Sue, I feel so bad, hearing all the things happening to you...There has to be a happy ending...You know, there is an outfit out there with your name on it and I'll bet that new perm will be perfect...With what you've been through, it's going to happen!
And like you said, you are blessed with a great daughter....

Sue. I can sympathize with you completely. Shopping can be such a chore, especially when you have a really special occasion and you want to look nice. I don't have any suggestions but I do wish you luck in your shopping. In any case I hope you have a lovely time at the wedding.

I'm sorry you've had such a tough go of it the past several weeks. Sounds like you were pretty sick, but you are now on the road to recovery. Hopefully you regain your energy soon. I know (personally) how bronchitis can knock you for quite a loop!

Perhaps somehow, somewhere an appropriate outfit will turn up for you to wear! If not, maybe something in your closet can work. Perhaps getting a new pair of shoes and some special accessories you will feel appropriately dressed for the wedding wearing something you already own.

Best of luck to you, and have a wonderful time on the 1st!

Bless you, (((((Sue)))) I know you will find something before the big day.

I too feel for you and most of the people in their 70's & 80's. Sytles are junk now days. I do find some items at Penneys but not in the dressy area. Could you find a nice pants suit? I have seen some nice ones and they are washable. Personally I do not see waiting until end of month for perm--after all they made the mistake and they should do it NOW even if it is after hours. But do be aware that sometimes perms don't do good if you are on meds or take certain blood pressures meds. Maybe a nice cut with a light curl would work better. If she won't do anything now, get your money back and try someplace else.
Do you have Sears in your area? Try Land Ends they have some nice pants and matching tops. Go on line. Also LL Bean on line. If you find an outfit, call up and explain the situation and they could mail something out fast. Good luck
Marie

DUH! I will be getting a new perm, at no charge, on April 30th.. .the day before the wedding.

Just asking: why can't you get the perm earlier?
Been a long times since I had one, but I remember that perm smell.

Good luck to you in finding an outfit.
Sometimes if you look too hard, it's hard to find the right one, cause you get frustrated.

You will find the perfect one, I betcha!

Sue, I feel for you!! Everything is styled for teen-agers, it seems. What ever happened to Misses sizes in nice clothing? And all this "bunching" of material....aaaak! I wore navy pants and a dressy top to a gd wedding last year, and one of my DDs asked me if I meant to be so casual. Just wait until her son gets married next summer.....if she wants casual! Well, not really, of course, but I do know how hard it is to find something these days.

Just a thought Sue, but you might find something on the Designer Rack at Goodwill, if you have one, and they have one. The rack is usually really dressy stuff...fancy smancy, and often new with tags. You'd then have time to either wash it or dry clean it if need be.

You'll find something when you least expect it.

(the other) Sue

I need clothes badly and I can't find anything suitable for a 78 year old either. Also I had broncitis and a virus this winter. It knocks the sox right out of you.

Hope things improve quickly for you.

Keep your chin up.
ivamae

Look for that fabric that is stretchy and slinky. Get a nice pant suit or dress with a glitzy jacket or glitzy trim. They are comfortable and easy to wear. I found lots of them in the department stores.

Try Ross again. Ours gets new stuff in just about every day. Any chance you have a similarly sized friend who might have something your could wear? I hate to spend money on dressy clothes because its doubtful I will wear them again. Goodwill is a good idea too. Maybe your DD can help you find something online?

Unless you have other occasions when you would wear a "dressy" dress I would suggest a nice pantsuit. Five years ago I shopped and shopped just looking for the right dress for my Grandaughters wedding.Finally found one and paid big bucks(at least for me) but have never worn it again. I think Goodwill would be the way to go and I wish I had done that.If you can check Goodwill often you can really get good bargins. Recently I got a nice white Talbot's jacket. Tried on a Cabin Creek jacket for $ 3.00 but it didn't fit. Sigh!
Lois

Sue, I'm not 84 but I got tired just reading the list of stores you went to! I find shopping to be exhausting, especially clothes shopping. I think you did well even if you didn't come home with a dress!

You got some good suggestions above, and I would add that you might try some smaller stores. Their prices tend to be higher, but these days everyone's having sales.

Good luck!

My Mom - age 80 - went thru the same thing! We ended up getting her a dress at Draper's & Damon's - a catalog/website only. We looked at Coldwater Creek - mainly a catalog/website & they also have outlets. I would also recommend Chcio's - again a catalog/website with outlets, and Spiegal catalog might be a source and perhaps department stores like Macy's or Dillards (not sure where you are located).

