Sorry for the double posting today! I know some of you are double dippers and read both of my blogs, but some of you aren’t and I am hoping to get lots of feedback. WordPress also allows me to insert polls really easily, so voting is extra fun!
Yesterday on That Bride I revealed that I will be attending the Vow Renewal of Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs. Today, I need your help deciding what dress to wear!
This my first ever black tie event and I am a little bit nervous. What if all of the people there instantly know I am just a little farm girl who took pigs to the fair growing up? I need to look fancy and sophisticated. The other criteria I am trying to fit is versatility. I need something that will work for future company parties I may need to attend with That Husband.
I ordered 7 dresses from Nordstrom, tried them all on, and came away with 5 possibilities, most of which I am not completely in love with. I’m frustrated by how difficult it is to find dresses with sleeves that look flattering on me (they all seem to have too low of a neckline, or be super short, or look overly casual), and I’m hoping that some encouraging votes or constructive criticism (maybe even some sleuthing to find other dress options) will help me make a decision.
#1-The Silver.
It seems like I’m not filling out the bust area or something, which is impossible since my chest is ginormous. Does it look that way to you? I do think it gives me a nice waist though, and I think the color and material look fancy enough.
#2-The Teal
I’m not even sure I like this one at all, but maybe someone else will see something in it that I don’t?
#3-The Black
It’s black, so it’s versatile, but I think it’s really casual looking. Would I really look good standing next to someone wearing a tux and bowtie?
#4-The Silver and Black
I like it and I also don’t. Again, is it doing weird things in the bust area? Does the two tonal aspect take away from the fanciness? Does it just look like a nice dress I could wear to court if I were a lawyer?
#5-The Brown
Definitely my favorite. Unfortunately, this is the most expensive dress of the bunch.
My maximum budget is $150, and of course I always want to spend much less than that. Any suggestions for me?
27 comments
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November 19, 2008 at 12:24 am
Kelli
I only like the black and the brown. The brown is my favorite. I do not like the teal on you. Remember the time we went shopping and you said “I can’t buy this. It isn’t black. I’m Jenna. I wear black.” Or something like that. Well, you have a point. You look amazing in black. Have you tried Banana?
. You know, something like this 
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=42231&pid=591540 and then use this http://www.retailmenot.com/view/bananarepublic.com.
November 19, 2008 at 12:28 am
Jeannie
Love the look of #5. Can’t really tell it’s brown from the picture. Number 4 is very flattering to your figure. I voted for #5, even though it’s more expensive. It also looks great on you! If you love it, it’s worth it. If you don’t absolutely love it, but only like it the best out the crop, keep looking. Good luck!
November 19, 2008 at 12:29 am
Abbie
The black one makes you look tiny. Does that make a difference?
November 19, 2008 at 2:15 am
shaylenerene
I love the brown one!! The only other one I like is #3 the black one. I didn’t care for all the gathering around the bust on the others. I think it is a little much for you. But the brown one is so flattering! Plus you have a black dress! Well probably multiple..
November 19, 2008 at 3:27 am
amanda
brown. hands down. i agree with shaylene that the gathering on the others is too much. the brown is sophisticated and dressy…and classy. you could wear it in 5 years. plus someday (don’t hate me) when your arms are flabby from having 4 kids (it will happen to all of us…even my sister the gymnast
you will be able to pull out that dress and look just as fabulous. the sleeves are all short on the rest of em. (except the turquoise…you are right to question that one..it’s…odd…but ok?)
anyway-brown.
it’s hot.
November 19, 2008 at 7:48 am
KLC
I vote for the black (#3). That dress is very flattering. I disagree with everyone else about the brown dress. While it certainly is a GORGEOUS dress, I feel it’s too matronly for you. I picture that dress on someone in their 40s or 50s, maybe even with grayish hair. While the brown dress would certainly make an older woman look like a “hot mama”, you are still young
November 19, 2008 at 7:57 am
JaymeLyn
i love love love love the brown.
i’m now looking into ordering one myself.
number 3 isn’t bad—i just think that the skirt kinda throws off the top…maybe if it was more fitted.
but you look so classy and gorgeous in the brown!
November 19, 2008 at 8:15 am
Kate
I really like the brown one, but I think the black could be more versatile. It was a tough choice because I couldn’t tell what material the black dress was.
Of course, I feel like you always look best in a dress you love because you’ll carry yourself better – so that’s important too.
Now for a random question – what scent is the wallflower in your picture? I’m just about obsessed with those little things. I could probably spend all of my money on refills.
