NBR: Shopping for Dresses

zestyfrog7 · January 2013

I am 31 years old, mom to 2. I am attending a very good friends wedding in May without the kiddos. I will be shopping for a new dress but find shopping these days to be difficult. I feel like I am either too old or too young.

I'd like to get a fun, appropriate dress for the wedding and reception. Am looking for suggestions on where to shop. I am a size 10 and 5'-2" so finding the right length of dress is always an issue, although with all the super short styles these days it is sort of nice since they are a more appropriate length for me.

I live in Minneapolis, work in Roseville. I don't have much time for shopping. I love ordering online and trying on at home but the items have to be free shipping and/or free returns via mail or to store.

TIA!!!

karelaorange · January 2013

It depends a bit on your budget. I like Hot Mama (there's one at the Rosedale Mall) because I feel like they're pretty helpful in finding something that will look good on you. Sometimes I find their friendliness a bit annoying, but if you need help they seem to enjoy providing it. I always find their prices to be a bit hard to swallow, though.

I have also liked Anthropologie (on Grand near Victoria in Saint Paul) and found their advice to be helpful, though their non-sale items can be quite steep as well. I've been so many sizes lately that I find it hard to find something that fits that I don't feel ridiculous in. So I've started asking for help much more while shopping than I used to, and am usually much happier with the results.

LOFT also has some great dress styles coming in, and is cheaper, though I find their staff to be pretty useless when it comes to providing advice. I look for people who will be honest with me so that I can find something that actually looks good on me.