Do adult women shop at Charlotte Russe too or will I look silly?
June 6, 2013 1:38 PM Subscribe
I am 37 and shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding in June. My adorable 18 year old babysitter wore a dress to a party the other day that I loved. She bought it at Charlotte Russe.
Except, well, I'm 37 and she's 18.
It's a Maxi-type dress and doesn't look too "young" to me, but am I kidding myself? It looked both comfortable and the mix of casual-dressy I was looking for.
It's this dress. Cuter in person.
If not, where should I look for dresses more my age group?
Looks good to me, but then I don't think of 37 as very old. The only part that would give me pause, depending on your body, is how short the under dress is. Anyway to lengthen it? Or add a panel to get rid of some of the slit in the outer dress?
If you have kick-ass legs, though, I'd show them off if I were you!
disclaimer: I am not fashionable.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:43 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you have kick-ass legs, though, I'd show them off if I were you!
disclaimer: I am not fashionable.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:43 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
You can look all sorts of "grown up" places and find similar dresses, but probably not any for $23 bucks. If you can pull it off (it is of a style that I, ten years younger than you, could most definitely not pull off) more power to you.
A few years ago they had a window display here in Chicago that had some weird goth lingerie thing going on, which seems a bit age inappropriate for a teenager, so who knows what ages they actually cater to.
Go try it on. If anyone gives you funny looks tell them to kiss your ass. If it fits and you like it, buy it. Win.
posted by phunniemee at 1:43 PM on June 6, 2013
A few years ago they had a window display here in Chicago that had some weird goth lingerie thing going on, which seems a bit age inappropriate for a teenager, so who knows what ages they actually cater to.
Go try it on. If anyone gives you funny looks tell them to kiss your ass. If it fits and you like it, buy it. Win.
posted by phunniemee at 1:43 PM on June 6, 2013
If you don't mind incredibly shoddy quality, and you plan to wear it once, I'm sure it would be okay.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:44 PM on June 6, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 1:44 PM on June 6, 2013 [10 favorites]
Yea i think it looks like a sort of cheap dress for a wedding but I also don't think 37 is that "old" in terms of clothes, though I know lots of people do.
posted by sweetkid at 1:45 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 1:45 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think its fine if you want to shop at Charlotte Russe. My mom sometimes picks up stuff at Aeropostale and American Eagle and shes way past 40.
As for THAT dress in particular...please no. Try either one of these:
BR Milly Collection Colorblock Pleated Patio Dress
BR Milly Collection Banana-Leaf Print Dress
posted by driedmango at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013
As for THAT dress in particular...please no. Try either one of these:
BR Milly Collection Colorblock Pleated Patio Dress
BR Milly Collection Banana-Leaf Print Dress
posted by driedmango at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013
With that dress, I think it's less about age and more about having the body to pull it off.
posted by jingzuo at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by jingzuo at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
My guess is that your babysitter is adorable, period, and that that is why the dress looked nice. The style is cheap, the dress is cheap.
posted by kmennie at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by kmennie at 1:46 PM on June 6, 2013 [8 favorites]
I have less of a problem with the age difference than I do with the fact that the stuff at those stores is made so poorly, which 1) means it won't last very long, and more importantly in this case 2) I've found that as I get older, I just cannot wear cheap stuff anymore because the fit is never as good (i.e. most younger, tighter, fitter bodies can just get away with wearing cheap stuff that's not tailored well--a sad reality!) If you want this kind of look in a more age-appropriate version that will probably be somewhat better quality, look somewhere like Anne Taylor or Anne Taylor LOFT (the latter, especially, has done a really good job of appropriating trends without making stuff that looks like it's for teenagers--and they have good sales all the time). This also seems like the kind of thing you could find somewhere like Nordstrom Rack pretty easily (and without having to spend too much).
posted by lovableiago at 1:47 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by lovableiago at 1:47 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It looked both comfortable and the mix of casual-dressy I was looking for.
