or Oakland to get there, usually SF straight from Auckland. They have been doing long distance for almost 6 years, we may partly have United Airlines who he has worked for, to thank for the marriage due to the cheap travel buddy fares all the way from NZ. We have met him twice, in Hawaii once and in NZ once, but he emails me and Facebook messages my husband ( I am not on FB). They have proven their love I believe!
I am wondering about wearing 2 dresses now, a different one for the tea ceremony which is in a small temple in a family member’s back yard in the Mekong delta, without any aircon. So I’m still thinking. Falling in love with a dress in a magazine is problematic when they have a tall slim much younger model wearing it!!

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