Good luck.

You're one hip grandma. I keep doubting your age, lol.

The KT is good. Why don't you post something similar to what you'd like to wear and see what they can find for you.

You poor thing, I completely understand your predicament! I think that the clothes as a whole this season are just awful!

I think catalog sales are a great option, the malls are huge and unfriendly and you can find some good things in the catalogs. Yes, you'll pay shipping and possibly return shipping too, but the convenience is well worth it. I agree 100% with Coldwater Creek and Drapers/Damon's. Both should have what you're looking for. Also try the Nordstrom by mail catalog, it too might offer some good options.
Furthermore, feel better soon!

I think zeetera had a good idea. Why not ask if anyone here has a "glammy" outfit in your size that they have probably only worn once or twice, that they'd be willing to part with for minimum $ and postage. Ya never know what others may have and are wondering what to do with it, as they'll probably never wear it again!

ps: Your hair's gonna look just great! I can feel it :)

Don't give up...you'll find something/

In going through your wardrobe, might you have a 'part' of an outfit...maybe just find a pretty top/blouse, or a glitzy jacket?

Yikes...May 1st is next Friday.

Sue, I wear plus size with a smaller bottom than top, so its easier for me to try Woman within or Roamans.com for dressy dresses. They have regular sizes too. Maybe you can find some thing at one of them. If not, are you near Richmond or Norfolk or any other bigger city in VA? Maybe it would be worth your while to drive to a mall in the bigger cities. Good luck. Jane

Hope you find something Sue!
Its getting late to order online, some companies are really fast and others aren't. Keep looking girl you will find something!
When I was looking last fall for DD's wedding a gal told me how she couldn't find a thing for her DS's wedding, she finally bought something even tho she didn't like it very well. It was to the point of she HAD to buy something. The day before the wedding she had to go out of town to pick up something and by chance stopped in a store, and low and behold there it was! The perfect dress!
So see, right up to the last minute there is a chance you will find something perfect!

Thanks to all of you for your words of understanding and encouragement.

A few comments. A pants suit was my first choice, but in all those shops I saw ONE pants suit. It was such a drab yucky ecru-ish color! I had looked online for pants suits and they are almost not to be found. I really don't like to order clothes on line anyway because sizes don't mean anything any more. I have tried in the past to order two sizes in hopes of one fitting, but it never works and I end up having to ship it all back.

Today I did try the idea of borrowing from a friend. She has a dress she bought to wear to a DGD's wedding and then wore something else. I called and had her describe it to me. It sounded okay until she mentioned the "little things" around the collar and down the front of the jacket, that shine. I think she meant sequins or something, and I don't do anything that shines, sparkles or glitters! So that was a no go.

The stores we went to are what we have here in our little town and the next town over. We don't have any smaller dress shops like towns used to have.

The mention of Goodwill reminded me that I did go to the one we have, quite a while ago. I had forgotten that. I rested up today and even though my right calf is tied in a knot from walking yesterday, I think I will go out tomorrow and go back there and also to a local Salvation Army Thrift Shop. I'm getting desperate here!!

About the perm. They were booked up, that is why I have to wait. Perms don't smell like they used to so I'm not concerned about

Wish me luck tomorrow! I hope to find the one pants suit that is hanging around just waiting for me!

Sue

P.S.
I had this ready to post and then I read Zeetera's suggestion. I had already checked on all the online sites mentioned. ** See above why I don't like to order clothes.

So then I decided just for fun to show you one I like.
There is a pants suit at Cold Creek that I like. But I'm too tight to pay $119 plus shipping for it. Click below, then see Apparel, then click on pants sets. It is the red one on the right. Trying to put in the whole URL wouldn't work.

LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Pants suit

It sounded okay until she mentioned the "little things" around the collar and down the front of the jacket, that shine. I think she meant sequins or something, and I don't do anything that shines, sparkles or glitters! So that was a no go.
Maybe it was beaded. I have some beautiful sweaters and blouses that have beads and embroidery on them. Why not take a look see at it. It might be 'perfect'! She might want to sell it and then you could take whatever you wanted to, off of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: A line pants duo?

No advice, just a hug and a "good luck, Sue!" wish for you, Sue. I hate when you think you know what you want but can't find it, very frustrating. Feel better soon, sweetie!