It looks straight-up casual to me. If you want casual-dressy please keep looking.
posted by payoto at 1:47 PM on June 6, 2013 [11 favorites]
It looks straight-up casual to me. If you want casual-dressy please keep looking.
posted by payoto at 1:47 PM on June 6, 2013 [11 favorites]
As for where to look - are there any good consignment or upscale thrift stores in your area? They always have tons of dresses IME, because people tend to buy them for a special occasion and get rid of them after one or two wearings. And because there are so many the prices tend to be really good. I have seen Vince, DVF, Corey Lynn Calter dresses at my local consignment shop for less than $23.
posted by payoto at 1:50 PM on June 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by payoto at 1:50 PM on June 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
I regularly wear sweat pants to work and that dress is too casual for me to wear to a wedding anywhere other than on a beach. If it's the style that appeals to you then the Anthropologie suggestion above is a good one. If it's the price, though, then I'd go for something without the weird crotch-exposing front slit.
posted by elizardbits at 1:52 PM on June 6, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 1:52 PM on June 6, 2013 [9 favorites]
Shop wherever you want, honestly, just go in act like you belong there and don't take shit. Style and quality is up to you. If you think you can wear it and you think it's appropriate, do it.
Keep in mind though, in general (not always) the less you pay the cheaper it was to make and the crappier the quality.
posted by edgeways at 1:55 PM on June 6, 2013
Keep in mind though, in general (not always) the less you pay the cheaper it was to make and the crappier the quality.
posted by edgeways at 1:55 PM on June 6, 2013
Nthing that a maxi dress is fine, but that dress is way too casual for anything but a the most casual beach or backyard wedding. Check Banana Republic, Anthropologie (they can have great sales), Ann Taylor/LOFT, ModCloth, or Ruche.
(Also nthing that 37 is not old.)
posted by scody at 1:58 PM on June 6, 2013
(Also nthing that 37 is not old.)
posted by scody at 1:58 PM on June 6, 2013
No Charlotte Russe! (or Forever 21 or Wet Seal or anyone who charges that little for a 'nice' dress) They use sweatshop labor: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/12/federal-sweep-of-downtown-garment-businesses-finds-widespread-violations.html
My friend works for Ella Moss and they have great casual-dressy dresses, and I know for a fact they are made in the USA and sweatshop free..of course, that means not cheap..
http://www.ellamoss.com/store/productslist.aspx?categoryid=104&PageNo=0
posted by hellameangirl at 2:01 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
My friend works for Ella Moss and they have great casual-dressy dresses, and I know for a fact they are made in the USA and sweatshop free..of course, that means not cheap..
http://www.ellamoss.com/store/productslist.aspx?categoryid=104&PageNo=0
posted by hellameangirl at 2:01 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Cheapo options that resemble that dress but are, I think, nicer:
one
two
posted by showbiz_liz at 2:02 PM on June 6, 2013
one
two
posted by showbiz_liz at 2:02 PM on June 6, 2013
I am also very casual (my work "uniform" these days is jeans, t-shirt and Toms canvass shoes) and I think the print on that dress is too casual for a wedding. Sorry, I feel your pain. Finding a good dress for a wedding is HARD!
posted by lunasol at 2:03 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by lunasol at 2:03 PM on June 6, 2013
I vote no on the Charlotte Russe dress. If you wear that dress it will look as if you are trying too hard. It's too trendy, cheap, and borders on the vulgar.
Maxi dresses are hard to pull off in my opinion. A lot of people think they are easy, but I think they can look like shapeless nightgowns. (Although the belted Banana Republic version linked above is a millions times more tasteful) Also, if you have a big bum, maxi dresses are not a good look, in my opinion.
You might find something here:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-guest-dresses?campaign=0603hpstory2&origin=hp
posted by Fairchild at 2:04 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maxi dresses are hard to pull off in my opinion. A lot of people think they are easy, but I think they can look like shapeless nightgowns. (Although the belted Banana Republic version linked above is a millions times more tasteful) Also, if you have a big bum, maxi dresses are not a good look, in my opinion.
You might find something here:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-guest-dresses?campaign=0603hpstory2&origin=hp
posted by Fairchild at 2:04 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Even if you were 23, I thnk I would tell you -- find a less casual dress for a wedding. To me that dress looks like something you'd wear as a coverup at the beach.
posted by Asparagus at 2:08 PM on June 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Asparagus at 2:08 PM on June 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: The problem with buying clothes at junior stores (like Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, etc) is that a lot of it is cut for "junior" bodies (no hips, no boobs, no fat anywhere), and that cheap fabric is not forgiving if you're a little more "womanly". I still enjoy such items every now and again for funsies, but I think it might be a little too much for a wedding.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:08 PM on June 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:08 PM on June 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
I agree that the issue is less your age and more the style of the dress.
