From Wedding to Weekend: A Multi-Purpose Wedding Dress
20 Mar
Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Dress 3 | Dress 4
Mica recently contacted me with a question. See, she’s getting married in a few months but doesn’t want a big, fancy, traditional wedding dress. In fact, she wants something she can wear to multiple events, wedding related or not. The lucky couple is not only having a small main ceremony but then they are planning a cross-country road trip to celebrate with as many friends and family in as many locations as possible.
Mica also wanted to make sure she didn’t break the bank on a dress since they’ll need that money for their road trip! So, she asked me for some suggestions on places to find dresses that fit the bill.
Earrings (L) | Sandals | Earrings (R) | Jacket | Shoes
My first stop is always The Limited just because it’s my favorite store. This lace yoke dress with a bit of an a-line skirt would be perfect because it’s not so over-the-top fancy that it can’t be dressed down. And it’s under $100.
Other retailers such as Banana Republic and J. Crew also carry nice dresses but they tend to be more expensive. The Limited has good prices and GREAT sales. However, if you find a dress at a store that you love but it’s out of your price range, check ebay! I once fell in love with a beautiful dress at J. Crew but it was way too expensive. And by the time it had dropped in price they were sold out of my size. So I wrote down the dress name and searched for it on ebay. A trip to the tailor and significantly fewer dollars later I had the perfect dress.
Necklace | Sandals | Cardigan | Belt | Shoes
Other good options are department stores. Yes, they can be overwhelming but they do have the best selection of different items. Which is why I prefer to order items online and then return them at the store! So much easier than trying to find an item in the store if the sales clerks aren’t helpful. Nordstrom seems to have the best balance of price to customer service level, but Macy’s has the best sales. Which is why the rest of the dresses here are from Macy’s. However, if you have a Nordstrom near you then why not check it out?
In the mean time, the dress above is great because it’s cotton, has a small tonal print that makes it a bit more fun, and has the belt that can swapped out to be dressy or casual.
Earrings | Shoes | Blazer | Bag | Sandals
A sheath dress would be perfect because in this white cotton eyelet fabric it looks great alone or under a blazer, jacket or cardigan. It could even be transitioned to wear in an office with the blazer and the nude peep toe wedges. Many people don’t think they can pull off a sheath dress but it can be done and most women actually look great in them. And if it’s too big in the bust when it fits you in the hips, consider how much you paid for it. Did you save enough that it would be worth it to get the top tailored?
Necklace | Sandals (L) | Earrings | Bag | Sandals (R)
Finally, this cotton eyelet trimmed dress might be my favorite of the four I’m highlighting. Why? Because it just seems like the perfect, light, airy dress to wear when you’re getting married in a park. The wide waistband will work on just about anyone, the v-neck is flattering, you can probably wear a regular bra with it (hooray!) and looking at it just makes me happy! Plus, I could easily see it with a cardigan or the denim jacket above to make it even more casual. And, like the others, it’s under $100.
Other great places to look for a dress? Well, if you don’t mind a bit of a hunt, I’ve found amazing dresses at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory (yes, they are more than great coats). However, there’s no guarantee they’ll have anything so you have to be willing to leave empty handed. Some people also swear by thrift or consignment shops for exactly this sort of situation but I’ve never been thrift-lucky.
However, since I know what size I wear in a few brands, I can use apps and websites such as Poshmark or Threadflip to search for items in my size and preferred brand and get good deals that way. Or, I can use my little online shopping secret: Shopstyle!
So, Mica, I hope you find the prefect dress for your needs! Congrats on your upcoming wedding and be sure to send me some pictures!
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0Tags: dress, you pick wednesday
Right now I’m pretty happy with my closet. But even so there are days when I stand there and stare at all the hangers and think, “I wish I had….”
I’ve had all of these clothing pieces in my closet for a long time. I keep wavering on whether or not to keep the cardigan and then it keeps staying. 
Pairing the fancy sequined skirt with a neutral colored cardigan and nude heels helps keep it from being too bling-y or overwhelming.
The fact that I paired two pieces that could be considered slightly casual but added heels and a blazer makes my outfit work appropriate without being traditional.
I love the last option. What a great question.
This was really fun to research, too! Since white and lace are so in this spring there are a lot of options!
Yessss! Thank you so much! This is JUST what I needed, and I’m super excited about all the possibilities. You even allayed my fears of sheath dresses!
I think my favorite was the last one (with the eyelets), too! It must be meant to be then!
Thanks again!
Can’t wait to see what you end up with! If you need any more advice, you know what to do
When I got married in the fall of 2011, I didn’t want a fancy wedding or dress either. I was able to find a pretty cream dress at Nordstrom Rack for $70. I haven’t had a chance to wear it again, but it’s definitely simple enough to wear to dinner and drinks. Great post idea!
Nordstrom Rack, like TJ Maxx and others, is so hit or miss for me. That’s awesome that you found something there!
I love this idea, especially the post-nuptial road trip celebration! I haven’t even been married 6 months and I’m already thinking we need a do-over
I’ve been seeing a lot of super cute white lace dresses that are nice, but not overly fancy and could definitely be re-purposed. The Joe Fresh collection has one, and so does New York & Company (both are online too!), and they’re both around $60-$70.
Lace and white are so on-trend for spring right now so it’s the perfect time to be looking for a dress like that!
What an interesting post! I love this idea-wedding to weekend! I want to be bff’s with whoever this reader is! My kinda gal!
Come visit me! I’m super-glad you like the idea!
Totally! I have a feeling you two would have a lot in common
Beautiful looks! I personally love the first one- very classic and the addition of the jean jacket and boat shoes totally transforms it…gives me an idea of how to style my clearance rack Sperry’s! Even if these aren’t for a wedding- they could be for so many other occasions too!
Valerie
http://www.the-style-files.com
I wore my knock-off Sperry’s with EVERYTHING last summer. I need another pair as back-up
My flower girl dress I’ve picked is cotton eyelet dress from JCP. I looooove the style on ANYONE!
Cute!
Awesome suggestions! I can’t to see which she chooses!
Same here!
Wow, how awesome is Mica? That sounds like a really fun wedding and a really cool road trip I love that she’s buying an inexpensive dress so that they can have fun. (I’m sorry but I just can’t with weddings today. Paying between $25-$35k for a party? That’s just insanity.)
All of these dresses are so cute and flirty,you did a wonderful job picking out really cute options! If I was getting married today I would totally go with one of these options.
It is a really fun idea, isn’t it?
I am also getting married this June on a beach then having a reception a few days later with a wedding dress ( which btw was a 399 designer sample!). I just bought a little eyelet sheath for 39.99 at Marshall’s (same exact one is in a major dept store now for 130! I also bought the first option from the limited and I have decided I love it and will use that to get married in! The other eyelet sheath will not go to Waste as its very casual. Good luck and so excited for another non-traditional bride!