Formal Ballgown

citygirl17

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to shop for a formal ball gown?  I have been invited to attend the annual fundraising gala my hospital is hosting and I'm bringing H.  It is a formal, sit down dinner, black tie affair, the whole nine yards.  A nice cocktail dress just doesn't seem like it's going to cut it for this.  I'm looking to buy a nice new ball gown that doesn't look like a prom dress.  Tables for this event are going for thousands of dollars, but H and I are going for FREE!!  Score!

LauraT25

Nordstrom (Nordstrom Rack online occasionally has them, too), Bluefly.com. These two places had the best selection when I was looking for long dresses.

I would also check out specialty stores that sell prom/bridesmaid type dresses.  Like Jessica McClintock, or others (there is usually at least one of these kind of stores in a typical mall).  WHBM sometimes has them, but they're usually not in store, and the selection is limited (but often AWESOME).  J Crew has some really nice ones, but generally on the pricier side - check out their clearance and factory store online.

Does it have to be a BALLGOWN?  As in, poofy?  There are a lot of long formal gowns that are black-tie appropriate, but not poofy.

LauraT25

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-dresses/evening?origin=accordion

You'll have to weed through a lot of junior's/prom and MOB-type dresses, but I think there are some nice options here.

LauraT25

I don't know if you would want a yellow gown, but this one is half off at 6pm.com:

http://www.6pm.com/max-and-cleo-ruffle-front-gown-sunshine

LauraT25

Another 6pm.com find:

http://www.6pm.com/abs-allen-schwartz-strapless-side-draped-cascade-satin-gown-crystal-teal

(I'm bored...)

LauraT25

If you have $250 to blow:

http://www.6pm.com/abs-allen-schwartz-penelope-diagonal-multi-tucked-strapless-gown-crimson

thatjessie

LauraT25:

If you have $250 to blow:

http://www.6pm.com/abs-allen-schwartz-penelope-diagonal-multi-tucked-strapless-gown-crimson

Oooo I like :-)

citygirl17

Thanks!!  They don't NEED to be poofy, but most people wear really formal gowns.  I like this one from J Crew:

'

 

or this one:

  

or this one:

 

Gonna keep looking but I can't decide!! 

citygirl17

=( my Mac isn't letting me copy and paste right now.  ugh.

shauni27

jcrew, $350

 

taralynndevault

This site has a lot of pretty dresses! I linked the military ball gowns because that seemed to be the closest "event" they listed to a charity event. David's Bridal has a few cute dresses under their special occasions category too! Good luck!

http://www.simplydresses.com/dresses/dress_by_event/military_ball

citygirl17

Thanks everyone!  You found some really pretty dresses.  Lots of options to look over....

shauni27

i agree, davids bridal might be the most affordable...

here is a cute one that would look good in a dark color:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Satin-Dress-with-Chiffon-Floral-Bodice-F14207_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

and this one in the pewter:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Fog-Foil-Chiffon-Split-Front-A-Line-with-Beading-F13092_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

 

citygirl17

shauni27:

i agree, davids bridal might be the most affordable...

here is a cute one that would look good in a dark color:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Satin-Dress-with-Chiffon-Floral-Bodice-F14207_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

and this one in the pewter:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Fog-Foil-Chiffon-Split-Front-A-Line-with-Beading-F13092_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

 

Oh I really like the second one!  I think I'll have to have a shopping trip this weekend! 

eMiLee920

I don't really have any suggestions.  I just wanted to say, I'm super jealous!  I'd love a reason to buy a formal ball gown!

angiem33

I am obsessed with dresses from Dalia MacPhee... particularly this one..

 

Aspersia

shauni27:

i agree, davids bridal might be the most affordable...

here is a cute one that would look good in a dark color:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Satin-Dress-with-Chiffon-Floral-Bodice-F14207_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

and this one in the pewter:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Fog-Foil-Chiffon-Split-Front-A-Line-with-Beading-F13092_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

 

The second one was the dress for my BMs! It's a really pretty and flattering dress. I picked the fern colour

diablesse

ooooOOOOoo, angie, that blue dress is HAWT.