Where to find that little black dress?

[avp1234]

I'm cruising Celebrity and looking for a cocktail dress, preferably black, but would consider other colors, i've even seen some multis that aren't bad. I'm a size 12/14, and my weight is in my belly:(, so....empire waist or straight...nothing around the waist, is more flattering on me. I've looked on Ebay, Nordstrom, Dillards, Chadwicks...help! Where do you ladies suggest I look. Any suggestions? Would really like to stay under $150. You ladies are so good I decided to turn to the experts!

[Berk987]

http://www.macys.com

[cruise kitty]

j crew usually has a section on their website called The little black dress shop nice selection, some may be priced higer than $150 though

[Hoyaheel]

I like looking at the Spiegel catalog but often think their prices are high for the quality. Nice sales though

 

http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_ensemble.aspx?effort=SP&style_id=39031272&ifn=S1032013_SDD10_581_B01&associated=1&index=6&gp_coll_id=5001&gp_cat_id=5002&nav_cat_id=12991&category_id=12993

 

http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=39050272&index=16&gp_coll_id=5001&gp_cat_id=5002&nav_cat_id=12991&category_id=12993

 

http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_ensemble.aspx?ifn=F0868116_SEB08_051_NB&effort=SP&style_id=34984272&index=45&gp_coll_id=5001&gp_cat_id=5002&nav_cat_id=12991&category_id=12993

 

White House Black Market seems an obvious place to look (I don't shop there, but I know many on this board like that store)

 

The ruffle/wrap is cute: http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=7&pageId=1&productId=570002533&viewAll=&prd=The+Celia+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=6&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningCocktail&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

 

Newport News is a cheaper brand but some cute stuff (same company as Spiegel but different clothing). Not sure how dressy you want. I think I'd probably wear this for day or casual dinner:

http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=36343273&index=3&gp_coll_id=9&gp_cat_id=1649&nav_cat_id=1686&category_id=7660

 

Cute lace overlay sheath:

http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=36962273&index=11&gp_coll_id=9&gp_cat_id=1649&nav_cat_id=1686&category_id=7660

 

Mmm, sequins:p

http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=40019273&index=36&gp_coll_id=9&gp_cat_id=1649&nav_cat_id=1686&category_id=7660

 

 

http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=37796273&index=82&gp_coll_id=9&gp_cat_id=1649&nav_cat_id=1686&category_id=7660

[Happy ks]

Just keep looking, I have found dresses, or not found dresses in some of the places already mentioned.

 

I'm a little surprised you didn't find anything on the Nordstrom.com site, they have dozens of choices.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/SR/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014148?mediumthumbnail=Y&mode=pfind&tuid=5ac8a3da-c3a2-4a79-9a40-46ccfcd02a6e&catID=6014148&size=RegularL&sizename=Regular+L+(12-14)&searchorigin=ProductFinder&findertype=2&findertypereqd=N

[simplelife]

Multis are very popular this year

[cb at sea]

Don't get too caught up with black...almost everyone will be in black...a "pop" of color is nice!

[mowb07]

I'd also recommend Macys. Also, I don't know if you have one near you, but Lord & Taylor is also a good place to check out - many of their dresses have been drastically marked down. $150 sounds pretty reasonable to me for a dress around this time of year - especially if you're looking in department stores - most offer at least some reduction on the full price.

 

Also, although I can't speak to their quality, Victoria's Secret has an ok selection and if you stick to a jersey material, it might be fine quality wise - but again, I haven't bought a semi/formal dress from there.

[Hoyaheel]

I had some free shipping coupons last month and got a couple great deals from Nordstrom & Macys. Great DKNY black dress with a tie dye band at the hem, and a Calvin Klein impressionist floral dress for my sister's rehearsal dinner. Returned in person the shoes and other dresses I ordered that didn't fit:(

 

I also have a cute plain-ish black dress from Talbots - their stuff is all on sale now too. This summer I was shopping for high school reunion (don't ask the year:p) and my sister's wedding - well, the rehearsal & dinner at least, the dress for the wedding wasn't my choice:o

 

Any of the dresses I've bought could be worn for dinner on a cruise - I prefer to wear a sundress on casual nights in the main dining room. Haven't needed any dressier cocktail dresses this year - but I have seen some cute ones in the stores. Hopefully you'll find what you're looking for at a great price!

[Warm Breezes]

I got mine at Younkers.

[rdsqrl]

I just got an email from Nordstrom this morning with a link to dresses under $150. These two might work for you since they're Empire waisted. The first one is especially nice if you don't/can't wear sleeveless -- I think that 3/4 sleeve looks good on everyone.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3098170/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6020250?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6020250&P=2

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3102173/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6020250?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6020250&P=2

[avp1234]

Thank you all! I'll look again this weekend.

[avp1234]

Thank you all so much for the sugestions! Believe it or not, I still haven't found anything! When I say my weight is in my belly picture this: small legs, arms etc...HUGE belly, which means no belts, sashes, anything that accents the waist at all. I'm open to any color now, and will pay a bit more if needed. I like sleeveless or even strapless. Cocktail dresses look better on my than long ones. Any other ideas? This is my 1st time on Celebrity, so I'm a bit nervous about formal night having only done carnival and would like something a dressy. Any more ideas?

[d34567]

Weird question, but bear with me. Is your belly on the looser side, or more solid? I find that wearing Spanx in my size or up one will tame my looser areas very nicely while not making me feel like a sausage. I don't think the looser Spanx would help if you are on the firmer side - you would need them your size at most in that case. When I wear the ones that go all the way up to my bra, it lets dresses flow right over me. I also find that dresses that are a mix between a sheath and an A-line do best. There is no big thing going on just below the bust, but it comes in a bit to keep the dress fitting in a flattering way and then opens up on the way to the hemline. This has given me a 40 pound or so swing area in some of my dresses.

