Anybody want to help DD#2 shop for a dress? UPDATE #15, #26 #35! Shoes? #44

[PastryGoddess]

Try Rent The Runway,  I rent from them on a regular basis.  www.renttherunway.com
I wore this to a spring wedding this summer  http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_lela_rose_splish_splash_over.jpg

They have a bunch of cute formal dresses
http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_nicole_miller_a_fair_lady_over_0.jpg
http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_badgley_mischka_fifth_avenue_showstopper_over.jpg
http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_theia_mad_for_fuschia.jpg
http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_diane_von_furstenberg_sweetie_pie.jpg
http://cdn.rtrcdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/270x/product_images/dress_david_meister_mod_cleopatra.jpg

[Ceallach]

Weighing in on your DD's choice here:   I wore mint green to a wedding once.  It looked white in the photos.   I do not think it was the right choice!   And lace in particular is also very bridal-like so I personally think guests should steer away from lace.      Also I agree with PPs about the dress being too casual - it's very pretty, but not really suitable for a formal occasion.   I'd go slightly longer, slightly darker, and a different fabric. 

I remember how hard it was trying to find suitable wedding guest attire when I was her age.   It really is often one of the first "adult" occasions that a young adult attends these days, apart from school formals/balls/proms.   When I was 19 I ended up with a fairly nice black dress in the end because I couldn't find anything else, but I still don't really like black for weddings if possible.    It's much easier as an adult now I have several options and colours to choose from in my wardrobe!

[WillyNilly]

If it looks white to us on computers its going to look white in dim lighting of a catering hall and in photos.

But its good to see her style!  So how about:
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_little_black_dress&ProductID=2019621131&VariantID=
Its very similar but the color makes all the difference.

This is a similar cut: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_little_black_dress&ProductID=2021839941&VariantID=
and would look great with grey boots and chunky gold or lucite jewelry.

If its a "comfortable" thing, this one would fit the bill: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_evening_cocktail&ProductID=2000048857&VariantID=

[Iris]

I would tell her that it's a lovely dress and she has excellent taste - because it is and she does - but it is just not appropriate for a wedding. Too pale and too lacy. Possibly a wee bit short, but that's hypocrisy because I would totally have worn a dress that short when I was 18 and had good legs.

One other thing I will add is that while I am a massive fan of opaque tights and boots with everything whenever possible I learnt the long and hard way that they really only look nice with winter/fall colours. Mint green definitely not. That's a nude tights dress if ever I saw one. Actually when I was 18 I'd have worn my most sensible underwear and gone without tights altogether.

Looking at that one website if she wants a pretty lace dress I'd go for this

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2025101808&VariantID= with a wrap if she wants sleeves or this

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000034926&VariantID= but definitely NOT in the taupe - too pale

I think this is a beautiful dress, although I *hate* the colour. Your DD may wear it though, I know mine would carry it off

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000048014&VariantID=

This is also really pretty and could be teamed with opaque tights (not leggings)

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000048946&VariantID=

Although I suspect that she won't like it at all, out of all the dresses I thought that this one

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000047872&VariantID=

was probably the most elegant and flattering for a young girl. I know the temptation is to show off a great figure in a fitted dress but you have to be in *fantastic* shape to successfully carry off a dress like this without a belt and it shows it more subtly. Also it could be teamed with strappy sandals or boots/tights depending on her other accessories.

[Red1979]

Has she tried modcloth?  They are a go to spot for really cute fun dresses.  They also have vintage styles that have sleeves.

[jpcher]

We have a winner!

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000034926&VariantID=

Thank you Iris!

We do have a Forever 21 store close by so I suggested that she call and ask about the style number, if they have it in stock, if we order on-line what about returns if it doesn't fit, etc. So the plan is coming together.


I showed her all of your posted suggestions, along with many comments from posters giving great advice which she was amazed at. "Wow. You really have friends like that? They are so cool! Can I join this site?" (Um, no, because then I can't talk about you any more! )

Shopping with you all has been a great time-saver for her and a huge relief to me (since I really don't like in-store shopping!) We had fun looking at all of your suggestions together, plus a few other sites that she had been looking at.



Sooooo -- From your comments (non mom-biased!) she already agreed to panty-hose instead of tights or leggings. Yea!

On to shoes and accessories. Do you think that black shoes would be okay? I'm iffy on the black shoes (really cute shoes she already has) with that dress but if they were matched with a black clutch purse? Would that work?

Since she didn't go to prom and the dress is a great price I could probably spring for shoes and a purse.



She liked the style of the shoes that PastryGoddess posted (especially the first one) but thought that the heels were too high.

Any thoughts?



Trust me, we've been doing our own on-line searching, but your advice and comments are priceless. THANK YOU!

[Iris]

Glad you like the dress You can return the favour with DD1 when she's old enough (because she sure doesn't listen to me!)

