WWTBAM Bored

In all the time that we, meaning GW and BD, looked for bridal and bridesmaids gowns, it seems that one search was neglected: the gown for MotB (Mother of the Bride). I came upon GW at the computer one recent evening, muttering under her breath at photos of women in gowns. I made the mistake of asking what she was doing. "I need a gown for ME!" she proclaimed loudly, with the grumbled aside "Men have it easy."

Ignoring the sexist remark, since it's true, I sat down to watch the review process. Watch only; no way was I going to take an active part. If GW saw something she liked, I might make a noncommittal comment to the effect of "That looks nice." Pointing out one that I liked first was a recipe for disaster. I'm not even sure GW knew what she was looking for. This was going to be an "obscenity" search: "I know it when I see it."

The problems, IMO, are manifold. First, there are just too many choices. Each designer's site must have had fifty or more dresses to show. Yes, there were similarities (they were all shown with women in them, for instance), but it gets overwhelming. Second, some of them are indeed hideous, even to my non-discerning eye. I didn't note the designer or dress name (yes, they have names; BD's gown is Monalisa), but I swear, one looked like Joan Crawford as Mommie Dearest, complete with the pointy shoulders and that rock-hard squarish hairdo. I don't think the model was holding a wire hanger, though.

With those which were suitable (pardon the pun), we come to problem number three. GW is too good a seamstress. It's one thing to display the dress on a sleek model, perfectly made up and posed just so. It's another for GW, who is able to see past that and consider how it will look on a normal woman, i.e., herself. There were comments like "That won't hang right", "It'll pouf out in the back," or "I'll look like a pear tomato" (this with a dress shown in red which even I could see was pretty bad). Comments out loud were rare, though. Most of the time, she just kept shaking her head and clicking the mouse on "Next".

I think you handled that perfectly.

A no win situation if you comment first. I can imagine the only comment Husband1111 would make would pertain to color.

The problem I have a a sewing person is looking at the prices and knowing how much it would cost to make. But fitting a dress on your self (unless you have a form) is impossible.

My sympathies to your wife. I spent hours on-line yesterday looking for a dress for a fancy dinner that's coming up. I ended up with only three remote possibilities, all of which cost at least twice as much as I am willing to spend, and none of which am I confident would be delivered in time for the event.

I prefer to shop on-line because few stores in this area carry anything likely to fit and less that is likely to look good on me.

silvercamaro wrote:My sympathies to your wife. I spent hours on-line yesterday looking for a dress for a fancy dinner that's coming up. I ended up with only three remote possibilities, all of which cost at least twice as much as I am willing to spend, and none of which am I confident would be delivered in time for the event.

I prefer to shop on-line because few stores in this area carry anything likely to fit and less that is likely to look good on me.

Alrighty, SC answered the question that was rattling around in my head: don't women buy dresses in stores anymore?

15 years ago, my mom and my mom-in-law bought their dresses for our wedding at department stores. My wife never has bought any of her clothes online (though we have ordered kids clothes from Gymboree , Gap, and Children's Place online).

gsabc wrote: With those which were suitable (pardon the pun), we come to problem number three. GW is too good a seamstress. It's one thing to display the dress on a sleek model, perfectly made up and posed just so. It's another for GW, who is able to see past that and consider how it will look on a normal woman, i.e., herself. There were comments like "That won't hang right", "It'll pouf out in the back," or "I'll look like a pear tomato" (this with a dress shown in red which even I could see was pretty bad). Comments out loud were rare, though. Most of the time, she just kept shaking her head and clicking the mouse on "Next".

Some perspective on the Mother of the Bride dress. After the couple, the next most important person...is the Mother of the Bride. IMMHO

Its her day too! BD is your only daughter...so this is the ONLY time GW will be "Mother of the Bride".

GW needs to find a style of dress that looks wonderful on her. She may also own such a dress that a pattern could be taken off of.

Also, the color that would look best on her that goes with the wedding party color theme, and fabric that would flow with the design.

I would then search for a good (not expensive) seamstress.

When my brother got married over 20 years ago, my bridesmaid dress was made for me. He got married on Aug 1...Therefore I had the seamstress line the skirt with a light white cotton, so that I would NOT have to wear a nylon slip in the summer!

I hope that this helps!

fuzzy

Appa23 wrote:

silvercamaro wrote:My sympathies to your wife. I spent hours on-line yesterday looking for a dress for a fancy dinner that's coming up. I ended up with only three remote possibilities, all of which cost at least twice as much as I am willing to spend, and none of which am I confident would be delivered in time for the event.

I prefer to shop on-line because few stores in this area carry anything likely to fit and less that is likely to look good on me.

Alrighty, SC answered the question that was rattling around in my head: don't women buy dresses in stores anymore?

15 years ago, my mom and my mom-in-law bought their dresses for our wedding at department stores. My wife never has bought any of her clothes online (though we have ordered kids clothes from Gymboree , Gap, and Children's Place online).

I bought Maddie a formal dress a few weeks ago at Macy's. I have to try on dresses to ensure fit, so I have never bought one online.

Jeans are different. I know what cut/size fits me at Gap, so I just order them online when I need new ones.

Once GW knows what she wants, I meaning style of dress, the whole thing will become quite easy. It's finding the style that's the killer.

Most woman I know, knew exactly the style wedding dress they wanted - not so for their moms.

silvercamaro wrote:My sympathies to your wife. I spent hours on-line yesterday looking for a dress for a fancy dinner that's coming up. I ended up with only three remote possibilities, all of which cost at least twice as much as I am willing to spend, and none of which am I confident would be delivered in time for the event.