November 19, 2008 at 8:47 am
Ashley
the black, black and silver, and brown all look good on you! the others are kinda blaugh… I think the black is my favorite followed by the brown…. if you accessorize with great shoes and jewelry, I think the black will look great!!
November 19, 2008 at 9:11 am
Claire
I like the brown one and the first one, but I’m not so sure about the sleeves on the brown one. Are they cuffed? I love the back of the brown dress. I think we need to see some accessory options to really have the idea of the look. I think you’ll look fantastic!
November 19, 2008 at 9:25 am
Julie
Okay, so I LOVE the way you look in the brown, BUT here’s my thing about it. It’s great for a nice event, BUT having been to lots of black tie events, it doesn’t say black tie to me at all. I know that it isn’t, but the combination of the collar and the way the lapels are covered by the empire waste sash gives off the IMPRESSION of a wrap dress. Like I said, I know it ISN’T, but on first glance, that’s what it reminds me of, and to me, that’s what I would wear to work, not to a black tie event. It’s a lovely dress for a nice cocktail party, but if you are concerned regarding the black tie and the other women are going to be in floor length gowns, then it may not be the right choice for this particular event.
That said, for a black tie event, if you are not going to go the floor length gown route, a black cocktail dress is always the best bet, regarding what I have seen other women wear, and you pull off the black dress in your picture very well. If you are afraid it looks too casual, dress it up with your shoes, your other accessories, and your hair worn up.
November 19, 2008 at 9:27 am
kacey
several of these styles are very trendy…if you want it to work for years to come, i’d suggest finding a really basic little black dress that you absolutely LOVE. i had to get one to wear for formal nights on a cruise and i found a cute one at banana republic. it was a little spendy, but i’ll be able to wear it for years.
November 19, 2008 at 9:39 am
Michelle
Hi Jenna, you don’t now me but I followed your blog from Weddingbee.
I figured you had enough opinons about your current dresses so I thought I’d suggest some others.
I think this is SO SO CUTE:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2995916/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014148?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014148&P=1
Or for a little color:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3017866/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014174?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014174&P=1
Good luck!
November 19, 2008 at 10:01 am
Skywalker
The Brown is nice but it looks too grown up for you. The black or the silver are my best bets here.
November 19, 2008 at 11:17 am
Kelli
I don’t think the brown is too matronly. I think it’s smokin’
November 19, 2008 at 12:27 pm
rksquared
I voted brown, but I also like the black & silver.
November 19, 2008 at 1:08 pm
BigShot
#4 or #5. I might see if #5 comes in black, because that would make it more versatile. #4 is what I would wear to a blacktie. You know, just get both #4 and #5.
November 19, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Heather
I already voted on that bride, but i thought I would share this link: they have gorgeous affordable dresses, and most all of them have sleeves and a modest neckline
http://www.shabbyapple.com/c-6-sophisticated.aspx
November 19, 2008 at 4:07 pm
polkadotbride
I love the Silver, The Silver and Black and The Brown on you!
Oh and I adore The Shabby Apple too!
November 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
kaymarie (upturned.barbie)
I voted for the silver. It does give you a nice waist and it seems fancy enough. The teal is a gorgeous dress, I just don’t think it works all that great on you specifically. Black dress is very nice– I could see you next to someone in a suit, but I am not sure about a tux. The two-toned seems very business to me, which I don’t think is quite the look you’re going for. The brown is very pretty but you are young Jenna, and I think you could find something that makes you look gorgeous without being quite so mature. Also, brown is not as versatile as black. However, if that ends up being the choice I do think you will look very nice
.
November 19, 2008 at 7:36 pm
mrs.hudson
I’m coming out of the blog stalking closet just for this post!
There is a wonderful Utah based company called Shabby Apple (http://www.shabbyapple.com/) . They make beautiful, modest dresses at reasonable prices. Any of their Shabby Soiree dresses may fit the bill.
Good luck!
November 20, 2008 at 7:10 am
Rachel
I think the ‘wrap’ dress (the brown one) is not formal enough for a black tie event especially not on NYE.
If I were you I would get the black one, or another black one, and dress it up with shoes and acessories. That way you can wear it to other events too. Pick a classic shape and you won’t looked dated in a couple of years time.
November 20, 2008 at 10:31 am
mhb
Can’t tell what material the black one is, but it looks great and you could dress it up with some jewelry… and it’s always useful to have a little black dress!
November 20, 2008 at 1:55 pm
naomi megan
i LOVE #3.
November 28, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Jenna
And I went with… NONE of these! I’ll write a follow up post soon. Thanks to everyone that weighed in. Thanks to Heather, Mrs. Hudson, and Polka Dot Bride who reminded me of Shabby Apple!
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