Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!


This is a completely selfish post, but I need help finding a dress to wear to my cousin’s wedding!
I’ve looked through all the department store websites and a couple online boutiques, but can’t seem to find anything I love. I’m looking for a cocktail dress that’s not too lowcut and under $250 (of course a bargain is always great!) for an evening wedding in Los Angeles. The green dress below is lower cut than I would typically wear, but it was something I had in the back of my closet for years.
Here are a couple pics of dresses I’ve worn to recent weddings I’ve attended…

(Laundry ($20 from a thrift store), Kathlin Argiro, ABS, Zara in Paris)
Where are some of your go to shops for cute dresses?
Bonus: If you find me a dress, I’ll send you any item you want from the Weddingbee gear shop! ![]()
OR this:
Both are under $250!
A bunch of them here–some are under the $250:
http://www.bcbg.com/family/index.jsp?cp=2769162&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt&categoryId=2768993&view=all
and here are some great ones from Lord and Taylor:
Great material, and would look pretty with a light pink wrap/pashmina.
Check out whit house black market i scored a gorgeous, simple and sophisticated dress on sale there recently.
There are a few fantastic cocktail dresses on the website now.
If it’s an outdoor party, a nice sundress from Forever 21:
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=dress&product%5Fid=2051877618&Page=all
They’re really cheap (25 bucks!) and I love F21 in general for dresses.
If you’re into brighter colors:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2994450/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014174?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014174&P=2
A little fancy, but I like the color & smooth-looking material:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2971586/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014174?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014174&P=3
Believe it or not, I got some of my nicest dresses from Victoria Secret. They’re comfortable and not too pricey. I didn’t see any particular dresses there that I liked this time around, but you might. I would also check out anthropologie, arden b, and ann taylor.
Hope this helps!
http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2063166613&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215&Ne=500000&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
Slightly different color than usual?
great price point and easy to wear
How about this?
The photo doesn’t to it ANY justice. This dress is stunning..great material and cut. I have it in Yellow and I could barely get down the street with so many women asking where I got it or giving a compliment. Come to think of it, I should order the other colors. =)
OOH. An invitation to shop! I love cocktail dresses at Bluefly. There are a ton there, but here are some fabulous ones for summer evenings:
I thought a lot of these dresses are cute and under $250, but I couldn’t decide which one… help this helps!
How about this? Nice color, would look great on you, cute but dignified, and they have it in a 2…
Bee - As you live in Manhattan, my 2 go-to places for dresses are a little shop called Darling on Horatio Street — http://www.darlingnyc.com (check out the downstairs!) — and Purdy Girl with 2 locations (one on Thompson Street and one on LaGuardia Place) — http://www.purdygirlnyc.com — both Darling and Purdy Girl have wonderful girly dresses for reasonable prices. You will love them!!! Let me know what you think.
Hmm. Can’t seem to post the Bluefly link. But it’s a brown Tahari, short, sateen jacquard.
Bebe has some very stylish and not so expensive dresses! Check these out:
1) The lilac color of this dress would look great on you.
http://www.bebe.com/gp/product/B000SHA2IK/sr=1-5/qid=1215889454/ref=sr_1_5/002-0754840-9737621?ie=UTF8&fontColor=&node=259133011&m=A2FMOXN01TSNYY&totalItemIn1Page=&startIndex=0&displayPageNum=1&bbBrand=core&field-clothing-size=&keywords=&firstPageItemNum=66&title=&restPageHasColor=0&myViewID=embedded-leaf&displaySalePrice=0&displayItemNum=101&standardPageSize=16&size=101&rh=n%3A259133011&page=1&bgColor=
Since I am also searching for a dress for my cousins wedding here is what I have found….
Good Luck!
Bebe has some stylish and relatively inexpensive dresses (mostly around $100). Check these out:
1) bubble hem dress with satin bodice - I think the lilac color will look great on you!
http://www.bebe.com/gp/product/B000SHA2IK/sr=1-5/qid=1215890032/ref=sr_1_5/002-0754840-9737621?ie=UTF8&fontColor=000000&node=259133011&m=A2FMOXN01TSNYY&totalItemIn1Page=20&startIndex=0&displayPageNum=1&bbBrand=core&field-clothing-size=&keywords=&firstPageItemNum=0&title=&restPageHasColor=0&myViewID=embedded&displaySalePrice=0&displayItemNum=12&standardPageSize=12&size=12&rh=n%3A259133011&page=1&bgColor=
First let me say I would KILL to have your shoulders!
