Shopping for dresses

[verycontrary247]

Who is good at shopping?

H and I are going on a 7 day child free trip for our 5th anniversary the first week of October. I'm looking for a few "dressier" dresses for a few dinners.

I'm typically a 16, 18, XL or XXL. It's hard to find things in store to try on but the Internet is an overwhelming place for someone who rarely buys dresses. I got a reduction last year so my boobs are way perkier and I can wear dresses that don't require a bra.

Preferences:
-Wrinkle resistant fabric that isn't going to look terrible after being squished in my carry on
-dark or bright color
-fit and flare
-v neck
-midi or knee length
-goes with black shoes
-$100 or less

Help!

[leahcar]

Lands End has a dress that’s literally called Fit and Flare. Comes in all different sleeve lengths. They don’t wrinkle and LE always has some sort of sale. I wear them a lot for work travel; they are easy to dress up/down.

I also love Soma’s dresses.

[nicolewi]

I always suggest trying JC Penney for dresses, especially dresses at a lower cost. They have a lot of options!

[arehopsveggies]

Sept 15, 2024 17:53:37 GMT -5 leahcar said:

Lands End has a dress that’s literally called Fit and Flare. Comes in all different sleeve lengths. They don’t wrinkle and LE always has some sort of sale. I wear them a lot for work travel; they are easy to dress up/down.

I also love Soma’s dresses.

I have some amazing lands end dresses. One friend told me that I literally should never wear anything else

[verycontrary247]

Sept 15, 2024 17:53:37 GMT -5 leahcar said:

Lands End has a dress that’s literally called Fit and Flare. Comes in all different sleeve lengths. They don’t wrinkle and LE always has some sort of sale. I wear them a lot for work travel; they are easy to dress up/down.

I also love Soma’s dresses.

Is it the Lands End Starfish fit and flare? I love LE but think I'm looking for something less utilitarian.

[leahcar]

verycontrary247, they carry it outside the Starfish line as well.

What about Torrid? They don't describe anything as fit and flare, but have a lot of things that hang pretty similarly. Most of these come in multiple colors/patterns too.
www.torrid.com/product/tea-length-stretch-challis-trapeze-dress/41740086-12544.html?cgid=Clothing_Dresses
www.torrid.com/product/midi-swiss-linen-surplice-dress/17369999-06555.html?cgid=Clothing_Dresses
www.torrid.com/product/mini-studio-knit-surplice-tiered-dress/40841292-14183.html?cgid=Clothing_Dresses#start=36
www.torrid.com/product/mini-lurex-chiffon-tiered-dress/18485093-14273.html?cgid=Clothing_Dresses
www.torrid.com/product/midi-chiffon-pleated-dress/16775202-13686.html?cgid=Clothing_Dresses

[expectantsteelerfan]

You could look at Bloomchic. They have those sizes and lots of options. Not the best quality (but not bad either), and not the best return policy though. I also get a lot of dresses from Amazon.

[ssmjlm]

Anthro on sale. Man I used to think I wasn't the right audience for anthro, but I have bought too many things from them lately.

[shauni27]

I feel very old for suggesting this, but I have had the most luck with Kohls for dresses that fit my body and budget.

[lindyanne]

I am the same size and got this dress in teal (but it comes in a bunch of colors) for Portugal and absolutely loved how it traveled and wore well.

ANRABESS Womens Summer V-Neck... www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMZHY1QY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[holly116]

I wear a lot of Boden dresses and I like the Lands End fit and flare too.

Do you have a Dillard's nearby? I can always find something cute and on sale if I'm looking for a bit dressier/more structured than Boden.

[Bad Dingo]

Anthropologie just finished a weekend of 40% off sale, but they come up a lot.  You can also sign up for their rewards program and put your birthday in for a convenient time to get a discount code.

Some cute ones:

www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-halter-sheer-printed-maxi-dress?category=sale-dresses&color=015&type=STANDARD&quantity=1


www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-jocelyn-sleeveless-slip-midi-dress-by-maeve2?category=sale-dresses&color=024&type=STANDARD&quantity=1




www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-tommie-cap-sleeve-smocked-front-zip-shirt-dress4?category=sale-dresses&color=010&type=PLUS&quantity=1


www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-sleeveless-mock-neck-fringe-sweater-midi-dress?category=sale-dresses&color=001&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

[NewGirlNic]

This isn't midi or knee length but it's super flattering. I'm a size 14 and 36DD and the top is secure enough that I don't need a bra (I wear Cakes nipple covers with it)

www.amazon.com/dp/B093WSPYSQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

[NewGirlNic]

Sept 16, 2024 7:29:31 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I feel very old for suggesting this, but I have had the most luck with Kohls for dresses that fit my body and budget.

I was in Kohls yesterday to do some Amazon returns and was actually shocked at their dress selection. Lots of cute options from casual to office appropriate to special occasion. I think I saw they sell Nicole Miller (which gave me prom dress shopping flashbacks, LOL)

In the past I have had good luck with Kohls dress shopping online. They never seemed to have a good instore selection, but now it looks like they do, at the store I shop in at least. 

[sdlaura]

I get most of my dresses from the LOFT outlet, Old Navy, and Target. I’m wearing a gap outlet dress today. I really need to be able to try things on, and I think all of those stores have most of the sizes you mentioned.

[shauni27]

Sept 16, 2024 15:15:27 GMT -5 NewGirlNic said:

Sept 16, 2024 7:29:31 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I feel very old for suggesting this, but I have had the most luck with Kohls for dresses that fit my body and budget.

I was in Kohls yesterday to do some Amazon returns and was actually shocked at their dress selection. Lots of cute options from casual to office appropriate to special occasion. I think I saw they sell Nicole Miller (which gave me prom dress shopping flashbacks, LOL)

In the past I have had good luck with Kohls dress shopping online. They never seemed to have a good instore selection, but now it looks like they do, at the store I shop in at least. 

that is how I got sucked in last year! I never liked the store, it just did not suit me, but I went in for a return and had that 20% off coupon they give you so I looked! Since then 75% of my wardrobe comes from there, lol.

[eb777888]

Sept 16, 2024 15:10:28 GMT -5 NewGirlNic said:

This isn't midi or knee length but it's super flattering. I'm a size 14 and 36DD and the top is secure enough that I don't need a bra (I wear Cakes nipple covers with it)

www.amazon.com/dp/B093WSPYSQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

This dress is GORGEOUS! I got it in the orange and blue (floral Z15) and I love it. It's really flattering. I sized up after reading reviews about the chest area but otherwise my usual size would have been fine. I definitely need to wear my strapless bra but I'm a DDD. I've been looking for a dress for a specific event and ordered a bunch from Nordstrom, but didn't love any of them. I think this is the one.