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Pretty expensive dresses at exclusive boutiques

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I hit the exclusive boutiques in town yesterday. They were just exactly as I pictured, perfect little jewelboxes full of designer clothes and doting help. They both close for the months of July and August, so they're in the process of clearing out this year's clothes. Nice schedule, isn't it?!

The first is a carmen marc valvo. It's pretty but somehow lacks that wow factor. It has an asymetrical neckline, and looks almost identical to my Betsey Johnson prom dress from 1990. If I still had that dress, I would still be wearing it today!

The second is a David Meister, it is really hot and probably most appropriate for this crowd. In real life it gives me nice curves, but the photos don't seem to capture that. It doesn't really seem to photograph well.

The last is my favorite, if I was going to a normal "american" style wedding it would be perfect. It is a super cute Trina Turk, fits perfectly and has a retro styling that I love. I just don't think it has that red carpet, bombshell look that I need for this party.

I like them all and they are definitely possibilities. I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from firefly

Anonymous

What is the event you're dressing for?

You look ultra glam in #2. I think it photographs really well.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Based on how you described the crowd before, I agree that #2 is the most appropriate, and I like how it fits you. How do you like the colors? I think the first ones you were considering were brighter, and I do like the color of #1 against your skin, although the ruffles are probably not sleek enough for the event as you described it.

Irene

Veteran

I like #3 best!

Anonymous

All three are great dresses! But I can't help liking #1 best...for me it has the biggest wow factor!

Anonymous

I love #3 on you. Could you glam it up more with jewelry?

Steph

Veteran

I think all three look great on you, so you can't go wrong.

I know you have described this wedding in the past as something where everyone wears very form-fitting, short clothing. Is the wedding from a different culture (if so, which one), or is it your friend group that does this, or something else? I'm just curious!

ETA: I just took another look at the three dresses, and I might amend my response a little. I still think all three look great on you, but I'm not sure that I adore the color of number 2 on you. When flipping between the photos of the first and second dress, your skin just looks so much more alive in the first dress. The first dress also seems pretty form-fitting to me--do you think if you shortened it a bit it might be more fitting for your group?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

We are Russian. Everyone dresses super glamorous all of the time. Wearing high heels and a fur coat to go food shopping would be seen as ordinary and normal. Evening weddings are our red carpet moment and this is my closest cousin getting married. We don't have a big family so there aren't many of these events. The last one was last summer, before that about 10 years ago. The next round will probably be when our kids are getting married.

I feel some urgency to find a fabulous dress because this as a chance to reinvent my family's image of me. Growing up in America, I never felt completely comfortable with this extravagent, over the top style. I always showed up at these family events looking and feeling frumpy and awkward because dressing like this doesn't come naturally to me. This time around I want to dress the environmental norm, so looking like a glamorous bombshell would mean that I fit in and don't stick out because I am inappropriately dressed.

Sorry for the long reply. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels some anxiety over dressing appropriately for important family events.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Steph! You're right, it does look like it is almost soul-sucking beige! I didn't notice that in the store. I don't think it's so obvious in person because it is a gold lame animal print. Describing the dress like that makes it sound so tacky and hysterical!!

Niki Lea

Veteran

#3! #3! #3! You look like a million-gazillion-trillion bucks in that dress! It looks incredible on you.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I did not know you are Russian, modgrl, me too - well, I am from Ukraine but Russian is my first language! It is interesting what you say about all dressing up because I do not remember this from 13 years ago (this is when we moved here). It is also possible that Russia is very different from Ukraine now...
What is the fabric of last dress? It looks like it is glittery of some kind... If this is the case I would wear this one - I like you the best in it, curves and colors and all! It is also more unique than the other two IMO. It is totaly glam in my book and if you like it the best than you would feel glam in it too!

Scarlet

Veteran

I like 3 and 1 very much. Something about two is not as great in my eyes. Add some glamorous heels and jewelry and you are there.

san

Veteran

I love #3. It has a tuxedo feel to me with the black edging and the perfect black tie bow. I also think you look most comfortable in this one. I love the colors too. It's very glam and bombshell on you.

Lori

Veteran

#1 gets my vote because the color looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G on you, and I love the ruffled asymetrical neckline. The right shoes, jewelry and a glam clutch and this is the outfit I'd choose for this event.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you have a fabulous, super glamourous time with your family!

