Help dress me please

[karinothing]

Some of you may remember that I lost a friend to depression in February. We are having a memorial for her in June. The request was to wear florals/bright clothes. I am not really a fan of bright colors in general and am struggling to find something that feels appropriate because I am really not in the mood to wear bright colors at this event. I will likely be speaking. 

I also have my kid's first communion earlier in the day, so it needs to do double duty. I would like some sort of sleeve. I am a size medium or size 8/10. Most of my weight is in my hips and I look better in stuff that is tucked at the waist. I am 5'4. I had originally bought this 

[lust2hart]

I can't see what you originally bought - Are you looking for a dress? How do you feel about pastels instead of bright?

I'm sorry for your loss.

[karinothing]

May 16, 2024 10:06:20 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

I can't see what you originally bought - Are you looking for a dress? How do you feel about pastels instead of bright?

I'm sorry for your loss.

whoops sorry. I got this dress www.disturbia.us/collections/womens-dresses/products/foxglove-button-detail-midi-dress
but now it is maybe too dark? I also need to get it hemmed. 

I am just a mostly wear black person

[DotAndBuzz]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

That dress does look pretty dark. :\ Maybe something like this?

jcrew factory

[lavenderblue]

That dress is pretty, but it's very dark. You can do a dark base and still have a dress that looks more Spring-y. Not bright colors, but this dress is black, and the white florals really brighten it up.

www.nordstromrack.com/s/blu-pepper-floral-tiered-midi-dress/7854099?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&color=001

[charlatti]

Could you add some brighter accessories? If you normally just wear black, that dress could count as bright colors for you. I can’t imagine anyone is going to be overly critical at a memorial. I’m sorry for your loss.

[onthemove]

This might be too much, but how about navy with flowers? www.kohls.com/product/prd-6120592/womens-london-times-cap-sleeve-fit-flare-dress.jsp?skuid=79928714&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=DRESSES&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=79928714&utm_campaignid=20503756948&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=SSC&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_campaignid=20503756948&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADytpHaNBxH7iLIXwYMD6uy5mwTPr&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7p6-9teShgMVhVN_AB26ng1GEAQYDyABEgLHgPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[justemily]

Floral w/o being too bright...

evereve.com/fiorella-dress-58375-c#color=15

[justemily]

Another option?

gibsonlook.com/collections/dresses-jumpsuits/products/flutter-slv-smocked-waist-day-dress-with-tiered-skirt?variant=41926397264011

[justemily]

Also like this one!

gibsonlook.com/collections/dresses-jumpsuits/products/sweetheart-pin-dot-flutter-sleeve-dress?variant=41844650639499

[dancingirl21]

I also don’t gravitate to brighter colors. I like neutrals. My husband often jokes that I switch out my winter dark wardrobe to my spring/summer dark wardrobe. However, I would wear something like these.

www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-bettina-tiered-shirt-dress-by-maeve?category=dresses&color=031&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

www.anthropologie.com/shop/english-factory-puff-sleeve-tiered-midi-dress?category=dresses&color=040&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

[cricketwife]

May 16, 2024 12:19:39 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

That dress is pretty, but it's very dark. You can do a dark base and still have a dress that looks more Spring-y. Not bright colors, but this dress is black, and the white florals really brighten it up.

www.nordstromrack.com/s/blu-pepper-floral-tiered-midi-dress/7854099?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&color=001

I agree with this strategy -- black but with light colors/white to springify it.  

www.nordstromrack.com/s/ellen-tracy-puff-sleeve-linen-blend-midi-dress/7596315?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=003
www.nordstromrack.com/s/marina-keyhole-a-line-midi-dress/7733847?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=001

OR -- you go could go with a solid color that is more neutral and/or muted and maybe more in line with what you are comfortable wearing. 
www.nordstromrack.com/s/blu-pepper-smocked-flutter-sleeve-tiered-midi-dress/7163908?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=334 
www.nordstromrack.com/s/nsr-evelyn-puff-sleeve-lace-high-low-dress/7376557?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=531
www.nordstromrack.com/s/august-sky-tiered-midi-dress/7734075?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=270


My final thought is that your friend would want you to feel comfortable and good about yourself in whatever you wear.  There are lots of spring black dresses that you could certainly wear and let the other people (like me, lol) bring all the floral and color to the evnet.  Regardless of what you choose, I would steer clear of the option you posted.  It's very, very somber. Oddly, more somber than an all-black spring dress. 

[jennistarr1]

I really like this top from Kohl's in Fuchsia Petal
my coworkers liked it so much she bought the same pattern as a dress, this pattern is in several different styles like skirts etc.
I like it because it has black, white, and bright

www.kohls.com/product/prd-5989158/womens-nine-west-roll-cuff-woven-tee.jsp?color=Fuchsia%20Petal&prdPV=22&isClearance=false

[shortstax]

I vote that you should wear that dress. It’s beautiful, and it’s your style. You’ll look great and the subtle floral print gives it just enough whimsy.