And second, I FEEL you on the dress hunt. I’ve been looking for a brown or somekind of not bright green dress with an empire waist for my own cousin’s wedding and now have resorted to trolling ebay, which DOES have some cute stuff, so if you haven’t looked there yet, I’d give it a try.
BTW, what size are you and what color/length (mini or knee?) do you have in mind so I can keep an eye out as I look around?
Lord & Taylor always pulls through for me when I need a dress for an event. I just bought 3 dresses there last weekend for miscellaneous wedding events!
This one comes in tons of colors, I have it in teal and it’s very flattering…. got it at L&T but it’s not on their site at the moment:
http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=321
Also, here’s some others:
http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=400
http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=172
This is kind of cute:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=317284&CategoryID=22416&LinkType=EverGreen
This is very chic in black:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=318996&CategoryID=22120&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=5449&AdID=43669
I love the color and cute pleats of this one:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=313642&CategoryID=22120&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=5449&AdID=43669
This one has pockets
:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=308405&CategoryID=32025
This is also adorable, although more than $250:
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=8845109946173247470&id=833067&parentid=APP_DRESS_SOLID&pushId=APP_DRESS_SOLID&popId=APPAREL&sortProperties=&navCount=2&navAction=jump&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=bom
Good luck Mrs. Bee!
This little Diane VonFurstenberg baby is on sale for under two hundred bucks!
You look great in strapless! I think this little number would be super-flattering on you:
ok.. i need to stop looking before i buy something. ![]()
Pretty black dress for $150
Mrs. Bee, check out Maggie London. Some of her dresses are on the Nordstrom website. She doesn’t have a website of her own (really?!?), but the dresses are perfect for weddings. I’ve worn them to the past two I attended!
OK, I know you haven’t had a chance to reply to my questions yet, but I saw this one and the red hair reminded me of your newly-colored locks and OMG do you have the shoulders for it, plus the color would be gorgeous on you:
I think this JCrew dress is a great summer wedding dress…
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~90769/90769.jsp
They’re having their final sale, so tons of stuff marked down, y’all!
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/patternsprints/PRDOVR~93591/93591.jsp
Love this in Pewter, but it’s not shipping until 8/4 in size 2 or 4.
What about something in a stand out color:http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=308403&CategoryID=22120
Or pink - this one is on sale for $38: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=300140&CategoryID=22120
I actually find good stuff at White House | Black Market, Marshall’s, TJMaxx, and especially Nordstrom Rack.
try looking at bcbg, they are having a sale right now. 30-70% off. i was just there and i picked up a few items. good luck!
i forgot to attach the link..
here you go.
http://www.bcbg.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3126131&cp=2939729&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt
http://www.bcbg.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3126135&cp=2939729&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt
Have you looked at this site: http://www.edressme.com ? They have a number of interesting options, including this one which I think has potential for you:
http://www.edressme.com/d-912pr.html
Did you ladies know Zappos now sells clothing as well as shoes?? I just found this out today… free shipping both ways = DANGEROUS.
Though you know you are getting old when most of the dress are “too short”… *le sigh*
here’s a few I’ve been oogling:
You said you liked the bandage dress look…
http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2085560673&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2092752861&N=2092752861+4294967278&Nao=36&Ne=20&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
This one is a cool color and different sort of fabric. It’s hammered? http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2067627009&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2092752861&N=2092752861+4294967278&Nao=108&Ne=20&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
I’m throwing this one in here because it’s so cute, like a dressy sundress from when I was a kind and it’s Vera! on SALE! Thought it’s more than you said you wanted to spend, but navy looks HOT with red hair!
Maybe these? (Sorry, Bee, if you can see that I’ve posted many times. For some reason they are not showing up for me, so I apologize in advance!)
