[chellerenee]

Ok, so I'm going to be ordering my dress for my brother's wedding within the next couple of days. I am plus size, so I don't have too many options as far as stores to shop from. I found a dress that I like online, so I went to the store today to try it on, and I really like it. My FIL is paying for the dress, so that's why I didn't buy it today. Anyways, so I came home and sent the link to my FSIL to show her. She replied and said she liked it, but also added a link for another dress that she liked that she said was a little dressier. Now I'm not sure which one to get, so I thought I'd see what you girls think.

This is the one I picked...
Plus size Gathered neck maxi dress

and this is the one she sent me the link to (but it will be black)...
Plus Size Casual at Roamans.com

The one she sent me the link for is half the price of the one I was originally going to get. I'd be able to get the dress and a pair of shoes to go with it for the same as just the dress if I got the one I picked out. And I'd also have to wear a jacket or shawl or something with the sleeveless one. What do you guys think? And should I be offended that she doesn't think the dress I picked is dressy enough? lol

Michelle

UPDATE...I decided to go with the first one in my last post on page 2 and I got it the other day. I like it. It's nice enough with the dress jacket over it for the wedding. Here are a couple pics...they aren't great.

This one you can see everything but I decided that the jacket looks better untied because when it's tied, it covers up the braided neckline...


and here is one with it untied but you can't really see it too well...


and here is what the top looks like untied and you can see the earrings I got to go with it...

[LadyGamer]

Edit: Apparently I didn't read the post in full the first time, so I'm changing my answer. Since you tried on the first one and liked it, I suggest you go with the one you've tried on. There are a lot of ways to "fancy" up something, especially with some jewelry (easily purchased at a cheap place like Claires). Go with the first one if you like it. I'd be hesistant to order a dress that I haven't tried on, since dresses really easily don't fit well and would look weird, especially on a plus sized woman (I was previously plus sized... dress shopping was my worst fear).

[mommy2autisticgirls]

as a fellow plus size woman , I like the one you picked out. Regardless of price, if you've already tried it on, it fits well and you are comfortable in it, than (IMO), you should get that one. Just my opinion...i'm sure you will look beautiful in whatever you decide to get.

[ScottishBrit]

There both cute....I think you should pick what you like. I personally would pick the 2nd one but only cause I hate my arms. I know you said you were gonna get a shawl so the first one would be fine for that. Did you tell her you think it's dressy enough and you could dress it up more if she doesn't think so?

i like the first one

[*vi]

I like the first one best. I think it's very pretty, and I definitely know what it's like to dress shop being plus-sized. I suggest getting the first one and just fancy it up with jewelry (like Christen said, it's easy to find jewelry at a decent price)

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

I prefer the second. I know it's hard to find dresses ( and especially cute affordable dresses) when you're plus sized... I always hated shopping because I didn't like anything I put on. I do think though that plus sized girls have a tendency to wear really loose fitting clothing and that doesn't do them ANY favors. I'm certainly not saying to go for something super form fitting... but I think that the second one will just do more to give you a figure by gathering in at the waist. I think the ruffles/pleats in the top give it more personality... I just like it better. Aside from the straps of the first dress, it's pretty much just a hanging dress which won't do anything to give you a figure. And if you're going to have a shawl/wrap because of your arms then it'll cover up the only 'different' part of the dress -- the straps and neck pleating. I also think that shawls can get kind of annoying and IMO, just make it obvious that you're self concious about your arms -- especially for a summer wedding. So I'd prefer the sleeves of the second. The one review on that said that the sleeves could be too tight fitting which would be a concern for me because I have unusually large upper arms no matter what weight I'm at... however, it looks like they have a great return policy, even for online purchases. Do you still have enough time to order and return and buy the first dress if that one doesn't work out? And, not to totally throw you threw a loop... but why does it have to be black? I LOVE that shade of blue and think it would look great with your new hair... and it's a perfect color for a summer wedding!

Also, I wouldn't be offended that she suggested a different dress or that the first one isn't dressy enough. People have been asking for my wedding and I'm saying the same thing a lot of times... there are few occasions when you get to dress to the 9's -- so take advantage!

Also... I might take a peek around and see if there's anything I find that would look good on you too, if that's okay. haha. I LOVEEEE dress shopping... it's been one of my favorite parts of the wedding --trying on shower dresses, rehearsal dress, etc. etc. etc. haha.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

stupid triple post!

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

oooops!

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Okay I'm exhausted and need to go to bed so I didn't look through much, haha. I don't know that I'd prefer these over the two you posted but I thought I'd throw out some more options just to make your life a little more difficult!

This one is cheaper than the #1 dress you like... still black... has sleeves. I don't think it's more formal, but wrap dresses are always pretty flattering, yet forgiving... so I thought I'd point it out. Wild Woman Wrap Dress

another wrap dress that's black... but has a black & white swirly pattern to it. has longer sleeves... and the flowyness (not a word, haha) of the bottom dresses it up a little more, even though it's still 100% cotton. It's also cheaper than your dress #1. Swirl Dot Dress

another black & white dress with sleeves that with the right shoes and jewelry I think could be dressed up or down pretty well. cheapest of the three I've posted.
Studio 1940® printed kimono dress at Fashion Bug - Visit fashionbug.com for affordable women's clothing in plus, misses and juniors sizes

I want to keep looking but I need to sleep! I think you'll look great in whatever you wear, Michelle. I do like both dresses you posted. I just know that for me personally, the shawl thing gets annoying and I'd rather have sleeves. And I think that while you may feel more comfortable in a draping dress... it's your brother's wedding, therefore you're going to be in a lot of pictures... and a draping dress might just make you look bigger and/or shapeless.

seriously... another double post?1 haha

[Resi]

I like both of them. I don't think the one she picked out is more dressy. I think the one you picked out looks more dressy to me. I think you can't go wrong with either. You will be able to wear either dress again too. I think I would go with the second dress that she picked out just because it's cute, has sleeves, and you can get some new shoes!

