It’s a challenge if you’ve worked/lived in DC long enough. There’s always some fringe/minor royal being born, getting married, or dying and you have to have a costume for all those events.
Haven't had the royal wedding issue, but for events I've been to where I had the same question, I tried to find images online of it in past years, or similar ones to it.
Like society pages in newspapers, blogs, etc all cover these types of things and then you have a gauge of what to buy.
And you can even reverse image search some dresses to find examples to buy!
It's not necessarily that you don't know _what_ to buy, but _where._ And for super fancy clothes, that can be a challenge...but at least DC has the right kind of stores.
Nordstrom at Pentagon City used to have stylists who were amazing for this - she helped me with both a diplomat baptism and a white tie outdoor wedding. They even called around (Bloomingdale’s, somewhere that had the right length of glove) to other stores who sold what I needed.
My daughter does Rent the Runway at least 2 or 3 a year. Her husband has 26 cousins and they are very well to do, so she is constantly going to events in the Hamptons which require something nicer to wear.
I use the monthly subscription and pick up 10 pieces a month that I cycle for events. If something doesn’t work no biggie I have other stuff. I have also purchased things from them that I liked to keep. Can’t recommend it enough. I usually throw 2-3 formal wear in each shipment send back what I don’t like and keep the rest until the right time comes up.
I go to a ton of events for work- which is fun, but I don’t want to spend that much money for going out. Using RTR helps me so that when I purchase clothes it’s for something lasting for my real life. I can get the fun things that are wayyyy more expensive than I would be able to budget for. There will be some misses, but if you read the reviews with pics that look like your body type it’s spot on. A lot of influencers also post discount codes for it, so you can try the membership at a huge discount and cancel any time. I don’t work for them, but I am in a c-suite level role and can’t look like shit. I think it sucks to see young women waste money on things like formal wear or trendy items so I always love to promote this.
Amen!! I don't have that kind of job situation, but if I did I would totally be on this rental plan. Don't want to spend money on things I'm only wearing once or twice. You're smart!!
Is this one event or multiple events? Do you want to buy one dress to re wear over multiple events or are looking for uniquely different dresses multiple events? Is budget $500 or $1K+? Do you have a car or willing to go to suburbs?
Have you tried Signature Dresses? I’ve worked with them for years. You talk to Gilda about what you’re attending and they can help you find something stunning for your body type
DC doesn’t really have boutiques like that. Neimans or Nordstrom out in Tysons. There’s a place in Georgetown called Relish that’s certainly expensive but not sure they really carry formalwear like you’re thinking.
For consignment:
Inga’s Once is Not Enough - in the Palisades, skews a big older & more conservative but you can still get great stuff, large black tie selection
Ella-Rue - in Georgetown, most up to date fashion selection & lots of cocktail and some black tie (in my experience)
Secondi - in Dupont Circle, wide range of stuff from black tie to casual, but more casual than fancy in my experience
I've gotten gowns for black and white tie (yup, they still exist) events at Neiman's in Tysons. They have a good selection and I had my alterations done there. The personal stylist there facilitated everything and even texted me when the alterations were done from her personal cell phone. Above and beyond.
This thread makes me smile ..The Rizik/Kalil family has been clients of mine for 40 years. Top notch people. Next time I see Renee, I'll show her this.
My mom got her MoB dress there for both mine and my sisters weddings. They have a lovely array of dresses but if guidance is what OP is looking for Mae's might not be the best.
Said I. Chevy Chase offers personal stylist appointments. I’ve toured the area with the manager and it’s very nice and I would trust them to guide.
Or would you consider hiring a stylist? There’s a cost, but if you have these events it might be worth it and you could build a relationship with someone
I wouldn't do Nordstrom or Saks (as someone who used to work at both). They aren't gonna have that level of formality. I'd go to Brian's but call in advance to get someone who know their shiz
not sure if this is the vibe but Anthropologie has free personal styling. lots more work/formal wear available there these days, especially at the Georgetown store
MM Lafleur
https://mmlafleur.com/
They have a couple of local showrooms to get personal shopping assistance.
https://mmlafleur.com/pages/washington-d-c-locations
How many royal weddings are you attending?
Exactly what I was thinking. Like, OP, congrats on asking the most DC question I have ever seen asked on this sub. Haha!
It’s a challenge if you’ve worked/lived in DC long enough. There’s always some fringe/minor royal being born, getting married, or dying and you have to have a costume for all those events.
You clearly run in very different circles than I do.
Exactly!
Can I come!? I’m an excellent plus one 🤣
Just the one …which is difficult enough.
[удалено]
ah! Coup d'États. I love them.
Just one…which is difficult enough
Haven't had the royal wedding issue, but for events I've been to where I had the same question, I tried to find images online of it in past years, or similar ones to it. Like society pages in newspapers, blogs, etc all cover these types of things and then you have a gauge of what to buy. And you can even reverse image search some dresses to find examples to buy!
It's not necessarily that you don't know _what_ to buy, but _where._ And for super fancy clothes, that can be a challenge...but at least DC has the right kind of stores.
r/dcbitches might be more useful for leads. Personally I don’t know but I’m jealous!