If you're looking for something inexpensive, try JCPenney. It always surprises me in emergency dress-needing situations.
posted by something something at 2:09 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you're looking for something inexpensive, try JCPenney. It always surprises me in emergency dress-needing situations.
posted by something something at 2:09 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I have shopped at Charlotte Russe before, and I find most of their clothes to be of scratchy, cheap material, and also they smell kind of nasty. Maxi dresses are pretty popular right now, if thats a style want, you could find a nicer one pretty much anywhere you look.
posted by florencetnoa at 2:10 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by florencetnoa at 2:10 PM on June 6, 2013
I don't have an issue with shopping at Charlotte Russe when you're 37. I'm 31 years old and one of my current favorite summer dresses was about $17 at Forever 21. But the crotch slit made me go "yikes!" What do you like about the dress? That you saw someone cute wearing it? The maxi-ness? The price? The one-shoulder? I'd encourage you to check out high-low (AKA mullet) dresses - similar effect as the crotch slit but less shocking.
As for specific suggestions, I like this dress - it's a maxi but it looks classy. I also just got this dress and am cautiously optimistic about it. I've also been eying this little black dress - I don't know if black is inappropriate for a wedding but I feel like you cannot go wrong with that style.
posted by kat518 at 2:13 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
As for specific suggestions, I like this dress - it's a maxi but it looks classy. I also just got this dress and am cautiously optimistic about it. I've also been eying this little black dress - I don't know if black is inappropriate for a wedding but I feel like you cannot go wrong with that style.
posted by kat518 at 2:13 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm 29, buy most of my clothes at forever21 (granted, it's mostly leggings and tank tops and such), and I think that dress is a little . . . well, trashy. It reminds me of the cheap clothes we bought at Joyce Leslie in middle school.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:29 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:29 PM on June 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
As a mid-30s woman, I recently bought this hi-low maxi dress that has a similar sort of a feel, but is lined silk with pockets and looks like a dress an adult would wear. I definitely wouldn't wear the dress you linked to a wedding, the slit is odd, and it reads cheap and incredibly casual to me.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 2:31 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Nimmie Amee at 2:31 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm 36 and I'm all for buying inexpensive maxi dresses wherever you can find them, but that dress is hideous. That slit, and that under-dress-slip thing? Yuck. It's like for a 13 year old trying to be sexy, I'm surprised an 18 year old looked good in it!
One of these (if you replaced the belt with a better, wider belt, and wore the right shoes) could work for a super-casual wedding. Lots of options here too, though not as cheap.
I think showbiz_liz's links would work too.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
One of these (if you replaced the belt with a better, wider belt, and wore the right shoes) could work for a super-casual wedding. Lots of options here too, though not as cheap.
I think showbiz_liz's links would work too.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mango has some cute maxi dresses, some of which are definitely more dressy/wedding appropriate.
posted by elizardbits at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
The slit skirt is way too much, especially for a wedding. I agree that you go should for better quality and a more sophisticated/less naive design.
posted by Miko at 2:40 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by Miko at 2:40 PM on June 6, 2013
Yeah, the issue isn't Charlotte Russe, it's that dress. Don't do it. I know a number of folks who are planning to wear jeans to my wedding, and that dress would STILL be too casual. The one-shoulder thing, the giant slit, even that sort of watered-down peachy pattern...no.
Nthing Loft (so cute!), which is where I buy about 80% of my wardrobe these days.
There's also this gorgeous maxi dress at The Limited. It's still floaty and summery, but way more age- and event-appropriate.
If the low price point is appealing, there's always Old Navy, which appears to have about seventy different maxi dresses at around $30.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 2:49 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Nthing Loft (so cute!), which is where I buy about 80% of my wardrobe these days.
There's also this gorgeous maxi dress at The Limited. It's still floaty and summery, but way more age- and event-appropriate.
If the low price point is appealing, there's always Old Navy, which appears to have about seventy different maxi dresses at around $30.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 2:49 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
That high-low mullet style dress always looks ridiculously young to me. I live at the beach and I see that style of dress on high school and college age women.
