Pretty, glamorous evening gown for one time use in San Fransisco

August 13, 2013 4:48 AM

If this were a shopping tv show, this would be the most difficult challenge. I need a pretty, glamorous evening gown to destroy tomorrow night in San Fransisco (not ball gown, because those seem to be different things. Looking for slim and elegant, not poofy). Weirdo details inside.

Ok, so I like vintage, and for this purpose, it's probably the best for my needs (or consignment). I'm looking for a glamorous and pretty evening gown (this needs to be floor length, not cocktail). I look good in black, I have red hair. I prefer no patterns.

Complicating factor #1: this dress will be used one time and destroyed, so I'd like it to be under $50 if possible. And something pretty, but that I won't cry over having to destroy it.

Complicating factor #2: I'm somewhere in the middle of a size 6 and a size 4. I'm also 5'7, so vintage often doesn't fit me. Sometimes it fits beautifully.

Complicating factor #3: I need this Tuesday (8/13) by like 8pm, and I have jury duty until 5pm. I might get out early, but no counting on that. I'll be going through the downtown corridor and the Mission is a possibility.

Can this be done?

posted by twiggy32 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (10 answers total)

Considering your price constraints and the temporary nature of the gown, I'd suggest checking out some of the mall-based cheap high-fashion places, your H&M, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal, &c. Their clothing is basically designed to be disposable, so it is often dirt cheap, and you don't need to feel bad about destroying a lovely vintage piece. Finding an elegant evening gown at some of those places might be tricky, but you might luck out with post-Prom sales.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:48 AM on August 13, 2013 [2 favorites]

Mission Thrift is great store for cheaper vintage stuff. I was in there on Sunday and they have lots of full-length vintage dresses. They skew to the 60s through 80s but it's a good selection and prices are reasonable. It's on Mission at 18th or 19th.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 6:13 AM on August 13, 2013

I was in a similar bind a few years ago (ca. 2007) and the Ross on Market (downtown) saved my life. I think I spent about $40 and I still wear the dress (because the situation wasn't *that* similar! Although it sounds like we're basically the same size, fwiw). I imagine that although some years have passed, their stock of inexpensive prom-like dresses is basically the same.
posted by obliquicity at 7:02 AM on August 13, 2013

Best answer: Is there a Macy's nearby? If you look online, you can find a number of long black dresses that are pretty close to your price range (or that would be with the current sale of extra 20% off, and even better if you use coupons from online). You can check stock in nearby stores, if you have access to the net while at jury duty.
posted by dpx.mfx at 7:08 AM on August 13, 2013 [1 favorite]

obliquicity: Ross

Oh, yeah. Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx are also good possibilities, but digging through their racks may take up too much of your limited time. It will be quicker to shop the mall stores, if you really only end up having 3 hours or less.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:22 AM on August 13, 2013

Best answer: I'd hit Macy's in Union Square. Check out the Juniors section for prom dresses. They will be on clearance. See if there are any coupons around or just ask the cashier for one. They usually have them.

Here's an example of what they have for Homecoming. They're all around $99, and the 20% off coupon puts the dress in your range. Can you imagine how cheap a left over prom dress will be?

Also, check out the Formals in Misses as well.

I am 100% positive that you'll find the dress you want at Macy's. And it won't smell funny either.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:09 AM on August 13, 2013

Consignment options:

Goodbyes, or Designer Consigner, both in Laurel Heights
posted by gingerbeer at 11:43 AM on August 13, 2013

Best answer: The Macy's downtown usually has a great selection of interesting dresses in the sale section. I've found plenty of cheap oh-crap-I-have-nothing-to-wear-to-this-crazy-event-tomorrow! dresses there.

Ross is definitely a possibility, too, but check it first, not last. Sometimes a Ross trip serves up exactly what you're looking for, other times it's an exercise in frustration.
posted by rhiannonstone at 4:59 PM on August 13, 2013

So....pics? I'm curious to see what you ended up buying and the fate that befell it.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 3:02 PM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Well, Macy's ended up being just the place, but it did take a lot of looking. Their proper long dresses were way too expensive for one-time use, but it seemed like they had cleaned out a back storeroom recently, because there were so many one-off markdowns. I got impatient eventually and settled on something rather like this, but with just two front cut outs. The cut outs seemed to make it dressy enough to make up for the simple fabric. Anyway, good enough for about $30.

The ultimate fate of the dress shall have to remain a mystery, I'm afraid.
posted by twiggy32 at 7:28 PM on August 19, 2013 [1 favorite]