I wish I had a Tim Gunn icon.

[offbalance]

This was my lunch break today:

1. Enter Bergdorf's.
2. Ride elevator to "Evening wear" department.
3. Ooh and ahh at dresses
4. Look at price tags.
5. Have heart attack
6. Hasty Exit.

Why am I looking, you ask? Well, after going through some of my clothes a few nights ago, it would appear that though I am to attend a wedding in Boston in a little under a month, I don't really have anything suitable. The dress I famously wore to the wedding of teany and selftoken no longer fits my body nor my personality anymore (as Tim Gunn says, what works at 25 doesn't necessarily work when you're nearly 30). So, I now have to find a dress.

Problem is, this season is probably the absolute worst I have seen for women's clothing in time immemorial. I don't know what's worse - the cut of most of the dresses out there, or the horrendous color palate (no, really. Puke green, orange, teal, and the one color in the berry family that does me no favors. All bad on me. There's also white, but I'm of the school that believes you do NOT wear white to a wedding. EVER. And I really don't want black, if I can help it.)

I'm due for a proper formal dress anyway - I have three weddings to go to (well, two definitely, another possibly) in the next 12 months. That requires a proper dress. I would usually run to some place and get something cheapish. But I kind of want to invest in something classic and somewhat unique, something that I know will be there when I have a formal-ish occasion to go to and need to look good.

So far, I have tried: Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and the afforementioned Bergdorf's all in person, and J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Trashy Diva, ModCloth, Talbots, Banana Republic, and the eleventy billion different retailers contained in my twice-weekly Shop It To Me email online. All have been swing and a miss. Ann Taylor, Bloomie's, and J.Crew had some possible ones, but nothing that stood out. I am concerend about looking too Bridesmaidy. I'm probably going to have to make plans to hit Lord & Taylor at some point, because I'm not sure where else to look at this point. Do I just wander boutiques in the Slope/Carol Gardens/Nolita/9th street? At the very least, I'll check out Flirt and Teddy and see if they have anything.

Who in hell knew that a decent cocktail dress would be so goddamned hard to find?

Comments

[bronxelf-ag001.livejournal.com]

ebay. ebay. ebay. ebay.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Any particular store on ebay?

[bronxelf-ag001.livejournal.com]

No, but that's where I buy ALL my clothes now. I can't deal with stores anymore.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I do like how organized it is. I will check it out later! Thanks for the tip!

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

Loehmann's?

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I suppose. I have to psych myself up to go there, though. It can be a trip and a half.

(I have no desire to fight with Filene's though.)

[katiebea.livejournal.com]

Come shopping in my closet. I'll email you.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I'm intrigued.

*waits for your email*

[firynze.livejournal.com]

Evening wear is EVIL. It's all either for matronly 60-year-olds or for teenyboppers going to prom. Hit up the boutiques, and godspeed.

(If all else REALLY fails, there can be Arrangements made for a custom dress. When is the first wedding?)

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

It can be. Usually getting to try on nothing but sparkly pretty pretties fills me with untold joy. But somehow in the last few years, everything began to suck. :P

(!!! The first wedding is in a month, near to the day. So I don't know about that. But I'll keep such Arrangements in mind for the future, oh yes I will. :D)

[firynze.livejournal.com]

Heeee, it helps to know seamstresses. ;-)

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Indeed. ;)

[alcestis.livejournal.com]

Filene's Basement often has some great finds.

ETA: Sorry, I hadn't read the comments above. I rescind my rec.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

The one in Union Square destroys my will to live. I have yet to find one that I enjoy shopping in, truthfully.

Thanks for it anyway, though!

[airspaniel.livejournal.com]

You know where I've had historically good and unexpected luck? The Daffy's in Herald Square. It's not as big a clusterfuck as Filene's, but you do have to look a little harder.

Fortunately, the semi-formal/formalwear section is pretty small. Maybe worth a shot.

[lulu-girl.livejournal.com]

The Daffy's on .... 57th? is surprisingly good at times as well.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I was there once and not overly impressed (and I hate the layout of the place), but I might peek my nose in if I have a chance this week.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I'll take a look. Can't hurt to make a trip over!

[lulu-girl.livejournal.com]

I don't know how far this will get you or what luck you'll have regarding prices, but when I worked in Soho, I used to see all sorts of awesome cocktail dresses in the windows. Granted, some are going to cost a billion dollars, but the designers frequently have sample sales.

In fact, Betsey Johnson is having a sample sale through today. Not saying that Ms Johnson's style will necessarily fit for weddings, but you never know! I don't think it'd hurt to wander around there and see if there are any finds...assuming you have the time to spare?

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Betsey is fun, but her aesthetic is way young for me. I look ridiculous in her clothes. But then again, I've been getting called "ma'am" since I was 15 *sigh*.

When you say Soho, what area are you referring to? Because I've spent a lot of time on Mulberry and Spring and other parts of Nolita and while I've found some good stuff, the stuff can be too expensive or just not my taste. I'm trying to remember the name of one store I like over there, but I'm drawing a blank. I don't remember if it's Cynthia Rowley or someone else..

[teany.livejournal.com]

What about that dress you bought on East 9th Street last year? Unless the wedding is super-formal...?

Also, if you're game after lunch, I'd be up for heading to Nolita to take a look. Bloomie's actually gave up and sent me a check for the credit that I had with them on my card, so I'm free to go anywhere I choose for a dress for my brother's party!

[teany.livejournal.com]

Also, Bergdorf's?! That's the place one of Mitch's parents' friends spent like $300 for a wine carafe (which we ultimately returned, and exchanged for tons of Keihl's products. ;)

[queenmother49.livejournal.com]

David's Bridal. Seriously.