Please educate me in "little black dresses"
 

Our xmas party this year is semi-formal.

The thought of buying a dress for this is almost worse than buying pants.

I have no idea what to look for or where to go. I don't want to spend a small fortune either.

I have just below the knee black boots that I could wear or black closed toe open back (with a strap) sandles or pink strappy sandles.

Help?

I would suggest checking out Banana Republic and Ann Taylor. They both are stores that regularly have dresses. BR has stuff right now for holiday party-wear.

Well, first they're black. Second, they're little.

Which is why I refuse to conform and continue to wear pants. Nice silk pants with strappy sandals and a suitably dressy top, but pants nonetheless.

Little Black Dresses only have to be little if you're little. I own at least three LBDs and I'm probably the most plus-sized lady on the board. Sorry, though, all my LBDS come from Lane Bryant and Torrid, so I'm not much help.

I'd echo the Banana Republic suggestion, as they always have nice dresses there. Check out Forever 21, too, I hear they have reasonable cute stuff.

Banana has about 10 different styles of LBD that are fantastic. The red dress I wore to T's wedding was a BR dress and they have several very similar in dresses black.

Thank you!

While I'd much prefer pants, from what I am hearing everyone wears dresses to this thing.

I'll check out BR.

Sorry dear, but I can only get you out of a little black dress. Someone else is gonna have to help get you into one.

tequila!

Tequila makes my clothes fall off!






(and for everyone other than KatieSue, it's a song reference, so don't go gettin your hopes up)

Other good places to check might be Nordstrom Rack, Loehmans (I got a great LBD there a while ago for way cheap), and if you have a BR outlet near you - the one I go to is in Carlsbad.

Oh and Ann Taylor loft, same kinds of things as at Ann Taylor but cheaper pricing. Also I've gotten a few really good deals at Ann Taylor online.

Don't get stuck inside the box. "Semi-formal" allows for more than the little black dress (yawn).

That's a fair assertion. Little red dresses are perfectly lovely, as are little blue ones and classy chartreuse ones. Still, semi-formal calls out for a dress or a skirt, probably.

I only own two dresses - my Jessica Rabbit one and my French Maid's costume. I think it's time I buy something more appropriate and functional. I am not opposed to other colors either, and I want something that isn't "in the box".

My list so far is:

Nana Republic
Black House White Market
Macy's

Problem is they are so expensive :( I do not want to pay $100+ for a dress.

You can always get something plainer, and hopefully cheaper, and dress it up with different jewlrey or a sweater. That way you can get more use out of it.

The nice thing about buying a great LBD is that it will last you for YEARS. They tend to be more classic and will serve you long and hard. Same goes for little colored dresses - as long as they are not a print. Prints have a shorter shelf life. Not that you are not allowed to wear something unfashionable, but a classic LBD will last for years.

The other nice thing is that you can dress it up or down in many different ways. A LBD does not have to be boring at all. It depends on how creative you are wih your accessories. But, I'm a BIG basic classics and fun accessories.

There's always the Salvation Army. Never know what you'll find!

Ugg. Thanks for the reminder. I need to find something for our Christmas party. I'd LOVE to buy a little black dress, but differing sizes on top and bottom (by more than just a little) make that tough. Oh well, I'll probably end up with a black skirt I already own with a cute (hopefully) sparkly top.

My preferred method of dealing with the holiday party dress code is to skip the party entirely.

It's been a long time since I've worn a little black dress...

...but you know should you have to, you could whip that little number out of your closet and leave men faint at your path.

Ok, I need to wear contacts when I'm online. I read, "whipe that little number out of your pants and leave men faint in your path." Different meaning entirely! Need more sleep...

Must be the porn

This may not please the fashionistas - but try Sears. I've bought 2 black party dresses over the last few years there. The selection was pretty good and so were the prices.

I'm a plus sized gal though so YMMV.

If you want good deals, you might try bluefly.com. You won't be able to try it on ahead of time though. I found this one that looks nice.

