Formal Dinner dance Invite--what to wear?

[Kimber-lilly 2]

Hi all....

I am usually seen in any combination of three clothing styles:

Pajamas (most fave)

Jeans and a sweater (school, and errands)

uniform scrubs

So today, I got an invite from MY DOCTOR! who hosts a formal dinner dance each year!

It says formal on the invite and my husband owns a tux, so his part is easy--

what should I wear? What would YOU wear?

As you can see from above, I have NO style, so any suggestions are appreciated!

(kinda excited about the idea of getting all gussied up!)

Kimberly

[Penni60 45]

Before 5pm or after 5pm?

But in reality I guess it doesn't matter. LOL!!!

You can find all kinds of really nice cocktail dresses at Coldwater Creek. Of course you need heels but you could do a kitten heel, like an inch to an inch and a half.

You can never go wrong with a simple black dress and then grab some pearls to snaz it up. Get a dress that accentuates your curves instead of trying to hide them.

[Kimber-lilly 2]

it's after 5. I have been all over the internet tonight looking for possibilities....

yeegads! There are some ugly dresses out there!

Still searching......

[Shegill 0]

Kimberly,

There was recently a similar post on the spotlight health board and I thought I'd transfer some of the information, in case you decide you want to do some online shopping for your party.

Here are some online stores that carry plus-size clothing:

http://www.drapers.com

http://www.alight.com

http://www.silhouettes.com

http://www.artandartifact.com

Here's a site that lists a bunch of plus size online stores:

http://www.sizewise.com/links/womens.html

Hope this helps. Remember to send us pictures of the outfit you choose!

Sheila

ps: I just realized that I'm assuming you're still in woman's sizes. If I am mistaken, I'm sorry. But not sorry for you, because that would mean you could just go to J. Crew or banana Republic and buy one of those adorable flippy-skirted party dresses that make me crazy with envy. If this is the case, please put one on layaway for my future.

[Penni60 45]

www.coldwatercreek.com is one of my favorite stores now. Beautiful clothes.

[vinesqueen 2]

Anyone have that link that Bright sent for her big party? (At least I think it was bright...)

I love formal dinners. I guess I never grew out of playing dress-up...

[Kimber-lilly 2]

Thanks! I didn't come back here until now--usually get email notices that someone has responded to the thread, but I disabled it, so I thought Penni and I were just having a little chat!

Thanks for the links. I feel as tho I have looked at every dress under the sun--and yes, I am still in plus size, specificallly 16W, for now. I think I found one on ebay--but then I think, well maybe I want something with a little color. Guys have it so easy.....

I am tormenting my mother via email (she lives right down the road from me-) with email pix of the most horrendous/slutty/bad taste dresses I can find... Very fun! ha ha the first ones she would critique carefully, explaining why she thought it would be inappropriate, now she just writes back "NO!".

I looked at some by Donna Ricco, too--I have a few of her dresses and they fit beautifully--but too spendy for a one night affair......

Maybe I should post pix of the top three choices and let you guys pic--of course I would have to post a pix of myself so you could determine which would highlight my mouse-burger brown hair just right---

I am going to bed! My husband is addicted to our Gamecube video games and my butt hurts from sitting here at this computer so long. First weight I lost was in my boobs and my "seat cushion".

xoxo

[princess_n_thep 2]

my favorites for formal wear is www.catherines.com and www.nordstrom.com also, remember that you can never go wrong with a classy slimming pant suit!! I have a dark blue one that is a catch all for almost everything!

[Zoe 6]

I love Nordstrom, although the retail prices can be kind of high, at least in the stores; I don't know about the online catalog. But what exactly does "formal" mean where you live? Here in Chicago, it means a floor-length dress. Most of the Coldwater Creek stuff, however attractive, would be way too casual for a formal event here. In some places, though, as long as you're wearing a bra and clean teeth you're good to go! Much easier.

[vinesqueen 2]

We have a Nordstrom Rack down the street from my house, so that is where I do most of my shopping for anything but jeans. Target just doesn't carry much in the way of business clothing.... Is a Rack available in your area?

Kimberlilly, please post some of the "NO" dresses so we can play too! I think your idea about posting your top 3 choices is fun too!

[Kimber-lilly 2]

Oh! this is gonna be fun!

I have to zip out for a bit, but when I get back I will post some pix of the "not acceptable" dresses and then some that I love but are too spendy.

Formal here, for me anyway, is a tea length or slightly shorter dressy dress--like a cocktail formal.

I don't know what I am talking about!

[Kimber-lilly 2]

ok, here are three choices....drum roll, please--Penni, if they are too big, please resize for me! (thanks!)

Number one: This is the wrong size, but the same dress (i need a 1 X)

Can't copy the pix, so here is a link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63880&item=5374627382&rd=1

Here's number 2--kinda vintage-y looking--my mom thinks this might be "too stiff" and she may be right....but I like it. Its the coppery colored mesh dress on this page http://www.newport-news.com/shop/subcat_fp_nine.asp?gpcatID=2&pacatID=9&subcatID=5850&catID=5854

And number three from Spiegel.com :http://www.spiegel.com/shop/style.asp?style_id=11196627&index=0&nav_cat_id=227&gp_cat_id=284&category_id=312

Lemme know what you guys think!

[DeLarla 22]

Every woman should own a little black dress, so this is a good time for you to get a simple one that can be altered as you lose. Since you aren't used to dressing fancy, try to stick with something simple and basic and then add bold, sparkly accessories. A little black dress goes a long way - you can add a shawl or a blazer or even a flowy blouse.

[Bright 9]

hey Kimber-lilly

Clothes are my life!!! and my hobby! ANYWAY....before you think about what you want to wear, what's your body shape? I know I am pear shaped, with big boobs and flabby arms, so I would always go for sleeves, deep v-neck and waisted to show I have a shape... Try Trinny and Susannah's page for ideas: http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/what_not_to_wear/index.shtml

And re the gold dress, it's a lovely shape but I'd avoid anything that's made from nylon....Also have you thought about wearing a tux suit yourself? With a cute sexy top inside or great bra/corset type top and high heels??? And I definitely think black is a great option - slimming and flattering! Coco Chanel said if a woman wears a dress with a beautiful pattern, people always admire the dress, but, she said, if a woman wears a black dress, people admire the woman!

Just my two cents! Have loads of fun!

[vinesqueen 2]

That black dress is Wow! I like that one the best. And the black pumps from the newport news site... double wow. Of course, I'm a LONG way from anything but a gas pump...