Dress Shopping in DC/Arlington Area

[amberlyrose]

I'm surprising my sister with a little shopping trip when I'm in town for business.

Back Story: 
My sister is in the area for work training for the next 3 months, all alone. She and her bf decided to get married in a small civil ceremony the week of Christmas when she gets home, with plans to do a large Catholic ceremony later on. She's worried about spending too much right now since they'll then be moving for her work in January, but still wants it to be special. 
Perfectly, the weekend she told me her plans I (1) found out I was going to DC for work in a few weeks and (2) I drew her name for family Christmas gifts. 

I'd like to take her out for a day of shopping for a nice dress so that her ceremony can feel special and call it her Christmas gift (she doesn't like "handouts" and wouldn't accept this as a just because gift). I'll still get her something small to open on Christmas, but I think it'd be nice to spend the money on something she actually wants. I'd like to stay under $150. She's on the small end of plus size, so not sure if we'd be able to find something in a boutique, but I'd love some suggestions! Or any shopping areas/malls that would have a couple of department stores that would be nice for a sister date. If we don't find a dress, at least I'll get an idea of what to buy her for Christmas  

I'll be staying in Arlington, she'll be a little south of me. Don't mind traveling around the area if it's worth it. 

[anonymous]

Maybe Tyson’s corner? It’s the nicest mall in the area.

[nextbigthing]

Tysons Corner

[tacoflavoredkisses]

Tyson’s (you could also try the galleria side- it has Anthropologie and some other stores in that realm).

Georgetown has a BHLDN I believe.

Old Town has some cute little shops too.

[cleo29]

Tyson's corner for sure; Tysons II (The galleria has even higher end stores). Saks there does have a bridal department. Nordstrom, at Tysons COrner, has a great dress department as does Bloomingdales.

I grew up in Arlington and now live west of there. Can you tell me what area she is in?

[amberlyrose]

Oct 1, 2018 17:03:37 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Tyson's corner for sure; Tysons II (The galleria has even higher end stores). Saks there does have a bridal department. Nordstrom, at Tysons COrner, has a great dress department as does Bloomingdales.

I grew up in Arlington and now live west of there. Can you tell me what area she is in?

She's staying somewhere near Springfield, from what I understand. 

[cleo29]

Oct 1, 2018 17:21:23 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Oct 1, 2018 17:03:37 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Tyson's corner for sure; Tysons II (The galleria has even higher end stores). Saks there does have a bridal department. Nordstrom, at Tysons COrner, has a great dress department as does Bloomingdales.

I grew up in Arlington and now live west of there. Can you tell me what area she is in?

She's staying somewhere near Springfield, from what I understand. 

I am close to springfield! Tysons is pretty easy to get to from both Arlington and Springfield. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

[charethcutestory]

I am a 16/18 and I have had good luck at Tyson’s II. The Macys there is a little pricier than the other Tyson’s Macys but the semi formal/formal dress selection is better there. But between both malls you have plenty of options. Lord and Taylor usually has a lot of dresses on sale too. This sounds like a great gift idea!

[y4m]

Does Eloquii have dresses that would work? There's a physical store in Pentagon City

[winecat]

If there's not a store that carries dresses that would work, eshakti has wedding/special event dresses. Maybe you could shop for shoes/accessories, etc. that aren't as size dependent?

www.eshakti.com/shop/Weddings%20and%20Events

www.eshakti.com/Shop/Bride

[amberlyrose]

Oct 1, 2018 21:08:47 GMT -5 winecat said:

If there's not a store that carries dresses that would work, eshakti has wedding/special event dresses. Maybe you could shop for shoes/accessories, etc. that aren't as size dependent?

www.eshakti.com/shop/Weddings%20and%20Events

www.eshakti.com/Shop/Bride

She likes eshakti and is also a shoe person, so that's the backup plan I don't think you've met my sister but you know the rest of my fam. 

[amberlyrose]

Oct 1, 2018 20:06:52 GMT -5 charethcutestory said:

I am a 16/18 and I have had good luck at Tyson’s II. The Macys there is a little pricier than the other Tyson’s Macys but the semi formal/formal dress selection is better there. But between both malls you have plenty of options. Lord and Taylor usually has a lot of dresses on sale too. This sounds like a great gift idea!

This is super helpful. She's usually a 16/18 but has been working out a lot, so she's in that weird in between sizing. 

[amberlyrose]

Oct 1, 2018 20:44:51 GMT -5 y4m said:

Does Eloquii have dresses that would work? There's a physical store in Pentagon City

Ooh. They have some cute stuff! I'm at an event near Pentagon City that week, so maybe I'll swing by to see what they have before bringing her out later.

[mommac]

Modcloth has a shop in DC...they have cute white dresses and do plus sizes.

[MDmomof2]

I don't know what kind of vibe she's going for with her ceremony, but consider looking at bridesmaids dresses in a white or off white color. I had a more casual wedding (14 years ago, to be fair) and went that route. I found a lot of decent quality dresses for under $150.

[annabear07]

Total lurker here. There is a store Gossypia in Old Town Alexandria that has less formal wedding dresses off the rack in the top floor. I’ve had a couple friends purchase their dresses for low key weddings there. Plus then you get to bum around Old Town a bit.

I second the rev for the Mod Cloth fit shop. They will have Plus sizes guaranteed!

[amberlyrose]

Thanks, everyone!

[y4m]

How am I just finding out about this ModCloth store?!?!