Dress Update (Are you tired yet? I am.)

Ok, so here's the dress update. And I think it actually might be final, unless I find something amazing on sale at the Lake Forest Ann Taylor when I do returns tomorrow.

You remember my post on the 3 Nordstrom dresses... They each had some very good points, but none of them were "the one." Then there was the Banana Republic dress that I ordered. Oh, how I had high hopes for this one. Fortunately, it arrived in the mail on Monday so that I could make alternate plans. How did it look on me? Oh honeys, it was bad...it was so bad...it's been a while since I actually looked that bad in a dress. One word for you...hideous. I didn't even bother to take a picture - I just wanted to get that dress off asap...before my self-esteem suffered any more. (hehehe)

That's not to say it's a bad dress - it's actually quite cute. It was a little short (but that's always manageable with the right shoe). No, the real fault is in the cut at the shoulders. Somehow I had muffin-top at my armpits. I don't pretend to be a sample-size, but somehow this dress created fat. From the online pics, I thought it was a fairly straight shoulder, but it cuts way in on me. And with my rectangular body shape and my wide shoulders...recipe for disaster. This is the single most unflattering cut there is on my upper body. However, if you have a pear shape (dina, summerilla, etc), definitely go try this on because it is adorable. And, at $132, plus the Gap/BR/ON 30% off right, now - wow - that gets it down to $92!!

So...what did I end up getting? Well, I went to Tysons yesterday to return all 3 dresses. I hit up just about every store there (except the department stores as I just did not have time). I did squeeze in lunch with hubby so that was a nice treat. I actually purchased 2 dresses - 1 from Ann Taylor and 1 from Talbots (that would need to be shortened). Both are going back because I swung by Montgomery Mall on the way home to do some J Crew returns and popped into their Ann Taylor while I was there. And then I found it....the dress.

Dress by Taylor at Ann Taylor, on sale for $99.99, plus 40% off, so final price was $60. First of all check out the amazing swirly ruffles around the neckline. Talk about framing the face...


The dress is actually a heavy knit, but the cut & the detailed neckline definitely kick it up - and it will be dressed up with accessories as well.


Let's talk about the cut - definitely form-fitting. My sister will be proud. (and dina - can you see my waist?) Requires a wee bit of shapewear for the midsection, but the Assets by Spanx line at Target will do - nothing too heavy duty. And I'm not even wearing any in this picture, so IRL, it will only look better. I also see versatility in this dress. It will work for the wedding. But I also may wear it to our work holiday party with my charcoal gray 3/4 sleeve fitted turtleneck tee from the Gap with tights and boots. And I can also just wear with sandals in the summer.

Can you tell I have a splitting headache and want to go back to bed in this pic? Yeah, me too. I am starting to see a new correlation between my headaches & migraines and atmospheric pressure. It could be the Halloween sugar, too, though...

Back to the accessories topic. (And this is why I don't Twitter - like I could actually limit myself to 140 characters - ask my friends & family - I really am this scattered in person.) First of all, I'll be wearing my hair up - in a ponytail (dressy ponytail, I swear...mental note, master the dressy pony before Saturday...) And with the neckline, I don't want to do a necklace, so I'm thinking significant earrings and major bracelets on 1 arm. I don't think a statement cocktail ring is going to cut it this time.

Idea 1 - heirloom flora earrings with something like the duchess stone bracelet in dusty blossom, with the garden pearl bracelet in clementine and a bracelet similar to the crystal symphony? I think I'll check F21 for bracelets as well.

Idea 2 - large gold hoops (Dina hoops, natch), with gold & crystal bracelets - like the crystal shapes bracelet, twisted crystal necklace wrapped 5 times, etc.

Any other ideas?


So off to mall tomorrow to return at AT & Talbots. (Here's the Talbots dress I had purchased, by the way - it is so gorgeous in person, just about 2-3" too long, and it's 3 times the price of this one, so back to the store it goes...) And that would be Lake Forest, since it does have both AT & Talb.

And here's a dress only pic so I can grab it for Polyvore (because it's not like some of us are even capable of getting dressed without PV, right?):

Black Dresses....and showing a little love to Banana

Today was a total sweater dress day. Do you have the sweater dress love? I will admit, it is hard to find the right fit, as they usually come in the alpha sizes, not numeric. But when you find one you love...mmmmmmmm...cozy... Nothing better for a chilly day - sweater dress, tights, boots...and done. And it just feels like you're wearing a big huge sweater all day. Danger areas? Either end of the spectrum - the too-tight & too-short hoochie SD, and the so big it makes you look like you are one big tea cozy SD. Last year, I got 2 great sweater dresses from Banana Republic.

(side note - any of you moms out there seen Elmo's World when he did the banana episode - and he sings ba-ba-banana, ba-ba-banana - well, it's been about 7 years and that song still pops into my head whenever I go into BR. you're welcome...)