 

This dress isn't the right style, but it is the shape that I would suggest you try. Note how it nips in below the bust but then flows out.

 

If you are built like me, this dress will still work because the bottom of the skirt follows a straight line down from the hips.

 

Dresses that nip in like this require you to love your curves so much that you want to put them on display. I'll do that when I firm up the jiggly bits via undergarments, but only on my bolder days.

 

Hope this helps!

[Happy ks]

My heaviest part of my body is my midsection, so I avoid belts at the waist as well. I do know that you have to try things on to see if you like them or not. Sometimes an empire cut dress works well for me, sometimes not. I do have a couple things in my closet that have a waist that I never in a million years thought would look remotely good on me. I absolutely cannot stand anything that is rectangular in shape, that hang straight from the armpit area. They make me look even heavier than I am.

 

Ordering off an internet web site is (can be) convenient, but you can never truly know if you will like the item or not. That goes for shoes, clothes, handbags, suitcases, makeup, household goods, etc...

 

I do know that I have been surprised by silhouettes both ways. There was a dress I waited for to go on sale at Nordstrom, my sis had tried it on and it looked great on her (she didn't buy it). I finally tried it on and it looked atrocious on me...I never would have thought. Other times, I have been talked into trying on some things I ended up loving that I would have bypassed on my own.

 

So, I think you are limiting yourself by shopping online and not physically trying things on.

 

Edit to add, if you can only shop online (distance/time/difficulty) then order a few dresses and return the ones you don't like.

[kooljamming]

http://www.ever-pretty.com/ss3-Cocktail-dress-1.html

 

I have bought several gowns from this site, including the 2nd red gown in my signature. I went by number on the dress not the letter. I noticed on a few that the bust area was a bit high, not factoring the effect of Mother Nature. The right gelled, under wire, push-up, seamless, Wonda bra took care of that :-). So, not to be personal but what kind of under garment are you wearing. The right underwear can redefine and reshape your body for a much better fit.

[kooljamming]

Ever-pretty has an Ebay store that you can bit on items.

 

For example the red dress in my signature is a $158 plus shipping or time at the mall at Macy's: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=394355&CategoryID=22122

 

On the ever-pretty.com site :$59.99

http://www.ever-pretty.com/product-HE09107-Glamorous-Red-Dark-Green-Blue-One-Shoulder-Evening-Dress.html

 

On ebay the bid started at 9.99. I bought the dress for $9.99 plus $13 shipping.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chic-Dark-Green-One-Shoulder-Evening-Dress-09107-Sz-XL-/330452355787?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item4cf07ecacb

 

For future reference

[avp1234]

This dress isn't the right style, but it is the shape that I would suggest you try. Note how it nips in below the bust but then flows out.

 

If you are built like me, this dress will still work because the bottom of the skirt follows a straight line down from the hips.

 

Dresses that nip in like this require you to love your curves so much that you want to put them on display. I'll do that when I firm up the jiggly bits via undergarments, but only on my bolder days.

 

Hope this helps!

 

D34567...those are exactly the style I am looking for only in a Formal. It's hard to explain unless you are built the way that I am..., which you must be, and it's loose, ugh, so I will be getting a Spanx to help. I have other brands that are so-so, but the Spanx seems to be highly recommended.

 

Kooljamming, I am going to look now at the website you recommended as your dresses are really nice. Great pics.

 

Thanks again for the replies, and I am going to start my search again!

[poobears]

I got one from Dress barn. Tierred ruffles and black with a square neckline. Now instinct said ruffles would make me look heavier but no these lay flat and hide all lumps, bumps and flaws, looks awesome. Might check there.

[Scarletina]

I love Newport News. They have great dresses!!

[MHF]

I bought 2 black ones from Loehman's sale rack. One silk, one cotton. I also like SteinMart. Discounts rule!

 

Melissa

[simplelife]

I don't think anyone has suggested Steinmart yet. I have found some really nice things there, reasonably priced. I got my last LBD there.

[MrsPete]

Don't get too caught up with black...almost everyone will be in black...a "pop" of color is nice!

I think the same thing. EVERYONE wears black dresses. I told my husband that if I ever again bring home a black formal dress, he's to force me to take it back.

[Straitlover]

Believe it or not, Ross Dress for Less gets in really nice dresses! I bought my dress there (dark blue, not black) there for $27.99. The original tag on it (Jones New YouK dress) had a $138.00 price on it. Last week, they had the same dress in red in the Clearance section for $13.99. I have seen some really nice Calvin Klein and Evan Picone dresses for less than $30. It's just a place where you have to keep chekcing back. You cna ask the mgr to make sure, but I believe I read their shipments come in on Tuesdays, so Wed might be a good day to check them out.

[Lois R]

Believe it or not, Ross Dress for Less gets in really nice dresses! I bought my dress there (dark blue, not black) there for $27.99. The original tag on it (Jones New YouK dress) had a $138.00 price on it. Last week, they had the same dress in red in the Clearance section for $13.99. I have seen some really nice Calvin Klein and Evan Picone dresses for less than $30. It's just a place where you have to keep chekcing back. You cna ask the mgr to make sure, but I believe I read their shipments come in on Tuesdays, so Wed might be a good day to check them out.

 

Hi,:) they do have a lot of clothing but (at least at the Ross near me)

you have to have ALOT of patience. The store isn't usually very

organized and instead of just going through your regular size, it seems

things are out of order quite a bit. I wear a 16 these days but there

might be 16 in the 12/14 racks too......you just need alot of time

and patience to shop there.