Rock it and cross finding another dress off your list. Much love to you ❤️

[karinothing]

Thanks everyone. I think it is just really hard to pick out a dress for something that I hate I have to go to.

Also wtf is up with the links on this page? I can't click directly on them it takes me to some rebate page?

[rhian]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I was also going to suggest a black/navy base with a floral print - I'm not a bright color or floral person either and I wore this dress to a few weddings (not available now but to give you a sense of possible style): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PTNNSS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A few that are available:
www.nordstromrack.com/s/max-studio-floral-short-sleeve-tiered-maxi-dress/7636941?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&fashioncolor=Blue&color=400

www.nordstromrack.com/s/dkny-floral-flutter-sleeve-midi-faux-wrap-dress/7665751?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&fashioncolor=Blue&color=410

www.nordstromrack.com/s/socialite-print-flutter-sleeve-dress/7778184?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&fashioncolor=Black&color=001

www.nordstromrack.com/s/karl-lagerfeld-paris-floral-print-chiffon-midi-dress/7588151?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses%2FFloral&fashioncolor=Black&color=019

[deadwing]

If you feel good in the dress you already bought, I vote wear it. I think it's more important to wear something you feel good in than to comply with an arbitrary request for bright colors. Would your friend have wanted you to change your style for her? I bet not.

I love the pattern of the dress you linked. I'm a little sad it doesn't come in my size.

[lust2hart]

I think the dress you bought is fine! I think the way it's styled makes it look more "somber" or severe than it has to. Assuming you have long hair, with it down and with less chunky shoes it would look lovely.

However, here are a couple of alternatives: 
dress 1
dress 2

[karinothing]

May 16, 2024 13:38:09 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

I think the dress you bought is fine! I think the way it's styled makes it look more "somber" or severe than it has to. Assuming you have long hair, with it down and with less chunky shoes it would look lovely.

However, here are a couple of alternatives: 
dress 1
dress 2

I just looked at that first one. I do like the color purple.

[karinothing]

I do like the idea of a dark dress with flower. I wish it was easier to try dresses on it stores these days..

[expectantsteelerfan]

I have this dress from Kohls in purple from last year, but I lost weight and it's now too big. I saw it in store in this green and thought the color was so pretty and springy that I bought it to replace the purple one. It's definitely bright, but being a solid maybe not too 'out there' for you? You could add a floral necklace for the memorial. (the link is to petite because that's what I ordered, but they have it in regular too)
www.kohls.com/product/prd-6640015/petite-simply-vera-vera-wang-smocked-neck-day-dress.jsp

[ellipses84]

I’m sorry for your loss.

I think you should wear what you want to the communion and if that’s a solid color blue dress or something, you could swap out your accessories for something larger and brighter for the memorial. I wear a lot of black, but blue is a good alternative and I prefer pastels over more vibrant bright colors. Darker floral on a white background or a bold black and white pattern with bright accessories will seem a lot brighter. You could also wear a skirt and shirt, with one of them a solid neutral.

Macy’s has a bunch of bright floral dresses with sleeves on dark blue or black background that read a lot brighter than the one you posted, which has a darker vibe. I personally love this one, but you might like some of the others better.
www.macys.com/shop/product/dkny-womens-surplice-neck-balloon-sleeve-tie-waist-dress?ID=17430884&isDlp=true&isDlp=true

Nordstrom rack has lots of options, too. I usually order a few online to try on at home and return what I don’t like in store. Screenshots since I can’t link from the app.

[mrsukyankee]

I'd just go with what you already have. It has florals, it feels right on you and it's perfectly fine. Just wear it. (perhaps a bright flower to put in your hair would be a good compromise)

[scout8]

Another vote for wearing what you bought. I think it's fine.

[stemmie]

I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend. There's a potential for this to be a difficult day, so I would wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I doubt a good friend would want you wasting money on something that isn't authentic to yourself.

FTR, I am not a fan of people dictating clothing/color schemes for others outside of a bridal party or branch of the military. Plus, your dress is really pretty. I love the vintagey sweetheart neckline.

[karinothing]

May 17, 2024 7:57:28 GMT -5 stemmie said:

I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend. There's a potential for this to be a difficult day, so I would wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I doubt a good friend would want you wasting money on something that isn't authentic to yourself.

FTR, I am not a fan of people dictating clothing/color schemes for others outside of a bridal party or branch of the military. Plus, your dress is really pretty. I love the vintagey sweetheart neckline.

I think it is just what she loved so that is why. It just isn't how i feel at all. 

[jennistarr1]

[jennistarr1]

I realized my link was one that didn't work...so that's the image. Again you get that a dress or skirt or just various different cuts. Go to kohls and put in nine west as brand

[waverly]

I vote wear the dress you have with hair down and a pop of color necklace. Wear lighter shoes than shown in the picture. You can always thrown in a brighter scarf or belt if the necklace isn’t enough pop of color.