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amyable
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
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My 25th high school reunion is coming up next month.  I don't know how that happened seeing as I'm still 29 years old. 
I do not own anything appropriate for such an occasion. Nor (and I see I'm not alone by another current thread) do I have any fashion sense.  It's an evening thing at a wedding reception type place... knowing the people I went to school with I think there are going to be a lot of "little black dress" type clothes, sheath dresses, etc. I don't want to be totally out of place.
I want modest but I'm fine with something at or a little above the knee. I'm on the short side of average height, heavy side of average weight and carrying A LOT of that weight right in my belly. So I look 6 months pregnant when I'm not. 
I'm thinking spanx are going to be my best friend.
I'm asking you wonderful ladies because I think you may know how to dress to hide a belly. 
If I could make up my own outfit, it would be some crazy combination of down to earth, a little fun, sweet and elegant. Not a crowd follower but not outlandish and NOT dumpy. (I'm not saying I'm not dumpy. I am. I just don't want to LOOK like that on that one night. )
OK, link me up to some pretty stuff! What are your favorites?
Thanks!
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 5:29pm | IP Logged
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Amy,
Can I ask some questions before I start my hunt for you?
Would you prefer a dress or a two piece outfit? Skirt and blouse or pants and blouse?
What is your favorite color? Would you be willing to wear that color? maybe for an accent peice?
Are you a heels person? How high? Do you wear or would like to wear accessories?
How is your hair? Color, length and texture (straight or curly or wavy)? Would you like to wear your hair fancy as well or just like normal?
I'll start looking for now. I'll be back tonight for the details.
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 5:52pm | IP Logged
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Mimi, I don’t need dressed up for anything special until December...but maybe you should put up a shingle for helping us uninitiated.....you ask great questions....I haven’t even asked myself those questions!!
“Mimi’s Matronly Makeovers”.......what do you think? 
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 5:58pm | IP Logged
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4 lads mom wrote:
Mimi, I don’t need dressed up for anything special until December...but maybe you should put up a shingle for helping us uninitiated.....you ask great questions....I haven’t even asked myself those questions!!
“Mimi’s Matronly Makeovers”.......what do you think? |
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You literally made me laugh out loud!!!!!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
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Hey Amy, I'm 29 too! and my 25th reunion would be coming up.. if I was in contact with anyone or cared to go. But I'm trying to ramp up my wardrobe anyway just because.. well partly because I found a lovely suedecloth dress for this winter for Church.. and realized that I liked wearing pretty things.
So I'm fighting the "I'm not the weight I want to be" and "I live somewhere that people dress up by wearing clean jeans and newer western shirts.. both the men and women".. but I want to slowly ramp up my wardrobe.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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amyable
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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Mimip wrote:
Amy,
Can I ask some questions before I start my hunt for you? |
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Sure! 
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Would you prefer a dress or a two piece outfit? Skirt and blouse or pants and blouse? |
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For this event, a dress. I think that's the level of "dressiness" that will be there. I'm not personally against a cool skirt and top, but it would have to be just perfect.
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What is your favorite color? Would you be willing to wear that color? maybe for an accent peice? |
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By far, chocolate browns and navy blues. Would love to wear those because I would feel comfortable in them.
Quote:
Are you a heels person? How high? Do you wear or would like to wear accessories?
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I can wear most levels of heels pretty well, although I don't currently own any! Accessories are good too, although I don't do that much on a daily basis. I'd love a pair of boots - that's my "funky" side coming out. If I had to pick, I'd rather resemble a Colorado Rancher's wife than someone on "Real Housewives of NJ" if you know what I mean!
Quote:
How is your hair? Color, length and texture (straight or curly or wavy)? Would you like to wear your hair fancy as well or just like normal? |
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Medium brown (and, ummm, gray ), straight-ish layered bob between chin and shoulder length. I don't think I can even DO anything fancy.
THANKS!!
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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SusanJ
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 8:36pm | IP Logged
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Amy,
Here are a couple options from Boden. I do not actually own any of these dresses and these might be out of your price range but they all seem like they'd help with the body type you are trying to work with and they are all elegant, classic, but with a touch of "funky" interest. I think. I'm hardly an expert and, of course, it's WAY easier shopping for other people.
Vintage Ponte Dress
I like ponte fabric--very substantial but with nice drape.
Claudia Dress
A little fancier.
Good luck!
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Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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Chris V
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Well, here is something that might be helpful in determining your best dress style to fit your body type, from Nordstroms :: Your Best Dress
Also, on the same page, you can shop by dress style - A-Line, Sheath, Empire Waist, Shift, One Shoulder, Wrap, etc.
If you are trying to hid a slightly pudgy waist (and I have this one nearly perfected - ahem, thanks so much to my darling twins born 9 months ago), stay away from belts. If the dress sinches at the waist it will most definitely accenuate your, ummm.. pudge. Yet, you don't want to go the other way to the extreme and get something along the lines of a shift dress, which really holds no shape and looks like a nighty anyway, but that's not the point. The point is, if it doesn't have any shape and not defined at all, then it will have the same effect as wearing a moo-moo. 
You may want to go with a two-piece outfit. Not necessarily a skirt/blouse, but I was thinking more along the lines of a "little black dress type dress" with an attractive light-dress blazer, or a cashmere/silk cartigan (again, you don't want anything heavy, the point ISN'T to keep you warm and toasty, it's to add texture and feature to your ensamble, and at the same time inconspicuously hiding a little extra around the middle, something that stops at your natural hip line, or preferrably slightly above - but definitely nothing below). Add to it earrings (nothing too loud - aim for delicate) and a necklace to match.
