Need Help with MOG Dress (September)

I detest shopping, online or otherwise, but find myself needing a MOG dress, yeah! I’ve spent countless hours online and IRL visited The Rack, Macys, and a few consignment stores in hopes of finding something earlier rather than later. No luck. Adrienne Papell fits me well (12P now, hopefully 10P by May) but I found their floor length dresses with sequins VERY heavy.

I’ve asked my soon to be DIL what her mother is wearing and what she’d like me to wear. I can’t get a straight answer. I got “my mother hasn’t decided but it won’t make a difference” and “I’m happy with whatever you choose but please don’t wear Navy or Cranberry/Wine, those are the wedding colors”. Ok, so that’s easy, well, except those are usually my go-to colors.

The wedding is oceanfront late September, girls are wearing long dresses, guys nice navy tuxes. Fairly upscale golf club. After trying on several long dresses I think I’d prefer mid-length or knee-length. For reference, I’m 5’1 and late 50s. Funny how all the online MOG/MOB dresses are modeled by women in their early-mid 30s from what I can tell lol, all size 2s with model bodies.

So, anyone out there want to take a shot at shopping for me? I was reading another thread this morning and it would seem others like to do this, at least a lot more than I do. So, looking for an appropriate dress, 10P-12P (IRL, apparently this can mean a 16W in some brands?) under $250. I have to be able to return it if it doesn’t fit too.

Here’s one that I’m looking at. Although its a petite, I know that it’ll be a bit longer. Not sure that its formal enough for MOG?

https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-marie-gianella-dress-sandals/506866405?di=04906406_zi_dune

https://www.dillards.com/p/adrianna-papell-petite-floral-beaded-dress/507742291?categoryId=-10041

It seems a little casual to me, but I’m not exactly a fashion maven.

That dress seems to casual for an upscale golf club wedding Budget?

Too casual-

Do you want sleeves? What kind of neck? Here is one I found on Adrienne Papells website, not sure if you want sequence?

https://www.adriannapapell.com/sequin-beaded-cocktail-dress-with-flutter-sleeves-and-scallop-trim-191937676076.html?sizeRefinement=12P

Found one more from Bloomingdales. I have a million things to do, but this is more fun!

https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-petites-bell-sleeve-jersey-dress?ID=3202796&CategoryID=21683#fn=DRESS_SKIRT_LENGTH%3DAbove%20the%20Knee%3B%3BKnee%20Length%3B%3BMidi%2FTea%20Length%26RTW_PETITE_SIZE_T%3D12P%2C%20L%26ppp%3Dundefined%26sp%3DNULL%26rId%3DNULL%26spc%3D3771%26spp%3D2%26pn%3D1%7C1%7C2%7C36%26rsid%3Dundefined%26smp%3DmatchNone

Last one- from Nordstroms

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alex-evenings-lace-dress-jacket-regular-petite/5247824?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&fashioncolor=Grey&fashionsize=Petite%3A%2012%2C%20L&color=champagne

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/harper-rose-lace-sheath-dress-petite-regular/5096992?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&fashioncolor=Grey&fashionsize=Petite%3A%2012%2C%20L&color=green

I also agree that it’s too casual but I love the shoes.

Have you seen this site: https://www.inweddingdress.com/style-mo102.html

Not necessarily that particular dress! Click on mother of the bride

How about this?

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/aidan-mattox-illusion-cap-sleeve-mermaid-dress-prod209360137?childItemId=NMTWVAZ_&navpath=cat000000_cat000001_cat58290731_cat43810733_cat64050762&page=0&position=29&uuid=PDP_PAGINATION_804ac80dad79887d3ad4efec335c16a0_5BTGXm%2Blo2fGnizR%2BPrCO9fe

That is super cute @HImom!

I disagree with you all that the first dress OP posted is too casual. I think it’s absolutely adorable. The beading makes it very elegant, IMO. I wish I had a place to wear that – I’d get it in an instant.

What area of the country is the golf club in? Is it likely to be 70 or 90 late September? I know it says oceanfront but that could mean northeast oceanfront!!

I love the dress you posted OP - but I am someone who went that “casual” with my son’s wedding. BUT that dress is fitted AND short so may be a little too little combined with the light color and no sleeves, etc. At a gold club.

I say DEFINITELY don’t buy long if you don’t want long. A long dress would be something I would personally despise! I think something a little shorter (meaning not floor length) mid or knee - is very desirable and can help you look more youthful depending on the dress.

@HImom , that dress is very cute but not petite and the problem I’m running into with many dresses is they can’t be hemmed because of bottom detail.

@momofsenior1 thank you for that website, I’ll look at it tonight !

@oscar63 that’s what I was hoping! That someone would find what I find stressful and tedious, fun! I don’t really care for the first dress but the second is very pretty and I’ll put it on the list. I’ve never worn that color, not sure if I can, but I’ll look for it in the stores and check it out.

@VeryHappy thank you! I thought the shoes might bring it up a notch. I wish I looked good in longer dresses but they make me look frumpy so getting something formal enough in just above-the-knee length is hard.

@Oscar63, I’d like a higher neck or scoop but not a low V-cut and I don’t care about sleeves. I do care that I can wear a bra, even if its strapless, but I want to be comfortable.

@momofsenior1 I can’t tell by first look but is that online store in the US? I’m avoiding any international websites as all I’ve heard is horror stories about the quality, shipping and returns.

Here is a long one I found earlier that would be easy to hem, a little high for my budget and the color is a little blah but I’m pretty tan in September.
https://www.dillards.com/p/jkara-petite-size-short-sleeve-beaded-bodice-long-gown/508750327?googleShop=Y&cm_mmc=criteo--rm--products-_-null

@abasket Oh yes, its south of Boston but the temperatures usually range around mid-60s that time of year and all the girls are wearing sleeveless gowns. I didn’t want to dress too “fall”. The reception is inside a tent of course.

Also, I agree the dress looks short but my experience at 5’1 is that even petite dresses come just to the knee so it would be a different look than the model (who of course looks 20 and like a model lol).

@NEPatsGirl I saw the green lace that @oscar63 linked and thought it would be a good candidate. There are a number of possibilities on Nordstrom’s site under “Cocktail dresses”, (I’m not sufficiently techy to link on mobile) and their return policy is generous.