This is one of the 2 sweater dresses from last fall. I got this one with 30% F&F last fall (so $130 less 30% = $91.) I have definitely worn it enough to be worth it and I'm not done yet. Last Christmas when we visited the in laws in NC, it was unseasonably warm, so I wore it plain with footless tights and ballet flats. And I layered it with a white or cream tee plus tights and boots all last winter. BUT...I kept wanting to get a striped tee to layer underneath because I thought that would be cute. If I do say so, I think I was right. Ta da!!

Today's outfit was the BR sweater dress from last year (in M), BR gray/white striped tee from this fall (M), black tights, flat black boots, plus some silver hoops & my Tiffany silver mesh ring from ages ago. I wore my hair down today (probably for warmth, hehe), but the dress looks really cute with hair up.

And you probably can't tell so well from the picture, but there is an inverted pleat in the front of the dress below the empire waist. So it's a great dress to wear when you might be filling the belly, so to speak. And today I had brunch at a friends' in the morning and then we went out to dinner tonight. Excellent wardrobe planning. Hubby & I took the kiddies out to a Japanese steak house for the first time and it was way fun - they loved it!! Of course, I'm sitting here in pj-sweats, because it's almost my bedtime, but the dress was a good dinner dress.

Polyvore from today:

11/6/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew bags

Items in this set:
J Crew t shirt, $33
Forever21 dress, $23
Ann Demeulemeester boots, 795 GBP
J Crew tote bag, $150
Thelook4less.net ring

And speaking of dresses... I really, truly, honestly appreciate all the feedback from everyone on the 3 Nordies dresses. I also applaud everyone for the very constructive comments. (You all didn't love all of them, which is fine - but you played nice - and I do appreciate that as well.)

I think my problem is that I am just not totally 100% feeling it with any of them. They are all very nice dresses and any of them would be fine. (yeah, I know, nice problem to have). And maybe part of the problem is that I got the 3 of them from 2 different parts of the store over 2 different shopping trips of about 15-20 minutes each, so I was rushed-rushed-rushed - and they just have some bad vibes attached. Or maybe I'm just being ridiculous and overthinking this whole thing because, this is not a problem - it's an irritation...at the most. (Thanks Jemma Ruby - ever since you posted on that, I try to hold those words close.) So it's not a problem, other than the fact that I clearly need to get a life.

If you did comment on the 3 choices, please don't feel that it was a waste of time at all (and don't shoot me)...it made me really look much closer at the dresses and figure out what did and didn't work with them.And, I have come to the conclusion that I am just prejudiced against chiffon. I don't like how it feels. Ok, lesson learned.

But I think I have found true dress love... After debating over the 3 Nordies dresses, I happened to be perusing the BR website and found the dress at right. BR Tiered Pleated Dress ($132). They are already showing this dress on the large placard in the window, but it's Holiday 03 and only Holiday 02 is in the stores - wish I hadn't needed that level of detail. So I ordered it with 25% off and it is supposed to arrive on Tuesday.

And, I believe, it combines the best of the 3 Nordies dresses - the versatility and lack of chiffon in #1 (I would totally rock this with tights and boots for a more casual look), the tiers & necklace potential of #2, and the fun & flirtiness of #3. And when I first saw it, I swooned I felt it. We'll see. I've got my fingers crossed. So should you, so that I shut up about this. Whew, it's late, I'm punchy, and I should go to bed. Here's my planned ensemble in Polyvore...let's see how it all comes out in the proverbial wash...

Idea #1 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew jewelry

Items in this set:
Banana Republic dress, $132
Gojane.com shoes, $13
J Crew necklace, $98
Banana Republic earrings, $35
SEPHORA by OPI nails, $9

Speaking of Banana Republic (coincidental timing), Slastena has an interesting post on Banana Republic today, from some spring magazine catchup - yay, I'm not the only one. Hop on over to comment - are you a Banana Fan? Or is your new theme song "Yes, we have no Bananas"?

The LBD...pick one...please?

So we have a wedding to go to next weekend. Very excited.... Because (1) being that I am 37 and hubby is 42, pretty much all of our friends have been married (at least once) so it's been 3 years since we've been to a wedding - that one was a FL beach wedding - fun fun fun. (2) Wedding is in Annapolis so my parents are coming up to watch the kiddies & we have a weekend away.

BUT...I need a dress. The lack of true cocktail functions over the past few years had caused my dressy dress supply to dwindle. And the 2 cute dresses I got last year from AT & ATL - well, they're just too big. I know, nice problem to have; I'm not complaining. But I don't want to break the bank getting a new dress. Enter Nordstrom. First of all, can I just say how much I love that store for their non-tricky pricing. It's full price...then it goes on sale and stays on sale...and that's it. No working coupons (unless you have that Nordstrom rewards Visa), or discounts, or sales on the right day - at least not that I'm aware of. And it just makes it easier because unlike Macy's, Lord & Taylor, etc, you don't worry that you are paying twice as much just by picking the wrong day to shop. Plus, Nordies doesn't put up their Christmas decorations until AFTER Thanksgiving and I really respect that.

