what are you wearing to your pre-wedding events?

aggiespartan

I'm having a really hard time finding cute dresses to wear to our welcome cocktail hour and the night before dinner.  I don't need anything super formal, but I didn't want to go in just jeans and a top.  I've shopped the sales on anthropologie and everything in my size is sold out.  I've looked at Banana Republic and J.Crew too. 

southernbelle0915

Try www.modcloth.com.

AddieCake

There are hundreds of stores to choose from.

aggiespartan

modcloth isn't really my thing.  Hundreds of stores?  Really?  I had no idea.  I was hoping for some people to offer ideas of what they are wearing. 

Ndelible

Macy's. They should have some good choices. And Ann Taylor. Good luck.

jynxiie

I dressed up for all my events. I got a dress from David's bridal for my engagement party and totally wore it again fro my shower. I don't know what I will wear from my rehearsal... I'm tempted to wear the dress again because I love it... But... I've already worn it twice. 

kkcc2015

Try New York and Company or Lands end-they have super cute clothes and really really good sales going on right now. That's where I get a lot of my dresses and I love them. Lands end especially has a huge range of sizes and shows you what it would look like on a variety of body types online-that's where I got my dress for my engagement pictures! Good luck

amelisha

I'm renting sparkly stuff from Rent the Runway because we'll be in Vegas - they've got tons of less out-there options though. Check out their website!

JennyColada

I didn't really have a lot of parties or events, but to our pre-wedding-day dinner I wore a cute dress that I got from eShakti.com. It's relatively casual, but I just think it's so adorable!

I wore this (but in white):

lyndausvi

I got a dress at White House/Black Market.   I also took the same dress on my HM. 

The dress was mostly black with some white.  I didn't feel like I had to be in white all weekend.  Plus I'm messy.  White = stain.   My wedding dress is the only white dress I've ever owned.  Surprisingly I didn't get any stains on the dress. 

jenijoyk

I'm also doing Rent the Runway.

For rehearsal dinner on Thursday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/slatewillow_dresses/madelinesheath

For welcome drinks on Friday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/evafranco_dresses/oradress

amelisha

jenijoyk said:

I'm also doing Rent the Runway.

For rehearsal dinner on Thursday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/slatewillow_dresses/madelinesheath

For welcome drinks on Friday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/evafranco_dresses/oradress

I love both of those! The beading (sequins?) on the first one is especially gorgeous.

majesty318

I wore black pants and a blue button down top to my shower. I would have loved to wear a cute dress, but it was in the winter and I hate wearing tights.

I wore a casual white dress to my bachelorette and again to the RD. I got it at Kohl's.

theartistformerlyknownas

I used Rent the Runway for one shower (aqua lace) and my bachelorette party (sequins), JC Penney for the other shower (black and white floral), and Francesca's for the rehearsal dinner (navy and white damask maxi skirt and white top).

jenijoyk

amelisha said:

show previous quotes

jenijoyk said:

I'm also doing Rent the Runway.

For rehearsal dinner on Thursday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/slatewillow_dresses/madelinesheath

For welcome drinks on Friday: https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/evafranco_dresses/oradress

I love both of those! The beading (sequins?) on the first one is especially gorgeous.

Thanks! I'm really excited about the bow-tie dress. I'm thinking red flats and maybe a skinny red belt if it needs cinching. Can't wait!!! Three more days and they will arrive on my doorstep!

Maggie0829

First point of advice, do not over think this.  It is just a cocktail dress, you don't need anything super special.

You have looked at 3 stores and you say you are having a hard time finding something cute.  Well I have to repeat what Addie said, there are hundreds of stores to look at.  Try some department stores (Macy's, JC Penny, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Dillards, Bloomingdale's, etc), WHBM, Ann Taylor, local boutiques in your town, and even at special occasion dresses at bridal stores.

atlastmrsg

Are you looking for anything in particular?  Or things that are white?  I'm selling off all my white pre-wedding sundresses and cocktail dresses, as well as a lot of other things in my closet that I used during pageant years.  Size 4-8.  Message me if you'd like a link to photos.  Everything is nice, designer stuff--BCBG, Sherri Hill, Tony Bowls, Jovani, Tara Jarmon, etc.  Everything is priced at 80% off what I purchased it for...so my Mandalay engagement dress ($1400) is $280.  

LarraO2530

I have a cute off-white/not quite ivory strapless knee length dress that I can wear with a bolero if it gets chilly. I wore it when I graduated from college under my gown since we needed to be "semi-formal" .. I figured it's not TOO formal to be considered odd if I wear it out for the rehearsal dinner, but it's just nice enough to do the job in the event FI's parents choose a rehearsal dinner location slightly on the more upscale side. Bonus, I bought it for $7 on homecoming clearance at the store where I used to work when I was going through my first degree!

emanon321

This is what I'm wearing for my rehearsal dinner. I got it a few years ago from Ann Taylor. It's one of my favorites, but I never have an occasion to wear it. And now I finally do!

aggiespartan

@emanon321 I've found a couple of things on Ann Taylor that may work for me, but her clothing never fits me correctly. Maybe I'll take a chance and just return it if it doesn't fit.

emanon321

aggiespartan said:

@emanon321 I've found a couple of things on Ann Taylor that may work for me, but her clothing never fits me correctly. Maybe I'll take a chance and just return it if it doesn't fit.

I've actually been running into that as well lately. Ann Taylor just hasn't fit me the same this last year or so. For me, everything has been extremely short waisted and boxy, but I'm never a fan of the styles that come in tall. 

However, if something catches your eye, sign up for emailed coupons and then get a couple of different sizes so the total adds up enough for free shipping and then you can return the items that don't fit to the store no charge.

edit: or just buy and return in store, always easiest ^_^

sarahjane222

I wore a Calvin Klein dress for my shower - white with thin black leather stripes, with black tights. I have another work shower coming up, but it's pretty laid back so I'll maybe just wear a white sweater and nice dark jeans. I'm not doing an all out bachelorette - more like a nice dinner out with friends - I was looking at a couple mod-cloth dresses for that and then the rehearsal night I'm just going to wear a white sweater dress that I already have. 

You don't have to wear white to any of these events - I just think it's a fun thing to do. Someone said it already though - don't over think it. For me, I was tired of spending money on things which is why I'm wearing a lot that's already in my closet!