Yes, a rhyming title. I'm doing a little packing planning for my trip today and nursing my apparent poison ivy rash that has cropped up on my neck and face -- not feeling much like being out in public today. ☹️

I was bargain shopping for new workout tops the other day and wandered into the dress department, where I found these two dresses.

The first would be a possible alternative dress for my stepson's wedding. It doesn't match the sagey green wedding color, but I think blue would work fine for my role in the day. I actually like it well enough that I could see keeping it for other occasions even if I stick with my original wedding dress idea. This one would be a little more comfortable if it's hot, due to the sleeveless style (and it's a little looser than my old dress, which has "shrunk" ).

One drawback to this dress -- it needs a slit added to the back center seam. The cut is just a little too narrow at the hem to accommodate a long stride or much movement without adding a slit. I don't think that's too hard an alteration to have made -- can anyone advise me on that?

The second dress is a little more iffy. It would just be a casual throw-on dress for hot days and beach vacations. I like the blue and white stylized batik (most of those patterns are a little too "hippie" for me). It has a self belt, which I am wearing in some of these pics. It is soft and light and t-shirt comfortable.

I'm not sure about the length -- I'm not a big maxi wearer. But here's my idea: have slits/vents cut into the side hems so the cut would be similar to the Anthro tee dress, which I am thoroughly enjoying. Then I could tie one side the way I do with the Anthro dress (a la pic 6). What do you think? Would the results be too unpredictable, or is this a smart bossing-my-clothes-around idea? It was all of $35 so not an investment piece, just an easy thing for hot days.

Feedback welcome! I don't NEED either of them but they're good deals, so if they look good enough, I'm willing to keep one or both.

ETA: #8 is the floral dress I have had for a couple of years that I have been planning on wearing to the wedding. #9 is the only other dress I held onto from my dress shopping experience this spring. I haven't worn it yet and am still well within the Zappos return period, but I like the fit and colors so I'm tempted to keep. I also still have that mirrored abstract floral print dress in shades of coral (Celia is my dress twin for that one). So not sure if I really need four dresses for these semi-dressy occasions, although I can see dressing down at least the coral one and the green one with more casual footwear.