I am planning to get...well, ok, I actually already bought (3) LBDs. It's a 6:00 wedding - not black tie (groom wanted to the rehearsal dinner to be jeans - bride nixed that one - but it's not uptight formal for sure) - so LBD is the way to go. And if I don't already have one that works, clearly that is a big vacuum in my closet. I think Tim Gunn is cringing right now.

In their latest catalog, Nordstrom had a whole section on LBDs - get this - under $150. Well hello, Nordies, you are speaking my language today. Here's the full LBD section online - lots and lots of choices (including the ones above $150, but seriously - many many many choices). And right now, Nordstrom has free shipping on orders over $100 with code HOLIDAY09 - through December 20.

Why am I boring you with the full background? Because I need some backup opinion here. Hubby & kids have weighed in. Hubby had an interesting perspective I'll mention below. But overall they liked all 3 - which is nice as I did as well. But I do need to choose. I would have loved to have my mom or sister with me for some very honest opinions and perspective, but I didn't. So I have you all. Get the rotten vegetables ready...let's go.

And it may be a long post before I'm done because I still can't figure out how to get the collagse to click-enlarge, so I'm posting lots of individual pics.

And please note utter lack of styling - hair & accessories are exactly as I wore them yesterday and shoes were too much of a bother. Plus I am employing the uber-unflattering to me full front pose, just for the info. You know how I hate that. Keep in mind, the event styling should be a vast improvement.

Dress #1 - Tahari by Authur S Levine Beaded Neck Shift Dress ($138). If you clicked over, did you notice that Nordstrom has "fit" notes with these dresses - this one says "Form-fitting at bust and hip. Runs large; order one size down." Wow, certain retailers with their wacky, inconsistent sizing should take note...you know how you are. I am very comfortable in an 8.

Thoughts on this dress - first of all, the most versatile of the 3. I can totally picture this for the wedding with strappy sandals/heels, or with a pair of black tights and pumps for a less formal occasion (or for warmth, hehe). The fabric is the most substantial since the other 2 involve chiffon. It has an interesting texture to it - horizontal ribbing - but not so straight and rigid. Hard to describe, but it's flattering and it means this dress really doesn't wrinkle.

In terms of Audry Hepburn categories, this, to me, is a Sabrina dress. I feel infinitely chic in it. I love the hemline - perfect spot on me. I don't feel like this dress is dated, or old - but I feel like it's a bit more classic than the others and I would wear it longer and probably more often. The wide beaded neckline is even more gorgeous in person. Obviously, no necklace needed - just earrings and a great bracelet.

Dress #2 - Patra Beaded Chiffon Dress ($138). Again, took an 8. This is the dress that hubby thought was pretty but was the least "me". Interesting of him to note that because I actually feel the same way. I mean, I do like it or I wouldn't have brought it home. I think it's very flattering. I love that it shoes my collarbone, which we all know is universally flattering.

The tiers of chiffon on this are very nice and are edged in jet beads. And it is way comfy - as in you could eat a huge dinner and it probably wouldn't show. (hehe, as an aside - that sentence originally said "it was way comfy" - maybe I've mentally dismissed this one already?)

Downside - Is this too young for me? Will I get tired of the tiered look? Is it going to look dated in a couple of years? It is chiffon which does always run the risk of snagging (have I mentioned what a clutz I am?) I worry that with this dress, I will love it for that one night and then not ever wear it again. I can see this with a fab dangly necklace or two...of course, they would have to be non-snagging necklaces...

Dress #3 - Taylor Dress Illusion Yoke Silk Shift Dress ($148). Again, took an 8. This is probably the most fun of the 3 dresses. And initially, it was my top choice. Back to the Audrey categories - this is a total Holly Golightly dress. The petals at the neckline and hem are just fun fun fun. I don't think you can put this dress on and be sad. Exuberant...that's the word.

Downside - first of all - the wrinkling. This is the advantage of bringing several home and trying them on a few times. I have noticed this wrinkling. It shows in my pics, esp in the sheer mesh at the top. If you click over to the Nordstrom page and really look at it, you can see the wrinkling in all their pics in the sheer mesh at the top and across the whole body of the dress. I think it may be in part due to the fact that the entire dress has the mesh overlay, but still...what does that mean for packing it? And spending part of the evening sitting down for the ceremony or for dinner, etc? Am I going to end up a big wrinkled mess? (It is so cute though.)



Polyvore of dresses:

Dress Options by HeidiGblog featuring Tahari by Arthur S. Levine dresses

Items in this set:
Nordstrom.com dress, $148
Tahari by Arthur S. Levine dress, $138
Patra dress, $138

So those are my choices. What do you think?