^ have you tried any department stores? I don't usually shop there but lately I have found that the Belk at Crabtree (do you even live in raleigh? sry if you don't) has pretty good dresses, but so does the one in Greensboro so it might just depend on where you go! and they always have coupons at the front door in the advertisements

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 7:18 PM. Reason : 183!]

11/4/2010 7:18:37 PM

page 183!

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 7:20 PM. Reason : ^ crap]

11/4/2010 7:20:07 PM

I'm in Birmingham but I have definitely thought about Belk. I think after class tomorrow I'm going to look there and Ann Taylor LOFT. The LOFT near my apartment has awesome deals and it's kind of off the beaten path so there's always good stuff on the sales racks...

We shall see. I have a gray sweater dress that I could probably throw a waist belt on but now that I know I need to think white/cream/beige I don't know if that's a good idea

11/4/2010 7:35:16 PM

Ann Taylor Loft has stepped up their game recently, much cuter stuff. Didn't see a whole lot online though, for a baptismal setting. But Belk's, JCPenney, etc might be helpful.
I could be wrong but it may be tough finding white or paler colors this time of the year. Fall doesn't give you a whole lot of pale tones, outside of what Anthropologie shows.

11/5/2010 1:03:25 AM

I want all of these. Sadly I don't have a couple hundred dollars to throw around
Which ones should I get?


$50


$55


$45


I have little black leather booties already (that I love and wear pretty much year round), and my current top pick is #3, because the color is so fun. I just can't decide

[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 9:16 AM. Reason : where vs wear]

11/5/2010 8:56:53 AM

#2!!

11/5/2010 9:01:49 AM

see, my dilemma on those is that they remind me of my black ones. I know they are very different- I think it's the heel that gets me.

11/5/2010 9:16:20 AM

then get #3 and I'll get #2 problem solved!

11/5/2010 9:22:50 AM

Get #2! They're very versatile, yet stylish.

11/5/2010 9:23:24 AM

I, also, vote for number 2. I wouldn't know what to wear number 3 with, except for black.

11/5/2010 9:28:13 AM

The purple ones would be great with jeans or tights ... but I typically tend to favor neutral colors because they're more versatile, thus more practical.

The white boots are cute, but they look a little costumey. Great for a night out downtown, but not very practical for everyday wear.

Great litmus test: Would I wear these boots to work? I'd wear #2 and #3 to work, but #1 would not be the best choice for the workplace.

11/5/2010 9:36:15 AM

^ I like the way you think! I never thought of wearing them to work (though I am currently unemployed, I hate how most of my shoes were not work appropriate when I did have a job)

11/5/2010 9:38:58 AM

Quote :

"Ann Taylor Loft has stepped up their game recently, much cuter stuff."

Their quality is crap. I was shopping for a dress for a special occasion recently and I couldn't believe how poorly put together the clothes were for the price. You could honestly find better made clothes at Target. I actually ended up getting the dress at Ann Taylor where I guess they sell their better made clothes. As long as they're having a sale they're reasonably priced.

11/5/2010 9:46:53 AM

Okay...for my new job I am supposed to wear "neat and appropriate attire for a business enviornment."

What do I wear?

(Remember I live in Carteret County where everything is a little more casual than normal)

[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 9:48 AM. Reason : ]

11/5/2010 9:47:46 AM

Sounds like my current job. I went to New York and Company, got a couple of their slacks, button up work shirts, and cardigans. My boss is always complimenting me on how I look Plus if you get that stupid New York and Company card they'll give you 40% off the purchase, even if everything you bought was on sale

11/5/2010 9:49:26 AM

Would a black dress with a cardigan be okay?

I'm trying to go off of what I have already, since I don't have much money to spend on a new wardrobe right now.

What about khakis?

11/5/2010 9:55:27 AM

^ Khakis sound find. And a black dress and cardigan sound very appropriate, as long as the dress reaches your knees. If not, pair it with opaque tights.