Steph

Veteran

modgrl, I completely understand. I am the child of an immigrant, and for some reason all the women love to take out their furs to any family event (which grosses me out completely). And forget about using the coat check--they have to bring the furs into the reception room with them. I have also read that Russian women--at least in Moscow--are always completely done up. I live in DC, where we have several high-profile Russian hockey players on our team. I saw one of them in the grocery store with his girlfriend once, and it was unbelievable to me. He was wearing his team sweats, and she was in a short, tight dress, completely full (overdone) make-up, bleached blond hair styled to perfection, etc. She looked like she was going to the most popular nightclub on the planet, but instead she was in the produce section at 2:30 p.m.

Now, back to your dress dilemma. Have you tried any of the major department stores, like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, etc.? It sounds like you're willing to drop some cash on this dress, so I would think that the special occasion sections of those stores could be good for you. A quick look at the cocktail dresses on saks.com shows me a lot of bombshell options for you. You might also want to check out Nicole Miller--she has a lot of bombshell style dresses. I mean, look at this one: you can't get any more "look at me" than this, can you?
http://www.nicolemiller.com/ON...../2820.html

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Steph, that dress is really over the top. I think it is too much dress for me!
Nicole Miller's fit models are 5'11", her stuff never fits me.

I've checked out Macy's and Bloomingdale's. The stores near me have small kind of sad selections of prom dresses this time of year. The other department stores are pretty far away, I'm going to try to make an effort to get there soon.

Lisa

Veteran

I really like the shape of #2 on you, if you could find that style in a different color/print, it gets my first vote. #3 is the second fave out of the three choices although both #3 and #1 are not over the top enough for the style you are describing.

kellygirl

Veteran

1 and 3 are my faves but I think #1 is too sweet with the ruffle and #3 is too sedate (I'm pretty conservative--that's probably why I prefer them to #2.) I do think #2 is the best of the lot for the kind of glamorous event you are describing. It reads as a kind of silver/black lame leopard print on my monitor--totally over the top in my book. Figure hugging and dramatic--I'd say you'll definitely be making an impression in that one! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you find : )

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think #1 would be more wow if it were shorted a few inches. I have a few CMV dresses and love them for the quality of the fabrics and workmanship. I like #3 and think the neckline portion looks perfect on you. I like #2 as well but the neckline on #3 is better.

I know what you mean about the Russians. My BFF is from Russia and my ex-husband is from Poland. I can often pick out a Russian or Polish woman from the colors and styles they are wearing and the way they move. My BFF loves to wear bright sparkly colors and has bright colored hair often.

bella

(website)

Veteran

One of my good friends lived in Russia for a while and is now married to a Ukranian, so I know what you're talking about. I think #2 is the best for your purposes, but if you think it doesn't photograph well, go back to the drawing board.

marianna

Veteran

Are you also first generation in America? I am. My parents were born in Russia and came here 30ish years ago. I wasn't raised with such extravagance in dressing norms, but I totally know what you mean -- especially at weddings. Oy!

My favorite is number three. You look gorgeous and happy in it. Ochen krasivo plate!!!

HeleenH

Veteran

I like #3 most on you. if you want more glam, maybe you can add a beautiful piece of jewlery?

Scarlet

Veteran

Thinking about this more, I think 2 probably fits the occasion the best based on how you describe it and what I have seen of Russian tourists in Germany. However, if you feel it doesn't photograph well--and I think that is what is bothering me too (the shininess), then it still doesn't make the cut. Maybe go with dress 1 then because it still has that va va voom factor.
Have you checked out and dresses from Bianca Nero? She does great cocktail dresses using this magic stretchy fabric that is super flattering--kind of holds everything in place but is substantial enough to hide anything that needs hiding.
Something like this?
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....%253D55652

You might consider some of the black/white options from this line. Guaranteed to wow in person and easier to wear again in the future.

suzanne

Number three with a pair of knock-out shoes! It fits you like a glove. Enjoy the wedding!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

If you decide to keep looking, check out the Tadashi Shoji dresses. I have a few and love them. Here are links to a few:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ta.....sultback=0
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ta.....tback=1064

Anonymous

I've never used them, but maybe Rent the Runway would be a possibility for this situation?

http://www.renttherunway.com/

firefly

3 is my favourite on you for fit, flattery and colour. It also looks like the dress you are most comfortable in. Would it be possible to up the glam quotient further with accessories such as opera-length gloves, and a killer up-do?