Help!! Frugal Formal wear needed!!

[Sam_2.0]

DH has a work party in 3.5 weeks. Its a pretty formal affair (guys in tuxes, or at the very least the newbies wear their best suits, which DH will do again this year I think).

I got away with wearing a bridesmaid dress last year - more of a mermaid-style black dress, strapless top, pretty form-fitting. That's obviously NOT going to work out so well this year!

I have outgrown all of my formal dresses already That, coupled with the fact that I am not a fashionista in the slightest anyway, has me pretty stressed over finding an acceptable dress for this party! I have seen some cute ones, but I doubt DH will let me spend $200 on a dress I will probably wear once.

My belly is still pretty small. I think I can get by with a high-waisted dress that's non-maternity. But I definitely can't get away with a strapless dress anymore

Can I call on my frugal friends to help me put together an outfit? I am going to need shoes too - and I have no idea what other accessories.

[Sam_2.0]

Here are some ideas....please let me know if these won't work!!

www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=935460023&MasterCategory_Id=MC3

www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=14&pageId=1&productId=570015535&viewAll=&prd=Champagne+Illusion+Tank+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=11&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningOccasion&onSale
(This one I really like, but its too expensive )

www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=1a0cf89&DeptID=70656&CatID=80145&SO=0&SelDim=4294957900~&CatSel=4294936935|bride+%2b+bridesmaid&Ne=29+3+4294957900+1031+585+596+8+18+904+833+949&x5view=1&shopperType=G&N=4294936935&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70656|80145
(Looks super comfortable - but is it dressy enough? Also, its a bit on the high side $$-wise, but I could probably swing that).

[Waffle]

I like the first one. Try Macy's too. I saw quite a few cute dresses there. If you've got a Macy's near you, you could probably find something less expensive in their clearance area.

Simple and black is always good. You can dress it up or down with your accessories.

[mizbear]

sam- try your local Goodwill or other thrift store- you would be surprised how many high quality formal pieces you can find. I would definitely hunt out an empire waist with a fuller skirt- so you may be able to use it through the whole pregnancy. A basic black can be dressed up with accesories. I would also consider a formal pantsuit if you are comfortable given the weather- that means sensible shoes and no hose.
If you find a simpler dress within your budget, dress it up with a shawl, jacket, pearls, CZs, diamonds, etc. I am sure you will look spectacular.

[dancinmama]

I really like the third dress, but that's because it is my style. I liked the first one better than the second one.

Also you can try Ross. It is hit and miss there, but I have gotten lucky a couple of times and picked up a couple of REALLY NICE things for very little $$.

Do you have any black cocktail pants? I have two pair, both have elastic wastes. One of them has panels so that you can't really tell if they are pants or a skirt. Both have saved my butt SEVERAL times. They're great cuz you can dress them up depending on the top and shoes/accessories that you choose. And I didn't pay much for either pair.

[Deleted]

J Crew has a line of bridesmaids dresses - some of which are fairly basic A-line or empire waist styles, and while the dresses themselves are pretty spendy, you can frequently find them on ebay - either brand new or worn once or twice.

Or, take a look at Target's website. They have a couple of cute maternity cocktail dresses. You could dress them up a bit further with a sequin shrug or fun jewelry? I think you get kind of a pass during pregnancy - cocktail attire is close enough to formal wear in this instance. I think mizbear has the right idea - get a basic dress and focus on your accessories.

[sarcasticgirl]

if you pick something with an empire waist line, then you should be totally fine. Luckily, that's in right now. I like the the dresses you posted, though i think #2 looks the least appropriate for a cocktail party (maybe it's just me)

i've seen some cute things at kohls lately... if you have one near you, you might want to check there.

[chicg]

Sam, I found Penny's coupon codes online when I was looking for gym shoes a few months ago, I found a 20% off code that was good on sale items too, plus free shipping over $50. If you really like that dress, look for codes. Also, try TJ Maxx/Marshall's/Nordstrom Rack if you have one, and I second Target and Macy's (they also usually always have a 15% coupon you can print from their homepage).

what about something like this? www.target.com/Merona-Maternity-One-Shoulder-Special-Occasion/dp/B0049243OE/ref=br_1_2?ie=UTF8&node=1293427011&sessionID=186-4174133-6700002&searchSize=30&searchView=grid3&searchPage=1&sr=1-2&qid=1296055339&rh=style_name%3AParty%20Dress&searchBinNameList=style_name%2Csleeve_type%2Ccollar_style-bin%2Clifestyle-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1

[dakota4600]

Sam- You are in my neck of the woods. Try Motherhood out at the Legends, when I was PG I found some nice dresses out there for under $50. Also I was just at Steinmart on 95th & Quivera, they had a rack of formals all at least 30% off. I didn't look at them, but if you have the 40% off clearance coupon from the paper it might be worth the trek.

Personally I like #3.

[mommax4]

you can also do a search for formal wear/prom dress/bridesmaid dress on craigslist. Maybe if you went up 1 size or found an empire waist there it could work out. I'd offer to let you borrow one of mine, but I think I'm a few inches taller (and a size or 2 bigger) than you so the long ones would be too long. If you want me to check message me your usual size & I'll check my closet.

[debtheaven]

Sam do you have a Loehmann's near you? I'm guessing not, I think they are only on the east coast. But I'm not sure. If you don't have one you surely have the equivalent.

