@Colorado_mom - To me, the patterned dresses are not, “semi-formal.” I know it’s, “garden semi-formal,” but I don’t think they are dressy enough for your role as MOG. I don’t dislike the patterned dresses - but they just seem like, “Sunday Best,” rather than semi-formal of any stripe.
Someone else upthread mentioned solids being dressier. I might agree with that. I do think that solid colors photograph better. Especially for photos with actual flowers also in the pic (bouquets, etc).
Thanks for all the input and new ideas.
Yea, I agree patterned dresses probably to informal for MOG. The couples suggested I just look at their nice website info, but that is geared to the guests. The problem is I am just not finding many solid dresses yet that I like, except in colors I’m avoiding. But figured it could help me get a jump start on styling preferences.
So I’m a “petite pear” in height only, ie not teeny size. (Usually 8, but sometimes 6 or 10 depending on the dress). But some of the regular sized dresses may work because I’d prefer a bit longer length. Ideally tea length or ankle length (on 5’2” me, not a six foot tall model), but none finding much of that. Long dress is a possibility, but it will be awkward on the school bus shuttle and maybe on the grass too.
Once I do have dress, you are the crew to help me pick out the shoes too!
I wore long all three times and all were outdoor ceremony sites including one that was up a hill in a cow pasture. I had good shoes and the length of the dress wasn’t an issue.
I wore a very similar to this in navy. They also have it in a pretty rose color. I’m an apple and I found the stretch jersey very forgiving.
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-womens-jersey-off-the-shoulder-gown?ID=14758241&CategoryID=5449
I was a MOB last summer and wore a floor length mock halter neck floral dress. It looked perfect in photos and I got a ton of compliments. I posted a pic earlier. Let’s see if I can find it.
Colorado_mom - cute dresses; I really like the soft pink Alex Evenings one!!
Thanks. I like it a lot on the model…not sure how it will look on me. Often that kind of style is too gappy on top or too tight on bottom. We shall see.
Thanks for the suggestions! The Dillards muted floral jacket dress is one I have my eye on, if I don’t find a solid dress.
I must have missed it! I’d love to see it.
I do love a halter style dress!
I would like the yellow one if it had something beside puffed sleeves…
Yea, both hubby and I winced at the sleeves. But at $25 I could not resist tacking it on the order (free shipping) for possible other uses. One reviewer complained about tight elastic, but I have scrawny arms so should be OK there. Hmmm…. if I like the fit maybe I’ll convert it to sleeveless.
I’ve seen elastic taken out of the bottom of those puffed sleeves thus turning them into a sort of loose flare. Maybe that’s possible.
I like the yellow dress. The sleeves don’t look too puffy to me. A seamstress can easily convert them to cap sleeves as there is plenty of fabric. Or remove them! It can be done.
I have this done to the A+O dress that I bought after seeing one of the TV hosts wearing it during the Tokyo Olympics broadcasts. It came with lightly puffed cap sleeves that I did not like. Took it to the alterations expert, and she removed the sleeves completely and used the lace from the sleeves to finish the armhole at the shoulder. The dress looks as if it came that way.
Having fun today browsing the Adrianna Papell website. Has anybody ordered/returned there?
Noticed a good sale on this, if anybody is looking for a short sparkly jacket
Hand-Sequined Mesh Jacket In Antique Copper | Adrianna Papell
I wore a knee-length coral dress to son’s summer wedding. Adrianna Pappell, got it from Macy’s, it did not need alterations.
I’m finally ready to join this thread as we are making good progress on planning our daughter’s wedding. It will be next April in NYC and is black tie. Over the past month I’ve ordered more than 20 dresses and have returned almost all of them. At first I focused on gowns with a lot of beading and sequins because it seems right for black tie in New York. I found one that fits and I like. But now that I’ve seen the kind of wedding dress my daughter wants, I’m not sure I want a really beaded dress. She doesn’t want any lace at all on her dress and so far she likes really simple, but elegant designs. So now I’m also looking at simpler dresses that I can dress up with jewelry. I know I want to wear blue and am hoping to find a medium blue rather than dark navy. My goal is to find something before the end of the summer to maximize my chances of finding a lighter or brighter blue. I’m afraid if I wait until fall/winter there won’t be much blue other than navy.
So far, these are the front runners. Three very different styles and I have no idea which direction to go. There are pluses and minuses to each one.
This one in Midnight
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/beaded-long-sleeve-a-line-gown/6812161
This one in the teal color. I haven’t ordered it yet, but tried the same dress in a different fabric and Iiked it.
I ordered this dress in rich blue. What arrived is this dress in navy. The dress fits well and I like how it looks. So I’ve re-ordered hoping that I get the lighter color this time. The outer bag was labeled rich blue, but the tag on the dress was a different blue. Maybe it was just a warehouse mix-up so I’m going to try again. They have 2 left in my size so maybe I’ll get lucky.
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/chiara-boni-la-petite-robe-zalfa-jersey-faux-wrap-gown/4303662
Love the Chiara Boni dress (and the lighter blue color)!
Did you try on the beaded one yet? Beaded dresses can be heavy and the beads can catch on things.
They are all lovely though!
I really like the one in the picture…and I like the navy actually.
I also really like the Chiara Boni dress! Of course, it is no secret that I am a fan of that style of wrapped dress.
What I particularly like about that one how the front of the bell cuff is cut out - very unique.
I am also a fan of Teri Jon dresses, and like that one as well. Honestly, my preference between the two might depend on the type of silhouette your daughter chooses for her wedding gown. You said, she likes simple and elegant designs, but that can have many, “shapes.” If she is leaning more toward a slip gown, I would choose a narrow silhouette myself (like the Chiara Boni). If she is leaning toward a fuller skirt, I would choose the Teri Jon. I am just always thinking about photos and how everyone will look together.
If anyone is a fan of Dress The Population dresses, they are having a site-wide 25% off sale (code TAKE25). I like them for rehearsal dinner dresses and wedding guest dresses. They also have a program where they will discount their dresses if you agree not to return them (tough to do, I know, unless you’ve worn them before).