Last Minute Dress Shopping for Bridal Shower and...

last year

last modified: last year

ran across this.

I don't understand. And I still need a new dress by next Friday because the one I ordered will not arrive in time. I need a pretty day dress appropriate for a classic southern society shower at a "ladies who lunch" restaurant in Atlanta. Help...

ETA: I am open to pants with pretty blouses, extra points for monochomatic, pantsuits in elevated fabrics/cuts, etc. Not just dresses is what I mean to convey.

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Jilly

last year

last modified: last year

I think she had to walk several blocks to the party, in the snow, and carried her heels to change into. She had hat hair and a slight chin rash all night, but it is what it is.

Ruby, I hope you can find a dress you love! I’d shop local, things are too iffy during the holidays.

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Comments (34)

mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Start by showing us a pic of a dress you think you look your best in?

PS what is with the furry chin
rubyclaire thanked mtnrdredux_gw
Sueb20
last year
Can you show us the one you ordered?
rubyclaire thanked Sueb20
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
That "fabric" makes her look like a quarter panel.
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Sorry - long phone call - will post asap! Thanks
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
oh no the competition will have to start without me --- I'm headed out. Darn
jab65
last year
At first I thought she had her hair in rollers and was sporting a chin strap for preventing wrinkles. But then the glittery dress. And then those boots?? Sorry, I'm no help to you whatsoever.
rubyclaire thanked jab65
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
So, sorry for the delay. I'm 5'2' and curvy (34DD and a bit of an apple - lovely). I have this dress for cocktails and the shape seems to work and it hits at knee:

I ordered a navy dress that is much like this top (dress not on website currently, hmmm) but I would wear top with slim pants as an option:

I also like shirtdresses and shift dresses that skim the mid-section which is my challenging area. I wear an 8/10 in most garments.
Sueb20
last year
Similar lines to your black dress above.

https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=517877012&cid=1176414&pcid=69883&vid=1&nav=hamnav%3Awomen%3AWomen%27s%20Clothing%3ADresses%20%26%20Jumpsuits#pdp-page-content
rubyclaire thanked Sueb20
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
That's very nice Sue - I forget about BR!
Funkyart
last year
BR is shipping fast too-- I bought a sweater this afternoon and it had shipped 3 hr later.

You may want to check out Ralph Lauren also.. I've only been through about 1/3 of their dresses but I saw many options and the BF sale is great. 40% off of a purchase over $135
pricklypearcactus
last year
last modified: last year
I had good luck with Nordstrom shipping some dresses to me within a few days.

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/faux-wrap-drape-dress/4959252

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/beaded-sleeve-sheath-dress/7114030

While Zappos sadly no longer seems to have free next day shipping, it is still pretty fast, usually a few days.

https://www.zappos.com/p/karen-kane-long-sleeve-tiered-dress-navy/product/9733195/color/9

I'm not sure if any of these styles suit you. But just some ideas. And I'm sorry none of them seem to work with the hat and fuzzy boots you've picked out...
rubyclaire thanked pricklypearcactus
Funkyart
last year
These may all be too tailored and informal .. .I don't really know the "very classic southern society" look but here are a few I loved from RL

I have been really drawn to the double breasted jackets this year -- this is my favorite but it seems to be sold out everywhere in both regular and plus sizes (my size). I couldn't pull off the skirt but i adore the jacket. I should have bought it when it first came out.

Also love the long jacket as a dress .. showing here in black but the navy is on sale. Love how versatile it is.. they show it dressed up as below and very casual with sneakers and jeans.

I do NOT wear red .. but the style is available in a few colors. Red shows the detail better

This is a top-- stretch wrap flannel but I love how it looks like a jacket and loving the color too.

Similar vibe but more formal in satin

One last look from Banana Republic Factory -- again, may not be formal enough but i think you could dress it up. It appears to be a sweater dress that skims the curves rather than accentuating them. (Not sure why she is pulling her skirt up lol).
rubyclaire thanked Funkyart
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Those are all very nice - I actually like the red and I don't really wear red either. I'm not sure I know what my description of the event means either :). "Well-heeled ladies who lunch" is the best I could come up with! I will check out RL and BR - both are sites I forget about. I start at the big ones - Saks, NM, Nordstrom and get overwhelmed quickly.

