I'm looking for an outfit (day time wedding) that does not look like the usual ones. Size 12 to 14, budget up to $1600 if absolutely neccessary. Think DC, June, humid!
Will be in Soho in a few weeks....any ideas for shopping?

Do not try to upstage the bride. Find out what colors she wants and also what her mother is wearing and try to compliment it. Go from there.

I would never upstage the bride! Who does that?
No colors are picked, small wedding, just a little flower girl, no bridesmaids. (The bride does not mind if I also end up wearing white.)
Any shopping ideas, as in names of botiques or stores other than Bloomies, Saks, etc.?

As a wedding photographer in a previous life I can just say that white doesn't photograph that well - except on the bride even a creamy color is better...more flattering for almost everyone. It will be fun if you do share with us when you find something!

I's head to the SOHO Bloomie's! Love that store.

artbrut: are you looking for gown or for short and /or would you consider skirt of any length with a top and light jacket so you would have separates you can wear again?

I have found some lovely dresses in Searle, which has several stores in Manhattan and you can look online, although they don't have everything online and they also have trunk shows throughout the year, don't know if there is one when you are there.
I found a great dress for a summer wedding there last year.

The other store I love for wedding attire is Neiman Marcus and the Carmen Marc Valvo line or Kay Unger - CMV has lots of 'mix and match' that i have done with great skirts/tops/light jackets that I have worn for July weddings - and used the pieces separately constantly after with pants, other skirts, etc. - there is a store in nyc and you can also look online.

Sorry this isn't much help for soho, I usually find unusual earrings and shawls there, but haven't really looked for wedding type clothing, but you might find some info on dailycandy.com or on judysbook doing searches in nyc for upscale women's clothing... or in one of the zagat shopping guides too.

have fun shopping and congratulations !

I wasn't trying to say that YOU would upstage the bride. I used to work at a bridal store and some of those mothers...uggghhhh! The bride would want a simple, plain dress and the mother would buy herself a sparkly, disco ball and they just didn't go together.

Try a cocktail dress and add a dressy jacket. Many dresses that are too bare for a middle-aged mom look fantastic peeking out from under a jacket, which you can use it again in all sorts of combinations. nordstroms.com has a "dress shop" with a slew of cocktail numbers that can get you started with ideas.

"Show up, shut up and wear beige."

That's the adage I've heard. ;-)

I think simplicity is the best. I like the jacket idea. A sheath Audrey Heburn Style dress with a nice jacket. It will be HOT and you need a jacket to take off or on as necessary. As we age, lets face it our arms are not what they use to be. Ask your son/future daughter in law, what they all think. That is what I did when my step-daughter was married. I got there approval so I would feel more comfortable.

I love it when people are kind and suggest things like an A. hepburn sheath with absolutely no idea what your dress size is....shutting up and wearing biege sounds like a great idea.

The show "What Not to Wear" on TLC just made over an entire wedding party, and they put the mothers of the bride in groom in some fabulous dresses that were stylish but in no way upstaged the bride. They shopped in NYC, but not sure where, and it was a Miami wedding. The program may rerun soon.

Please excuse all my spelling mistakes! Pre-wedding jitters!
Note to self:
write on the board
"boutique" and "treat" 100 times.

I don't think you all saw this. I'm new to computers and it seems my 2nd message disappeared.
Thank you all for your suggestions! I'll check out the labels you mentioned, Escargo. I don't mind traveling the entire length of Manhattan for this adventure. There actually is a bounty posted for any one catching me in anything other than black, white, or gray! So the separates suggestions sound like a great idea. And, Patg, I hadn't thought of Nordstroms.....I will definitely try there, as one is near me in CT. The bride actually invited me to help her find her gown, which was quite a treat for the mother of sons. Thanks again to all of you who responded!

What Not to Wear is my favorite program! If it weren't so humiliating, I'd call them and report myself!

Artbrut, I love your sense of humor <<Note to self:
write on the board
"boutique" and "treat" 100 times.>>

If you don't find anything in NY, I think Nordstrom would be a great back up. I have never had a shopping expedition there that has not been successful!


p.s. Even if the bride told me if was ok for me to wear white, I still would not.

Have fun - you sound like you will be a great MIL!

Artbrut,

What a special time for you! My son just got married last Labor Day and at first I was in a panic about a dress, but my Daughter in law told me she trusted me and my taste(ahhh, she knew how to win me over)so I waited for her Mom to choose a color and length and then I chose accordingly. She wore pale yellow and I found a beautiful, elegant, sheer, flowing aqua green dress in a small bridal boutique right on the rack!!! Good luck and have a blast choosing!!!!! Oh yes, it only cost a little over $200!

I hate beige! It doesn't flatter too many complexions. (my opinion). Think tasteful and elegant and pick a color that flatters you.
My mom wore emerald green for my brother's wedding, light blue for mine, and navy blue for my other brother's. She looked fabulous each time. So, if yellow is your color, or emerald green, wear what looks good.
I would avoid white, beige, black and probably bright red.

Check out the collection by Jade.
http://www.belsoie.com/html/web1/jade_index.asp There is also a store locator on the website.

I shopped for months and finally found a dress by Jade. The quailty and fit were excellent. I spent a little more than I wanted but it was well worth it and my budget was less than 1/4 of yours. They don't have my dress anymore, but it was one of the best selling styles for 2 years. (I bought the dress almost 3 years ago) The dress in the next link is most like mine and I had it in the light blue color called moon stone http://www.belsoie.com/html/web1/jad...to1.asp?id=331

I was very lucky. The size 12 fit me perfect and I didn't have to have any alterations at all! I didn't even need any thing special for underneath...but I treated myself to a new bra & underwear

Good luck and happy shopping!

Utahtea

I totally agree with the spirit of beentheretwice. And I have beentheretwice (Mother of the Groom). Also have been to eons of friends' sons' weddings. Show up and shut up parts especially.

You don't need to go beige, go with the color that looks best on you, but try to make it a soft color- not primaries or vivids. I notice that when women do that or very formal with "sparkle" added- they don't do themselves "right".

I wore a lighter but different shade of lilac for both of my boys. Bought them right off the rack (at the last minute in one case) and it worked out more than fine. Don't overthink it. Try the stores mentioned and aim for the simplest cleanest lines, comfort, and avoid all problem wrinkle-prone or fussy materials. Jacket or no, and I avoid them but think on some they are wonderful- make sure your arms are covered, not necessarily entirely covered, but at least the tops. And if you like it and feel comfortable, can move well and easily- just go for it.

I myself think most of the very expensive dresses my friends have bought made them look stilted and uncomfortable. It's mostly the fit or material- so watch that a whole lot more than the price.