On the subject of dresses, this post has an interesting collection. They are long for my taste but I do see sleeves. <http://www.lecatch.com/2015/07.....style.html>

So sorry for your loss Lisa. Stay strong.

And I hear you about the dress situation. They're really terrible right now. I don't have any wisdom for you, I wish I did, but this is why I keep sewing from vintage dress patterns.

Sorry that doesn't help your predicament. I do hope you find something that works for you.

Ummlila, I am now following Natasha Goldenberg. Her taste in dresses is AMAZING. I want all of them.

Lisa - I just wanted to come back and express my sincere condolences. Six weeks is shocking and upsetting. Take care and best to your family.

Sorry to hear about your SIL, Lisa.

Can't comment on the dresses... I haven't looked lately at all. The ones I have kind of fell into my lap... I tell ya, that EF drape front dress works for almost any occasion.

Lisa - those are interesting dresses - thanks - too long for me, and a little too retro, but certainly more interesting that what's in stores right now

Elizabeth - I'd buy an EF if there was one to buy here in Wpg - I don't think the one store that carries the line has any of them in stock. I should order one - now that you mention it. So many of you here on YLF like this dress.

Mme approprio - you know something, it's at times like this where I wish I still sewed. That's where you can make exactly what you envision. You might be on to something here - not for right now, but in future. I LOVE sewing , and am pretty darn good at it, if I do say so myself

Well, not that I want to enable you or anything, but that dress is on sale at the moment at Nordies, and there is no duty on it....

Lisa, I too am sorry for your loss. Cancer is such an insidious beast.

Having seen you in person, I have to wonder how you could perceive yourself in such a negative way. I really can't imagine you looking anything but the small framed slender woman that you are and suspect that anyone else who saw you in that dress would have seen the person I have met and not the one you see in your mirror.

I have often worn pants or a suit in a dark neutral color for this type of event. The rules of society have relaxed so much that almost anything goes - I am rather sorry it has gone quite so far.

Sorry about your loss. So sad. Take care.

Maybe sewing is a way forward for you, allowing you to create more interesting pieces.

I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. You're going through a lot, and the difficulties of finding a dress is daunting. I agree that there's not much out there. I have no advice, except to say that I buy dresses before I actually need them. If I see something fab that I love and it's in my budget to get it, I do. That way I have what I need when I need it. If I wait until the need arises to shop, I won't find what I want. My mom used to make my dresses, and I miss that. Still, if I keep my eyes peeled, I can find nice dresses that are well made and affordable.

Ralph Lauren does some nice dresses with sleeves.

Thanks again, my wonderful YLF friends. Another quick trip out today resulted in nothing. I'm so done with trying to find clothes I like. I just cannot spend any more time on shopping - for anything - and have resigned myself to the odd success with a million fails. I give up.

I am sorry about your loss, Lisa.
Yeah, dresses...don't even get me started on that topic! Even when I WANT to find a sleeveless dress (for dancing) it is a lot of hunting around - exactly because of cookie-cutter-ness of what is available in the store.
...on the other hand I have to defend the Bay as I found 2 gorgeous dresses there in the last 6 month. Sleeveless but special. However, I found both of them online, every trip to the actual store was a disaster.

I second Angie in wishing to see you in THAT dress...I bet you are too hard on yourself and it looked gorgeous.

Sorry for your loss Lisap.

Totally hear on your rant on sheath dresses. A friend of mine swears by J Peterman. Probably not your style, but he has sleeved longer dresses with retro flair, at least different than the sea of sheath.

Lisa, I'm so sorry for your loss -- that is horribly sudden and enough to throw anyone into a tizzy. I am sure we've all had those days when the dress we imagine could help to soothe our sadness and stress. And then it frustratingly won't appear. As for the Bay, don't get me started. I don't even go there any more except to make the occasional return from something I have ordered from their (almost equally horrid) online "shopping experience." Granted, our Bay must be one of the worst in Canada and even Winnipeg's is probably better, but still. I know exactly what you mean about that factory of sheath dresses.

I say order that EF dress from Nordics for next time. It's on sale, no duty, and why not?

Meanwhile, I suspect Cheryle is right -- you look far more beautiful than you feel and what we'd see is probably gorgeous.

I do have a friend who had a breast reduction and it helped her self image enormously. I have another friend who had augmentation. And I have other friends who are the sizes that both friends were to begin with and who are leaving things as they are and feel fine about it. A very personal decision.

Lisa I don't have any good insights re breast reductions, but I know there are several forum members who have had them. I'm sure some of them would be happy to chat with you about it if you wanted. And I'm, with Cheryle and Suz -- All I ever see is a lovely woman <3

Lisa, I'm so sorry for the loss of your SIL.

Your immediate need for a black dress is over, but I highly recommend this EF dress that I bought this Spring

dakotacheryl -thanks, I LOVE that dress, and I can do a shirtdress Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be available any more

Seriously, just order a Liza Rietz dress. Either custom, which is what I did, or a standard size.
I got measured at her studio in Portland, she mailed it to me in Seattle. It fit great. I get major compliments every time I wear the ruffle dress.
So go to a tailor and get professional measurements.
Plus you're supporting a small business, not mass produced factory. And I guarantee you won't see anyone in your cohort wearing her designs.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's sister. So hard.

It's true about the dress thing. And it's so boring...