Nice color, too blah for this black-tie wedding. Weird shoulder pads. Gold buckle at the side waist that you can't see here. I did try on the print dress in the background but I forgot to take a pic of it. It was OK, but not a favorite. Pretty print, though.
Gray lace with sparklies, #1. This one has boob spillage, but I like the cap sleeves. Not a keeper.
Gray lace with sparklies #2. Better boob coverage. I finally decided against this one because many of the beads/sparklies were already literally hanging by a thread and it seemed like this dress caught on everything near it. I decided I didn't want to worry about unraveling the whole night. And now that I see both, the other one actually looks better, but I think that's just a difference in shadows/light.
Black dress (pic lightened) with ruffle tiers edged in sparklies. This one is too wide at the shoulders. A size smaller is better. LOVE this dress. It has great movement and is more waist-defining in person than it looks here or on the hanger. This one surprised me. It's a finalist so I bought it and will decide whether it's The One or if it's being returned.
Teal, what my sister and I have termed "Venetian Blind" dresses. Good fit. It's another finalist, so I bought this one for the interim.
Black surplice sequined bodice. Too hoochie. Way too scratchy. Did not buy this one.
Black lace surplice bodice.Venetian Blinds waist/skirt. A finalist, I bought this one.
Cute dress. Too casual for black tie. Too red for me. I'm making faces at my sister. ;-)
Second sparklie bodice black dress. Cute, but OMG those sequins HURT. No freakin way on this one. I bet they don't sell any to anyone who tries it on.
This makes me look like I'm actually going to be that age I'm going to be this month. Uh, no.
What a dump.
Pretty dress. But prettier on someone else. There's a lot going on there and I don't want to try to pull off all that.
Carmen Miranda called. She wants her dress back.
I did like this in the store and bought it as a finalist but the more I look at it, the less I'm liking it, although the one I bought is a size smaller and fits better in the boobage. It's not a halter back, but it would definitely require a specialized bra.
Love this dress. A smidge too tight and I'll have to sew bra straps into place or something. But get this — it was only THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS on sale. Regularly $150. I'm keeping this one no matter what I wear to the wedding. And I may end up wearing it. I'm pretty sure I'll lose another 5 lbs. before the wedding. I've lost 6+ the last couple of weeks, since I've been back on the wagon 100% instead of 95%.
And that's it. Whew! Can you tell the Venetian Blinds are a Thing this year? They're kind of weird, kind of cool. Some flatter, some are hideous, and you can't tell until you put the dress on.
I love the black dress with the ruffle tiers. It looks great and "fits" your personality!
ReplyDeleteThe ruffle dress is awesome. You have to wear that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be contrary and say I LOVE the teal dress! It looks like it would stretch and be comfy for a long wedding day. I do think the black one might be slightly more fancy -- better for black tie, though.
ReplyDeleteAlso, didn't black tie use to mean floor length gowns? Or is that white tie, which I know is more formal.
My favorite favorite favorite is the last one. Very chic and elegant and it fits you so well.
ReplyDeleteHere's another vote for the "Venetian Blind" dress, the teal one. You look FABULOUS in that one!
ReplyDeleteThe black one is cute, but it doesn't do as much for you at first glance.
That said... you know your "audience" and what kind of weather you're going to encounter. That should be the deciding issue, imo.
Have fun!!
JoyceP in WI
Venetian Blinds Dress!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe color and fit is gorgeous.
I like the red one; the colour suits you and it's great for a wedding. I also like the Venetian blind one but I think the red one is better.
ReplyDeleteIngrid
PS I don't think grey suits your colouring (could be the light in the store?) but I have warm skin tones too and grey washes me out.
PPS you are looking fabulous BTW!
Black lace surplice bodice, Venetian Blinds waist/skirt or the red venetial blinds dress. Both fabulous. The red is a dynamite color on you!
ReplyDeleteDress # 5 or # 6 both look nice on you. You have definitely lost a lot of weight.
ReplyDeleteI vote for black lace surplice bodice and the red one that you love. I love that too... you look great in them. I think I'm having that same birthday as you late this month.
ReplyDeleteI would have chosen EXACTLY the same ones you did - my stand out favourite is the teal venetian dress. LOVELY - and don't you look thin - well done.
ReplyDeleteThe teal dress looks amazing on you, Debbie. I vote for it, too! The neckline just frames your face beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYou are looking great.
ReplyDeleteI love the last dress, it looks perfect for a wedding to me.
Some of your other finalists are pretty awesome too.
Love the faces :-).
ReplyDeleteI can see why you'd love the ruffles dress, which no doubt looks great in movement, you might be up all night dancing. But I think it's too black for South Florida.. And also, imho ruffles should start below the bust, not right on it.
But the blue venitian blind is great. Very elegant, not black, perfect fit, photographs well (an important consideration for this kind of event). And would be a real pain to sew yourself, so all the more reason to buy it :-).
love you in the black one or the teal Venetian blind dress. I think?? the black one is my favorite. I don't want to be negative but I really don't care for the red one, it seems to be wearing you. I feel rude saying that, sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe faces are hilarious!! I think my fav is the black one that you bought. Also, the lace one. You look awesome! I have a black tie event in a month and am debating whether to buy or sew.
ReplyDeleteI like the teal dress as well. It is really lovely around your neckline. Next in line is the black ruffle deal and then actually, gray lace #1.
ReplyDeleteI just went through this same thing last week -- found two great dresses at great prices at Marshall's ... and am a fan of the Maggy London label ...
ReplyDeleteI'd be exhausted trying on that many dresses! You have some good ones there.
ReplyDeleteI'd be exhausted trying on that many dresses! You have some good ones there.
ReplyDeleteThe black dress looks like you and is so fun. I tried on the lace dress in your second picture for Erin's wedding, I really liked it but the girls vetoed it.
ReplyDeleteThat was fun. It felt like I was sitting in the dressing room with you. You chose some pretty dresses as finalists. Good luck with the search for the perfect one for the wedding.
ReplyDeleteThe teal Venetian blinds... neckline is flattering and the foldy detail is subtle yet very flattering. Color on the first dress really is pretty on you. Black surplice dress also has a pretty neckline. The red $35 is a keeper for sure. Looks great and again, neckline interest. What a buy. But my fave is the Venetian Blinds dress.
ReplyDeleteWow, Debbie! I've been a lurker here for many years, but I have to weigh in on these choices. The teal dress is fabulous. It caught my eye right away. The instant choice.
ReplyDeleteThe red one did also and the price is right. Both colors are fabulous on you. Black--not so much. Ususally shopping trips like this send me screaming into the night to get home to my sewing machine. But , you kept going and found some good choices.
Tracy C.
Love the faces and the comments....Your "finalists" are awesome, but I like the colours better (teal or the burgandy/red rather than the black). Looks like you had fun!
ReplyDeleteI like the teal dress but the last red-ish one is my fav for a formal event -makes you look skinny!!
ReplyDeleteAre you taking votes? I like the venetian blinds dress best on you.
ReplyDeleteI love the black ruffle tier dress! That is always a style I leave on the hanger because it just looks so dumpy, but it is so flattering on you! I'm amazed.
ReplyDeleteI also love the red one and the teal one as they really look more elegant. The others seems just too fussy. I do love the black tiered one but it just reminds me too much of the flapper girls in the 20s....ha.
ReplyDeleteLoved your mugging!
~Bev
I like the teal best. I'm not loving where the ruffles start on teh black dress. The $35 dress is terrific but I'm wondering if it's "Springy" enough for the wedding, but definitely a keeper.
ReplyDeleteWhat's best about this whole photo lineup is your awesome comments. You had me chortling throughout.
ReplyDeletePlease, please pick the black lace venetian blind dress...this one looks so great on you. And with some sexy black pumps it would be perfect!!! I also have to say you should keep the red one too because that one is nice as well! Good luck and your weight loss is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Good call by your co-workers on Dillards. It looks like you had a lot of choice, although I'm glad you left that grandmother of the bride dress behind. :) Your facial expression says it all. LOL! You may be having a big birthday but you ain't 80 yet. :) Thanks for sharing all the pics. It was fun to see how much a dress can change our appearance.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I think
ReplyDeletea. You must have the stamina of a whole frat house of young men to try on that many dresses and still be smiling about it!
b. You look amazing in the vast majority of those dresses, and the ones that weren't the best shouldn't have ever been designed in the first place.
c. the Carmen Miranda thing literally made me lol.
d. the one you chose is definitely the right one! You are going to be smashing at the wedding and I hope you have a great time!
I've been reading your blog for a few weeks, and I love it! Thanks!
A vote for the black surplice, if you're taking votes. :-) Very classy and beautiful on you.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the teal one.
ReplyDeleteI love shopping with you! Especially because you condensed it to 10 minutes and no aching back from traisping all over the mall.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments on each dress. You are really looking great Debbie, congratulations on the fruits of your efforts over the last year.
You deserve some good times :)
Hey Debbie, you look great! I like the red venetian blinds the best, followed by the teal venetian blinds. I think the red is most flattering of all. Congrats on the job and on your great progress in the weight loss. Any employer is VERY lucky (or SMART) to have your creative presence and hard-working, great attitude in the company!
ReplyDeletesewing for fun
You look amazing and gorgeous in all dress. You allot best pix of your dresses and you. I like so much black dress Its looks cute.
ReplyDeleteHi :) LOVE the black lace surplice bodice dress on you :) The last one IS a KEEPER.... You look GREAT in it :) Concerning bra straps...Add strap holders to the shoulders. I am sure there is a tutorial online somewhere. Made from thin ribbons and snaps, they keep your bra straps from PEEKING :) If you LOVE the ruffled one that you think the straps are too wide-set, you may be able to alter the neckline. Sometimes tucks in the neckline works. Difficult for me to tell without seeing it :) I alter clothing for a living :) Nice to 'meet' you :)
ReplyDelete