What Do I Wear?

[Sarah]

When is the wedding?
That can influence your choice of fabric.

Suggestions:

V-Neck
Sheath or column style
Skimming the body, to elongate you.

Wedding looks to be in the fall (october)


There are dresses with sleeves -- observant Jews can't wear strapless or sleeveless wedding dresses. Here's one with little sleeves I think is flattering: http://www.helenebridal.com/Wedding-Dresses/WD0356/. (And affordable.)

Love that dress!


I would say an A-line or a sheath style. I would not go full ball gown. ball gowns tend to look chopped off on shorter bodies. I agree with Aceon6, that a higher neckline will give you a longer body line. So will high heels, if you are okay wearing them ;). I honestly believe that strapless if for the very small and perky busted. If you want a fuller skirt, do it with the A-line, it will elongate you. Avoid an actual belt, it will cut you in half.

Definitely not looking for a ball gown. Way too much for me (just not my type of dress)


Halter style and either natural or empire waist with a straight or a-line skirt with a bit of flow in it like this (http://www.helenebridal.com/Wedding-Dresses/WD5567/). My 5' 2" niece went that route. The halter extended the line of the dress so she looked taller.

I like that one too.

Thanks for the style suggestions. Now I guess I need to start looking and trying dress on.

[cruisin]

ETA: you guys will appreciate this story: http://gma.yahoo.com/neiman-marcus-shopper-sues-store-wont-back-gifts-155635423--abc-news-topstories.html

Unbelieveable! The husband is a !?#%*! The personal shopper is just as bad! But Neiman should not be expected to take back 3 year old merchandise, because a man had an affair. Timely fashion is timely fashion. Neiman is one of the more lenient stores, as far as time goes. Saks gives you 30 days and then you lose a %. Neimans is much better (Bloomingdales is the best for returning), but 3 years? I think not..


What do I wear - I've just received an invitation to a cousin's 50th birthday party at the beginning of August - hmmm 70s and 80s themed fancy dress - any ideas? Other than Abba or the Village People :lol:

Actually, you should have no problem finding something from that period, now. It is all quite on trend. DVF first started making her iconic wrap dresses in the early '70s. They are spot on, again. And DVF has resurrected some of her vintage prints. The whole slinky, jersey, disco dress is also back. Doleman sleeves, wide drapey necklines. And platform shoes are back, big time! If you are going to buy something, I would buy something that you would wear again. Spend more on a great dress, rather than spend a little on something just for one party. I know I'm a bit DVF crazy, but I do think one of her wrap dresses would suit your needs perfectly. Go on Blomingdales.com, Saks.com, Neiman Marcus.com, and DVF.com - they all have DVF dresses on sale.

P.S. don't forget that wrap dresses can worn with a cami, if the dress is a bit too low in front.

[PRlady]

Actually, you should have no problem finding something from that period, now. It is all quite on trend. DVF first started making her iconic wrap dresses in the early '70s. They are spot on, again. And DVF has resurrected some of her vintage prints. The whole slinky, jersey, disco dress is also back. Doleman sleeves, wide drapey necklines. And platform shoes are back, big time! If you are going to buy something, I would buy something that you would wear again. Spend more on a great dress, rather than spend a little on something just for one party. I know I'm a bit DVF crazy, but I do think one of her wrap dresses would suit your needs perfectly. Go on Blomingdales.com, Saks.com, Neiman Marcus.com, and DVF.com - they all have DVF dresses on sale.

P.S. don't forget that wrap dresses can worn with a cami, if the dress is a bit too low in front.

Another option is earthy-type clothing. (I was one brown/beige/ivory melange throughout the mid-'70s). Leather accessories, macrame, earth shoes. In other words, if you're a crunchy type you don't have to buy jersey disco dresses....)

[skatesindreams]

If you have a crocheted vest/top and some bell-bottom pants, you'd fit right in!
The current maxi-dress craze refers back to the "Granny" dresses from the 1970's. also.

[IceAlisa]

The current maxi-dress craze refers back to the "Granny" dresses from the 1970's. also.

I didn't know that! I have a maxi dress that would do the trick.

