Friday, April 23, 2010

Dear Readers: Please help me shop (part one)


This one has been sitting in my pending box for too long:

got engaged about a month ago. i've known my fiance for 12 (i think) years. we grew up together and all that jazz. we are not into the whole huge ceremony wedding thing, so we are getting married in my parents backyard oct 9th by a friend and then having an amazing party all night long! no big ceremony, no first dance, none of that. not our thing. so i'm sure you see this coming i'm not really into a wedding dress. especially not long. i'm 4'11" and always feel weird in long dresses. i want a dress that i can wear again, but i won't look like one of the guests. short with (i'm so excited.. black tights and maybe ankle boots) nothing too formal since we will be outside all night. 

here's what i'm leaning towards. any thoughts or suggestions?

*****

Mkay. I'm not really feeling the Furstenberg. Nothing against Diane (love her), but that dress is crying out for bare legs and flat sandals, not tights and ankle boots.

How bout this Grainger Dress from French Connection? Could be slammin with a pair of black tights.



In the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you I swiped it from Lauren, who is on the hunt for a bridesmaid's dress.

Frankly, I'm a little burned out on internet shopping. I keep keeping my eye out and I keep seeing not much that excites me. Has anyone else seen a TERRIFIC dress that fits the criteria?

(Hanger photo by Sandi Gunnett)

38 comments:

  1. Refinery29 recently had a great roundup of alternative wedding dresses http://www.refinery29.com/unusual-wedding-dresses-refinery29-style.php?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=R29+-+Alternative+Wedding+Dresses. I think the Aqua Frill-Back dress would be particularly great with black tights and ankle boots.

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  2. I always lean towards "Sarah Seven", her dresses are super cute, she has seafoam & peach & all kinds of pale variations so you wouldn't even have to go straight white. You could rock a couple of her styles with booties & tights. I'm wary, though, of her feedback on etsy. Most people say her craftmanship isn't the best (whaddya expect for a $300 wedding dress) and that she gets the dress there only in the nick of time. So I'd lie and say I was getting married months before the actual date ha.

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  3. These two from BCBG could work:
    http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3678562&cp=2769162.2768993&page=8&parentPage=family

    or

    http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3189032&cp=2840697&page=10&parentPage=family

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  4. I might be stating the obvious but have you checked J.Crew? They have some really pretty things. You could always purchase a long dress and have it shortened. Maybe let the edge fray a bit... toughen it up to better suit the boots.
    Congratulations BTW! I love how easy and relaxed you're keeping the affair! I'm sure you'll find the perfect dress!

    www.sarabbentley.blogspot.com

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  5. I love the the DVF dress. Love it. I do agree that flats are needed. The Grainger is ok, but looks like it would only fit a certain tall, skinny body.

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  6. This would look awesome with black tights: http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Immaculate+Confection+Dress

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  7. A few more...

    http://www.asos.com/Selected-Femme/Selected-Femme-Layered-Pleat-Silk-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1119389&cid=8799&Rf-200=5,20&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Cream

    http://www.asos.com/Iska/Iska-Bow-Front-Lace-Smock-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1099462&cid=8799&Rf-200=5,20&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Cream

    http://www.asos.com/Jin-Ja/Jin-Ja-Textured-Lace-Petals-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1137276&cid=8799&Rf-200=5,20&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Cream

    http://www.asos.com/Jin-Ja/Jin-Ja-Embroidered-Lace-Babydoll-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1137283&cid=8799&Rf-200=5,20&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Cream

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  8. I totally think the DVF dress would work, actually!

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  9. Hello lovely bride with the beautiful vision,
    You seem kind of fun and funky - what about these dresses?

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/62649

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/76750

    I do love what ESB chose too :)
    Have fun! You sound fantastic :)

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  10. amusingly, the wedding for which i need to bridesmaid it up is also on october 9th. grainger could be getting a lot of play this fall.

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  11. One of my best friends wore a cocktail length, off-white, BCBG dress for hew wedding and looked amazing. I think it was partially due to the fact she was wearing the dress she wanted to and was comfortable in it.

    JCrew might be an option, depending on your personal style and body type, like someone else suggested. And, personally, I think anything thats in the white, cream, silver families can be close enough to traditional colors.

    But, no matter what, you're not going to look like one of the guests (so don't worry about that). Hell, none of the guest should be wearing white or off-white anyways!

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  12. you can search for dresses by color here: http://www.shopbop.com/clothes-dresses/br/v=1/2534374302063518.htm

    you can search by body type and then limit the results by color here (which I LOVE!)L http://shop.nordstrom.com

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  13. I'm getting married on Oct. 9th, too, outdoors at a family friend's home/farm. OK, here are my picks...

    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/37979

    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/40734

    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/51463

    http://tiny.cc/lvpus

    Outdoors, you may need wedges. Best of luck!