11/5/2010 10:07:09 AM

eek, I think the opposite of LOFT... I think all their stuff is well made for the price :\ I wear the fire out of my stuff there and so far everything has held up really, really well

speaking of LOFT, they have 2 dresses I think mayyyy work

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=28100&Nr=AND(CAT_SALE_FLAG:Y)&N=1200045&pCategoryId=3364&categoryId=280&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_280&loc=TN&defaultColor=Whisper%20White&defaultSizeType=Regular#

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=28533&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&loc=TN&defaultColor=White&defaultSizeType=Regular

the 2nd one is my favorite... but obviously more expensive

I also found these from delia's (because I could get free shipping this weekend... but I'm scared to order anything online from them):










[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 10:36 AM. Reason : .]

11/5/2010 10:19:44 AM

the first dress is super cute!

11/5/2010 10:38:31 AM

I have tons of Loft hand-me-downs from friends that hold up VERY VERY well. Haven't bought anything from there ever, so perhaps their quality has gone down recently?

BTW, has anyone noticed than Banana Republic sizes have changed? My roomie and our other friend were complaining that they had to go from a size 0 to a size 2. First world problems!

11/5/2010 10:40:18 AM

like the first link or the first real picture posted?

11/5/2010 10:40:22 AM

Quote :

"Haven't bought anything from there ever, so perhaps their quality has gone down recently?"

Yeah it's the recent quality. I was in there in September shopping and was really disappointed. I'm talking dresses where you could see the material fraying at the seam, very loose stitching, etc. They're obviously trying to cut corners these days.

11/5/2010 10:43:18 AM

Quote :

"BTW, has anyone noticed than Banana Republic sizes have changed? My roomie and our other friend were complaining that they had to go from a size 0 to a size 2. First world problems! "

My coworkers were complaining about this with their dress shirts the other day, having to go from an 8 to a 10. But I think it's actually a good thing. As someone who's smaller, it's hard to find things that actually cut small enough for me. Now I can walk in and buy something and not have to get it in a 00, or wear it too large.

11/5/2010 10:46:37 AM

btw, I really love the first and last dress you posted Samwise16. If they don't work could you return them to the store?

11/5/2010 10:51:11 AM

I agree that it's a good thing. I think it's just scary for people who know they haven't gained weight, but they've suddenly gone up a size. They start to worry that they've gained weight when they haven't.

Vanity sizing is annoying.

11/5/2010 10:52:54 AM

I need to lose some inches like whoa....I'm tired of it being a pain in the ass to find something that fits me. Especially since I have to wear petit things.

Fat and short sucks.

11/5/2010 10:55:37 AM

Quote :

"Vanity sizing is annoying."

Agreed. We should just do it in centimeters and get it over with

11/5/2010 10:58:54 AM

wolfpackgrr, did you mean the first picture I posted or first out of all of them? (the LOFT link)

I would hope I could return them to the store... just gotta see if there's even one around here


I went shopping at LOFT in September, but I didn't buy any dresses... I got a really nice tweed skirt, a pink lace one, and lots of other stuff


BUT I will give it to you on one thing I noticed - a lot of their fashion tops seemed to be overpriced. I decided not to buy a few things because I knew I could get the same thing at like Old Navy or (for some things) Forever 21..

[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Reason : word, there's a Delia's at the big mall near me, and I know the mall also has LOFT, The Limited, etc]

11/5/2010 10:59:09 AM

The first picture.

And yeah, a lot of the stuff at Loft has also gone way up in price from the last time I shopped there. I don't really get it.

11/5/2010 11:00:21 AM

yeah I ended up getting $320 (?) worth of stuff for like $120 (including tax) so I felt like a champion against LOFT pricing

I got this skirt: http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=27224&N=0&Ntk=KeywordSearch&Ntt=skirt&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&found=37&defaultSizeType=Petite

it was one of the few things I paid "full price" for (but I had a ton of coupons)... I found this awesome pink lace skirt that was $70ish for $15


I guess I'll just have to go the mall this weekend and go on a hunt

11/5/2010 11:02:33 AM

cramps ftl

11/5/2010 11:24:57 AM

Quote :

"like the first link or the first real picture posted?"

i meant the first link. but the pictures of dresses you posted were cute too.

11/5/2010 12:00:10 PM

Old Navy has their outerwear 50% off. Time for me to get a peacoat

11/5/2010 1:07:12 PM

Yay my new pair of AE jeans finally came today! Now I have more than one pair of jeans and once I get paid more I'll be able to afford more jeans. I was getting tired of wearing the holes where my legs rub together.

11/5/2010 1:10:00 PM

Lame, the red they have for their peacoats is an ugly color Guess I'll go with white.

11/5/2010 1:40:28 PM

sawahash, you can get big iron-on patches and iron them over the spots, then stitch over. its best if you do it before they actually wear through, then you get a little extra life.



i finally got a big box from my mom today with 2 pairs of shoes and all of the stuff i posted in this thread like a month ago. yay! there's only one thing i don't like in the whole box, but the skirts are a bit long. even if i shove em up under my boobs they are still past my knee

11/5/2010 3:07:16 PM

http://www.tanga.com/products/ok-magazine-subscription-51-issues--2

OK Magazine for $12.99/year

When you check out, put in coupon code GOSSIP and it will bring the price down to $12.99/year. You can buy up to 2 years.

I got a 2 year subscription (sent to my office b/c once I finish reading it, my coworkers will <3 to read it) for $25.98

11/5/2010 4:02:56 PM

Sweet! I got two years worth - thanks once again for the hookup!

11/6/2010 4:23:07 PM

speaking of sizing, here's my rant:

my fat pants are too big but my normal pants are too small... and they're the same brand and one size different!!!

11/6/2010 4:32:00 PM

am i having memory problems or is this news?

http://www.freeshippingday.com/

dec 17 is apparently national free shipping day and online shipping is free. who knew?

554 shops have signed up. some of them are:

sephora
macys
overstock
apple
1800 flowers
wine.com
lululemon
saks
ugg
ulta

might be a good gig for the ladies that live in more remote places or where some stores listed can't be found!

11/6/2010 5:01:40 PM

^ Good to know! Going to mark my calendar

11/7/2010 3:00:42 PM

I decided to give Urban Outfitters a shot today (as well as Anthropologie, New York & Co, and The Gap... those places I say boo to you) and found my baptism dress

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19459015&navAction=jump&navCount=7

It's not quite that light... it has a little bit of a dark pinkish hue to it... and I have bigger boobs than she does so it looks a little different on me compared to the model (obviously)

I got this cardigan to go with it:



it goes together really nicely and isn't too busy... and the dress is long and comfy

yay, glad to be done with that

11/7/2010 3:56:23 PM

I WANT THAT CARDIGAN!

11/7/2010 4:34:33 PM

it's a good thing it looks better unbuttoned because that's the only way I can fit into it I usually wear a medium in cardis but they only had a small and I was not about to pass this shit up

I'm stretching this bitch out

Sorry for the crappy phone pics (and ignore the bra strap because I'll be wearing a different one):







The cardigan pic was taken with a dress I was going back and forth about with the one I ended up buying... I decided if I was going to get a "plain" dress I wanted something fun so I went with the open back

I also got this dress for $30, woot!




[Edited on November 7, 2010 at 5:09 PM. Reason : pics]

11/7/2010 4:41:31 PM

I just want to let all you Ladies know that I just got back from Target (in Apex) and they had gotten in tons of phenomenal boots but were already getting picked over...I got a killer pair of suede knee high black ones for only 35 dollars...the real pair I wanted at Loft were 200 ...I wanted to share the love in case you were also looking for boots (which I am slightly addicted to myself)

11/7/2010 5:18:25 PM

^I was there this afternoon looking for boots. I found NOTHING in my size, but loved most of the styles and all of the prices. One still on the shelf that I wanted was sold out in every size/color. Basically spent an afternoon looking for a basic black boot with a heel and came back empty handed.

[Edited on November 7, 2010 at 5:58 PM. Reason : V--DSW is my next stop tomorrow! So glad to hear they've got some good stuff in stock!]

11/7/2010 5:34:57 PM

I was at DSW yesterday and they have tons of boots! You might have some luck there.

11/7/2010 5:50:46 PM

^^^^I love the $30 dress!!! Is that at urban too? Who makes it?

[Edited on November 7, 2010 at 6:44 PM. Reason : s]

11/7/2010 6:44:16 PM

Yup, it was Ecote' makes it I believe...

here it is online but mine was $29.99 in store and they had the cream color

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18800334&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

11/7/2010 7:13:44 PM

damn you Old Navy for being completely rid of all your nice women's outerwear that is 50% off till Nov 10th

SADFACE

11/7/2010 8:05:56 PM