Even if you have a fabulous body with toned arms and great legs the combo of cheap quality and low-end style probably isn't the look you want at a wedding.
posted by 26.2 at 2:57 PM on June 6, 2013
Even if you have a fabulous body with toned arms and great legs the combo of cheap quality and low-end style probably isn't the look you want at a wedding.
posted by 26.2 at 2:57 PM on June 6, 2013
The thing I've noticed about juniors' clothing is they often cram too many trendy details into one piece. With that dress, the front slit is what pushes it over the line. Without the slit, I think it could be wedding appropriate (though I'd have to see it in person to make the final call).
I've found some gems at Charlotte Russe/Forever 21/etc., but they're not terribly common.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:02 PM on June 6, 2013
I've found some gems at Charlotte Russe/Forever 21/etc., but they're not terribly common.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:02 PM on June 6, 2013
fwiw, around that dress would qualify as dressy/casual. It really depends on your region.
posted by small_ruminant at 3:07 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by small_ruminant at 3:07 PM on June 6, 2013
I think the problem is there's way too much exposure and sheerness going on; not just for a 37-year-old, but for anybody. One-shoulder plus ultra-high slit plus transparent polyester is no a good wedding look. I don't know from Charlotte Russe, but if you can get a dress there for as Otto as $23, there must be something a bit classier for well under $50? Good luck!
posted by Salamander at 3:32 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Salamander at 3:32 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I agree it’s probably not the age, but the specific dress. For one, I think the one shoulder thing is really hard for most, nearly all, people to pull off. No pun intended.
posted by bongo_x at 3:34 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by bongo_x at 3:34 PM on June 6, 2013
I would not wear that to any but the most casual wedding. And even in that situation, I'd worry that with the one shoulder and the slit, it would be too revealing.
That said, I'm a relatively conservative dresser.
That said, I'm 32 and still shop at Forever 21.
posted by Sara C. at 3:35 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
That said, I'm a relatively conservative dresser.
That said, I'm 32 and still shop at Forever 21.
posted by Sara C. at 3:35 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
About seven or eight years ago, I bought a sleeveless dress/jacket combo at JC Penny for a summer wedding. It was in the business clothing section, if they have that anymore. With the short sleeve jacket, it looks like something you'd wear to the office, but without the jacket it was more casual but the material was good enough quality to wear to a wedding.
I see maxi dresses in Kohls all the time, and at one time they had some knit dresses that were super comfortable and went well with either sandals or dress shoes.
posted by rakaidan at 3:37 PM on June 6, 2013
I see maxi dresses in Kohls all the time, and at one time they had some knit dresses that were super comfortable and went well with either sandals or dress shoes.
posted by rakaidan at 3:37 PM on June 6, 2013
I really like Coldwater Creek. They've got some pretty maxi dresses here and I think this one would be especially nice at a wedding.
posted by angiep at 3:39 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by angiep at 3:39 PM on June 6, 2013
Coldwater Creek's things always look matronly to me. Or midwestern or something. Very conservative!
posted by small_ruminant at 3:41 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by small_ruminant at 3:41 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
with the high slit up the front i definitely would not wear that to a wedding. i would feel really uncomfortable with the focal point of the dress being my crotch. express has fairly inexpensive maxi dresses. i like the last two on this page altho the quality isn't terribly great. anthro is probably your best bet.
posted by wildflower at 3:44 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by wildflower at 3:44 PM on June 6, 2013
you're not too old to wear something like that, but the only wedding I think you could wear it to would be a beach wedding - is it on a beach? if so, go for it!
the shoes they pair it with are too busy, though. Simple sandals or flats and a wide belt that matches the peach lining of the dress are what you'd want to go with it. And, yea, what everyone else is saying, it's not a well made dress; cheap fabric, and the hem and waistline are sewn very clunkily (which is why you'd want to smooth out the waist with a wide belt)
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:49 PM on June 6, 2013
the shoes they pair it with are too busy, though. Simple sandals or flats and a wide belt that matches the peach lining of the dress are what you'd want to go with it. And, yea, what everyone else is saying, it's not a well made dress; cheap fabric, and the hem and waistline are sewn very clunkily (which is why you'd want to smooth out the waist with a wide belt)
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:49 PM on June 6, 2013
Best answer: Part of the charm of the dress that the OP linked to is the one-shoulder, and a lot of these are two shoulder, and extremely deep-cut as well. For me, deep cut is even less modest and more logistically difficult as far as finding a bra, etc, than high-slits are.