Thank you! I know no one has time for this nonsense with Thanksgiving preps in full swing. I need to work on my closet - it has become way too casual over the past few years.
Funkyart
last year
I understand your description, Rubyclaire .. i just think I am out of touch with the southern society style. Northern society style too for that matter LOL. My trend has been towards casual cozy for the last bunch of years!
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Yes, my wardrobe has skewed much more casual in the last few years. Blouses, sweaters and jackets with jeans is my style. I ordered the BR Factory Sweater dress because it was so cheap and a good basic winter dress and have a number of other options suggested here in my cart. I'm trying to come up with a few options with things on hand because I am growing weary of frantically shopping online. I will also shop in stores between now and next week. I have the following in my closet which might be okay if nothing better emerges in time:

Bad mock-up but the idea is silk midi skirt, cashmere sweater or silk blouse tied with boots and jewelry. My shopping goal for 2023 is to acquire options for a variety of events - cocktail, funeral, weddings, etc. This last minute frenzy is not fun.
Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
You aren’t going to the Swan House by any chance?

The outfits will run the gamut between slightly dated fadhionable and more cutting edge, with lots in between. Your skirt and silk blouse and boots will be perfectly middle of the road. Don’t forget jewelry!
rubyclaire thanked Kswl
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Yes, Swan House! Will I see you there?? Thanks for the intel on what to expect - I think middle of the road is just where I'm aiming.
Funkyart
last year
Oh I really like the first mockup especially ... and yes, I need to do the same. I am/will be replacing a lot of my wardrobe in 2023 as the result of losing weight -- I'll also pull things out of retirement that I outgrew years ago. I think my plan is to stick close to classic pieces and dress them up or funk them up with accessories/jewelry. That fits my style anyhow and should streamline shopping.

I think anything you pair with those great tall boots is going to be great!

And re: BR dress.. I know, right? Wasn't it like $35 this morning? I know some folks weren't happy with their purchases when we did the fall wardrobe thread but I am very pleased with the few pieces I ordered! I just hope I love the splurgy sweater I bought yesterday ;)
rubyclaire thanked Funkyart
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Now we need to see your splurgy sweater Funky!
Funkyart
last year
Ha!.. i was calling the cashmere splurgy but they are actually both the same price (and not bad). The cashmere is a color i don't have .. and the cable is unusually long. Those are my excuses because I really don't need them (especially since I also hit the EF sale!)
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Very pretty! Love that color - I tend to stick to neutrals but am very drawn to cashmere in beautiful saturated colors like yours.
Funkyart
last year
Yeah, pretty much all that I've picked up is cream, gray or brown -- I wanted some color!

BTW, I almost ordered the same dress you did -- but I have too much more weight to lose/muscles to tighten to consider a sweater dress.
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Ruby, I like your mockups. They seem perfect for the occasion
rubyclaire thanked mtnrdredux_gw
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Funky - the sweater dress may end up going back but I had to give it a try at that price.

Thanks, mtn - I feel like I can relax a bit knowing I have an acceptable outfit in the wings.
Funkyart
last year
last modified: last year
Oh i am sure it will look great on you!
rubyclaire thanked Funkyart
Kswl
last year
The Swan House is fabulous and a long time favorite in Atlanta. I used to love their chicken salad until my friends started getting married and I was eating it every month, it seemed. It’s **the** place for bridal and baby showers. The historical society has done a great job with the house and grounds. The restaurant is in the building that was originally the coach house.
rubyclaire thanked Kswl
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Kswl - yes, I have been to the Swan House but not to the restaurant and agree the historical society has done a wonderful job! Looking forward to the chicken salad :).
jab60
last year
This is a really cute dress if you can wear short. https://www.amazon.com/A-L-C-Women-Esme-Dress/dp/B08QH86N6Z?th=1&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=w0c585-20
rubyclaire thanked jab60
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Cute dress but maybe a little short for me...
palimpsest
last year
Norman Norell did the sequin thing a little better in the 1960s. We kept some of my mom's beaded stuff (fully sequined on regular wool fabric weighs a ton), just because they are interesting (much too small for anyone to wear now). She used to keep some of it laying flat so it didn't get deformed by hanging)
rubyclaire thanked palimpsest
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Oh, pal, that is gorgeous!! Was this your mom's? So fab.
palimpsest
last year
No, she did not have couture, she had more accessible knockoffs. She had one like this that was sleeveless and two that were beaded bodice over wool satin bottoms and a separate top, that I can think of. Luckily she also had a neighbor, (A Japanese woman who also took care of me and taught me how to use chopsticks as a toddler) who could do things like take these apart and bring in sleeves at the shoulder or length at the waist and stuff like that.
rubyclaire
Original Author
last year
Well, I think a good tailor is the next best thing to couture - maybe even better. Fit and fabric are so key. What a great neighbor you all had!