I had the same issue as you, but I was more pregnant, like six months pregnant (with my fourth! Pretty huge!)

My sis on LI took me to Loehman's and I bought a very simple but beautiful A-line chocolate brown velvet dress. I drove my sister NUTS because I wanted it in black not brown, but it was nowhere to be had LOL. I still spent two hours looking for it though!

I didn't pay a lot for it, at all. It is cut in such a way that it still fits all these years later. I dress it up with shoes and jewellery. At this point is one of my "basics". I very rarely wear it anymore, but it is still in my closet because all these years later although it is not my favorite item, I can still pull it out and it still looks great.

I know you are much younger than I am, but hope this helps. All this to say, if you are going to spend the money, try to go for something classic that you can wear more often than just for this party, and later, when you are further along in your pregnancy and bigger.

BTW, congrats!

Best!

[blackcard]

ebay? Still enough time to bid on it and have it sent.

[Elizabeth]

I have bought a lot of cute brand name dresses at Ross, Marshall's, and TJ Max. I would check there. I bought a Kenneth Cole dress that retailed for over $200 for $35 at Ross. It is very a very classic, flattering black dress. I dress it up with accessories, hair and make up, shoes, and handbag. I have received many compliments on it. It's worth a shot if they have one in your area.

[Sam_2.0]

We have a TJ Max here - never thought to check that out. I will have to do that

Dakota - I think I am on the complete other side of the city, but we have a Motherhood & a Steinmart out this way too. Thanks for the suggestions!

I tried shopping last week, and it was a disaster. Tried going up 3 sizes and still nothing fit. Most of the stores were a complete bust. Hopefully this weekend will be good.

[mizbear]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but have you tried Kohl's? When my cousin and my cousins' wives were pregnant, they managed to find black dresses at the anchor stores in the mall. When we buried my grandfather, 1 was ready to drop, one was still wearing her maternity clothes and one was 6 months or so. Also, if you have any consignment shops in your area that specialize in children and maternity wear- try there- my one cousin's wife outfitted herself for a little bit of nothing from a maternity and kids consignment- including formal wear needed when she was in a couple of weddings.

[Peace77]

I second the idea of checking out consignment shops.

I went to one in a nice area and found quite a few nice things when I needed them for a business trip.

[Deleted]

You can rent women's formal wear online.

[Clever Username]

Don't you know anyone who has ever been pregnant before?
Or is :Borrow Something: just too obvious.

[Clever Username]

And if status quo is for the guys to wear tuxes.
I'm assuming that they pay well enough to afford a rental and the digs are fancy enough to justify them.
Then go rent a tux.

Sometimes it's not good to stand out as the cheapskate stick in the mud employee.

[Sam_2.0]

I checked out TJ Maxx, and got a dress for only $25 (got to love clearance!). Works for me! At that price, I don't really care if I can ever wear it again or not. Its not like I can show up in the same dress each year anyway

[SaverBee]

Congrats Sam, I was wondering if you found a dress...share the details! I love clearance dress shopping at Ross, I mostly get sundresses as I don't have a lot of formal events to go to.

[debtheaven]

Yay Sam! I'm so glad you found something you like at a great price!

As an "oldie" here, a few close friends and I (this was many years ago!) used to share our maternity wardrobe. The only rule was, if you participate, you have to add at least one item of clothing. We always added at least several items.

Just something to keep in mind!

[Sam_2.0]

SaverBee - its a strapless dress with a band right under the bust line, and a skirt that comes down to my knees. It has a few pleats in the front that work really well - it hides my belly a bit, but does not make it look like I am trying to force it into my clothes! I am trying to find a little cardigan to match, but if I don't it will be fine since its supposed to be fairly warm (50's).

Debthaven - I love that idea! My sister gave me a lot of her things, but they just didn't fit. I kept some of the shirts, but will pass the other clothes along. She's about 4'' shorter than I am (she's only 4'11''!!), so all of her pants were way too short. I wish I had other friends that had been pregnant recently, but DH and I are the first ones in our circle to have a baby. But I guess that means I get to start the maternity collection & pass it along I think the shirts/skirts will be able to be passed along much easier than the pants, since I am the shorty in the group

[regina24601]

sam - I would offer you my collection of maternity clothes, but if you're 5'3", I don't think my wardrobe would do you much good since I'm 5'9". My sisters and I do something similar to what debtheaven described. I currently am in possession of the giant tub of clothes, but I'll send it to whoever gets pregnant next. Works pretty well!

[mizbear]

sam- Great find! I wish I had known you were 5'3". So am I. Never been prego, but I had to purchase larger clothes when I picked up this weight.
Maybe we can all have a clothing swap!

[SaverBee]

The dress sounds cute!! but ack 50's is freezing for me, then again I'm a chicken and anything 70 is already chilly

[2kids10horses]

May I suggest that DH go to a K&G Warehouse for his Tux? Every man should own a Tux.

You can also try the Thrift shops. We've been getting them for 99 cents each for my son! He's now 15, and he plays in Youth Orchestras, and they are required to wear Tuxedos for their concerts. The kids grow so fast, he only gets one, maybe two wearings before he's outgrown it. But at 99 cents, who cares?

[qofcc]

If you don't find a cardigan you like, how about a nice pashima shawl? There was a huge display of them marked down to $9.99 at JCPenney's when I was in there the other day.