Help dress me for a wedding?

[seamonster]

We're going to BIL's wedding in October and I'm having trouble finding a dress, or at least deciding on one. I had a baby in Feb and have managed to lose all my baby weight, but I'm still, let's say pleasantly plump. Wedding is black tie optional and as DH is a groomsman he'll be in a tux. Bridesmaids are wearing long black dresses.

1) Don't want to look like a bridesmaid who didn't get the memo on what to wear, so I feel like a long black dress is out.
2) Don't want to look like a bridesmaid who wandered in to the wrong wedding
3) I'm apple-shaped and miracle weight loss isn't going to happen. Spanx will happen. 
4) I'd like to feel at least a little glam at this wedding with looking like I'm headed to prom. Also don't want to go matronly
5) Luckily my baby will be asleep and babysat by my mom so no need for nursing access
6) Aiming for less than $200 on the dress. Willing to go to $250 for something really fab
7) US or UK site doesn't matter -- I'll get it shipped either to me or the ILs and return it if it doesn't work (wedding is in the US)


Anyone want to help me?





ETA: I'm a size 16 to 18.

Also I don't know why October got autocorrected to October.

[seamonster]

I'd considered this dress, but the price was a bit much for not feeling as nice in it as I'd like. Here's a shot of me in it so you can get an idea of my body shape. I really appreciate the help.

[Deleted]

I would definitely check out Rent The Runway for something like this.

[Deleted]

I am looking on RTR right now. I've never rented from them, but people here are big fans. It looks like you can filter by body type, among lots of other things. I see lots of cute options!

[Deleted]

[pearlofwisdom]

Sept 9, 2015 10:06:08 GMT -5 @bruxannie said:

I would definitely check out Rent The Runway for something like this.

Yep, there is a section called "wedding guest." You may find something there. Now let me spiral on dresses.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Some of the dresses even have real-life users reviews and pictures of them wearing the dress, which I really like. You can find someone with a similar body type to yours and see how they looked in the dress.

[k3am]

Totally do RTR. And rely more on the "how she wore it" for ladies your shape and size over the pictures on the model. You can also reach out to a consultant for fit options and questions you have.

You should be able to get a dress in two different sizes, and a backup for significantly less than $200, or throw in some accessories and a purse.

[k3am]

Also, with a dress code of black tie optional, don't feel the need to limit yourselves to long dresses (unless you love long dresses). You can get a cocktail length dress with more embellishment and be perfectly suitable for a black tie dress code.

[seamonster]

I love RTR. I may give it another look. I think I'd be less nervous about what to wear if I wasn't going to end up in the family photos.

[eva]

HOw do you get the dress back to RTR?

[Sparkly]

Sept 9, 2015 10:20:23 GMT -5 k3am said:

Also, with a dress code of black tie optional, don't feel the need to limit yourselves to long dresses (unless you love long dresses). You can get a cocktail length dress with more embellishment and be perfectly suitable for a black tie dress code.

I agree with this. I find at most BTO weddings I've been to, more of the guests are in cocktail length than long. I guess it might depend on your area, but BTO is a pretty flexible dress code.

I really like the RTR idea, though!

[seamonster]

I could order from Macy's and then return to the store so I might check them out.

Any thoughts on these dresses?



Dress 1




Dress 2

[seamonster]

Those came out much larger than I thought they would so I'll break them up

Dress 2:



Link

[seamonster]

Dress 3:

[rosied]

I wore a dress like the one you posted above (dress three) for my SILs wedding and it was very flattering and comfortable. I loooove that plum color.

[joy]

I really like the second purple dress!

The red one is nice, too! I would just use some fashion tape to keep those pieces of cloth together at my boob area. I don't like it being split all the way down to my belly button.

[seamonster]

Sept 9, 2015 12:15:34 GMT -5 @juliagulia said:

This dress makes me swoon, but I do like a romantic style that is not everyone's cup of tea.

m.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-plus-size-embellished-one-shoulder-gown?ID=2258414

It is really pretty.

I'm spiraling on RTR. If I don't get something for the wedding from there, I'll probably get something for the rehearsal dinner.

[angelashly]

I like all of them that you have posted. I think I would go with one of the purple because I love the color.

[helenahhandbasket]

OP the red dress is gorge

[Sparkly]

I like the red dress and the first purple one (strapless).

[Emmentaler]

Sept 9, 2015 11:29:44 GMT -5 privacy said:

Sept 9, 2015 11:06:28 GMT -5 eva said:

HOw do you get the dress back to RTR?

It comes with either a shipping pouch or a shippable garment bag.  Pop the dress bag in and stick it in any UPS drop box by noon the day of your return.

I am a huge RTR fan.  It has saved my bacon on multiple occasions. 

I love RTR too.  So easy!

[Emmentaler]

Sept 9, 2015 12:02:28 GMT -5 @juliagulia said:

I like the red one and the second purple one.

+1

[Deleted]

I'm literally in the same situation as you, only in October. I need to find a dress, stat. Check out Badgley Mischka on RTR there's some similar styles to what you posted in the $70-80 range.

[seamonster]

Sept 9, 2015 17:22:29 GMT -5 @orangcrush said:

I'm literally in the same situation as you, only in October. I need to find a dress, stat. Check out Badgley Mischka on RTR there's some similar styles to what you posted in the $70-80 range.

Maybe it's the same wedding (somehow October got autocorrected to December).

[snowbigdeal]

Sept 9, 2015 11:44:37 GMT -5 seamonster said:

I could order from Macy's and then return to the store so I might check them out.

Any thoughts on these dresses?



Dress 1




Dress 2

LOVE the red, if you have the tits to pull it off.

[snowbigdeal]

Sept 9, 2015 12:15:34 GMT -5 @juliagulia said:

This dress makes me swoon, but I do like a romantic style that is not everyone's cup of tea.

m.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-plus-size-embellished-one-shoulder-gown?ID=2258414

And love this one too!

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2015 22:51:53 GMT -5 seamonster said:

Sept 9, 2015 17:22:29 GMT -5 @orangcrush said:

I'm literally in the same situation as you, only in October. I need to find a dress, stat. Check out Badgley Mischka on RTR there's some similar styles to what you posted in the $70-80 range.

Maybe it's the same wedding (somehow October got autocorrected to December).

Then we would be related her bridesmaids dresses are dark blue which is my go to color!

[angelashly]

Sept 9, 2015 22:50:17 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

Something like this would be flattering on an apple shape m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/city-chic-lace-neck-brocade-dress-plus-size/3903925?origin=category&BaseUrl=All+Plus-Size+Clothing

I love this. I want it, but i would never have anywhere to wear it.