Hey all - My sister has recruited me to help her find a dress for this cocktail reception at the botanical gardens (the indoor ones) for her friend's marriage (they already married somewhere far away and are having a party to celebrate).
Anyway, sis is a bit conservative, but wants to look chic and sexy b/c old law school chums will be there. However, she's very shy about her midsection (baby weight/tummy) and also has some weird hangup about "[looking] like a football player." I think that has to so with certain types of sleeves. So she wants a high/empire waist (though not a babydoll style - she is too mature and tall for that) or princess seams - something flattering to her tummy. She is tall (5'9") and curvy/busty, 36 y.o. She must be able to wear a "regular" bra and refuses to wear anything that ties around the natural waist (though I have tried to point out that a belt at the waist can be flattering - she will not listen).
She loved this dress from JCrew, but they are sold out of her size.
BUT she says the "Sophia" dress is too dressy (I wore as a bridesmaid dress and can vouch for its flattering qualities, but she won't listen). Must be the fabric that bothers her - not sure.
She loves to wear large embroidered scarves and pashminas as wraps (she has some really beautiful ones her husband has brought her from asia) so we're looking for basic but sexy and flattering. Help?
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~ dc
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination" - Oscar Wilde
Has your sister called individual stores to see if they have the size? I once had to do that with a dress from JCrew. They shipped it from a store in PA (I lived in MI at the time) to my house. She should call around if she really likes it.
ewt - do you know if it was a special occasions dress? When I was a bridesmaid, they only sold those online. Worth looking into though! She was crushed they didn't have it...
jj - very pretty. the 1st one would be gorg. on her. BTW, was out at the tyson's II anthro on Sunday and they had almost NO dresses at all. It's funny because online they have so many, but in the store I found like 2 dresses at the most, neither of which was one I'd admired online. Have you been to any other anthros in the area that are better/bigger?
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~ dc
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination" - Oscar Wilde
i love those anthro ones - especially that first one...
I just wanted to say I feel your pain - sounds like you are giving her perfect advice & she just won't listen. Sounds like my sister, who refused to not match her shoes to the hem of her pants & her purse!!!
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Who do you have to probe around here to get a Chardonnay? - Roger the Alien from American Dad
DC, they have that first dress in the J. Crew at Tysons. My friend just bought it last weekend and it's really pretty (even nicer than in the pic). You might try calling there and seeing if they have her size.
I am insecure about my tummy, so I tried to select things that I find camouflage that area, while still meeting her other requirements. But, I am probably still way off. This was tough!
I agree with your advice to her about fitting in the waist. I find ruching to be very effective. Will she wear strapless or halter bras?
Maybe too casual? Comes in black, dark red, and other colors:
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Forget, forgive, conclude, and be agreed. - Shakespeare
dc - I saw that J Crew dress in green at both the Pentagon City store and the Georgetown store - they might also have it in brown, I don't know. The Georgetown store had several similar styles in other colors as well. I know the Georgetown anthro has that gorgeous feather print dress - I have been eyeing it. They definitely have a better selection than Tyson's, esp. when it comes to dresses.