Help me find a perfect fall special-occasion dress!

August 22, 2015 10:51 AM

Having a hard time finding a dress to wear to a fall wedding.

I'm attending a wedding this fall (in a participatory role although not as a traditional bridesmaid) and I'm having a really hard time finding a dress. Everything I've seen at department stores looks so same-y, and there aren't many independent options where I live.

Here are some examples of dresses I like, and why they're not quite right.

• This one is too summery. A lot of retailers are still showing mainly summer looks for some reason.
• This one is too expensive.
• This one is too expensive, and it probably wouldn't look good on someone who's not tall.

I'm looking for something a little offbeat, maybe vintage-ish or with an interesting texture, appropriate for a dressy fall event, but with a more or less conventionally flattering shape -- no tent dresses (I'm average height and about a size 4.)

posted by Ralston McTodd to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Maybe not helpful, but... I think that first dress looks great for fall!
posted by easter queen at 10:56 AM on August 22, 2015

Best answer: Anthropologie has some really interesting cocktail and occasion dresses right now. What about something like this? If not that one, take a look at the others they have - I think several fit the vintage, interesting texture, dressy category.
posted by joan_holloway at 11:05 AM on August 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

What about this from asos? The colour and sleeves make it more Fall than Summer, and the chiffon (tulle?) and lace give a nod to bridesmaidy-but-not.
posted by billiebee at 12:03 PM on August 22, 2015

Modcloth Lady Love Song
Modcloth Deco Decadence
(Modcloth special occasion dress category)
posted by wintersweet at 12:07 PM on August 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

Seconding Modcloth. I like this abstract print dress!

Unique Vintage has tons of vintage-inspired stuff. However you linked to more flowy shapes. This flowy orange maxi dress is beautiful and can be super dressed up with fancy accessories. I also like this lace panel dress too.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:07 PM on August 22, 2015 [1 favorite]

You might like Ruche's selection.
posted by Mizu at 1:48 PM on August 22, 2015

One of the options under an 'ombre dress' search at Nordstrom; there are other, more fitted silhouettes.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:49 PM on August 22, 2015

This looks like the perfect situation for Rent The Runway.
posted by msamye at 5:52 PM on August 22, 2015 [1 favorite]