Dress me up in Chicago!
January 31, 2012 6:32 PM Subscribe
Need to buy a fancy evening dress. Don't want to buy a basic LBD, and want mini or knee length - not full length. Prefer a little funkier perhaps. Any suggestions where? The boutiques I frequent don't do a lot of fancy dresses, so I'm lost. Of course there are the dept stores but would love to avoid if possible.
How fancy? ModCloth stuffs can be pretty legit. I also like ASOS.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 6:34 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 6:34 PM on January 31, 2012
I always recommend this, but if you're not opposed to doing it online, Asos has great, unusual party dresses.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:35 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:35 PM on January 31, 2012
Response by poster: Forgot to explicitly mention - no time for online.
posted by dublin at 6:37 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by dublin at 6:37 PM on January 31, 2012
In Chicago... why don't you go to Betsey Johnson at Water Tower Place?
posted by devymetal at 6:42 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by devymetal at 6:42 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Rent the Runway does next day delivery to Chicago, so assuming your event is Thursday night or later, you'll be fine.
Also, I'm not sure what your definition of fancy is, but please keep in mind that any event that is fancier than cocktail attire (e.g. a black tie event) does call for a full length dress. Otherwise you're in the market for a cocktail dress. Either way, both can be easily found on RtR.
posted by telegraph at 7:05 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Also, I'm not sure what your definition of fancy is, but please keep in mind that any event that is fancier than cocktail attire (e.g. a black tie event) does call for a full length dress. Otherwise you're in the market for a cocktail dress. Either way, both can be easily found on RtR.
posted by telegraph at 7:05 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
I see a lot of this sort of thing on deal sites like Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, and to a lesser extent, Ideeli. Especially this time of year, when designers are trying to liquidate their leftover stock of dresses meant for holiday parties and New Years Eve. Though, of course, I see you don't have time to shop online. But for the future, y'know?
Also maybe check the sale section of Anthropologie.
posted by Sara C. at 7:52 PM on January 31, 2012
Also maybe check the sale section of Anthropologie.
posted by Sara C. at 7:52 PM on January 31, 2012
I don't know Chicago at all, but do check up on vintage places, if you're small enough to fit vintage sizes, and second-hand places (consignment rather than thrift): there's lots of really wonderful cocktail/party dresses that have survived the ravages of time, as women love them and they're not normally worn very much.
posted by jrochest at 8:18 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by jrochest at 8:18 PM on January 31, 2012
I actually found a really great dress for my cousin's wedding at Nordstrom Rack. It's totally hit-or-miss, but it has the added bonus of being relatively inexpensive.
posted by DoubleLune at 8:35 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by DoubleLune at 8:35 PM on January 31, 2012
If what you want is a fancy cocktail dress, and you don't want to go to Nordstrom or Lord and Taylor, let me recommend Tula, Michelle Tan, and Nicole Miller.
If you need an evening gown, can't help you with that, alas.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:54 AM on February 1, 2012
If you need an evening gown, can't help you with that, alas.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:54 AM on February 1, 2012
I have two evening dresses, both from BCBG MaxAzria. Looks like you've got two stores in Chicago. Ebay has a ton of them, too.
posted by sillymama at 8:19 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by sillymama at 8:19 AM on February 1, 2012
If you really want to stand out, go vintage! You'll be totally unique, and your dress will have history and character. Here are Yelp's listings for Chicago vintage stores. Depending on your body type, you could go for a 50s New Look, with a full skirt and wasp waist, or a slinky sheath dress, or a mod silhouette, or whatever else suits your shape!
posted by nonasuch at 8:52 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by nonasuch at 8:52 AM on February 1, 2012
Sorry forgot to mention they have quite a few locations around Chicago
posted by mlo at 1:17 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by mlo at 1:17 PM on February 1, 2012
Pssst Akira clothes are very cheaply made, and don't last. They look cute on the hanger, though.
posted by devymetal at 4:04 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by devymetal at 4:04 PM on February 1, 2012
Have you tried White House | Black Market? Despite the name, they do have non black dresses and I've really liked everything I've ever bought from there.
posted by echo0720 at 7:34 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by echo0720 at 7:34 PM on February 1, 2012
Oh, and seconding BCBG - I have a great stretchy wrap dress from there that has lasted me several years and for a while was my go to dress for attending weddings.
posted by echo0720 at 7:36 PM on February 1, 2012
posted by echo0720 at 7:36 PM on February 1, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by devymetal at 6:34 PM on January 31, 2012