Monday, March 24, 2014

URGENT SHOPPING CHALLENGE: Can formal be fun?


Dear ESB,

 I will be attending a wedding in Mexico the first week of April. The invitation says something that translates to "evening attire" and this side of the family is known for going a little over the top. I do not see this side of my family very often and I do not want to look like a clueless American. While I can dress myself for any other occasion this one is giving me nightmares. 

 I have a small budget due to travel expenses ($200) and I am looking for something that will pass as evening wear while having something of an edge i.e.: not a lace gown like all my aunts will be wearing. 

 If you have any advice for me at all please help. 

*****

AAAAAAAAAAH SUCH A GOOD ONE

I'm beyond excited for you guys to shop this. Maybe I'll throw up some of my favorite suggestions and we can take a vote??




Photo by Zachary Gray for Pennyweight (shop the Celine dress here)

______________________________

p.s. There's a Monday morning MMOHIAC for you over here.
Posted by esb at 9:56 AM
Labels: , ,

56 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 24, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    The Celine dress is giving me bedsores just looking at it. Someone put some morphine in my drip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. laurenMarch 24, 2014 at 11:29 AM

      with a purse on an IV hook it could be awfully arty.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 24, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    I like this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 24, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    On Sale!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SashaMarch 24, 2014 at 12:04 PM

      Love this dress and out of the bunch it would get my vote, but why oh why does it have to be polyester?

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 24, 2014 at 12:21 PM

      i know - i *almost* didn't post it because of that. poly is usually a deal-breaker for me. maybe not for OP?

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMarch 26, 2014 at 11:52 AM

      and have they clearly shrunken the image of that model's body compared to her head, or is it me?

      Delete
    4. esbMarch 26, 2014 at 11:53 AM

      @Anon 11:52 IT'S SUPER CREEPY IF YOU STARE AT IT TOO LONG

      Delete
  4. laurenMarch 24, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    i would wear this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LizzieMarch 24, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    I'm kind of feeling this ChelseaFlower

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 24, 2014 at 12:36 PM

    Asos has options in your budget:

    black

    coral

    red

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms KMarch 24, 2014 at 1:13 PM

      Oh, I am liking the coral option. I personally could not get away with it (#boobsweek) but if the OP can rock it, this might be my vote.

      Delete
  7. JuneMarch 24, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    Are you open to renting? Because there are a couple of interesting things on rent the runway:
    Imogen Gown

    Cleophis Gown

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juneMarch 24, 2014 at 2:43 PM

      Here are the same 2 dresses on different sites, so you can see what they look like without RTR's atrocious styling:
      Imogen
      Cleophis (in green)

      Delete
  8. juneMarch 24, 2014 at 2:17 PM

    Or I would absolutely love an excuse to wear this one. It's a bit over your budget, but you could sell it (to me?) afterwards:
    Erin Fetherston

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kjMarch 24, 2014 at 2:46 PM

      love this. and it's only like 20 over budget given the sale.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 5:55 PM

      love this one. too bad it's polyester though.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMarch 27, 2014 at 8:55 AM

      Oh. I really like this one. Like a lot. I bet the mexican aunts would ooo and aah over the color.

      Delete
  9. StefMarch 24, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    I like this exposed zipper

    ReplyDelete
  10. EMarch 24, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    This dress is my go-to formal dress. It's a little above your price range, but you can wear it a bazillion times. I've worn it to 5 weddings (and counting).

    Not sure what your body type is, but it looks a lot less Jessica Rabbit on me than the model. Looks better here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie HobsonMarch 24, 2014 at 8:01 PM

      “I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.”

      Delete
  11. ToniaMarch 24, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    Anthropologie is such an obvious place to look, so maybe you already did, but in my opinion they have some killer dresses right now. This one screams wedding in Mexico to me, but I also really like this one and this one.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    Just wanted to throw in that 'evening attire' in Mexico is American full blown formal. Black tie even.

    I once went to a Mexican wedding in a cocktail dress (short, black, what I would wear normally to an evening wedding) and was underdressed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 7:27 AM

      Backing up Anon 6:55am.

      You absolutely will look like a clueless american if your dress isn't floor length.

      Delete
    2. CeliaMarch 25, 2014 at 11:01 AM

      also backing up. mexicans are FANCY. it doesn't have to be lace, but floor length or bust. also, your hair and makeup better be on point. no pressure.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 11:09 AM

      I agree 100% with this comment. I have been to multiple formal Mexican weddings and everyone is always over the top. You can't overdress. I would say pretending you are dressing for the Oscars may be a good comparison. A lot of what people have been posting is way too informal.

      Delete
  13. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 10:53 AM

    This is a great evening gown, and it's on sale!

    ReplyDelete
  14. SarahMarch 25, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    maybe someone has a 20% off coupon to help this be close to budget?

    ReplyDelete
  15. RachelMarch 25, 2014 at 11:52 AM

    this mikael aghal is chic and on sale and it has rocks on it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SarahMarch 25, 2014 at 12:14 PM

      i like this and almost posted it myself, but it's only available in one size so i didn't bother. but hey op, if you're a size 12, get this one!

      Delete
    2. RachelMarch 25, 2014 at 3:55 PM

      or if not i have a MUCH BETTER IDEA

      Delete
  16. laurenMarch 25, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    OK, the clarification is definitely useful: i read the prompt as "wedding in mexico," not "mexican wedding." i amend my call.

    ReplyDelete
  17. jenMarch 25, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    how about >this.

    ReplyDelete
  18. nicoleMarch 25, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    I like this or this.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. nicoleMarch 25, 2014 at 1:47 PM

      Also, Elise looks AMAZING o'er on Pennyweight. Dang. Girl crush.

      Delete
    2. SarahMarch 25, 2014 at 2:21 PM

      YES to these.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 5:54 PM

      the first one!

      Delete
    4. AGMarch 26, 2014 at 9:59 AM

      I was JUST about to post that Reformation dress!

      Delete
  19. esbMarch 25, 2014 at 1:59 PM

    You guys are killin it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMarch 25, 2014 at 6:41 PM

    Simple

    Printed

    Bold Print

    Leather

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 26, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    Ok. I know I'm going to get flack for suggesting a free people dress, and maybe it's not long enough for this event, but this looks "formal yet edgy" to me:

    sparkles!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 26, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    http://www.revolveclothing.com/6-shore-road-psychedelic-embellished-maxi-dress-in-port/dp/6SHO-WD58/

    ReplyDelete

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