WIW to another wedding banquet, and WI(wanted to)W

... or, reason #8722 why I need to buy a garment steamer.

Last night we had yet another Chinese wedding banquet to attend. Attire at these things is kind of varied, with some people going more formal and some skewing more casual, but I tend to dress up a bit since I want to wear my nice clothes. I wanted to wear the blue silk vintage 80's dress in photo #2, but after I took the photo I realized just how wrinkled the skirt was. And this was AFTER a serious bout of ironing. You should have seen it before, I managed to get out all the creases on the butt from sitting last time I wore this dress, but apparently I was unable to get all the front creasing out. The steamer function on my iron is broken and I am pretty inept at ironing anyway! Anyway, I decided at the last minute that it was unacceptable and that I needed to change, so I pulled out this old (5+ years) dress that I haven't worn for a while. It's not perfect but still looked pretty good (and it doesn't wrinkle!). I should really get the neckline of this dress altered (it's just a little too wide and loose, which is hidden by the jacket here). I'm not sure the empire waist is the most current thing, though, and it does tend to show lumps and bumps and food babies a little too easily (the jacket helps though). What do you think? Still worth keeping (and fixing the neckline)?

PS - Anyone have a good recommendation for a steamer? I want it to be powerful and portable.

Max Studio dress, Nanette Lepore jacket, Naturalizer heels, Liz Claiborne purse, and Ann Taylor necklace.

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13 years ago

Anonymous

LOL- food babies : )
Too bad about the blue dress but you ended up looking great anyway and with less worries- now off with you to buy a new iron.

shiny

Veteran

I recently bought a serious steamer -- primarily for doing floors and fixtures, for which it's incredible. It has an attachment for use on clothing, but I'm not impressed with it. It uses dry steam and it is true that it removes odors from garments like a charm, but not so much wrinkles.

You know what works better? (Because I cannot stand ironing)? Popping it into a Dry-El bag. If you're only touching up one item and it's lightweight like this, I'd cut the Dry-El sheet into two or even a quarter. (Put the remaining sheet in a ziploc baggie).

HeleenH

I opened this post because I loved the dess so I think you should alter it so you are comfortable with the neckline.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There's a great recommendation for a steamer on Amazon - I will dig it up for you later.

I love your 5 year old dress, Diana! You look KILLER in #1. Such a gorgeously elegant midi ensemble. Get the neckline altered.

Chuckling @ "food babies"

Jjsloane

I love you in #1. Get an iron with functional steam. I've wanted a steamer, but honestly don't know where I'd keep it to not let the kids get burned. I think MaryK has a nice one she likes. I just hold my iron over knits etc. and steam away.

Parsley

Both dresses are very nice on you. (if you can get rid of the wrinkles!)
I have this steamer, and it works very well.
I looked at larger models, but they're so bulky and hard to store, and a lot more expensive. The smaller one has been much more practical for me, while still doing everything I need it to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-St.....fy+steamer

Carole

Great outfits, that's crazy about the wrinkles. I have always wanted a steamer and finally broke down and got one, but was seriously disappointed and returned it. I had always heard how great they are, so maybe the brand makes all the difference.

catgirl

Food babies! Now I know what to call that phenomenon...

Love the outfit you wore, and willl be following for steamer recommendations!

Diana

Thanks, ladies. I'll check out some of the steamer options for sure. I want one for the wedding (to touch up my dress, etc) anyway. I should add that I hate to iron and don't even have an ironing board - I am actually going to see first if my fiancé (who loves to iron and always does his own work shirts while watching Sunday football!) can get the wrinkles out of my dress.

Shiny, I've considered dryel but the smell bugs me.... (I use scentless detergent normally and no perfumes.). Is there a fragrance free version?

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