Dress for a second marriage?

[Patty]

Okay, so my one friend was looking for a dress and I posted possibilities from the Bridal Dress forum here. That led another friend to ask me this...

My close friend is getting married in July. It''s her second wedding so she is looking for a dress that is really nice but not too bridal-ey. She is 50 so she wants something sophisticated. But also really nice and special.

She can''t find anything that fills the bill. I have gone with her to several stores and we can''t find a thing.

Any suggestions? Really nice "formal" dresses that aren''t strictly wedding dresses work too.

Also, not white, but beige.


Any suggestions from those of you who know about such things?

Thanks!

 

[Caribou]

I know David''s Bridal has a section for ''mother of the bride'' and for ''formal dresses'' Both of them have really nice dresses in there most of which you can in white or cream.

I have to say, I feel kind of bad suggestion a ''mother of the bride'' section but I am in no way implying that because she''s 50. The dresses in there are very pretty and I gotta say my mom or my BF''s mom does not look like that!!! It should be labeled ''sister of the bride''.

 

[Caribou]

Oh and I just ''read'' your e-mail.. about the not white but beige...they have really pretty beige dresse there too.

 

[Layne]

this is strapless but she could get a jacket:
http://store.nordstrom.com/product/product_brandboutique.asp?styleid=2868696&boutique=dresses_n_occasion&category=2376776~2374327~2374331~6001765~6003709&NextStyleID=2868695&PrevStyleID=2871894

"mocha" but in the same family as beige
http://store.nordstrom.com/product/product_brandboutique.asp?styleid=2861813&boutique=dresses_n_occasion&category=2376776~2374327~2374331~6001765~6001770&SourceID=&refsid=160561&origin=related%2Dboutique&refcat=2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6001765%7E6003709&slotid=2

this is beautiful and comes in "champagne"
http://store.nordstrom.com/product/product_brandboutique.asp?styleid=2856559&boutique=wedding_shop&category=2376776~2374327~2377860~2377875&SourceID=&refsid=147146&origin=related%2Dboutique&refcat=2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6001765%7E6001770&slotid=3\

Lots of possiblities at Nordies

 

[BrightSpot]

I think that's a great idea, Caribou!

Patty, is your friend looking for a nice, formal suit, or a dress? If a dress, what silhouette would she favor? (a sheath, or something w/ a fuller skirt, etc.) Would she want some sort of sleeve on the dress? (is strapless out?) How formal is her wedding?

ETA: I love those dresses, Layne! Great pics!

This one might be nice if she doesn't want something floor-length.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=62206&CategoryID=1531

 

[curlygirl]

Her best bet may be to go to a department store (Bloomingdale's, Saks, etc.) and buy something that is not technically called a wedding dress but will serve the same purpose. This is actually what I'm doing because I just don't want to wear a typical wedding gown but I want everyone to know I'm the bride! There are plenty of dresses and evening gowns that will easily stand in for a wedding dress and she may find something that she can actually use again. Just for another suggestion, many women choose to wear a fancy white or ivory suit for a 2nd wedding. I think it's a very elegant and sophisticated look.

ETA Layne beat me to it and even put in some good examples! I love that Vera Wang.

 

[Erin]

I''ve considered this for my one bridesmaid because it resembles my dress

http://womens-apparel.smartbargains.com/go.sb?s=CS&deptId=9&catId=1408&prodId=1058282768&fd=true&fcloc=search&sp=All+Products%2f%2f%2f%2fWomen''s+Apparel%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c%2f%2f%2f%2fDresses%2f%2f%2f%2fAttribSelect%3dSize%3d''12''&pagename=prod

 

[Patty]

Thank you ladies for your ideas!

BrightSpot, I''m asking on behalf of a friend of the friend, so I don''t know the answer to your questions.

I''ve passed along these suggestions and the link to this thread, so if you come up with any more ideas, please post them. Thank you so much!

 

[flopkins]

I second the rec for dept stores - places like NEiman Marcus, or Saks, will have a great selection of formal dresses... my mom loves St. John - they are so classy!!

 

[monarch64]

Is this the groom''s second marriage as well? Just wondered, will he be wearing a tux that says "second wedding?" Hee hee, the feminist in me can''t resist questioning crazy traditions like the dress color one. I was 26 when I got married for the first time 2 years ago and wore ivory/beige...the first dress I fell in love with was champage, and I also considered one in rum pink. And my family is from the South and Midwest, very traditional-thinkers! I guess the real reason I bring this up is that I''ve been to 2 weddings in Chicago in the past few years where the brides both wore white gowns and were both getting married for the second time. One of them was my husband''s boss''s wife, he is also the owner of the company, and many people from all over the country attended his wedding...she looked beautiful (she''s also around 50.) The other bride was a 50-year old co-worker of mine... I never overheard anyone talking about the color (or lack of) of their dresses. I guess it''s just a personal thing, but I think it''s sad that women are still stuck with double standards! IMHO, your friend should wear whatever the heck she feels like wearing that will make her feel like a beautiful bride starting the next great chapter of her life!