<p>Jolynne - Hmm, too revealing is another story. IMO if it’s for a corporate function, there’s a good chance you are right to hesitate, especially since you mention that the other wives are generally a conservative group. Hard to tell without seeing the dress on you.</p>
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<p>That’s a good point. Let’s assume you look jaw droppingly fabulous in the dress…do you want jaws to drop at this particular event?</p>
<p>The local real estate community has an annual event called “Fight Night.” The stereotypical male fantasy event - live boxing, lots of liquor, cigars, steak…they even hire stacked young “hostesses” to take the tickets and hang around looking pretty. If you’re a female real estate professional, it’s very difficult to strike right balance - you don’t want to be mistaken for one of the hostesses, but you also don’t want to look like their grandmother.</p>
<p>J- well, if you’re worried about it being too revealing…you probably want to go with plan b.
MP - wow, don’t think I would like attending that function…sound like going to an event at Hooters (could never understand those family commercials for Hooters…would NOT bring my son there).</p>
<p>missypie, that sounds like a terrible event. So sexist. It must be pretty awkward for the female reals estate professionals. Maybe they should come up with their own party, you know, with buff, male “hosts”. Ugh, just kidding.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I do the bargain shopping for black tie events too! I have even worn my D’s party dresses (all cost less than $50). Don’t worry, she has very (for a teenager) conservative taste. I find that if you have on at least one high ticket item (jewelry, shoes), it’s fairly easy to pull off. </p>
<p>Also, maybe the plaid dress would work if you kept the bolero on over it. I’m picturing something black with some discreet spangly detail, sort of like that Ralph Lauren dress that BB bought.</p>
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<p>The folks from my firm have stopped attending. At first it was such a unique cultural experience (what a throwback!), but after a few years even the guys got sick of it. (Glad we didn’t attend last year’s - one of the boxers received a blow that turned out to be fatal.) </p>
<p>BUT, the most interesting place to be at the event is the ladies’ room…the hostesses and the real estate professionals in the same room, all freshening lipstick, but behaving like different species…</p>
<p>missypie - what a terrible thing that would have been to witness!</p>
<p>Jolynne - go with your gut instinct. I prefer to err on the side of more conservative clothing for corporate functions. When I have to choose Maui beach wear - not so much 
Just kidding!</p>
<p>Yes, that’s a funny place for a corporate get together. Who would chose that, year after year (knowing there are many women realtors)?</p>
<p>Thanks, Bunsen! Hee…speaking of Maui-wear…a few years ago I went to an engagement party for friend of then-bf. The theme was “Hawaiian” so I wore a tied up shirt, sheer coverup tied at hip & floral bikini bottom. Turned out it was a gathering of NYC investment bankers/lawyers & the closest anyone got to Hawaiian-wear was an occasional lei. At a certain point you just have to laugh. At least I felt festive.</p>
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<p>It’s the giant, black tie, see and be seen event of the year. It’s the commercial, rather than the residential real estate community, so there are relatively few women.</p>
<p>The more you pay for a table, the closer to the boxing ring you are. One year we paid a lot and got to watch the sweat and blood flying while we ate our meal. ICK!!!</p>
<p>And Jolynne, I am SURE you made an impression :)</p>
<p>Took the day off and drove the 45 minutes to Nordstrom’s Rack. The couple of other times I have gone I have had my girls and between the two of them I did not have time to look for me.
The selection was weak today. That’s the bummer about not living close enough to just pop in and take a quick look. After reading CC I did try on a pair of David Kahn and a pair of Kut jeans. I would not have tried on the Kut jeans if I had not read about them on CC. I did not care for the style but decided to try them on for size and fit. They were marked down to 19 dollars. They fit well and would work for when I want a bit dressier jean. For the price I bought them. They only had one pair of David Kahn and they had funny fading. I will have to keep looking.
I tried a pair of Hudson jeans that were slightly skinny. They fit well but at $99 I didn’t love them.
The trip was not as fruitful as I had hoped. But I did make an effort to try on some different brands and styles.</p>
<p>missypie–that’s just gross! (blood/sweat/food –> not usually paired, tastefully!). Nice you don’t have to keep going.</p>
<p>Go mo60! Good for you! Cool that you found some dressy jeans. These days, it seems jeans are almost what everyone wears — even to work (dark jeans w/heels & little blazer, etc.)</p>
<p>worknprogress—heh–maybe. I just pretended like I wasn’t wearing 1/2 a bathing suit while the other ladies were in camel-colored preppy dresses. What else can you do? LOL.</p>
<p>I am thinking we should choose a Nordstrom’s Rack and all head there someday - fly in, drive, train, whatever. See if we can spot each other Jolynne will be the one with a bathing suit on!</p>
<p>I like the idea, workinprogress! My sister and I once did a *Girls’ Day at the Rack *thing: we came with our digital cameras and took pictures of each other “modeling” the most hideous outfits we could possibly put together! Of course, we also ended up buying a carload of the good stuff.
OK, if we all go, it will be easy to spot me, too - I will be wearing my shiny leather pants 
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<p>I love to join the shopping trip. I’ve always been known for having great legs, so I’ll be the one in the unappropriatly short dress!</p>
<p>Rue La La news:</p>
<p>[Pennsylvania</a> Firm Buys Rue La La, Smart Bargains for As Much As $350 Million; Throws Open Doors to Invitation-Only Retail Site | Xconomy](<a href=“http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/10/28/pennsylvania-firm-buys-rue-la-la-smart-bargains-for-as-much-as-350-million-throws-open-doors-to-invitation-only-retail-site/]Pennsylvania”>http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/10/28/pennsylvania-firm-buys-rue-la-la-smart-bargains-for-as-much-as-350-million-throws-open-doors-to-invitation-only-retail-site/)</p>
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<p>Does it make sense to join? Has anyone got a great bargain from that site?</p>
<p>I joined after reading about it and Gilt on CC. I have only purchased once. I bought a fleece vest and jacket from RueLaLa. I knew the brand Horny Toad from our local outdoor store so I knew what I was buying. The jacket was retail for over $100 and I got it for 19. The vest was also $19 but I can’t recall what the retail price was.
For those who love handbags both Gilt and Rue La La have had some really high end handbags the last few weeks.
I don’t know about being limited to high-net-worth individuals. I just requested to join. It took a few days but I don’t see how they determine your wealth.</p>
<p>mom60 - I clicked on the link in the Xconomy article, and was able to join instantly. No background checks of any kind 
So far I didn’t see any stuff I could need, and the sweater I wanted was sold out.</p>
<p>I’m liking the shopping trip idea! I’ll wear the bikini if necessary, Bunsen can sport the leather, GA2012mom in the cool mini, workinprogress & everyone else in their skinny jeans/stylish outfits/hot boots from Zappos & purses from gilt…</p>
<p>CC moms represent! </p>
<p>(did I use that phrase correctly?)</p>
<p>OK, which Rack shall we go to?</p>
<p>Hee…since it’s a virtual trip…we can all go to the one closest to us, then post our finds!
Seriously, I fee like going after reading all these posts.</p>
<p>I like the Rack’s website
[Nordstrom</a> Rack](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/6016611/0~2377475~6016611]Nordstrom”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/6016611/0~2377475~6016611)</p>
<p>They don’t list items, but the styles modeled on the site are cool. Like the pashimas as scarves (I’ve been doing that lately & it feels kinda stylish & fun…plus warm!).</p>