Friday, April 19, 2013

Poppy-red dress for my sister's wedding


Dear ESB,

My sister is getting married in August, and I honestly could not be even an ounce happier than I am for her and her future hubby. She asked me to be her MOH, and I truly feel like it is just that -- a huge honor to be asked. I have helped the two of them plan a really fun, creative and seemingly rustic (though trust me, nothing will be left to chance) wedding. We have her dress, her wedding-and-honeymoon-undies, flowers, food, music, bouncy castle -- the works. Pretty much the only thing left missing now is something for me to wear. Since they also asked me to sing at the wedding, hoping nobody will notice the girl in the jersey beach-dress from 3 years ago isn't really an option. Poo.

Being the rocking bride she is, my sister changed her already loose dress-instructions for me and the other 5 bridesmaids of "everyone can wear a different dress, as long as it is red, yellow or orange" (the wedding-colors) to "wear whatever the heck you want, you are all gorgeous and will look amazing." She rocks, I know. However, I still want to wear red. I have been sporadically scanning through shops and the internet for more than half a year now, and have not found anything I really loved yet. And now I am starting to get nervous. I know I theoretically still have time, but what if I suddenly realize it is 2 weeks to the wedding and I don't have anything to wear? That would be so typical. I do have this beautiful light yellow BHLDN dress with a keyhole back detail, but I wore it to two weddings last year and also, and maybe this is just the wedding-adrenaline talking, I sort of feel like I should try to wear the popping-est (it's a thing.) of the wedding colors. And I just feel like buying a pretty new red dress.

I would like something poppy-red, maybe lace, more like a summer dress than a gown though, since it really is going to be more of a fun garden wedding with games and before-mentioned bouncy castles. My sister's wedding dress has a bateau-neckline, and she has said that she wouldn't mind but actually even like the symmetry if my dress had the same. I have a curvy but nice figure, bit more busty (DD) and hippy (31), but I do like my waist.

I really hate turning the attention from the brides to a MOH, but I really am getting a little flustered -- I've just been spending much more time planning the wedding itself, and it's looking to be so perfect that I would hate to fall out of pattern, though my sis will look so stunning, maybe nobody would notice after all... But we better not risk it -- I would really appreciate some help!

Thanks so much,
DressingWoes

*****

MOH of the millenium. Holy shit.

What you really need is this. (Anyone seen similar for not-$680?)

64 comments:

  1. OK. So I can't find red. BUT I have found four dresses that are beautiful, will look great on an hourglass figure, and fit the colour scheme.

    BURGUNDY short APC dress with bateau neck. I love, love, LOVE burgundy with orange/yellow/red.

    Orange lace maxi from Whistles. The description says 'red', I say HELLA ORANGE.

    Slouchy jersey maxi dress. Would need killer jewellery to make it wedding-appropriate. Ditto re: colour.

    Peachy silk maxi from Massimo Dutti. This just looks floaty and fun to wear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Whistles orange maxi is sort of perfect.

      Delete
    2. peach maxi dress for sure. I feel like red would be too bold, taking the eye away from the bride.

      Delete
    3. These maxi dresses are fantastic

      Delete
    4. FYI The Whistles one is red in real life - does look orange online though!

      Delete
    5. Hey, OP here! My fave of your suggestions is the Massimo Dutti (though the Whistles is also pretty awesome), I might just be able to pull that off. Thanks!

      Delete
  2. I might be in the minority, but I don't like that dress you linked AT ALL, ESB.

    What about: this

    Or: this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That Diane von Furstenberg is exactly what I was picturing.

      Delete
    2. OP here :) I have been slinking around that DVF for a while. I think I just have to go and order it and see how it looks - thanks! It's spot-on!

      Delete
  3. Sorry I can't help with the dress (I may be fashionably challenged...) but I just wanted to drop in and say that you're an awesome MOH, and a lovely sister.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm with Amanda M. ESB's dress has no chance of flattering any figure ever, including the model in the picture. I'm quite taken with this little (on sale!) anthro number. Too retro? http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-clothing/26307421.jsp

    ReplyDelete
  5. Red lace on sale, lovely neckline. I also think this dress (in terra cotta) would look great on you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly, that red lace is a little too pre-makeover "Pretty Woman" for a wedding.

      Delete
    2. (nicole, you love you some nicole miller don't you.)

      Delete
  6. hmm. this or this? wait wait, no. this.

    (tons of excellent stuff in your colorway at the outnet right now, is my point.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the back of that YSL number... and it even has a poppy on it.

      Delete
    2. damn, that vivienne westwood number is stunning.

      Delete
    3. Vivienne Westwood has my vote.

      Delete
    4. OP here (I'm just gonna stop telling people this now, I think you got the drift...)
      I agree with Nicole - the YSL is VERY with the theme! Thanks!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. I like these, especially the bra-less one and the one Kate suggested - thanks!

