I NEVER dress up - Need some girly fashion advice!

mommadawn3

Hi Ladies,

I live in boy-land. A husband, three sons and lots of guy friends with a sister and BF now out of state - I have no one to give me real input on girly what to wear questions!  I need help.

I have two weddings to attend this winter - one in February and one in March that are very different but both listed as "formal" on the invite.    I think I found my perfect dress: http://www.dillards.com/product/Alex-Evenings-Velvet-Sheath-Dress_301_-1_301_504160670. Mine is black. It fits me beautifully thanks to some stretch in the fabric. I'm an hourglass shape and very busty - 36DDD.   Yes, I'm cheating and wearing it to both weddings.  Like I said, I NEVER dress up and can't justify having two 'fancy' dresses in my closet when they may not get worn again for years.  Two completely different sets of friends/ attendees/ state locations anyway so no one but my husband and the camera will know!

Question 1: Anyone have any experience with neckline alterations and how much I might expect to spend?  There's something about higher necklines and big boobs.  They just end up looking GIANT.  I want to bring this down to a scoop to match the back of the dress which seems fairly simple to me.  The darts shouldn't have to move and the shape is simple. 

Question 2: What do you ladies suggest for a cover up? I'm not worried about the February wedding because it's going to be in So Cal and the garden will have heaters, but March is going to be Vegas which can be very cold.  Granted we'll be indoors for the most part but the reception is going out on the strip - so I have to get from place to place without completely freezing my butt off.  I feel like the dress is fairly subdued and mature for Vegas already so I want to avoid a pashmina/ shawl or tights which I think would make me look like I'm going to a funeral.  

atlastmrsg

Don't go with that dress.  It's velvet.  Velvet is very hard to wear and often makes people look dated.  It's really only good for the month of December.  (Technically, can be worn through winter but it's really more of a holiday fabric.)  A velvet dress is going to look potentially ridiculous in SoCal.

Get a great black dress you can wear year round.  More bang for your purchase price and any alteration cost.

atlastmrsg

While not particularly "formal," with glam hair, statement sparkly necklace and great clutch, you could make a dress like this more evening wear, but still have it for work, date night, etc.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tahari-seamed-a-line-dress-regular-petite/3501047?origin=category&BaseUrl=Dresses

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/leith-long-sleeve-midi-dress/3834469?origin=category&BaseUrl=Dresses

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/felicity-coco-midi-sheath-dress-nordstrom-exclusive/3781110?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=6885

I have the third dress, but in blue, it's very versatile and flattering.  Although I'm working with 32D.  If you're in doubt on size, go up not down.  I was deciding between S and M, bought both and returned the S because it was very tight across the tops of my arms, prob because bust was pulling the fabric that way.

I'm not usually a fan of asymmetry, but this could be fun in Vegas:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/astr-twist-wrap-asymmetrical-body-con-dress/3853537?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3970

Here's black, long sleeve, and long formal:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lauren-ralph-lauren-long-sleeve-surplice-jersey-gown/3352652?origin=category

I'd enjoy wearing any of these:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tadashi-shoji-cap-sleeve-lace-gown/3495927?origin=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-beaded-mesh-gown/3907097?origin=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-beaded-mesh-v-neck-trumpet-gown/3855349?origin=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/js-collections-ottoman-lace-scoop-back-gown/3659210?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lauren-ralph-lauren-cutout-matte-jersey-gown/3766261?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

amelisha

I'm Canadian, so my idea of "cold" might be different from yours, but I really can't imagine needing anything to keep warm in a velvet dress in Vegas in any month - I was there last year in January and would have been perfectly comfortable in that much fabric at night, so I really wouldn't think you'll need anything.

I do agree with the previous poster, though, that velvet is not a fabric I would personally choose.

kvruns

I'm with the others on not loving the velvet idea personally

what about this: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1795304/chaps-crossover-lace-trim-dress-womens.jsp?pfm=rrrecs-pdp-gtab1    

they have other dresses similar to that one with lacy details that might glam it up a bit?

I know if I was someone who never wore dresses I wouldn't want to spend too much so I'd look at places like Kohls or Macys or places with coupons so I don't spend a lot.

MandyMost

I was going to say I can see wearing velvet in February (really, December, January, or February), but then you mentioned So Cal and I just can't see wearing velvet in a So Cal garden wedding, regardless of the month. And I wouldn't wear velvet in March in any month.

As others have suggested, I think you should get a good black dress (or any color, really, but black is fine) that you can wear year-round. I think a sleeveless dress is the most versatile because you can use a wrap and/or jacket or coat in the colder months, and nothing in the warmer months and climates. 

I can't imagine a wrap with a long-sleeve dress. If I'm going to a formal occasion in the winter, I generally wear a good wool coat, and take it off when I get there. If I'm wearing a sleeveless dress, I may bring a wrap as well, and when I take off the coat I'll put on a wrap. But I'm talking winter here. I don't think either So Cal or Vegas will get quite this cold that you need a serious coat. I'd expect a nice thick wrap to be perfect over a sleeveless dress, unless it was a full-on outdoor occasion where you'd actually want a light jacket or sweater. 

WhatawagSBNy

The Dillard link says no longer available.
Simple body hugging sheaths with side or lower bust darts and no beaded or embroidered neckline or bodice are about the easiest dresses available for altering neck and shoulder lines.
And depending on whether a large bosom is rather spread or very prominent going forward, you are wise not to have one to high at the neck, so you look like an approaching battleship, or too low, like you are serving melons every time you bend.

For southern Cal in winter, a jersey or crepe or tone on tone jacquard or. other fabric with body but no velvet nap might be better.

mommadawn3

;( Well, dang!  Then I think the dress must be out no matter how well it fits.    Yes, the battleship analogy is exactly it without getting it altered.  I was working off my husband's suit for the February wedding which is very formal, something between a tux and a suit if there is such a thing, black with vests and pocket squares.  Not exactly what you'd expect for a daytime, outdoor wedding!

Thank you so much for the links excellent inspiration.  Looks like I have shopping to do!