Now I'm looking around at one shoulder dresses. This one's neat! But probably too white for a wedding, and the pattern isn't similar to the one you like. Now that I'm looking, there are a LOT of very pretty white-based ones. White-base is still not okay for a wedding, though, right?
posted by small_ruminant at 3:49 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Now I'm looking around at one shoulder dresses. This one's neat! But probably too white for a wedding, and the pattern isn't similar to the one you like. Now that I'm looking, there are a LOT of very pretty white-based ones. White-base is still not okay for a wedding, though, right?
posted by small_ruminant at 3:49 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Here's one. Most of the cute ones I'm finding are $400+ :(
posted by small_ruminant at 3:55 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by small_ruminant at 3:55 PM on June 6, 2013
I think it's super cute and super cheap. If you try it on and love it then go for it!
posted by pintapicasso at 3:56 PM on June 6, 2013
posted by pintapicasso at 3:56 PM on June 6, 2013
Yeah, but part of my objection (and probably others' too) IS the one-shoulder. It's not a good look on most people - like, even the model in the photo has some armpit chub hanging out. Armpit chub is, of course, a fact of life, but a lot of us like to keep it in check (especially at weddings, where there will be eight zillion photos taken). Especially when the strapless shoulder is held up with elastic - it's bad news. It also looks kind of try-hard, especially on women who are no longer in college. That peacock dress is really cool, but I can't imagine a real, non-celebrity person wearing it.
Part of this is that rule where you pick a part of your body to expose - if you're going strapless or one-shoulder (or a really deep v-neck), you may not want to show your legs alllll the way to your upper thighs. With an unusual neckline, like a one-shoulder thing, I'd want the rest of the dress to be pretty chill - a solid color or subtle pattern, regular hemline, and decent fabric. Even jersey! Still super comfy, but also a real fabric.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:01 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Part of this is that rule where you pick a part of your body to expose - if you're going strapless or one-shoulder (or a really deep v-neck), you may not want to show your legs alllll the way to your upper thighs. With an unusual neckline, like a one-shoulder thing, I'd want the rest of the dress to be pretty chill - a solid color or subtle pattern, regular hemline, and decent fabric. Even jersey! Still super comfy, but also a real fabric.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 4:01 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I see people pull of the one-shoulder thing all the time, and they aren't models.
I also tend to subscribe to the "expose the top OR the bottom but not both" notion, but I think it would be really easy to find a pretty peach or coral or whatever slip to wear under the original dress.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:03 PM on June 6, 2013
I also tend to subscribe to the "expose the top OR the bottom but not both" notion, but I think it would be really easy to find a pretty peach or coral or whatever slip to wear under the original dress.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:03 PM on June 6, 2013
The super high slit is the first thing that jumped out at me. It would be fine for the beach or poolside, but way over the line of tacky and inappropriate for a wedding. It's too provocative, and communicates that you're either incapable of dressing yourself adequately, or trying to garner attention, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to be that woman at the wedding. The washed out, busy print is far too casual for a wedding as well. The bit of lining peeking out is perplexing...not sure if it's supposed to show or not, but it's not a plus.
I'm turning 30 and Forever 21 is where I've found some of my favorite things. I've even found blouses and pencil skirts there that were nice enough to wear to work, similar to H&M in quality. But you can't walk into Forever 21 and buy just anything. You still have to hunt around, look things over carefully, and have a good eye to spot the items worth buying because there's such a huge variance in quality.
Charlotte Russe is a step down even from Forever 21, in my opinion. The clothing is more cheaply and shoddily made, and while Forever 21 has several different labels targeting different demographics (the Love 21 line has more classic and conservative cuts and styles, muted colors, and the clothing is a little pricier and a little better quality), Charlotte Russe seems to target only the tween/teen set. I would steer clear of Charlotte Russe entirely and go with the more upmarket suggestions in this thread.
posted by keep it under cover at 4:09 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm turning 30 and Forever 21 is where I've found some of my favorite things. I've even found blouses and pencil skirts there that were nice enough to wear to work, similar to H&M in quality. But you can't walk into Forever 21 and buy just anything. You still have to hunt around, look things over carefully, and have a good eye to spot the items worth buying because there's such a huge variance in quality.