      Delete
  8. I've got four red dresses for you:

    1. Might be a little much, but a formal option

    2. Simple and classy

    3. The lace option

    4. Modern and architectural

    And you are indeed the MOH of the millenium. Your sister is lucky to have you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with #4 being awesome - and I like #3 too, though I'm not sure about the buttons.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  9. i've only read the first few sentences and can i just say what a breath of fresh air it is to read a letter from a MOH who isn't a C ? and a sister, no less.

    so awesome. makes me miss my sister !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU! :) Give your sis a call - I'm sure she misses you, too!

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. I think the DVF if probably the right fit for the described figure and event - but I am obsessed with that Helmut Lang.

      Delete
  11. Gilt has this guy from BHLDN on sale for $129. "Fire red."
    http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/bhldn/product/165221128-bhldn-vivacity-silk-dress

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it, though it could go either way in the bust-area. Might just order it and see!

      Delete
  12. Maybe this in bright orange?

    http://www.theoutnet.com/product/181942

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love this. And the idea of going with bright orange. You guys have a point with the red being too pop-y (hahahaha) and out-there. Though, clearly, you guys have not seen my sister.

      Delete
  13. Just lost my whole comment with links to like 5 dresses... Oh well, this was my fave anyway.

    Long red Coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really like this one. Elegant, understated and comfortable for the whole wedding long. Plus the skirt would move beautifully when dancing.

      Delete
    2. This is stunning. But I kinda feel like it may be too formal for the whole bouncy castle gig. I just see myself getting tangled and stuck in myself and the dress all over the place (these things happen to me).

      Delete
  14. That dress is so, so boring and unflattering. Sorry, ESB.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've been obsessed with Erin Fetherston lately. I bought this dress for New Years and it fits phenomenally. (I am a D cup and a 30 waist and the 12 fits like a glove, even without straps.)

    http://www.erinfetherston.com/shop/sale-1/strapless-corset-dress.html

    But she also have a number of gorgeous red dresses:

    http://www.erinfetherston.com/shop/sale-1/tulip-peplum-dress.html

    http://www.erinfetherston.com/shop/sale-1/embellished-cap-sleeve-dress-1.html

    And an orange one for fun:

    http://www.erinfetherston.com/shop/newarrival/lilliane-dress.html




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The orange one is def cool, but I LOVE the ombre you posted, Stefanie! Didn't know EF before - thanks for pointing it out!

      Delete
  16. Guys and girls - you have no idea how awesome she is. (the bride speaking here)
    Also: she asked whether it would be ok if she wrote in to ESB because I recently did and I might consider it "my thing". I'm loving some of these options for her! You all rock!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I never comment here but I think this might be perfect...

    Red lace dress for $95

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for making the exception- because this fits what I was looking for EXACTLY. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!

      Delete
    2. I have your same measurements, and shabby apple always fits like it cost about four times as much as it did. The only downside is I don't feel like their stuff holds up to long term / repeat wears. Probably not an issue for this dress though.

      Delete
  18. completely unrelated, but have you guys seen
    this?

    Looks like an awesome wedding, I can't tell what I feel about the hair...

    ReplyDelete
  19. what i feel about the hair is: WHY???????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe she had to take a convertible along a highway to get there and lost her headscarf? Looks kind of like Renée Zellwegger in Bridget Jones in this scene ... and then she just took a hairthing and put it up. It looks very editorial... I guess.

      Delete
    2. the hair is gross.

      as is the title of the blog post. barfaroni.

      Delete
    3. wow, if she doesn't wear her hair like that all the time I bet her husband was pretty surprised! there's a "first look" shoot I would like to see.

      Delete
  20. OK, OP here once again =)

    May I just start by saying: Oh my goodness, people, thanks so much for all the ideas!!!! And the nice things you said about me, too. It means the world.

    Now I will go and confuse my creditcard company by ordering loads of dresses and just seeing which one works out best.

    ESB, I don't hate your suggestion, I think if the right person wears it (and I'm not sure what size that person needs to be, it just needs to be the right one) it could look really cool! Especially with the right accessories. I'm just pretty sure that person is not me, and I don't really have the money to just make sure... Sorry!

    I tried to acknowledge everyone's work by commenting on their suggestions, if I missed one or two: Thanks!! I found a couple of favorites and am excited to see which one I'll go with!

    Nods, smiles, hugs and smacks on the cheek all around (choose which one you're most comfortable with),

    Lexi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stefanie that is perfect! Don't know if she's checking back but I'm sending her the link now. She is going to love it. She's been really into longer in the back hemlines and loves keyhole backs. Plus the shabby apple was sold out so she hasn't decided yet which one to keep. Thank you!

      Delete
  21. Maybe I'm late, but how about this dress? I love the fabric, so beautiful. It's the perfect shade of red. You could rewear it a million times. And I think ESB can help you accesorize it with an edge?
    I am also in love with this one, but I am not sure if you will like the sleeves. It has a modern Jane Austen twist to it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. ESB do you have a tag that is opposite of My Maid of Honor is a Cunt?

    ReplyDelete