I prefer to shop on-line because few stores in this area carry anything likely to fit and less that is likely to look good on me.

sc, I would try department stores or boutiques right now. More than likely, you can get a great buy since it is the post-holiday season! There are MANY sales.

I hope you find what you are looking for!

fuzzy

fuzzywuzzy wrote:

silvercamaro wrote:My sympathies to your wife. I spent hours on-line yesterday looking for a dress for a fancy dinner that's coming up. I ended up with only three remote possibilities, all of which cost at least twice as much as I am willing to spend, and none of which am I confident would be delivered in time for the event.

I prefer to shop on-line because few stores in this area carry anything likely to fit and less that is likely to look good on me.

sc, I would try department stores or boutiques right now. More than likely, you can get a great buy since it is the post-holiday season! There are MANY sales.

I hope you find what you are looking for!

fuzzy

I am thinking Uday will not find anything in her size.

There used to be special stores for her size. I have not seen them in years.

peacock2121 wrote:

fuzzywuzzy wrote:

silvercamaro wrote:
fuzzy

I am thinking Uday will not find anything in her size.

There used to be special stores for her size. I have not seen them in years.

Pea, you are right...it may be difficult for her. But, there are petite sections in department stores are there not?

fuzzy

There are.

Usually petites go down to a 4 - maybe a 2 (usually not). The 2s are styles not generally appropriate for a woman of Uday's distinguishness.

Nordstroms will have something, I'm sure.

Macy's might. I also like Petite Sophisticate, which does have clothing for distinguished ladies such as Uday.

Pea, it sounds like you have been shopping with me. Within my town, there's only one decent department store (Dillard's) with a petite section. Within that section are pants, jackets, knit tops, and business suits. I don't recall seeing dresses of any description in that department for years.

I will go check out the suits, just in case there may be something that can be gussied up a little and does not seem most appropriate for an appearance in court or church.

I wanted an actual dress, though, so I'm surly -- even if it's my own fault for not thinking about looking earlier in the month. I was distracted.

kayrharris wrote:Nordstroms will have something, I'm sure.

Macy's might. I also like Petite Sophisticate, which does have clothing for distinguished ladies such as Uday.

Both Nordstrom's and Macy's were among the on-line stores I checked yesterday. The Petite Sophisticates store in the local mall closed two or three years ago. The next closest big mall that might provide some optimism is a 45-minute drive north. In fact, it's very close to the office of Annie's veterinary surgeon. That's becoming a familiar drive (and I've already done it for today), but there's no way to combine Annie's visit with shopping, and I can't work up any enthusiasm for doing it an extra time.

Not sure how fancy you want.

Nordstrom's has this size 2. Not a bad price. Might need a little tee to go under it.


http://tinyurl.com/35utrl



Kay....your personal shopper. Call me tonight. We'll find you a dress.

silvercamaro wrote:Pea, it sounds like you have been shopping with me. Within my town, there's only one decent department store (Dillard's) with a petite section. Within that section are pants, jackets, knit tops, and business suits. I don't recall seeing dresses of any description in that department for years.

I will go check out the suits, just in case there may be something that can be gussied up a little and does not seem most appropriate for an appearance in court or church.

I wanted an actual dress, though, so I'm surly -- even if it's my own fault for not thinking about looking earlier in the month. I was distracted.

Isn't Kayne from Project Runway located fairly close to you? I'm sure he could whip you up something fabu.

If not, I'm sure you will shine whatever you wear.

Love,

We've been in his shop and he seems to specialize in formal gowns. I don't remember seeing any regular dresses in his shop.

I imagine his "whipping up something fabu" prices are outta sight.




We'll find her a dress. I'm on a mission now.

Appa23 says:

Alrighty, SC answered the question that was rattling around in my head: don't women buy dresses in stores anymore?

Ever since I gained a huge amount of weight, store selections have not been kind to me. I occasionally can find stuff in the jacket dept, though. If I go oversized-normal, not "for the fatty".

But in general, if you want good quality material, & a chance whatever it is is put together to last, unless you are shopping at very high end stores (hell, I hope they use good material; haven't been in one lately) you'll find much better stuff for your money in catalogs these days. And styles that are decent but not dowdy for someone who is no longer 12, or trying to look like they're 12.

I don't do the "cruising on line shopping" thing; even my favorite catalogs manage to put out stuff that looks like its for paper-dolls, on line. When will they ever learn? Just print your attractive-looking catalog people photos.

It's too bad it's not your son getting married. The traditional advice for the MotG is "Show up, shut up, and wear beige."

kayrharris wrote:
We'll find her a dress. I'm on a mission now.

Ann Taylor has nice petite sized dresses.

How about this one:

http://tinyurl.com/34sog8

Or this one, in black:

http://tinyurl.com/yvpw6k

It's on sale.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:

kayrharris wrote:
We'll find her a dress. I'm on a mission now.

Ann Taylor has nice petite sized dresses.

How about this one:

http://tinyurl.com/34sog8

I like that one!

Here's another nice one from Talbots:

http://tinyurl.com/37n6nl

kayrharris wrote:

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:

kayrharris wrote:
We'll find her a dress. I'm on a mission now.

Ann Taylor has nice petite sized dresses.

How about this one:

http://tinyurl.com/34sog8

I like that one!

Here's another nice one from Talbots:

http://tinyurl.com/37n6nl

I like that one. The sleeves are very pretty.

I'm having pretty good luck shopping. Banana Republic even has double zeros. The prices are very competitive.

I like this one too!

http://tinyurl.com/2ho8dj

kayrharris wrote:I'm having pretty good luck shopping. Banana Republic even has double zeros. The prices are very competitive.

I like this one too!

http://tinyurl.com/2ho8dj

Very cute!