Where in the hell do I get a gown?

BeebopandBuddy

My DH's cousin is having some kind of 40's themed wedding and their wedding website says this:

So ladies break out those gowns, furs and classic elbow length gloves. And gentleman, dig out your timeless black jackets, the fresh pressed white shirt, and bowties. For the truly dedicated, top hats and canes are encouraged! We are pulling out all the stops to make this a real glamorous event.

I do not own a gown and I really don't want to.  I have a really nice cocktail dress I was going to wear.  I certainly do not own a fur or elbow-length gloves.   Can I rent one?  Is the cocktail dress ok?  It's like this:

Help!

Holly_1007

you can get elbow length gloves at any costume store. Have you looked into renting a gown? does your mom have one you could borrow?

AKB090609

Personally, I'd get a cheep pair of gloves and wear the dress you have. Then again I don't like being told what to wear to events (other than the formality of the event).

hmp1

Rent the Runway! I can't wait for a reason to rent a nice dress from there.

I have elbow length gloves from a costume store; they were about $5.

BPer

hmp1 said:

Rent the Runway! I can't wait for a reason to rent a nice dress from there.

I have elbow length gloves from a costume store; they were about $5.

This. Rent the runway is amazing.

hmp1

This one is gorg. Badgley Mischka dress, $75

https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/fifthavenueshowstopperdress

BPer

hmp1 said:

This one is gorg. Badgley Mischka dress, $75

https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/fifthavenueshowstopperdress

This is the one I rented! It's gorgeous on. I don't think I have any pictures. I'll look.

cmarie520

I came in to say Rent the Runway as well. I used it for a formal charity event a couple weeks ago, and they're awesome!

Hyaline

I'm thinking back on my 40s vintage knowledge, and honestly...I don't think they wore elbow-length gloves with cocktail attire very often, lol!  Maybe formal wear, which, honestly, it sounds like she's trying to aim for anyway.  But I see no reason to wear a full-length gown to a wedding unless it's truly that ritzy of an event (and believe me, you will not probably find a 40s style formal gown on renttherunway or much of anywhere else).  Also, top hats and canes? WTF version of the 40s is she channeling, Fred Astaire movies?

If you're going to go with a loose theme, ie, not full-on vintage or costumey, I think your dress is fine, and I'd accent with chunky costume-jewelry style earrings (bonus if they're from the antique mall), a bolero like Poppy said, maybe play it up with vintage-styled hair and red lips.  If you really want to look "authentically" 40s the dress doesn't cut it at all, but I doubt that's what you (or they) are going for!

So, basically, wear that dress and have fun with accessorizing however you want.  I'd use it as an excuse to buy or make a vintage dress, but that's because I geek out on 30s and 40s style

hmp1

I took her request to be not so much 40's but over the top black tie.

BeebopandBuddy

Thanks ladies.  I like Origamipoppy's idea about the bolero, I may be able to swing that.  I'm not sure I'm going to bother with the gloves because it sounds like a PITA to try to wear them all night long.  I will try to get some good Old Hollywood looking jewelry to make it more authentic.  We'll see if I can make this work.

Hyaline

I'll add, too, if you want to go full-length gown/Old Hollywood glamour, check consignment and secondhand stores.  It might just be the ones around me, but they often have really nice, worn once or twice gowns.  Not like 80s prom dresses, but things people wore to military balls or charity events and then gave away or are trying to sell.

AKB090609

BeebopandBuddy said:

Thanks ladies.  I like Origamipoppy's idea about the bolero, I may be able to swing that.  I'm not sure I'm going to bother with the gloves because it sounds like a PITA to try to wear them all night long.  I will try to get some good Old Hollywood looking jewelry to make it more authentic.  We'll see if I can make this work.

I think you should also get a really great red lip color, that would make it very 40's for me.