[*krista*]

I'd go with whichever you are most comfortable with. I would not buy a dress without trying it on, though (just my cardinal rule... I'm pretty picky about how stuff fits).

[~*sierra*~]

i like the first one best, although i do agree with shannon's mention of how the other dress gathers nicely at the waist. you could add some definition at the waist on the first dress by adding a belt. I really like this belt: Metallic Wrap Belt. And a belt like that would add a fancier look to the dress, just make sure it is tied right at the waist and then it will also make legs look longer. Add some nice silver bangles and some silver dangly or hoop earrings and voila!

The second dress is nice too for sure though!

[♥Ashley♥]

I like the second one! I think it has more "detail" I like the ruffles on the front! I am wearing a shirt just like that today! lol I really like the first dress Shannon mentioned too!

[petalfuzz]

Originally Posted by sarahmarina

i like the first one best, although i do agree with shannon's mention of how the other dress gathers nicely at the waist. you could add some definition at the waist on the first dress by adding a belt. I really like this belt: Metallic Wrap Belt. And a belt like that would add a fancier look to the dress, just make sure it is tied right at the waist and then it will also make legs look longer. Add some nice silver bangles and some silver dangly or hoop earrings and voila!

The second dress is nice too for sure though!

I wholeheartedly agree! I agree with Shannon that the first dress is a tad shapeless, but a belt would solve that easily. I also think that the first dress is "dressier" than the ruffled one (I thought it looked like a sunday school dress, not a formal dress--though it would be nice for other occasions). I say go with the one you tried on and get a fun belt like Sarah said!

[Mars]

I can't read all the responses but I love both dresses you chose. The first one is my fave but I have a sister who's plus size and she always says that she does not wear anything with a high neck because of her bust. She says they tend to make her bust look even bigger. I'm not sure if you have this same issue but that would be the only draw back to me with the first dress.

The second dress looks good too as well as the ones that Shannon suggested.

Like was mentioned before though, if you try it on, it feels good and you are comfortable then go for it!

[chellerenee]

Thank you for all the opinions and suggestions! To answer some questions...the reason it has to be black is because her colors are black, cranberry, and silver. I've looked and can't find anything in the other colors, so black seems to be the easiest to find. And as far as getting a sleeveless one and wearing a wrap/shawl, I think I described what I would be wearing over it wrong. It's actually like a jacket, but it's semi sheer. It's knee length and long sleeved. I'll have Chris take a picture of me tonight after work with the jacket thing on with the dress I usually wear with it. I would just wear the one I have but it is a little tighter than it used to be so I'm not that comfortable in it anymore. Shannon, the dresses you suggested are all really cute, but not quite big enough for me. I am a very large plus size. Some stuff I can wear a 26/28, but most I have to get a 30/32, which is why I only have very few stores to chose from. If anyone wants to help me look around for more suggestions, Avenue, Catherines, and Romans are about the only stores I can find that have big enough sizes. If you can find something somewhere else that would be awesome! I also love Igigi.com, but they are realllllly expensive! Gotta go to work, but will post more tonight when I get home.

Michelle

ETA....what do ya'll think of this one?
Plus size Embellished neck sheath dress

[mommy2autisticgirls]

I still love the first one you picked out. (I'm a larger plus size too! ). Have you checked out www.torrid.com? they sometimes have some really cute stuff on sale (they are usually kinda expensive, but sometimes they have great stuff in clearance) or www.lanebryant.com? They usually have great stuff in clearance too. I can picture the jacket you're talking about, and I think you would look great w/ the first black dress and that kinda jacket, but I'm sure you will look beautiful no matter what you pick out. And from what I can tell, you have gorgeous hair. It's all in the hair and accessories anyway!

Can't wait to see what you pick!

[Mars]

Michelle, did you check out the dresses under the Perfect Black Dress section at Avenue? They have a nice selection.

[*vi]

Originally Posted by chellerenee

Thank you for all the opinions and suggestions! To answer some questions...the reason it has to be black is because her colors are black, cranberry, and silver. I've looked and can't find anything in the other colors, so black seems to be the easiest to find. And as far as getting a sleeveless one and wearing a wrap/shawl, I think I described what I would be wearing over it wrong. It's actually like a jacket, but it's semi sheer. It's knee length and long sleeved. I'll have Chris take a picture of me tonight after work with the jacket thing on with the dress I usually wear with it. I would just wear the one I have but it is a little tighter than it used to be so I'm not that comfortable in it anymore. Shannon, the dresses you suggested are all really cute, but not quite big enough for me. I am a very large plus size. Some stuff I can wear a 26/28, but most I have to get a 30/32, which is why I only have very few stores to chose from. If anyone wants to help me look around for more suggestions, Avenue, Catherines, and Romans are about the only stores I can find that have big enough sizes. If you can find something somewhere else that would be awesome! I also love Igigi.com, but they are realllllly expensive! Gotta go to work, but will post more tonight when I get home.

Michelle

ETA....what do ya'll think of this one?
Plus size Embellished neck sheath dress

oooh fancy I like this one, it's cute. have you tried this one on yet?