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2050098527&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&rvform=true
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2040537019&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&rvform=true
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2075761977&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&rvform=true
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?pageId=1&productId=300111152&viewAll=true&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=52&catId=cat210002&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?pageId=1&productId=300111066&viewAll=true&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=17&catId=cat210002&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3995943866981960640&id=830086&parentid=APP_DRESS_SOLID&pushId=APP_DRESS_SOLID&popId=APPAREL&sortProperties=&navCount=2&navAction=jump&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=pur
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3546990153332956767&id=830098&parentid=APP_DRESS_SOLID&pushId=APP_DRESS_SOLID&popId=APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=%2BmarketingPriority%2C-saleDate&navCount=4&navAction=poppushpush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=nem
I own this dress, and picture does not do it justice - the color is beautiful, and the fabric is amazing - not to mention that the sale price is crazy-good!
Mrs. Bee,
I also found these, which also might be good picks for you. Neiman Marcus has a suprisingly good sale section!
Mrs. Bee, I FOUND YOU A PINK DRESS ON SALE at Express. It’s approx. $89 and similar to the polka dot dress you own. TAKE A LOOK. It’s pretty cute and seems to fit your personality.
Here’s a dress from Nine West. They also have shoe suggestions on the same page.
KateMW and I are on the same wavelength… I was gathering these and came here and she’d beat me to the “blue” punch! I too am picturing you showing off your rockin’ red hair against a dazzling blue dress.
So, here are my offerings:
http://www.shopbop.com/flutter-sleeve-dress-mint-jodi/vp/v=1/845524441816108.htm?folderID=2534374302063655&fm=browse-category-shopbysize
.
.
http://www.shopbop.com/ruffled-bodice-dress-mint-jodi/vp/v=1/845524441811627.htm?folderID=2534374302063655&fm=browse-category-shopbysize (the model is a GIANT, but I think it would be knee-length on us midgets)
.
.
http://www.shopbop.com/chiffon-ruffle-tiers-dress-juicy/vp/v=1/845524441822365.htm?folderID=2534374302063657&fm=browse-category-viewall-shopbysize
.
.
http://www.barriepace.com/bp/product.asp?catalog_name=BP_1&category_name=FW07_D1538W_F_OCT_0019&category=Outlet&source=Deal&keyword=MAGGY+LONDON+TRAPEZE+HALTER+DRESS (and you could definitely rock this one in the orange color too)
.
.
http://www.eluxury.com/estore/browse/product_detail.jsp?id=11738203
.
.
http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-bin/dynamic/product.cgi?frame=main&size=4&floatsize=4&style_number=8301D53&color=PTRLPNFL (OK, technically more of a teal here)
.
I didn’t find any in my blue-obsession range there, but you might take a look at Yoox: http://www.yoox.com
(Oh yeah, and you’re insane b/c your shoulders are HOT.)
How about one similar to the last one you wore?
http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=136&productId=11859
this one is cute and its a nice bluish summery color =) Good luck on dress shopping!
http://15dollarstore.com/c/dresses/1491189208
Everything is fifteen dollars, and they have great dresses! ![]()
Here are my picks; thanks for giving me an excuse to fantasy shop!
1) I love the ruching on this. http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2081928375&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215&Ne=500000&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
2) I think this one would look amazing on you; the plum color is great.
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2091712713&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215+5&Ne=1&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
3) I don’t know how you feel about wearing black to weddings, but I think this is darling.
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2078230699&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215+5&Ne=1&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
4) This metallic crochet is lovely. http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2075188035&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215+5&Nao=72&Ne=1&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
5) Grey silk strapless - possibly my favorite.
http://bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2050098527&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1215+5&Nao=108&Ne=1&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID
Good luck!
This one is really cute, also available in pink:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2985455/0~2376776~2374325~6003984?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6003984&P=1
I also liked this one, but it may be too low-cut.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2996101/0~2376776~2374325~6003984?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6003984&P=1
I also really like the 2nd Anthropologie dress from the first comment!
@savonnee: @savonnee: I love this one it is so cute Savonnee.
I wore this one to my engagement party- I love it! You can also wear it without the belt with some cute flip-flops on a weekend day for a more laid-back look:
http://shop.trinaturk.com/Plum_Belted_Sleeveless_Dress/pd/np/46/p/1230.html
i’ve looked through all the nordstrom dresses, and nothing was really grabbing me. are there any places i should be looking but i’m not?
thanks so much for all your help everyone! ![]()
Bee I haven’t seen the color of your hair, but I LOVE the color of this dress.
