Thanks for posting … I loved seeing the many pretty dress links soozievt showed.
I had a high school job at Thom McAn shoes store and am a fan of comfortable-ish shoes. So… I started my MOB dress hunt a few years ago with my favorite dress shoes, a blingy wedge sandal. Then I tried on a variety of long dresses that looked good with them. Probably they would have looked too casual with a shorter dress. Also I am 5’2" (and was twenty pounds heavier then)… wanted a “longer line”. But I do like the look of a ballet length and might consider that for 2022 MOG dress, especially if that is the preference of the fiance’s mom.
I think it’s a great idea to have a dress made, if you know of a good dressmaker and have an idea if the style, fabric and color you’re interested in. Make sure you give lots of advanced notice, as s/he may have other obligations as well.
My brother’s secretary has long had all her clothing custom sewn for her. I’ve never had a dress made, but have had a suit I bought in the early 1980s altered to fit me after gravity and age had redistributed my weight a bit.
A young officemate of mine once decided to hire a dressmaker for her bridal gown. Step one was to create a mock-up in muslin. The style was not what she was trying to achieve. After that she opted to not continue … decided trying on completed gowns was a better option for her.
Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions and opinions – very much appreciated. I’ve ordered a few of the dresses – we will see! One annoyance I have, and that seems to be a common source of irritation among my peer group, is the lack of dresses WITH SLEEVES. Hardly anyone over 50 wants to show her arms . . . I’ll wear sleeveless in the summer when it’s hot and choose comfort over vanity, but why in the world in November would I want to bare my arms? I’m not overweight, but my arms don’t look like Michelle Obama’s. You would think dress manufacturers/designers would understand this and would sell more dresses if they just added a little arm coverage. On my last (unsuccessful) shopping trip, the salesperson showed me some dresses with sleeves – puff sleeves! What’s next, Mary Janes and bobby socks? I’m now considering a ball skirt (ballerina length) with pockets and a beautiful blouse. Thoughts?
@kirbyMom You had not originally mentioned a preference for sleeves and so when I did a search for dresses for you, it did not include that particular selection criteria. That said, some of the dresses I suggested do have sleeves. Another poster recently was looking for dresses with sleeves and every single one I posted for her had sleeves.
Oh no, I didn’t mention a preference for sleeves – just dawned on me as I was looking at all the dresses you suggested and all the ones that I’ve found on my own that manufacturers seem to make all the prettiest dresses without sleeves when in general, older women prefer some arm coverage. Just a general rant! I will wear sleeveless but I have some friends (whose arms look no worse than mine!) who absolutely refuse to go sleeveless. Thanks for all your great suggestions!
My arms aren’t bad as far as muscle but my skin isn’t great. I have Irish skin that has become prone to easily bruising and bleeding. Before my D got married I made myself wear long sleeves to protect my skin.
I have several dresses coming this week.
I have decent arms… but I prefer dresses with at least a cap sleeve. (I’m admittdely old fashioned. To be honest, I am still getting used to seeing so many bridal gowns without sleeves. Or straps. Especially at church weddings.)
When concerned about temp variations, it can be nice to have sleeveless with a matching jacket.
Most of my dresses in my closet are either sleeveless or very short sleeves, because that’s what’s commonly available. My arms are ok but I dislike how some bras make breast tissue bulge by your armpit and don’t wear dresses that would show that.
I also have an assortment of wraps that work nicely with the dresses—shawls, chiffon printed kimono sleeve jackets, silk embroidered jackets, cashmere cardigans and more.
Perhaps a nice wrap that goes with the dress would work if you fall in love with a sleeveless or short sleeved dress.
LOTS of color/fabric choices which aren’t navy. And if you do one of the two piece looks, you are sure to wear the outfit again- I think they look appropriate without screaming “mother of the bride”.
Blossom- wow, I love some of those dresses! They are different, elegant. The website is great because you can see the fabric texture and color so clearly!
The sleeve issue is one of the reasons I had my dress made. We settled on very sheer bracelet length sleeves. It was nice to play with the length (while wearing dress) before making a decision.
That is probably my least favorite type of sleeve! I don’t have bad arms but admittedly self conscious of them anyway. But I have found that cap sleeves hit at the worst possible spot (on me). I feel most comfortable in either a true short sleeve (not blousey or tight, just structured) or, a halter style neckline. I don’t know what it is about the halter style, but on me, they look better than sleeveless on me.
I’m not shopping for dresses at the moment but desperately needed new summer tops. It has been ridiculously hard to find non-matronly, not too youthful tops that have a short sleeve that are not t-shirt style. I wish I felt comfortable in tops that have cap sleeves b/c they seem to be readily available (the other thing I dislike about them is that they typically fit close to my armpit, which then gives me pit stains in the hot/humid summer here).
Sorry to go off on a tangent! Back to lurking since I don’t have any kids getting married at the moment.