[skatefan]

Oh, interesting ideas! I hadn't thought of the dolman/batwing sleeves and of course the platform shoes are everywhere at the moment. The macrame and crochet items would be interesting and I could maybe crochet something myself. Bellbottoms :lol:
Of course there would be the Dallas/Dynasty look as well for the 80s which could be fun. I don't remember granny dresses so I'll have to do a search for them.

[Aceon6]

I don't remember granny dresses so I'll have to do a search for them.

I think of those as more of a late-60s/early 70s reference. I remember a girl getting sent home from high school for wearing one circa 1967.

Late 70s/early 80s brings to mind the preppy craze. The archetypal preppy power suit would work. Just remember that the hose need to be too dark for your skin tone! See if someone has a copy of the Preppy Handbook!

[skatesindreams]

Granny dresses were early 1970's.
I graduated from high school in 1972.

I had several dresses almost exactly like this one:
http://worthopedia.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnails2/3/0205/23/3_7c3c06d4b63ee8e0370f3a30c2db66a4.jpg

The early-mid 1970's were the heyday of polyester as a "luxury" fabric, also!

[NancyNC]

The current maxi-dress craze refers back to the "Granny" dresses from the 1970's. also.


I didn't know that! I have a maxi dress that would do the trick.

Okay, why does IceAlisa's reply make me feel like I should have a walker and be living in a retirement home? :lol:

[IceAlisa]

Don't worry--I wasn't in this country in the 70's :lol:

[PRlady]

Okay, why does IceAlisa's reply make me feel like I should have a walker and be living in a retirement home? :lol:

Yes, I know. We were singing karaoke at our staff meeting today (don't ask) and I was happy everyone knew the two Motown songs I picked. Then I found out no-one but no-one knew the words to "You're So Vain" and I wilted.

[skatingfan5]

Yes, I know. We were singing karaoke at our staff meeting today (don't ask) and I was happy everyone knew the two Motown songs I picked. Then I found out no-one but no-one knew the words to "You're So Vain" and I wilted.They probably thought that song was about you. :P

ETA: Which Motown songs did you pick? I have a whole collection of Motown LP's, cassettes, and CD's and periodically play some of them very, very loud while I'm supposeably cleaning -- I spend more time dancing than cleaning, but that's OK. I don't need a walker yet! :D

[PRlady]

They probably thought that song was about you. :P

ETA: Which Motown songs did you pick? I have a whole collection of Motown LP's, cassettes, and CD's and periodically play some of them very, very loud while I'm supposeably cleaning -- I spend more time dancing than cleaning, but that's OK. I don't need a walker yet! :D

Oh, in an office that's mostly women, we had to do Stop in the Name of Love, of course. And the other one was My Girl. All the twentysomethings knew both songs, I am glad they are being handed down the generations. :P

And I went and heard the Dandy Warhols the other night at a rock club. I keep up. :drama:

[cruisin]

Another option is earthy-type clothing. (I was one brown/beige/ivory melange throughout the mid-'70s). Leather accessories, macrame, earth shoes. In other words, if you're a crunchy type you don't have to buy jersey disco dresses....)

I wore the crunchy stuff from around '67 to '73. Then it was bell bottoms with puffed sleeved, cropped sweaters. By '76 it was very preppy/disco. Another option is a denim wrap skirt, I had one exactly like this when I was in college in '75. Wore it with a stretchy, silky Huckapoo shirt. nyone remember Huckapoo? Shirt: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/painted-ladies-vintage-1970s-mod-disco-huckapoo-style-button-front-shirt-with-pointed-collar-and
Skirt: http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/SKIRTS/PRDOVR~42985/42985.jsp

If you have a crocheted vest/top and some bell-bottom pants, you'd fit right in!
The current maxi-dress craze refers back to the "Granny" dresses from the 1970's. also.

Maxi dresses are a great idea! So many to choose from, right now!

Aceon, we were not allowed to wear them in High School either. Not because they disapproved of them, but because they were afraid we'd hurt ourselves getting on and off the school busses.

[skatesindreams]

Oh, in an office that's mostly women, we had to do Stop in the Name of Love, of course. And the other one was My Girl. All the twentysomethings knew both songs.

That's comforting.
I don't feel so old!