Dancing Machine (aka Plus Size Wedding Guest Dress)
This past weekend I went to the wedding of a young friend/co-worker. Since most of my friends are closer to my own age and already married and my family is far away across the country, I don’t often go to weddings so haven’t needed a “wedding guest” type of dress in a long time. And since I need that type of dress so infrequently, I didn’t want to have to spend money on such a specialty item. Thanks goodness Gwynnie Bee was there to save the day!
Around mid-February, I edited my Gwynnie Bee closet a bit, putting casual items on “hold,” which means they’re still in your virtual closet for when you’re ready for them, but GB won’t send them to you til you make them “active” again. I also put the prettiest dresses on “priority.” This way I was very likely to get something wedding appropriate in time for the big day!
I was very pleased to receive this plus-size Tahari dress about 10 days before the wedding, giving me time to find shoes and complete the outfit. I don’t usually wear such a form-fitting dress…and “buy body-shaper” was on my to-do list but…I was pooped before I got to it so that’s that.
I love the big floral print and the fluted sleeves…and the exposed zipper detail in the back.
My black Old Navy coat was the perfect length for the dress and because it’s a very simple style it easily dresses up or down. And I already had this bright pink pashmina scarf that worked perfectly with the dress. I removed the cross-body strap from my black bag and turned it into a clutch for evening – I love versatile items like that!
I wore my favorite turquoise earrings…
The shoes were another story. Shoes are *really* a struggle for me. Under the best of circumstances I have hard to fit feet – wide, very high instep and flat arches. Add to the fact that I can just barely reach my feet – so tying, velcro-ing, tongue-tidying – all a challenge, if not an impossibility. Add all THAT to my foot pain – heel spurs on both feet, continued neuropathy from the chemo, along with who-knows-what-else causing pain elsewhere…and finding a shoe that fits, is comfortable, and doesn’t cause me anymore pain than I already have – is really a struggle. So I tried on the orthotic brands like Vionic, the “comfort” brands like Naturalizer and Easy Spirit…but nothing was as comfortable as this funky, off-road-looking shoe from a brand I’d never heard of, Taryn Rose. When I slipped my foot inside I LITERALLY heard the angels sing. They were as lovely and cushy as my super soft Cloudfoam sneakers! AND they were on the clearance rack! So much winning!
Silly posing ahead. When I shoot indoors with the tripod I always feel like I have to do something to break up the monotony of “here’s a picture of me in a dress next to the bookcase. here’s another picture of me in a dress next to the bookcase. hey look, here’s a picture of me in a dress next to the bookcase.”
A classic modeling pose called “Oh Look! A Quarter!”
And to really break things up, here’s me, The Dancing Machine!
If you’d like to try Gwynnie Bee for one month FREE, use this link Gwynnie Bee One Month Free and start adding designer items to your virtual closet!
What I’m Wearing:
- Floral dress by Tahari ASL via Gwynnie Bee, size 24
- Black flats: Taryn Rose Devon slip-on, size 9.5 from DSW
- Black coat, Old Navy, size 3x. Old. Comparable here or here or here
I’m linking up today with Emma Peach over at Style Splash for her “Style with a Smile” linkup – go take a look at her site for great style ideas for us…uhm…EXPERIENCED ladies 🙂 as well as all the other linked-up blogs!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Nancys Fashion Style (@nancybaten1)
Hahaha, you’re a Dancing Queen! And that the earrings matches the lamp is fantastic. I always struggle with that! Hahahahaha. But seriously, that dress is gorgeous on you, those colors are fantastic, ans that pink pashmina looks so good in your face! Great color!
Fashion Schlub
Oh come on now Nancy, if you want to be a serious fashion blogger you must match your accessories to your home decor 🙂
Afrodite
Beautiful dress..Beautiful lady. Matching the lamp shows attention to detail! 🙂 Great job putting that outfit together. I love the colors.
Fashion Schlub
It helps that the lamp is my favorite color. In truth a lot of things I have match it. Thanks for stopping by!
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
I love your dancing machine and the match between your earring and the lamp :)) You have a great humor Bettye.
This dress looks amazing for a wedding party.
Xo Tina
Fashion Schlub
Doesn’t everyone match their jewelry to their home decor? I always felt when buying a car and choosing a color that you should choose the color to complement the color of your house. My ex-husband thought I was overthinking it, but I don’t know. It makes perfect sense to me.
pawprintsandmint
Look at you ! Fabulous and ready for spring with that amazing floral print dress!!!!
Fashion Schlub
Thanks!
Marianne
You look very nice. I like the concept of Gwynnie Bee. Have never heard of a service like this in Europe (I live in The Netherlands). I have a wedding invitation for this summer with dresscode: pastel. Pastelcolours make me look sick. Don’ t know what I will do yet.
Fashion Schlub
A dress code for wedding guests? Wow, that’s interesting! That’s a rough one, requesting you wear something you’re not comfortable with. Can you wear something pastel on the bottom – nice slacks or a skirt – and white (does white work for you, close to your face?) on top…and a darker blazer, cardigan or kimono over top? This kind of “rule” sort of gets my hackles up and I’d be tempted to defy them and wear what I wanted, what would they do – kick you out? Ha ha (no, really).
Marianne
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll probably declare cool grey a pastel colour (I can wear grey) and choose a scarf in a darker rose pink instead of real baby pastel pink. I am resisting the urge to defy the rules too (our generation does not really like rules, does she, I’m 62). But the bride is a lovely girl I saw growing up almost next door, so I’ll behave.
Fashion Schlub
You’re a lovely guest and friend to behave 🙂 And the cool grey with rose pink sounds lovely!
thestylesplash
I love the dress Bettye! You look fabulous! I have problems with my feet too – bunions, fallen arches – they are definitely getting worse. I’m going to a wedding at the weekend and still haven’t decided what to wear – I’m hoping the weather improves or I’ll be wearing thermals! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Fashion Schlub
Thanks, Emma! Have you figured out a wedding outfit yet? I’m sure you’ll look beautiful whatever you choose 🙂
Christen Hearn
I had heel spurs, too (well, one!). My doc recommended large doses of aspiring and it went away and never came back. Of course, this isn’t right for everyone and should always be cleared through a physician. It might work for you, though!
bettyewp
Yeah, I had a heel spur on the left foot and plantar fasciitis on the right. I got cortisone shots (which worked temporarily), have tried different kinds of inserts, etc. A few years back my tax preparer (not sure how we got on THIS topic), but she used to be a nurse and recommended, as you said, megadosing with ibuprofen first thing in the morning and to keep taking it throughout the day. Which HELPED…a BIT, but really didn’t seem a sustainable approach, so I only did that on days I knew I’d have to be on my feet a LOT, like work events. What has FINALLY seemed to REALLY make a difference…is QUARANTINE (YAY COVID!). All the years of “stay off your feet as much as possible”
advice, which who can ever do that? But…working from home, going nowhere, I really DID stay off my feet for a good 2 months and both feet feel GOOD. Now, will the pain come back once I start walking more? Who knows, but fingers crossed for NO.
Christen Hearn
*aspirin*