This also may not please the fashionistas but when I've had to find dresses for parties like yours, BTD, I go to Ross. I also used to avoid the parties to avoid the hassle of buying formal/semi-formal wear.

I have picked up my LBD, my long BD, and more for under $20 each. The clothes they have are the same they sell at the other stores but reduced. And, since these dresses are 'timeless' you aren't getting last seasons dress, just paying a lot less.

But, have patience with the crowds. Everyone is looking for that perfect dress for the perfect price and a lot of them drag their crying kids with them. THAT is what I don't like. But, it can be worth it. Sort of like factory shopping {but I don't remember kids there....}

Stay focused if you decide to shop at Ross...you are on a mission, don't let the opposition sway you....:evil:

Ooo, wow, steph, that is a beautiful dress....

Ok,

Ross
BR
Black House, White Market (though I think they are super expensive)
Macy's

I hate shopping :(

I hate shopping when I actually need something. I end up bitting the bullit and going to a place where i KNOW I will find something.

Ya, that's going be my problem. I wonder how many pairs of shoes I'll come home with.

Nordstroms has a couple of good basics on sale.

This one is chocolate.

Add a sparkley necklace and a silk/cashmere wrap and some strappy shoes and your dressed for evening.

This one comes on Red, Black or Blue. Not as classic, but workable.

I really like the chocolate one. It has LOTS os possabilities for dressing up or down. Wear with boots and tights for day or casual evening, add a great sweater for shrug, VERY classic but professional - and timeless.

You want to wear something more than just shoes.

Does that mean for KatieSue, that tequila WILL make your clothes fall off?

Now I REALLY have my hopes up!

Susan gets a catalog from The Pyramid Collection. May not be what you are looking for (a bit pricey), but they have some very cool stuff:





This one is only $60:




And lots more

Um, that black and purple, bustierre-top number is tres yum.



.

If you feel daring, you could go in this sexy little number:



Susan wants this one:



Also, the catalog has some tres cool capes:



Lastly: one more that I really like:

Yup. That's exactally what I mean. ;)











the smilie is a link

Straight men do NOT understand clothing threads. She didn't say she wants a gown, she wants a little black dress! :rolleyes: ;)

Those dresses are cool though

But, it's KEVY! ;)

And my comment was not based on Marla's Xmas party needs, but rather on a dress I found wowza.


(And, yeah, I'm not exactly a straight guy either).



In fact, I think Kevy and I are the only males to have posted in this thread ... so I don't understand C.P.'s post at all. :p

Chris, Mark and Matt all posted as well.

ok, then ... yeah, a couple of them are straight.





.

Hey... I'm mostly straight.

As someone who goes to a LOT of company Christmas parties, I would say most of the ones I posted (with exception of the cape, but INCLUDING the little white crocheted number) have been seen at Christmas parties.

I have found a dress. It's prettyful. I'll try and take a decent photo tomorrow.

.

I am still looking though. I found another one that I am in love with, and I just need to find it in the right size.

That looks very nice. Where did you get it?

Nordstoms - $76. Gotta love the semi-annual sale

Now with shoes

Perhaps Cosmo McKinley can help!

BarTopDancer, I know that dress! If it's strapless (can't tell), then my daughters (yeah, they have to share stuff like that) have it in pink with a chocolate brown lace overlay. Excellent choice.

The dress was a hit. Apparently I clean up quite nicely.

Much thanks to everyone who posted and Prudence who helped (via digi cam) with my make-up and jewlery choices.

Helen, it has spaghetti straps. Your daughters dress sounds beautiful.

:) We'll be needing photos.

Probably too late for this contribution, but the quintessential "little black dress" is kinda like porn - you know it when you see it.

edit: okay, just saw the outfit... pretty!

BTD is skinny enough to pull this off... I bet it'd look gorgeous on her! (but just a guess here.... probably not her personal style)

There were only 2 and I was hidden by wine glasses. Sorry =(

Cut off the sleeves and I'd wear that in an instant!

Why does this remind me of an Austin Powers scene...

I love that dress with or without sleeves. The color is beautiful.

Exactly. Excellent call, Not Afraid.