Charlotte Russe is a step down even from Forever 21, in my opinion. The clothing is more cheaply and shoddily made, and while Forever 21 has several different labels targeting different demographics (the Love 21 line has more classic and conservative cuts and styles, muted colors, and the clothing is a little pricier and a little better quality), Charlotte Russe seems to target only the tween/teen set. I would steer clear of Charlotte Russe entirely and go with the more upmarket suggestions in this thread.
posted by keep it under cover at 4:09 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Adult women can and do shop at Charlotte Russe, but that specific dress is far too casual for even the most relaxed wedding. With so many design elements going on (esp. the peek-a-boo crotch, yikes!) it skews really informal, and I fear you'd end up looking and feeling really under-dressed.
Speaking as someone who loves a maxi dress almost as much as I love a bargain, this is less an issue of age than of occasion. I encourage you to continue your search!
posted by Space Kitty at 4:40 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Speaking as someone who loves a maxi dress almost as much as I love a bargain, this is less an issue of age than of occasion. I encourage you to continue your search!
posted by Space Kitty at 4:40 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you like the maxi length, but want the slit, maybe try something with double slits, like this TopShop dress. It's still pretty casual, though.
I tend to agree with everyone that various things about the dress you've linked make it way too casual for pretty much every wedding I've ever been to or heard about, regardless of whether or not it's too "young" for you.
I think for a wedding, you need a more sophisticated fabric, less juvenile detailing, and more demure than something you'd find at Charlotte Russe, even if it's bare or even if the print skews casual. But hey, if you've got casual drinks on a patio in your future, buy the dress anyway, if you like how it looks on you.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:51 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I tend to agree with everyone that various things about the dress you've linked make it way too casual for pretty much every wedding I've ever been to or heard about, regardless of whether or not it's too "young" for you.
I think for a wedding, you need a more sophisticated fabric, less juvenile detailing, and more demure than something you'd find at Charlotte Russe, even if it's bare or even if the print skews casual. But hey, if you've got casual drinks on a patio in your future, buy the dress anyway, if you like how it looks on you.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:51 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
No dear. And I can't really shop at Lane Bryant any more either.
It's the quality, which is nil. The style, which is too hard to pull off.
You should go to a place with pretty docks and try some on.
My rule is: if I have to ask, the answer is no.
I'm sure you'll find something lovely.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:55 PM on June 6, 2013
It's the quality, which is nil. The style, which is too hard to pull off.
You should go to a place with pretty docks and try some on.
My rule is: if I have to ask, the answer is no.
I'm sure you'll find something lovely.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:55 PM on June 6, 2013
If you live anywhere near an outlet mall, I highly recommend a BCBG outlet for dresses. This satisfies 80% of my formalwear needs, often at 70% off their original sale price, if you time your sales correctly.
Pro tip: many outlet malls offer mall wide coupons for AAA members as well if you hit the service desk.
posted by slateyness at 10:36 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Pro tip: many outlet malls offer mall wide coupons for AAA members as well if you hit the service desk.
posted by slateyness at 10:36 PM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you everyone - it's a truly awful picture of the dress on the website, it's a lot less exposing in person, as the underskirt actually comes down not too far above the knee on a person, but yeah, it might not be quite right. It's a very casual beachy wedding, but I will keep looking.
Thank you for all the links, finding some great alternatives and good ideas of where to look. I LOVE the peacock dress, if I could get it here in time that would be it for me!
posted by mazienh at 10:40 AM on June 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thank you for all the links, finding some great alternatives and good ideas of where to look. I LOVE the peacock dress, if I could get it here in time that would be it for me!
posted by mazienh at 10:40 AM on June 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You may not believe me, but Dress Barn has some really cute dresses. I mean, the worst store name on earth, but great, inexpensive dresses. And I'm the same age as you, FWIW. Okay, 38. (Got this one for my 20th high school reunion. I know it's not the style you're looking at. But it's cute.)
posted by pyjammy at 12:51 PM on June 7, 2013
posted by pyjammy at 12:51 PM on June 7, 2013
Response by poster: Dress Barn - never thought of it, but there is one near me, and some very cute options on their website. Thank you!!
posted by mazienh at 6:52 PM on June 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mazienh at 6:52 PM on June 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:42 PM on June 6, 2013 [6 favorites]