A reader in NYC wears a 10/12 on the bottom and a 32J on top. She’s attending a formal (but not black tie) wedding on Sunday night and has nothing to wear. Can we relate? Unfortunately, yes! I’ve just sent around a Tweet asking for help, but I thought it’d be a good idea to check with you as well. Besides, my Yes to Dresses for D Cups and Up needs some updating for the 2014 wedding season! Did I already tell you that October is the most popular wedding month according to my own wedding photographer?
I sent her links to Holly’s amazing Shelli Segal gown from last year, proof that we MUST be willing to try things on because we just never know. If I were in her shoes (or bra!), I’d visit the dress departments of Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom, and I’d begin with David Meister and Tadashi by Shoji because they have great knits. My worse comes to worst solution would be a black knit dress with amazing accessories.
Here’s what others have suggested so far.
Sweets from SweetNothingsNYC: Bettie Page, on Bowery street. The “Alika” style is fantastic– hugs the waist, fits the boobs.
Leah: If she’s looking for pinup-style offerings (like Bettie Page), there’s also Enz’s on 2nd Ave and St. Mark’s and Slapback on Metropolitan Ave next to the BQE in Williamsburg.
@Tanya_Elena via Pinterest: Find a dressy shirt she already owns and go out and get a long ballgown style skirt to go with.
What last-minute dress options can you add? (And what would you suggest if she had weeks to find a dress?)
Being an Army wife, I have to have a couple formals in my wardrobe. Having a full chest makes this difficult. Add in that I have a very short torso, and it’s a whole world of trouble.
Empire waists and strapless are great for short torsos – less alteration to make it fit. Corseting is also your friend. It doesn’t have to be boned and hard to get on, but a little bit of lacing on the back makes it adjustable to your bustline. Also, vintage and vintage styled dresses are good for us, like the one pictured. I inherited my great-grandmother’s dress from the early 60s and it more than accommodates my bust and gives me a defined waistline, all in a sheath.
If you have time for alterations, get something that fits your bust and you can have it taken in at the waist and hips.
I agree with you, Darlene about the major department stores since she is in NYC. I have had luck with Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren brands in dresses. How about a black skirt and a fancy top?
I found myself in a similar situation a few months ago…but for my own sister’s wedding! She allowed us all to pick our own dresses, and I put it off until right before. Ay-yi-yi. I’ve found that learning how to do small alterations goes a long way…and being willing to dig through racks and spend a fair amount of time shopping. In that situation, I found a Jones New York, knit, mod-sheath-style dress (at Marshall’s! I rarely buy things full-price).
I bought the size I needed to accommodate my bust. When I got home, I put it on inside out, pinned it in underneath my bust in the front and sewed some simple darts. It took me all of 10 minutes and the dress (and photos) look great.
I realize this might not be practical advice for this upcoming weekend, but for the future learning how to do small alterations on your own can save you a lot of headaches! I love Leah and the other commenter’s suggestion of a skirt and a fancy top. That can look really sharp! 🙂