Help Me Shop - evening gown

leia1979

Want to take a break from battling the BSC people? Help me find a dress for H's company holiday party!

H's company usually has a very fancy holiday party in January. This year it's in December. It's generally at a fancy hotel in San Francisco (but the location varies by year). The women wear either cocktail or evening gowns.

Last year I wore this:



The previous year I wore this:



This year, I'm thinking of going with a long dress. Want to make some suggestions? I'd like something venue and age-appropriate (so nothing too revealing or princessy), and I prefer something with straps (at least one). Also, most colors are okay, but I don't like pink, and I think orange or yellow would look bad on me. I'd like to stay under $150.

I have plenty of time, but I just found out the party date today and feel like looking at dresses. I'll probably hit the mall one of these days when I have time to check out stuff in person, too.

Thank you!

GoldenPenguin

I looked on the Macy's site quickly... most of the long gowns are well over $150... but there were a few pretty ones!

Based on your last two picks, I didn't go for strapless - but is that an option?

LOVE this (in wine, if it doesn't come up that way): http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=588546&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DEvening/Formal%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D245

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=590071&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DEvening/Formal%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D245

peekaboo2011

Oh boo.  I was totally about to send you to find a Stephen Yearick dress.  They're gorgeous hand-beaded evening gowns.  But they're like $3000.

I'll look when I get home

leia1979

Peek, that's a little rich for me. 

BriSox, that one in wine is very pretty. Maybe I'll stop by Macy's on the way home and look.  I prefer at least one strap, as strapless things tend to slide down on me.

I saw this at Unique Vintage. There's one left, but it's my size.
http://www.unique-vintage.com/final-sale-1930s-hollywood-raspberry-ruffled-shoulder-prom-gown-p-7004.html

CCO2012

Here are a few...

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/js-boutique-one-shoulder-sequin-gown/3070135?origin=category

http://www.leneswedding.com/vintage-pink-vneck-sash-long-elegant-evening-dress_p14251.html

http://www.bluevelvetvintage.com/Champagne-Satin-Draped-Back-Prom-Gown-Wedding-Dress.html

ETA: love the flowers going down the back of that one strap!!!

leia1979

I stopped by Macy's on the way home and tried a few dresses. I found one I liked and was trying to decide between blue and red. I liked the red one a little bit better, but it turned out only the blue one was in clearance. I didn't like the red one $85 better. So anyway, I bought this for $125. It fits perfectly, and since it's from Macy's, I can take it back if I find something else.

SopChick

I love it! So gorgeous! You'll have to post pics after you get ready for the party (even though it's not for a while) so we can see the whole effect with you in it.

How are you planning to do your hair & makeup? Have you decided yet?


Also, does Macy's have plus sizes, and are there Macy's stores in most major US cities? Gowns are brutal to find around here, but I'm pretty close to the border

Elle1036

Gorgeous! I love the one you chose!

leia1979

SopChick, here's their plus size dress selection online:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/plus-sizes/plus-size-apparel/plus-size-dresses?id=37038&edge=hybrid#!fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DEvening/Formal%26sortBy%3DORIGINAL%26productsPerPage%3D40&!qvp=iqvp

I didn't see the plus size section in store, so I can't speak to selection. I will say that the size of the store matters. I happen to go by a very large one on the way home from work, and I know they have a better selection than the other stores in my area.


I'm not sure what else I'll do yet. I think I need some black or silver shoes to go with the dress. Though now that I think of it, I think I do have some that will work. My shoes are stored in the back of the closet, so I don't often see a lot of them. 

I'll probably do some sort of up-do. When trying it on, I put my hair in a ponytail because it looked better up and away from the dress. 

I do realize now that this dress reminds me a little of the one from the animated movie Anastasia (which is one of my favorites).

SopChick

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_shop-evening-gown?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:b3bca4be-f758-49aa-a866-6784351e2ce6Post:ec06bdb7-24ed-4259-aa7d-1a5ca4c96231">Re: Help Me Shop - evening gown</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Help Me Shop - evening gown :<strong> I believe so, they're pretty much everywhere.  They have a store locator on their website</strong>.  And since it's a large department store, I would imagine they have a decent plus sized selection? This thread is getting me excited to go dress shopping for FSIL's wedding.  It's in January so I'm going to get a floor length dress.  
Posted by yaga13[/QUOTE]
There's one not too far from me! :)

leia1979

Well, hey, in the back of my closet I discovered these:


I think they'll go nicely. Also, H will tell you that I don't need more shoes. 

By the way, the photo does not do the color of that dress justice. It's a kind of an iridescent taffeta. Yay shopping!

SopChick

Those shoes look great, and thanks for the link!

ravenray

That looks lovely!  You are going to be beautiful!!!