Favorite evening/formalwear retailer?

My evening and formalwear are in need of an update, so I'd love to get some recommendations. Where do you find beautiful dresses and gowns? Why do you shop there?

I'm looking for quality, a range of styles, and prices that fall somewhere below "designer wedding gown" but above "tweeny-bopper chic."

Also, brands/designers that run small would be helpful.

Pictures are fun, too -- everyone could use a little inspiration, right? :)

I get most of my "gowns" at Macy's....they have a huge selection, and are usually on sale....which makes it very nice. I try things on....too much trouble doing the mail-order thing, and having to make returns. Each gown/dress will fit differently...what looks great on the hanger might not suit my body....easier to try them on!!!

Adrianna Appel dresses are lovely and many styles for many age groups. Can be found at Macys, Nordstroms, Lord and Taylor. Nordstroms has no shipping fees and free returns as well.

Chicos Travelers. Black, no wrinkle, dress up with jewelry. I don't wear gowns or cocktail dresses, but these I can wear multiple times. These aren't mine, but similar. I've had mine for years and they are still in great condition! :)

I wish I could wear Chico's clothing -- I've seen the Travel collection you mentioned, and always wanted to buy some outfits for casual days. Sadly, none of their clothing is small enough to fit me :(

I get most of my "gowns" at Macy's....they have a huge selection, and are usually on sale....which makes it very nice. I try things on....too much trouble doing the mail-order thing, and having to make returns. Each gown/dress will fit differently...what looks great on the hanger might not suit my body....easier to try them on!!!

I definitely have to try things on, as *most* of my clothing has to be tailored to fit properly. I haven't set foot in a Macy's in many years, but perhaps things have changed since then!

I've found some lovely things at Nordstrom on the sale racks!:D I usually go about a month before I'm going to cruise to check out what they have just in case things have to be altered before my cruise.

Saks 5th Ave, Cache, and BCBG carry gowns in small sizes and in your price range.

I second BCBG. Also, I like Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor formal and evening wear selections. Great mix of moderate to expensive designer clothing for special occasions. They carry 00-14 in women's sizing.

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Had to look in my closet for some of my smaller dresses to remember the label names. I had a lot of Laundry dresses, they tend to fit great on petite sizes.

http://www.laundrybyshellisegal.com/collections_rsvp.asp?f=guest

Also, check out shopstyle.com for tons of ideas.

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Church-related thrift stores. No guarantee that you will find the perfect outfit on the first visit, but when you do - Wow! The dressiest things are the most likely to have been worn only once or not at all, so they are in great condition. I have many designer dresses (Ralph Lauren, Norma Kamali, Betsey Johnson, Tom & Linda Platt, Adrianna Papell), all of which were under $15.

DH just passed up an Armani tuxedo that was $25.

Cache has lovely dresses, especially for those who are slender. Nordstrom also has a good selection.

I buy the majority of my clothes both formal and general day to day on Ruelala, Ideeli or HauteLook. I love the bargain sites!!

I buy the majority of my clothes both formal and general day to day on Ruelala, Ideeli or HauteLook. I love the bargain sites!!

Me, too! I also like Beyond the Rack and Gilt for awesome designer deals.

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The bargain sites rock!!!!

Me, too! I also like Beyond the Rack and Gilt for awesome designer deals.

 

 

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I love gilt too.. I use ruelala more than any others because i bought the annual shipping option :) tehehe

My daughters are smaller, but they're not into prom style dresses and want things that are a bit more adult like. Cache and BCBG are great. We have a BCBG outlet at our mall, and you can get some great deals! For example, this weekend, the entire store was 40% off. That is off the marked down price for the outlet too.

Most of my dresses are Sue Wong the quality is very good.

I also wear BCBG and Laundry by Shelli Segal. You can find these at Norstrom, Saks, and Macy's.

I wear size small and love BCBG ...they fit great.

Laurspag, You are so lucky to live near by a BCBG outlet:)

I also have 2 BCBG outlets nearby and I have to avoid going in there or I will spend too much $$$. I buy dresses from there even when I don't have an occasion coming up. They are well-made, fit nicely and very colorful so I always stand out in a crowd!

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I buy most of my formal gowns at Dillards. I like Chico brand as well. For my upcoming trip in November, I purchased a dress from Monroe and Main and I absolutely love it.

I also have 2 BCBG outlets nearby and I have to avoid going in there or I will spend too much $$$. I buy dresses from there even when I don't have an occasion coming up. They are well-made, fit nicely and very colorful so I always stand out in a crowd!

 

 

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BCBG won this round! I hit the outlet -- 40% off even the gowns already reduced -- and scored a gorgeous blue and green one-shoulder flowing gown. Perfection!

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone; I'm keeping a running list of place to check out (shops I'm familiar with but might have forgotten about AND some new ideas)!

Keep them coming if you wish :D

Consignment hops your best bet. Get really expensive gowns, etc way marked down. Most only worn once.

Dillards

Chicos Travelers. Black, no wrinkle, dress up with jewelry. I don't wear gowns or cocktail dresses, but these I can wear multiple times. These aren't mine, but similar. I've had mine for years and they are still in great condition! :)

 

 

 

 

 

This could have been posted by me. I've been wearing my Chicos Travelers outfits for years. They're timeless.

My evening and formalwear are in need of an update, so I'd love to get some recommendations. Where do you find beautiful dresses and gowns? Why do you shop there?

 

I'm looking for quality, a range of styles, and prices that fall somewhere below "designer wedding gown" but above "tweeny-bopper chic."

 

Also, brands/designers that run small would be helpful.

 

Pictures are fun, too -- everyone could use a little inspiration, right? :)

Macy's is a start, or an outlet store.