Awww, bless your heart! It's gotten so I find more (and better labels than I'm willing to pay for in retail stores) at Goodwill.

Stopped at one last week looking for a basket -of course I had to look through ladies wear & was wowed by the number of really good looking Kasper/Ann Taylor suits/pantsuits & sooo many slacks, jackets, skirts that would mix 'n match.

Good Luck, Best Wishes and above all enjoy the wedding!

Suzi

Hi Sue, first of all I'm glad it was just bronchitis and conjunctivitis! I was really worried that you were going to say something terminal. You have gotten a lot of good advice from your KT friends about where to shop, I would havve no idea...I hate shopping! I am sure you will be a beautiful grandma at the wedding, remember, you don't want to look prettier than the bride!

Have a wonderful time celebrating!

Denise

Maybe you should at least look at your friends outfit. You might change your mind when you see it, or at least have a stand by option if you can't find something. You aren't obligated to wear it-just take it for now and keep looking. Can your DD try a couple of your favorite stores again without you having to go since you are tired? Its easy to return stuff as long as she has the receipt. Do you have any ladies consignment shops?? They usually have dressy stuff.

I really like the idea of the Goodwill shops etc...We have that and a Salvation shop and I love shopping at the Salvation shop....I was going to a formal thing last spring, went to the Salvation store, bought a long black skirt, topped it with a sleeveless shell and borrowed a fancy black/gold jacket from my daughter...My outfit looked as good as the ones that paid big bucks....I'd really check out those stores.....
Good luck!

Awww Sue, I am happy to see that you are feeling better. Sorry about your luck with your hair and finding something to wear. I think whatever you wear to the wedding your family will think you look great and will be happy just to have you there.

I just gave away a beautiful cream pant suit that my Mom wore only once to my niece's wedding. I wish I had known what you were looking for and your size and I could have sent it to you. I kept it because my Mom looked beautiful wearing it.

If you can't find anything a nice pair of dress pants and a pretty blouse should do just fine.

Anne

Sue, A friend of mine found a lovely pants outfit at a bridal, prom shop. Thats another possibility. Also, instead of looking for a pantsuit, perhaps some dressy pants and a dressy top will fill the bill nicely.

Sue, do y'all have a Jonathan Roberts in your area? They always have a huge selection of nice looking, dressy, suits as well as some dresses.
I'm sorry you have to have this worry so close to the time of the wedding.
Good luck to you and congrats to your DGS!
Lu

Get out your towels..its cryin' time!

My trip to the Salvation Army yesterday netted me nothing. Next stop was Goodwill...and I found the Perfect dress...unfortunately it wasn't the perfect size. I was so disappointed when I tried it on! It was a deep cherry-red, short sleeves, with a fullish skirt that fell in soft pleats. The top had the look of a vest, yet dressy looking, it was attached, buttoned down the front and made of some kind of material that looked almost like crochet, but wasn't. It would have been PERFECT!

I noted the label "peri petite" and googled it hoping to find that same dress. It was a size 10; I could wear that dress in a size 12. "Peri petite" lead me to a list of scores of places that sell petites, but nowhere did I find that dress.

Sizes are screwy anyhow. I have always joked that I can wear a petite, if it is BIG enough. At Penneys etc I can sometimes find a petite14, but not often. I'm short-waisted, narrow shoulders, with the obligatory gut and hips.

I looked through my closets and I do have two pairs of nice pants that fit, one sage and the other blue. I have a light rose colored dressy blouse that I can wear with the sage. I'm going out again on Monday to keep looking.

Sue, thanks for posting the link; my brain was deflummoxed.

Jane, I live in Augusta County, about an hour and a half from Richmond;.I really don't want to tackle that trip and the "big city" right now. Also, my DD doesn't have another day off til this coming Wednesday, and I don't drive distances any more. Thanks for the link to Woman Within. I saw some things there that I liked and they have a petite plus category. I'll go back when I have time and check it out better.

Anne, thanks for the offer, that was really sweet.

Lu, we don't have a Jonathan Richards here.

Lisa, I'll go back to Ross in hopes they have gotten in some new things.

You have all been kind and sympathetic, and I appreciate all the suggestions. Keep your fingers crossed. I haven't given up!{{gwi:1565495}}

I will be at the wedding even if I have to go looking like a bag woman!!

Sue

Sue, was it this dress?

The seller isn't sure of the size, though... that might be a problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: This one????