After the pity post of yesterday, I am moving on to more cheerful topic.
I have a question to ask my dear bloggy readers. This is one of the times I am hoping that I have diverse readers. Because if you are all like me then it is going to be of no help. This is the deal. Hubby is taking me on a cruise for my birthday which is in September. He booked the tickets, and they sent an email to fill some documents. After I did that, I was looking around the website and found that I have to wear cocktail dress for dinner one night.
Now my fashion sense is sadly lacking. I have improved quite a bit in the last two years, but still there is a long way to go. I asked Mr. google to give me the images for a cocktail dress. I had an idea in my mind of what one looked like. But apparently things have changed. The dresses I saw were so short and ruffly that to me it looked like something a hooker would wear and my husband thought it was lingerie. Then there were some nice ones, but it cost $250 and above. There is no way in God's green earth that I am shelling out $250 for a dress I probably won't be able to wear again.
So here is where I need your help. I need some suggestions for an ensemble. Dress, purse, and shoes. All my stuff is very utilitarian and I like it that way because I don't bother dressing up 95% of the time. I want an affordable dress (cheaper, the better) which does not make me look like a hooker. Is that too much to ask? If there are no options, I can always fall back on the some of the dresses I have which I can make do with. But I am interested to see what is out there.
11 comments:
Have you tried looking at JCPenny? I have found their dress dept to be one of the few places to find dressier clothing that doesn't look very ummm "lady of the night" and their prices are also very decent, and they have sales all of the time too. A dark colored A-line type dress is usually flattering on all figures and with a simple change of accessories you could wear it in nearly any season, always keep it looking fresh and up-to-date and would never have to wear the exact "same outfit" twice. I have such a dress myself, in brown as I'm soo grossly pale and have auburn hair, and have been able to get a good deal of us out of it. I think every woman needs a little black (or brown as the case may be) dress. :P
Well, you know me. I'm going to give the cheapest answer. :) My fashion sense isn't the best, so take my frugality with a grain of salt.
I know what you mean -- the skimpy, barely-there stuff that passes as 'dresses'... When hubby was in a wedding last year, wearing a tux with tails, I totally flopped and just wore Sunday clothes. :) I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much or wear that little.
Here's some things I considered after-the-fact, that might work for your situation:
Take a dress that's barely too plain and add a flashy purse, heels, nice jewelry, and updo for the hair. You'll be on the plainer-end of the crowd, but at least you'll still have a wallet and be dressed.
If you find a dress that's okay everywhere but the shoulders or back (Target has some options online), get a shawl with a beaded fringe (so not me! But neither is anything formal.) to cover up with.
Have you considered a consignment store? Their clothes will be a little bit older but in great condition, so you might be able to find something you like. It is a likely place to find once-worn formals.
I don't envy you. I've yet to find something formal that I feel comfortable and decent in.
How fun! Have you been on a cruise before? We went on one a couple of years ago and the attire was very varied on the formal nights. We saw guys in jeans and girls in old Bridesmaids dresses.
I have to agree with Amy, if you choose a dark simple dress you will be able to dress it up and get allot of future wears out of it.
I will send you some links of inexpensive practical cocktail dresses. What are your preferences? Long, short, with sleeves without sleeves?
I don't have a preference of sleeves as long as it is not strapless. I do love long evening dresses, but then with a knee length I might be able to use it more often...
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=3000554
here is a little outfit I put together. let me know if you can't see it.
I'd go with something knee length. And keep in mind that just because the dress says cocktail, it doesn't mean that everyone will comply. My parents do cruises pretty frequently, and they've said that they see just about everything at these more dressy dinners. I'd just look for something a little shinier/fancier than what you'd wear to church.
I also agree with Mrs. Amy Brigham about JC Penney. I went there for a cocktail-type outfit for Steven's company's Christmas party. Their sales at the time were phenomenal, and I came away with a very pretty outfit for under $40. We wound up skipping the party, so I returned it, but that's beside the point. ;-)
I'd check the consignment shops. If those don't work, find something basic that would be the right style/length for you. Then jazz it up with accessories.
Do you sew at all? This could help too.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I went a little ridiculiusly long winded in answering you, I must say . . . I hope at least some of what I said was helpful, though!
Speaking of helpful, looks like this has pretty much been answered already, but I'll take a stab at it all the same. I second Amy's comment about a dark coloured, A-line dress; just about every lady can pull off an A line with flair. Depending on your personal style you might also have some fun going for a slightly more vintage look, which is actually quite trendy now. Do you have a Reitmans where you live? They have a lovely mix of casual, professional and slightly dressier wear and there are invariably two or three styles of dress, all in simple, classic lines, in stock.
This is also a time where spending a bit more money can pay off big time, in the long run. If you buy a basic dress and then dress it up or down, as occasion demands, you can get a lot of mileage out of that one outfit. The only reason I gave away my last LBD is because it no longer suited my own personal style; otherwise I am pretty sure I'd have it still!
If you were going to be a guest at someone's wedding, what would you wear? From my experience, cruise cocktail night seems to be about the same lines as wedding guest wear. The last time we went, I even work black dress pants and a nice top. Don't stress too much. The cruise ship doesn't care, and chances are you'll never see any of the other guests again, so wear what makes you comfortable.
Annie, What size do you wear? I have one that I could ship to you! It is a beautiful red. Simple design yet very elegant. I wear it to operas and other very upscale events that requires a dress more dressier than usual wear. Just let me know your size and if it fits, I willl ship it to you! :)
Oh, usa, you are too kind! Based on the recommendation here, I headed to Target and JC Penney yesterday and found a cute black sequined dress from JCPenney. It is pretty adorable and not too expensive.
It is very sweet of you to offer and I really appreciate it.
Annie
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