The After Party Dress
September 3rd, 2008 @ 12:25 pm by Mrs. Pinot Noir
Mr. Pinot Noir and I will be joining our friends and family for an informal after party gathering somewhere in San Francisco. I originally planned to wear my actual wedding dress for the get together. After all, I will only get to wear it once! But after my fitting I realized that this just isn’t a practical choice. I’ll want something a little more comfortable for the evening festivities.
My criteria for the after party dress included, but did not require, the following:
1. Costs under $100
2. There is some white in the pattern/design
3. Something I can wear it again (I’m all about reuse)
4. Will allow me to sport a regular bra (no spaghetti straps and nothing strapless)
Mr. PN and I took a trip to Macy’s to look for my after party dress. I must admit that Mr. PN is really good at shopping for me. He picks out styles and colors that I wouldn’t typically try, and they usually turn out to be great. I get the most compliments on the outfits that he picks out. Too bad I couldn’t take him wedding dress shopping with me! After scouring the sale racks, we came up with four options.
Dress #1: Black & White Party Dress
I really liked this dress but it didn’t fit and it also didn’t meet the criteria…
Dress #2 The Red Dress
While this dress didn’t meet the bra or white requirements, I did like it quite a bit. It looked good on me (is that a little cleavage?!) and I felt really sexy in it. This dress got the axe because I’d be unable to wear a regular bra, due to the low back.
Dress #3: The Spring Dress
I really liked this dress and it was a close contender. It fit well, I could wear a regular bra, and I could definitely wear it again. However, it seemed a little more appropriate for work than for an after wedding party dress so we kept looking…
Dress #4 The White Dress
I loved this dress by Calvin Klein the second I put it on. While I wasn’t looking for an all white dress, it was the perfect fit and style. It was super comfortable and I felt appropriately bridal and party like. 
We had a winner! Plus, it was on sale from $128 to $65! I’m thinking that I will get a pashmina to dress it up a little, since San Francisco nights can be chilly.
This doesn’t exactly qualify me as a two-dress bride, but I do have two wedding day dresses.
Will you make a wardrobe change on your wedding day?
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21 Responses to “The After Party Dress”
I have an after-party dress too! I thought of you when I bought it because it’s eco-friendly fabric … 
OMG I love the red dress on you totally stunning! Unfortunately it was not a winner 
@Gery: Thanks Gery! I really liked that one too… If only the back was a little higher
You should get that red dress for some other occasion! It is super-sexy & chic!
I hear you on your mister being a great clothes shopper! Mr. MagPie’s definitely metro, and he gets me the cutest stuff, much of which I wouldn’t look twice at if I were the one doing the perusing!
@Miss Pinot Noir: Can you get one of those bras with the wrap-around-the-tummy mechanism to accomodate a low back? Some have actually regular straps, but just dip at the back and fasten in front, like http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=203312&CategoryID=231
I need an after-party dress and the B&W one you tried made me smile. I likey!
Your choice looks good on you. I on the other hand would look like a marshmellow. The big ones, haha.
I am a 2 dress bride! my other outfit is a bridal gown but I think it was meant for like a beach wedding but i thought it was so cute I got it as another outfit
Maybe I’m, in the words of Micheal Kors a la Project Runway, “slutty slutty slutty!” but if were me and I was in love with the red dress, I would just ditch the bra altogehter. No?
Ooh, both the red and the white are super-cute on you, but in totally different ways. I think you made the right choice– but maybe there’s another occasion for the red? It is such a fabulous vampy dress!
@MagPie518: @Shawn: Both good suggestions but after an entire day in my wedding gown I knew that I would want something super comfy. For me this means a regular bra (since I can’t wear my sweats).
OH I love that red one. It looks incredible on you, too bad it didn’t meet the bra requirements. I think you made a good choice with the white one, it will be perfect for your after party!
#2 looks amazing on you!
Ditto to the comments above, the red dress is stunning on you!
Are you going to try a short veil or bride cage veil w/ your after party dress?
i almost bought that green dress TWICE! i really love it, i wonder if i should try and find it again.
I know you can’t use it, but I must say that red dress looks great on you. You have a great figure, so im sure whatever you pick will be pretty=)
I am hopefully going to be changing into some tribal bellydance gear about halfway through the reception and dancing with my troupe some. But I already have the pieces I need!
I am having an after party as well and I picked up a beautiful dress at White House Black Market. It met all your requirements (which were all my requirements as well) and I love it almost as much as I love my wedding gown! The gown you selected is lovely. I think it looks great on you!
The white dress is tres cute. I have to say, you in that red one equals va-va-voom!! Can you find an excuse to buy it? For another occasion maybe? It really is a stunner .
wow. the red dress. hot!
but you look good in all the dresses! =)
Mrs. Pinot Noir, New York/Napa Valley
Age and Occupation: 24, Health Educator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Market Researcher
Engagement Date: November 10, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Auberge du Soleil
About Me: I am a Minnesota raised, NYC transplant planning a destination wedding in Napa. I'm balancing my love for the environment and my hubby-to-be's love for tradition to create our "green wedding in disguise." Our wedding will include local food and wine, antique touches and lots of love and laughter. When wedding planning isn't taking up my free time (and money) I love to read, cook, workout, watch baseball and travel! Follow along in my adventure as I attempt to plan an eco-friendly and socially responsible wedding (with eco-oblivious Mr. Pinot Noir).
I’m not planning on getting a second dress, mainly because I’m planning on being a short dress bride.