Shopping for a Dress... HELP!

I think tea length would be perfect. Just don't wear white/cream and make sure you get a different colour to the bridesmaids.

oh yah and don't do the color i'm in.. thats a no no at weddings

Does the invitation indicate black or white tie or just suggest formal wear? Can you ask the bride to clarify the dress code? Cocktail length is generally fine for weddings. If you want to look fantastic you need a dress that fits well. Don't go for strapless just because those dresses are so ubiquitous, especially if the bride is planning on wearing a strapless dress. Find a dressmaker and either have the dress made, or if that's not possible, take an off the rack dress to your dressmaker to be altered. A great fit and supportive undergarments (ok, Spanx... or other granny knickers) are behind looking fabulous regardless of your size.

And make sure you have a good bra. You want the girls hoisted as high as the heavens, and not to have to be constantly readjusting.

I have a suggestion. It's something I wish I'd thought of before now.
When you do find your dress (I'm assuming you'd try it on in the store) put it on again when you get home. Have somebody take pictures of you in your dress, from every angle possible. And in different lighting situations. And in various poses.

My daughter got married last weekend. I'd found the "perfect" dress for myself, as MOB. I had put it on it the store, took pix with my cell phone. Liked how it looked. I'd put it on several times at home, and looked at myself everywhichway possible in the mirrors. I thought it was a pretty nice dress.

But now, ppl are starting to post pix on facebook from the wedding. I looked horrible! I think I looked like a confused male cross-dresser with no fashion sense. I'm embarrassed over those photos. The dress actually made me look HUGE in photos, and I didn't even see that at all in mirrors. I actually had a meltdown and cried because I looked so horrible. It was just the wrong dress. At least, that's what I'm hoping! I'd been feeling pretty good about myself, because losing weight for her wedding is what brought me to MFP, and I'd lost 23 lbs. Then to see the photos...I felt like back to square one because I look like $*#! But, I tend be pretty hard on myself.

Good luck with finding a dress! Hope you'll post a topic on it and show it to us!

It always helps to know what body shape you have when picking a dress so that it will flatter you. There are 4 basic shapes:

Banana/Rectangle---> You have little curves and your pant size is usually about the same as your dress size (your bottom and hip measurements are the same or about the same)

Hourglass----> A full bust and bottom with a tiny waist

Apple---> heavier frame with a usually large bust, large bottom, and large mid-section

Pear---> Narrow shoulders and smaller upper body with larger hips and thighs

Here is a couple websites that can help you:

http://www.bodyshapefashionadvice.com/apple.php

http://www.istylista.com/blog/-/what-body-shape-am-i_158/

And as for the wedding being in November, anything below the knee should be just fine but it all depends on your comfort level and whatever flatters your body shape, skin tone, etc. Have fun with it! Hope this helped a little

Kohls. Just go to Kohls.

Oh and grab a belt that sits high on your waist, adding this to the dress will give a great shape.

I put my belt under my boobs in this dress and threw on a pair of cowgirl boots...

I could have added heels to dress it up more.

The thick belt makes it a little less casual

Completely agree with this. I've gotten really nice dresses that are no pattern business casual type dresses and they are super flattering.

My husband's brother is getting married. Naturally, since we had his brother as the Best Man, my husband will be the Best Man for his brother. I, however, am not in the wedding party. I'm great friends with the bride though, and would love to look great in photos of her day. I'm curious though, what kind of dress do I wear?
So I'm not in the wedding, but my husband is which means we'll be photographed. I don't want to look "bad" by wearing the wrong dress. Is tea length acceptable? Do I have to shop for a full length gown? The wedding is in November so I have plenty of time to look for this dress. Mostly just looking for suggestions. It's an evening wedding, but I'm not sure how formal it is going to be, but it's not some jeans and t-shirt wedding, I know that much... Is there a rule book somewhere for this kind of girly stuff? lol!

When my hubby and I were in this situation, I wore a black sleeveless sheath/column, knee length dress. It had colorful flowers embroidered around the neckline, so it didn't look like I was going to a funeral or anything. I felt very appropriate in it.

Does the invitation indicate black or white tie or just suggest formal wear? Can you ask the bride to clarify the dress code? Cocktail length is generally fine for weddings. If you want to look fantastic you need a dress that fits well. Don't go for strapless just because those dresses are so ubiquitous, especially if the bride is planning on wearing a strapless dress. Find a dressmaker and either have the dress made, or if that's not possible, take an off the rack dress to your dressmaker to be altered. A great fit and supportive undergarments (ok, Spanx... or other granny knickers) are behind looking fabulous regardless of your size.

And make sure you have a good bra. You want the girls hoisted as high as the heavens, and not to have to be constantly readjusting.

This is exactly right I believe...you gotta start with the right foundation, so the bra/spanx/hosiery issue has to be taken care of..try to find a really great color that makes you glowy looking but don't get crazy with the sparkle or the pattern..it's a great idea to contact the bride if you can to find out what the dress code is because that dictates the length. Normally the more formal the wedding the longer the dress..and the most important part is the fit..so find a higher end seamstress who's used to working on really nice dresses cause they know how to make a dress look like it was made for your body..and I saw someone mention bringing a wrap or a jacket of some sort, that's really important too cause even if the wedding/reception is inside it's probably going to be a little cool..

I don't think anyone could go wrong with an empire waist and an A line skirt- depending on your body style you can look for a slimmer A line or a little fuller...

Lucky you! You get to be color coordinated AND fabulous!

No, you don't need a full length dress unless this wedding is formal. My suggestion is find a dress that is more like a "cocktail dress" -- something in a beautiful fabric -- I recommend no prints or sequins.. unless it's VERY understated and not ALL over.. solid colors.. RICH colors.. beautiful fabric.. all of your bling should come from accessories.. killer shoes.. glittery handbag.. big, shimmery jewelry.. your dress will be your canvas.

choose something that glides over your curves (like a delicious sateen jersey) but doesn't CLING too tightly.. perhaps it should float away from the body at the knee or thigh.. it should breathe and move with you but not restrict you. The last thing you ever want to do is feel uncomfortable because if you feel it, you'll look it.. and you want to look FABULOUS all the time, effortlessly!

If the wedding is scheduled in warm weather, go ahead and go strapless (with a GOOD, SOLID underpinning and a VERY good strapless bra).. and carry a wrap.. wear a gorgeous chunky, bright and glittery necklace so you won't feel "naked" up top. If it's in cooler months.. see if you can find a boatneck style short sleeve.. (think audrey hepburn).. again... something simple that you can dress up with fabulous, once in a lifetime accessories.

AND TAKE PICTURES!!

Stef