I like the way they've styled the dress on the website, personally. Nude shoes to show off long legs (or make short legs look longer), a simple clutch and a very simple pendant necklace, especially if your DD has lovely long hair like the model in the photo.

[NyaChan]

Definitely nude shoes.  Should be a very pretty outfit!

[PastryGoddess]

I forget that not everyone likes or wants to wear 5 inch heels

I have another pair of lower gladiator style sandals, they are about 5 years old though.  I'll look and see if I can find a picture.    The gold is really great because its not too garish.  Also anything with a heel zipper is SUPER comfy.  You have lots of room in the shoe to move around and they don't pinch.

Off I go!

ETA: Just looked at the dress and because it's so neutral, I would not go with neutral accessories.  She needs to add a pop of color in the jewelry and the handbag.  I don't know where you are located but I get a lot of my jewelry from Charming Charlie. They are very budget friendly 

[PastryGoddess]

I have these http://www.dsw.com/shoe/lulu+townsend+glimz+sandal?prodId=254814


Here are some others in the vein of the shoes I posted before


http://www.dsw.com/shoe/lulu+townsend+bridal+gladia+metallic+sandal?prodId=dsw12prod3750170
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/kelly+.and.+katie+michele+sandal?prodId=dsw12prod4040089 - The Kelly and Katie brand tend to run narrow
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/michael+antonio+jennings+metallic+sandal?prodId=259235
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/lulu+townsend+fashionista+sandal?prodId=225876
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/kelly+.and.+katie+jubilee+glitter+pump?prodId=258143- very sexy and ladylike
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/rampage+kiera+glitter+sandal?prodId=260978
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/rampage+katreenia+sandal?prodId=260970

[WillyNilly]

Cute dress!

I think a nude shoe could work, just because they are so in style right now.  But I think a darker or bold color shoe would do great.  But if she's wearing hose, please no sandals or open toe though! She's young she should do something bold and fun, a bright shoe or purse or something. So while I think you should spring for new shoes, even if you don't just use a really "wow" purse, or something.

[Samantha]

I don't think that dress is appropriate for a wedding either... A cream colored dress is too close to white/ivory. I'd be questioning it (internally) if someone were to show up at a wedding wearing a color that is THAT similar to that of a traditional wedding gown. Especially with it being crochet, as it somewhat resembles a lace pattern.

If she really wants to get a dress at Forever 21, and she wants sleeves, something like these would be far more appropriate.

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2019571393&VariantID=
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_little_black_dress&ProductID=2021840303&VariantID=
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_little_black_dress&ProductID=2019571950&VariantID=
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_little_black_dress&ProductID=2000021907&VariantID=

If she isn't insisting on sleeves, a dress like these would be great too...

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_evening_cocktail&ProductID=2019570978&VariantID=
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_evening_cocktail&ProductID=2016323490&VariantID=
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_evening_cocktail&ProductID=2021839992&VariantID=

[RegionMom]

The sleeves are my favorite part, because is is a bit unexpected, and a nice touch of style with modesty. 

DD (15) is wearing for homecoming, a red with beige crocheted back and neck dress, and we found great shoes at (gasp) the mall, with clearance sales going on now!  The tops of the shoe are a sort of lace/yarn/crochet and nude/beige overall, and they look like they were made for the dress. 

We only went to the mall for an alterations place (3 1/2 inches off the floor length dress since DD is...short) and she said to me, "Mom, we are at the MALL!  We can look at "real" shoe stores!"  And we did, and we scored. 

For your DD's dress, black would be too "heavy" and I agree with other posters that suggest a neutral/nude heel. 

Happy hunting!

oh--you could actually take the dress, or at least a photo of it, when you shoe shop.  Store clerks can be very helpful.  One store we went to had nothing for us, but the clerk had fun discussing shoes and recommended another store that worked! 

[Giggity]

Cream lace at a wedding, I wouldn't do.

And that dress is (like the other ones) very short.

[jpcher]

Oh, dear. To those dissenters of the dress. You don't think that the peach color offsets the cream overlay enough?

DD#2 ordered it yesterday . . . she's running out of time.

So, she's going with this dress:

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000034926&VariantID=

and these shoes:

http://www.agacistore.com/product.aspx?id=1179741&cid=1364  (Nude color)

She still needs a purse and will go with nude (or slightly darker tan) panty hose.

DD#2 and BFbob spent the morning with BFbob's grandmother shopping for clothes for him. He said that he found a nice cream colored shirt with a peachy colored tie and a brown sports coat to go with brown slacks.

Then, bless his heart . . . after lunch with Gma, BFbob went shoe shopping with DD#2 where (after many stores at the mall) they found the shoes posted above.



As always, I appreciate everybodys input and I hope to think that they won't be breaching any etiquette dress codes with what they have chosen to wear.


Thank you all! for your help!