Heels will also "thin you out". If you're comfortable wearing them, and really I would stay away from flats - even though ballet-slippers are all the rage right now; I consider them to be a casual shoe, to be worn with capris when you meet your girlfriends for lunch  .
You know the best thing you can do? And I'm serious. Take a few hours and head to Nordstroms, and go to their Evening Dress department. Tell them what the occasion is and ask for help. The employees are trained in helping their customers find the perfect attire for their body type and needs. Granted, some employees are going to be much better adept at helping than others, but it would be worth an afternoon to go and get some assitance. You don't have to buy anything, but getting someone to help in person will be of benefit. ... and when you decide what you get, post a picture! You are darling, Amy - and you're going to look fabulous!
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Chris
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Betsy
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Two stores that I might recomend to start looking at are:
Cold Water Creek
and
Chico's
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JodieLyn
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a couple of caveats.. a shift style of dress IF it's shaped and not just "square" with a jacket or drape or detail or such to give an illusion of a waist can work really nicely. AND while an empire waist dress can give you a defined waist (or make you look pregnant) you also need to watch the length from shoulder to under your bust.. larger busts for instance end up having the "waistband" riding up to the underside of the bust.
AND go and watch some movies from the 40 and 50's those actresses don't have flat tummies.. so while they may not be chubby I think it helps our modern eyesight to see that you dont' necessary need flat to not look pudgy.. even when you're well into pudgy.. it just helps
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 9:01am | IP Logged
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ok so here goes my $.02 worth as well.
I would go with a wrap dress for you. This hides all that pudginess around the middle without a real belt and gives you a great natural waist.
Here are some great options on Macy's.com.
I would caution you about three things:
1. Skirt length: Make sure you either go with right above the knee, right below the knee or long to your ankles, for this event I think you are right, knee length (just above or just below) is preferred.
2. Sleeve length: I don't know where you are but make sure you are comfortable. We are here in S. Fla so long sleeves, even in Dec. is out but I love to get sleeveless and team it up with a great cardigan like Chris said. Another option is a great scarf or pashmina over the shoulders but that takes some time to get used to wearing.
3. Watch the fabric: knits are clingy and not as fancy as a jersey or blend. Also do not get something that will wrinkle easily. This is not a night you want to be immortalized in pictures thinking that wrinkles in a dress were you worst enemy.
Go with a great chocolate brown dress! It's fall and Chocolate brown is great. If you find a pattern don't shun away from it, give it a try and see if it works. Navy blue is a GREAT color too but hard to match so be aware of the whole shoe thing. Remember matching everything is VERY dated. Do not wear navy blue shoes if you buy a navy blue dress.
LOVE the boot idea!!!! For knee length though, you need a high calf boot with a heel or a bootie. Something very slimming and not bulky AT ALL! This type of high boot or this one. A small bootie like this one might work as well.
The shoe is secondary to the dress though and the height of the heel along with the height of the boot depends on where your dress falls.
With your hair I would go one of two routes in the accessory department:
1. Large earrings, chandelier type, very airy with a bracelet and a signature ring OR
2. Long necklace, small earrings and a few bangles on the wrist.
I'll tell you the secret with accessories, it is what finishes an outfit. It also makes you feel like you are put together and you tend to feel like a million bucks! What woman doesn't want to shine at her 25th reunion? And PLEASE don't forget a purse that matches!!!!! There is nothing worst than being all dressed up to the nines and not having a purse, so you have to go with something that makes you uncomfortable!
Okay all for now, any more questions and thoughts and I'll be back
I hope this helped!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Chris V
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You are fabulous, Mimi!!
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Chris
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MaryM
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Yes, isn't she ...I think you have just gotten the 4 Real fashion consulting gig, Mimi!
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amyable
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 10:03am | IP Logged
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Thank you! Great thoughts, Mimi, and everyone!
It will be mid-Nov in NJ, so I hope I have some flexibility on sleeve length/warmth of outfit.
Everyone's advice has been invaluable! I can't wait to try some of these things.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Mimip
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amyable wrote:
It will be mid-Nov in NJ, so I hope I have some flexibility on sleeve length/warmth of outfit.
Everyone's advice has been invaluable! I can't wait to try some of these things. |
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Oh that is perfect for boots and opaque tights!
So jealous of you all and your cold weather!!!!
Good luck Amy!
Oh and the sign is out front for any of you that need help, just pm me
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Oct 09 2012 at 1:14pm | IP Logged
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 Sounds like great advice!!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 10 2012 at 11:19am | IP Logged
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Amy, I see you've been pinning dress ideas! - they look great.
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Chris V
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| Posted: Oct 10 2012 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
| Amy, I see you've been pinning dress ideas! - they look great. |
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I saw that too! Very lovely
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Chris
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amyable
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| Posted: Oct 10 2012 at 11:42am | IP Logged
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Thanks Mary (ETA: and Chris! we were posting at the same time  )- my next step is to go out and actually try some of the general styles ON, to see how I look in them.
I found a website of pictures of my school's 30th reunion from 2 years ago - the women were in a range of styles, heavy on the sleeveless shift and similar evening/shiny dressy dresses (LOL, I don't know what they are all called).
I'm hoping to somehow be ME without looking too out of place.
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Amy
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Topic: Project 25th reunion: dress me!