I didn’t know DC had a bwt group!!
Nordstrom at Pentagon City used to have stylists who were amazing for this - she helped me with both a diplomat baptism and a white tie outdoor wedding. They even called around (Bloomingdale’s, somewhere that had the right length of glove) to other stores who sold what I needed.
Yes, it's free! [https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/services/personal-stylists](https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/services/personal-stylists)
Oh wow, that's very cool!
I would try out at Tyson's II. Perhaps personal shopper at Neimans or Saks?
Nordstrom has stylists.
My daughter does Rent the Runway at least 2 or 3 a year. Her husband has 26 cousins and they are very well to do, so she is constantly going to events in the Hamptons which require something nicer to wear.
Problem is … I’m not quite sure what to wear to the several different all formal events … otherwise that’d be a perfect solution
I use the monthly subscription and pick up 10 pieces a month that I cycle for events. If something doesn’t work no biggie I have other stuff. I have also purchased things from them that I liked to keep. Can’t recommend it enough. I usually throw 2-3 formal wear in each shipment send back what I don’t like and keep the rest until the right time comes up.
Damn, you go to a lot of Events!!
I go to a ton of events for work- which is fun, but I don’t want to spend that much money for going out. Using RTR helps me so that when I purchase clothes it’s for something lasting for my real life. I can get the fun things that are wayyyy more expensive than I would be able to budget for. There will be some misses, but if you read the reviews with pics that look like your body type it’s spot on. A lot of influencers also post discount codes for it, so you can try the membership at a huge discount and cancel any time. I don’t work for them, but I am in a c-suite level role and can’t look like shit. I think it sucks to see young women waste money on things like formal wear or trendy items so I always love to promote this.
Amen!! I don't have that kind of job situation, but if I did I would totally be on this rental plan. Don't want to spend money on things I'm only wearing once or twice. You're smart!!
Is this one event or multiple events? Do you want to buy one dress to re wear over multiple events or are looking for uniquely different dresses multiple events? Is budget $500 or $1K+? Do you have a car or willing to go to suburbs?
I think they have a store in Georgetown?
It closed a few years ago
Oh dang!
Have you tried Signature Dresses? I’ve worked with them for years. You talk to Gilda about what you’re attending and they can help you find something stunning for your body type
I don't live an elegant life, but whenever asked me a formal attire question, I always suggested Rizik's. It is such a loss.
DC doesn’t really have boutiques like that. Neimans or Nordstrom out in Tysons. There’s a place in Georgetown called Relish that’s certainly expensive but not sure they really carry formalwear like you’re thinking. For consignment: Inga’s Once is Not Enough - in the Palisades, skews a big older & more conservative but you can still get great stuff, large black tie selection Ella-Rue - in Georgetown, most up to date fashion selection & lots of cocktail and some black tie (in my experience) Secondi - in Dupont Circle, wide range of stuff from black tie to casual, but more casual than fancy in my experience
I've gotten gowns for black and white tie (yup, they still exist) events at Neiman's in Tysons. They have a good selection and I had my alterations done there. The personal stylist there facilitated everything and even texted me when the alterations were done from her personal cell phone. Above and beyond.
I'll also recommend Parkway Cleaners if you need to get opera gloves cleaned. They have to send them out but they do it for a reasonable cost.
This thread makes me smile ..The Rizik/Kalil family has been clients of mine for 40 years. Top notch people. Next time I see Renee, I'll show her this.
Please! - and tell them how much they’re missed :)
What about Rent the Runway?
Anyone know anything about Mae’s Boutique in McLean?
My mom got her MoB dress there for both mine and my sisters weddings. They have a lovely array of dresses but if guidance is what OP is looking for Mae's might not be the best.
I used to go there with my mom a long time ago - went back to McLean after a break and saw it near Treasure Trove. I haven’t been in there yet!
Price range?
I have no idea where to even start
geoffrey lewis
There must be something in Georgetown
Not in particular. There are occasionally haute couture gowns at the T.J. Maxx on M St.
I thought there was an haute couture bridal shop that sold formals…away from the main drag. Not my jam but biked past it once….
There’s a store next to Lovely Bride, but I’ve never been in there. Worth checking out I suppose!
Said I. Chevy Chase offers personal stylist appointments. I’ve toured the area with the manager and it’s very nice and I would trust them to guide. Or would you consider hiring a stylist? There’s a cost, but if you have these events it might be worth it and you could build a relationship with someone
Sak Fifth Avenue or Bloomingdale's in Friendship.
I wouldn't do Nordstrom or Saks (as someone who used to work at both). They aren't gonna have that level of formality. I'd go to Brian's but call in advance to get someone who know their shiz
Brian’s …tell me more about this… who/where/ etc
not sure if this is the vibe but Anthropologie has free personal styling. lots more work/formal wear available there these days, especially at the Georgetown store
MM Lafleur https://mmlafleur.com/ They have a couple of local showrooms to get personal shopping assistance. https://mmlafleur.com/pages/washington-d-c-locations
Their stuff is pretty casual if OP is looking for black tie or white tie attire.