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  14. ((oops, the tiny url didn't work, here's the last option))

    http://www.us.allsaints.com/product/?all=1&page=1&category_id=22&&prod_desc_id=0051214017131&position=72

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  15. You probably saw this one from a post a while back, but I still love this dress with black tights and booties. http://eastsidebride.blogspot.com/2010/01/short-wedding-dress-for-november.html

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  16. first and foremost, backyard or not, i think you need a PARTY dress. the one you chose is lovely, but i think esb might be right about not wearing it with tights and boots. you might end up looking TOO covered up. it looks like you're not set on the traditional white or ivory either, which is good. if you're willing to do metallics, this one practically made me giz my pants...

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/93710#

    if you pair it with a silver shrug a la cevd (to keep you warm) you will look so slammin...

    http://eastsidebride.blogspot.com/2008/12/uber-chic-north-carolina-wedding.html

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  17. I got my short wedding dress at Foley & Corrina, who happen to have a store on Melrose near my work. They have lots of cute party dresses and most come in a rainbow of colors. They're a bit pricey at $300-$500, but I tried a dress on at the store then found it online for $100. View their stuff here:
    http://www.foleyandcorinna.com

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  18. Robert Rodriguez Black Label (at Saks) - AMAZING!

    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446359285&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492398631&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1272042209252&ev19=4:63

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  19. Oh! One more... stumbled across this one just now - plus its on sale - bonus!!

    http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3699222&cp=1872494.3343896

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  20. Um, Celia...THAT DRESS!!!!
    At first when you said giz in my pants I was like, no way, no way...
    YES, please!

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  21. isn't it "jizz"? i've been dirty texting wrong all along?!

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  22. Boom. Done.

    http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3993437&cp=4045043&ab=BCBG%3ASP_HP%3ATILE2%3AGRADUATION&view=all&parentPage=family

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  23. p.s.

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/93612

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/76521

    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/62920

    http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod100460154&parentId=cat10340751&masterId=cat10100736&index=8&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat17740747cat000127cat10100736cat10340751

    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446250404&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492710876&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1272050195973&ev19=1:39

    HOLLAAAA

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  24. how about this sexy little number:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/37477286/simple-elegant-vanilla-lace-cocktail?ref=sr_gallery_33&ga_search_query=lace+cocktail+dress&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title

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  25. (although the styling is a little weird)

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  26. Not one to toot my own horn but just wrote a little piece on this!

    http://annaandtheringlondon.blogspot.com/2010/04/shortcomings.html

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  27. oh my god this comment thread is GOLD.

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  28. practical - Hmmm...I wiki'd it:
    Jizz can mean:
    Jizz (birding), the immediately recognisable characteristics of a bird. Sometimes extended to refer to animals and plants. OR
    An alternative way of writing jism, a slang term for semen or ejaculation.

    You were dirty texting correct, hooray!

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  29. Oh Celia! That dress is amazing. But it would not suit me at all (short body, long legs). That Camilla and Mark Zahra dress is sensational as well. What about:
    http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/64607 OR
    http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=BHAL-WD274&c=Dresses+-+Fine&s=C

    PS congratulations! Your wedding sounds a lot like ours (and ours was AWESOME)

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  30. ok, just have to say i'm the bride, and am peeing myself over the comments! thank you everyone! made my night, and brightened by dress shopping days to come!

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  31. p.s. ordered the diane von dress and tried it with the boots (found them before the dress, shoes are just so much easier to love) and didn't work totally right, too covered! can't wait to check out all of your suggestions!

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  32. I got my dress made by Holly Stalder on etsy- it was a lacey short dress inspired by one of her dresses (link below) that I saw in her shop- just a few tweeks and it was perfect!

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/45236123/custom-listing-ivory-silk-chiffon-and

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  33. turns out I'VE been dirty texting wrong... typical.

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  34. oh what a great game! im bloody tall so forgive me if i don't get it right in terms of choosing for a smaller bird - i really am trying though. in no particular.......

    hmmm...?
    http://www.brownsfashion.com/product/98240.htm?siteid=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-cm1VM0MV7ZOcr5Y5ERipQA

    any of the new Roksanda Ilincic diffusion line for Whistles would work i think - especially with boots. The finish IS INCREDIBLE. The pale blue ones are most appropriate?
    http://www.whistles.co.uk/fcp/categorycollections/collections/roksandass10?resetFilters=true

    this, from Acne is special:
    http://shop.acnestudios.com/outlet/outlet-women/dresses/bergman-print-a-w-09-1823.html

    kapow!
    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/81667

    waah!
    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/75636

    and finally
    this heavenly Kirsty Doyle creation
    http://www.my-wardrobe.com/kirsty-doyle/cream-celestine-dress-447822

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  35. omg, i love the dress celia posted. i also like that cute number from sunday brunch that kc put up. i think esb's right about the dvf - it would look cute with bare legs and cold flats as opposed to black tights and ankle boots, but both celia's and kc's would look hot with black tights. also, i'm not sure what your body type is - i'm 5-2, and curvy-ish, and i tried on the french connection dress saturday. it looked really cute on the rack and totally unflattering on me, so def try it on.

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  36. duh, i meant gold flats, not cold flats.

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  37. Check this link: http://www.theoutnet.com/Shop/Clothing/Dresses?colourFilter=White

    My go-to for things like this.

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