So Impress The Brass, Already!This is not my favorite category. Formal is not me by choice but I do recognize there are some occasions that demand a formal approach and I honor that. Finding a designer formal dress is fairly straightforward. All the designers I frequent do offer formals although the pickings are somewhat limited for some of them. Maybe they share my preferences! But I do have a couple of formal affairs coming up, so I have to break my own mold and go shopping for formals. Let's follow my method of combing online and then hitting the stores I like and trying the ones I selected on the first run through online.
Start with my store of the month - Nordstrom's. And right off the bat, here are two by the same house that both caught my eye earlier this week. Must be Freudian knowing that I had to go formal before long! They are by BCBG MAXAZRIA and the first one is really pretty, I think. It's a strapless Floral Chiffon Gown. The fabric is unusual for this type of dress too which gives it a point of difference from the get go. The gown really flows with a very sweet ruched bodice (boned for support) all above a waist-sculpting adjustable tie. the bodice has a rubber strip at the top to ensure fit. I doing a real slow digest on this dress. Guess, I'll have to go see how it looks on me. Nordstrom item # 174554. Priced at $340.00 (that really is a good price on a very nice dress indeed). The other dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA is this strapless Crinkled Chiffon Dress. Nordstrom labels it a stunning confection and It is quite dramatic, I think. I'm just not sure it's me but again maybe the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I'll just go take a look tomorrow. The dress is layered with lace and crinkled chiffon that fall to frilly feathers at the full, tulle-lined skirt. Boning in the bodice shapes and supports while a satin bow prettily encircles the waist. Item #202308 and priced at $543. Bears repeating, for formals, these prices are not bad. I'm beginning to like the formal designer dress market better than I thought I did! Let's try something completely different. This one I really like because the X back is quite stunning. It's by Calvin Klein. A X-Back Metallic Gown in Gold. The liquid-drape knit is shot through with metallic threads to shape the gown, cut with a deep V-neck and ruched bodice. Crisscrossed straps detail the low, open back before falling to a slight train. Frankly, this one is a pip! Item # and only $198. Luck. |