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?pid=583502012&tid=BRAF103&ap=2&siteID=2178999
Comes in teal and black:
http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1827&itemID=50391&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
Comes in black also:
http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=1805&itemID=49125&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1827&itemID=49654&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1827&itemID=49296&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
Little black dress:
(see the one in black)
http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1834&itemID=50262&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=#
Bee, I sent you an email with some specific dresses b/c I couldn’t get the link heavy reply to post here. Did you get it?
For others also searching some good sites are:
bee, i just went to this store yesterday. it’s in les. lots of cute dresses:
http://local.yahoo.com/info-34167274-plum-boutique-limited-new-york
I just got two cute dresses at french connection — look at this one
http://usa.frenchconnection.com/product/womens+dresses/71P7E/lady+lima+thin+strap+dress.htm
http://www.designerbrandoutlet.com/product/c111c643-8a07-4fb5-88d6-7804e849d79f.aspx
I know it’s white… but there’s some black on it and it’s so pretty!!
http://www.designerbrandoutlet.com/product/34561cc8-bc96-4d62-ac94-41fbb8adfe10.aspx
A yellow dress maybe?
Bop has a “trend-alert” for the knee length dress here:
http://www.shopbop.com/dresses-knee-length/br/v=1/2534374302100951.htm?fm=home
Tons of cute dresses, unfortunately most fail the $250 test but might inspire a bargain hunt elsewhere.
I tried this dress on recently and I love it - mostly because it has pockets!!
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=35666&pid=583229
I also love this dress, but I don’t know what size you are, and they have limited availability online.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=14772&No=36&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_349&N=1200065&Nty=1&categoryId=152&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Black&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop
This dress is a little bit above the knee but can be worn many ways.
http://www.calypso-celle.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18045&category_id=354
Some of my favorite online shops and where I’ve purchased many a dress:
http://www.revolveclothing.com (free shipping and returns! love them for this!)
http://www.pinkmascara.com
http://www.couturecandy.com/
http://swayandcake.com
love that little zara number on you. Adorable! I love that store.
Hi Bee!
It’s kinda hit or miss, but my dress source of late has been Overstock.com. Occasionally they have some really great dresses for pretty cheap.
Here’s some to consider:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Laundry-by-Design-Womens-Pleated-Sleeveless-Dress/3229477/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Laundry-by-Design-Womens-Shirred-X-back-Dress/3086796/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Badgley-Mischka-Cami-Dress-with-Border-Print/3185569/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Vertigo-Womens-Grecian-Style-Empire-Dress/3126577/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Max-Cleo-Womens-Sleeveless-Charmeuse-Dress/3137231/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Badgley-Mischka-Accordion-Pleat-Strapless-Dress/3185568/product.html?
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Anne-Klein-New-York-Belted-Sateen-Sheath-Dress/3084497/product.html?
If I had a budget of $250, I’d have my eye on this little pretty.
This green Theory dress would show off the red. So would this bronze Chetta B lace dress.
If you didn’t like how low this Kay Unger blue dress was cut, it’d look adorable with a lace camisole underneath.
Those are just a few that caught my eye. ![]()
This site has a good variety and at great price points:
http://mightygoods.com/features/wedding-guest-dresses-for-under-100
I don’t know you experience with them, but I have found some great things at Zara. Unfortunately, they don’t put anything on their website so you’d just have to go in. Good luck!
This one is fun:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=35666&pid=583252
Here are a couple of options!
http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-bin/dynamic/product.cgi?frame=main&size=3&floatsize=3&style_number=6309E53&color=BLK_SL_BEIG
How about Calypso, they have great summer wedding dresses..
Target finds:
On the Calypso thought, this is the world’s best summer dress. http://www.calypso-celle.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18045&category_id=354
Love it in light turquoise!
Do you like Wai-Ching? I think you would look great in their Soleil dress; it’s only 198. The webpage is http://www.wai-ching.com and it’s under the directory to the right in dresses.
You’d have to have it altered down at bit but the color is great and it’s got the Herve Legeresque “form fitting” factor:





