wedding guest...

[Eden]

So after many years of my friends not getting married, I have two to go to in the next few months.... and I am in a dilemma about what to wear.... the first one will be pretty informal and I'm not as worried about that one, the second is at 4pm and my husband will be best man. I was thinking about getting this dress - what do you think - good for a wedding? (it's not black under the embroidery, but dark gray)

http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/5652214/il_570xN.353789398_ntko.jpg

[Tri Girl]

I think it's beautiful!!!:D Love the detailing and the little pink touches.

[Eden]

I have tiny girls (barely fill a 34A)... I'm most worried about not actually filling in the structure completely... that can look bad if the chest is poochy - but I emailed the seller and she seemed to think I'd be OK - I gave her my chest measurement and bra size and her reply was if the bra wasn't padded I'd be OK - so it must be pretty small in the chest.

[zoom-zoom]

I love it, except for the bows...to me they scream "hey, look at my bewbs!!!" ;)

[feral1]

I love it, except for the bows...to me they scream "hey, look at my bewbs!!!" ;)

That made me giggle :p

[Eden]

I love it, except for the bows...to me they scream "hey, look at my bewbs!!!" ;)

That may be intentional since no one usually stares at little bittys like mine :rolleyes:

I might just pull the trigger on this one. I think it's formal enough, without being too fancy or fussy (no shiny, no frilly, no chiffon) and I don't think it will look too much like the bridesmaids who will all be wearing different versions of the little black dress.

[Irulan]

That is very cute. I'd lose the bows also, and instead go with a wide pink (matching) Satin ribbon tied in a bow at the waist.

[shootingstar]

Lovely dress! Yes, I have same problem of a small bust and alot of lower scoop necklines just don't fit me well. Part of problem is not just boobies, but the reality that my bone structure circumference is just small. The shoulder of the dress tends to fall off my arm: dress is often cut too wide for me...even if I got implants.

And she says that a padded bra would be a problem? Well, some padded bras are ridiculously padded, that's for sure.

[Pedal Wench]

HOw about untying the bows and criss-crossing them down to the waist? Although, on a petite woman, the bows could be adorable.

[Eden]

They don't really bother me much. I'm pretty flat chested, especially when squished in a bodiced dress, so I don't think they'd be hanging down looking like pastie tassels...... Tying then across the front is an intriguing idea if they untie. I don't think I'd want to do anything permanent. The dress is vintage and I think I'd want to preserve it.

[Tri Girl]

...so I don't think they'd be hanging down looking like pastie tassels.....

I just spit water on my computer! LOL

[Eden]

I decided to go for it. I was captivated by it from the moment I saw it and if it really doesn't fit, I'd make a bet it will hold its value just fine and not be too hard to find someone else to love it.

[Tri Girl]

yay!! Now you need to post a picture of it on you (a real body) when it arrives!

Where did you find this lovely dress, BTW?

[Aggie_Ama]

I love the dress just the way it is. On a petite woman (I think you are or at least very slim) it would look adorable. Perfect for the wedding you're describing.

[Eden]

I
yay!! Now you need to post a picture of it on you (a real body) when it arrives!

Where did you find this lovely dress, BTW?

On Etsy, it's a 50's vintage dress that appears unworn or at least very lightly worn and very well cared for. It's probably very much one of a kind - no store lable, just a name tag as though it was tailored or home sewn. There's surprisingly a lot of wearable vintage out there, though finding your size can be a challenge. I bought a 30's/40's era one (seller isn't positive of the age) too just for fun and because it was cheap $36!

[redrhodie]

That dress is awesome! I got a vintage 50s little black dress online that I love, that's a similar silhouette.

Clothes were so much nicer then.

[malkin]

... hanging down looking like pastie tassels...

Even I have enough fashion sense to know that anything that looks like pastie tassels is probably not appropriate for a wedding!

[redrhodie]

Even I have enough fashion sense to know that anything that looks like pastie tassels is probably not appropriate for a wedding!

Depends on the wedding. ;)

[jdubble]

oooh i love it! is it from xtabay (http://xtabayvintage.blogspot.com/)? it sure looks like an xtabay dress. good find!

[Eden]

The Etsy shop is pickledvintage out of California- they have a lot of really nice items. I'm not sure how they get their stock, but the store is just stuffed with really classy and really well preserved clothing. They also do a really excellent job photographing it.

[Crankin]

I'd never be able to wear that style and I'm petite. I can't wear anything with ties or those sleeves. The scooped neck, yes, but I do need help to fill that part out! I love the waist.
It's true, clothes in the 50s and 60s were so stylish. My mom always looked like a model when I was little.

[Eden]

Wow - it already arrived and it fits like it was made for me :D - and the bows do not actually sit on my boobs, they are just below about 2 ribs down under the dart :cool: The fabric is even prettier than the pictures made it look. The background is lighter and the flower embroidery has little slightly shiny black stems as well as the pink petals.

I may have it hemmed up a little. I think its a bit long for me. It seems like it should sit a little below the knee, but I'm pretty short, so it's nearly to my ankles. I'll find proper shoes first and see though.

When I get the whole ensemble together I'll take some photos.

[Tri Girl]

Yay!! Buying clothing online is risky- but it sounds like this turned out just perfect! SO glad you love it and it fits you so well! :)

[jobob]

Glad it's worked out for you, I really like the style. Retro yet elegant.

[Eden]

Being very small and hard to fit buying clothes online freaks me out.... and doubly so for something kind of expensive and non-returnable.... I'm really happy that it works. She did give very good measurements, which unlike with modern sizing were correct.

I was poking around on a site that sells new vintage inspired dresses before I found the real vintage stuff and it was amazing how many of them had notes on them that the sizing was different than the "official" sizing chart. They were at least really good and honest about it and would note that you should size up or size down, and they had a place for reviews that very brave women could post their measurement and their perspective of how the dress fit - I could immediately rule out *a lot* of them when other 34A's would say that the item looked horrible and baggy at the top.....

[Eden]

Back for more advice.... Length? (forgive the down and dirty Iphone photo...) My husband likes it as is, but I think I should have it hemmed up a bit. Right now it falls at just above my ankles, which I think is a bit long for this day and age. I'm thinking I may just ask the bride how dressy she thinks it will be - If she says very dressy I'll leave it alone, less dressy up it goes?

[Eden]

And just because I've created a bit of a monster in myself.... My husband thinks I've gone crazy - I'm not really a girly kind of girl that much, but I found this other vintage dress that I bought on a whim because it measured out as a perfect fit and was dirt cheap. I swear it is the cutest thing I may have ever worn - like ever. I think I will wear this to the other wedding, which should be pretty informal and the people who are marrying met (I'm pretty sure) swing dancing - there will be a lesson at the wedding. (again down and dirty - and sideways... Iphone photo sorry)

[snapdragen]

I think the length is perfect as is.

[PamNY]

Both are wonderful. I like the first one long, but I like long dresses.

[ttaylor508]

I think the length is perfect and really makes the dress! I would be worried if you shortened it might take something away from it. It is a beautiful dress and the style fits you perfectly!

[Artista]

And just because I've created a bit of a monster in myself.... My husband thinks I've gone crazy - I'm not really a girly kind of girl that much, but I found this other vintage dress that I bought on a whim because it measured out as a perfect fit and was dirt cheap. I swear it is the cutest thing I may have ever worn - like ever. I think I will wear this to the other wedding, which should be pretty informal and the people who are marrying met (I'm pretty sure) swing dancing - there will be a lesson at the wedding. (again down and dirty - and sideways... Iphone photo sorry)
Darling dress but I don't think the socks will work out for even a casual wedding;)

[zoom-zoom]

I love them both...and they both look like they were custom made for you!

[Antaresia]

cool, I think you should accessorize with a cool little mixte to bomb around town in XD

But really, that dress is super cute!

[2wheelr]

It is a cute dress, but here's my question (forgive the NYer in me): You mentioned that the wedding is at 4pm, and your husband is the best man, first, is it a formal wedding? If it is a formal wedding, since it's at night, you may be better served with at least a cocktail length dress, if not full length gown.

My second question is this: What color is the wedding party wearing? Will your husband be wearing a cummerbund? a vest? a bow tie? If his accents are matching the girls dresses, then you may want to get a color dress that compliments the color he is wearing. Not the same as the bridesmaids or maid of honor, but something in the color family. If he's just wearing black and white, then grey is lovely. I'm just worried that the style may be too daytime wedding, rather then evening.

[VeloVT]

That dress is so pretty and very flattering on you. I actually think it would look MORE formal if it were shorter, slightly above knee length... that length is kind of "tea length" and could really stand out in a formal setting. I think this could be done without killing the integrity and charm of the dress.