Hi all....

I am usually seen in any combination of three clothing styles:

Pajamas (most fave)

Jeans and a sweater (school, and errands)

uniform scrubs

So today, I got an invite from MY DOCTOR! who hosts a formal dinner dance each year!

It says formal on the invite and my husband owns a tux, so his part is easy--

what should I wear? What would YOU wear?

As you can see from above, I have NO style, so any suggestions are appreciated!

(kinda excited about the idea of getting all gussied up!)

Kimberly

Before 5pm or after 5pm?

But in reality I guess it doesn't matter. LOL!!!

You can find all kinds of really nice cocktail dresses at Coldwater Creek. Of course you need heels but you could do a kitten heel, like an inch to an inch and a half.

You can never go wrong with a simple black dress and then grab some pearls to snaz it up. Get a dress that accentuates your curves instead of trying to hide them.

it's after 5. I have been all over the internet tonight looking for possibilities....

yeegads! There are some ugly dresses out there!

Still searching......

Kimberly,

There was recently a similar post on the spotlight health board and I thought I'd transfer some of the information, in case you decide you want to do some online shopping for your party.

Here are some online stores that carry plus-size clothing:

http://www.drapers.com

http://www.alight.com

http://www.silhouettes.com

http://www.artandartifact.com

Here's a site that lists a bunch of plus size online stores:

http://www.sizewise.com/links/womens.html

Hope this helps. Remember to send us pictures of the outfit you choose!

Sheila

ps: I just realized that I'm assuming you're still in woman's sizes. If I am mistaken, I'm sorry. But not sorry for you, because that would mean you could just go to J. Crew or banana Republic and buy one of those adorable flippy-skirted party dresses that make me crazy with envy. If this is the case, please put one on layaway for my future.

www.coldwatercreek.com is one of my favorite stores now. Beautiful clothes.

Anyone have that link that Bright sent for her big party? (At least I think it was bright...)

I love formal dinners. I guess I never grew out of playing dress-up...

Thanks! I didn't come back here until now--usually get email notices that someone has responded to the thread, but I disabled it, so I thought Penni and I were just having a little chat!

Thanks for the links. I feel as tho I have looked at every dress under the sun--and yes, I am still in plus size, specificallly 16W, for now. I think I found one on ebay--but then I think, well maybe I want something with a little color. Guys have it so easy.....

I am tormenting my mother via email (she lives right down the road from me-) with email pix of the most horrendous/slutty/bad taste dresses I can find... Very fun! ha ha the first ones she would critique carefully, explaining why she thought it would be inappropriate, now she just writes back "NO!".

I looked at some by Donna Ricco, too--I have a few of her dresses and they fit beautifully--but too spendy for a one night affair......

Maybe I should post pix of the top three choices and let you guys pic--of course I would have to post a pix of myself so you could determine which would highlight my mouse-burger brown hair just right---

I am going to bed! My husband is addicted to our Gamecube video games and my butt hurts from sitting here at this computer so long. First weight I lost was in my boobs and my "seat cushion".

xoxo

my favorites for formal wear is www.catherines.com and www.nordstrom.com also, remember that you can never go wrong with a classy slimming pant suit!! I have a dark blue one that is a catch all for almost everything!

I love Nordstrom, although the retail prices can be kind of high, at least in the stores; I don't know about the online catalog. But what exactly does "formal" mean where you live? Here in Chicago, it means a floor-length dress. Most of the Coldwater Creek stuff, however attractive, would be way too casual for a formal event here. In some places, though, as long as you're wearing a bra and clean teeth you're good to go! Much easier.

We have a Nordstrom Rack down the street from my house, so that is where I do most of my shopping for anything but jeans. Target just doesn't carry much in the way of business clothing.... Is a Rack available in your area?

Kimberlilly, please post some of the "NO" dresses so we can play too! I think your idea about posting your top 3 choices is fun too!

Oh! this is gonna be fun!

I have to zip out for a bit, but when I get back I will post some pix of the "not acceptable" dresses and then some that I love but are too spendy.

Formal here, for me anyway, is a tea length or slightly shorter dressy dress--like a cocktail formal.

I don't know what I am talking about!

ok, here are three choices....drum roll, please--Penni, if they are too big, please resize for me! (thanks!)

Number one: This is the wrong size, but the same dress (i need a 1 X)

Can't copy the pix, so here is a link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63880&item=5374627382&rd=1

Here's number 2--kinda vintage-y looking--my mom thinks this might be "too stiff" and she may be right....but I like it. Its the coppery colored mesh dress on this page http://www.newport-news.com/shop/subcat_fp_nine.asp?gpcatID=2&pacatID=9&subcatID=5850&catID=5854

And number three from Spiegel.com :http://www.spiegel.com/shop/style.asp?style_id=11196627&index=0&nav_cat_id=227&gp_cat_id=284&category_id=312

Lemme know what you guys think!

Every woman should own a little black dress, so this is a good time for you to get a simple one that can be altered as you lose. Since you aren't used to dressing fancy, try to stick with something simple and basic and then add bold, sparkly accessories. A little black dress goes a long way - you can add a shawl or a blazer or even a flowy blouse.

hey Kimber-lilly

Clothes are my life!!! and my hobby! ANYWAY....before you think about what you want to wear, what's your body shape? I know I am pear shaped, with big boobs and flabby arms, so I would always go for sleeves, deep v-neck and waisted to show I have a shape... Try Trinny and Susannah's page for ideas: http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/what_not_to_wear/index.shtml

And re the gold dress, it's a lovely shape but I'd avoid anything that's made from nylon....Also have you thought about wearing a tux suit yourself? With a cute sexy top inside or great bra/corset type top and high heels??? And I definitely think black is a great option - slimming and flattering! Coco Chanel said if a woman wears a dress with a beautiful pattern, people always admire the dress, but, she said, if a woman wears a black dress, people admire the woman!

Just my two cents! Have loads of fun!

That black dress is Wow! I like that one the best. And the black pumps from the newport news site... double wow. Of course, I'm a LONG way from anything but a gas pump...

Oh! that BBC site is great! I have also been trying on stuff using "my virtual model" which is a stunningly real assessment! ugh!