I have a wedding coming up that I’d like to buy a new dress for. I’m thinking empire waist, knee length – comfortable for summer months but not too skimpy.

I like this one from Lane Bryant though I don’t love the price at $89.95 and if I lose enough weight between now and this summer, I won’t need to resort to a plus size shop which would be great. But I love the cut of the dress – the bottom is very pretty and I think it would be flattering on my pear shaped frame.

This one from Sears is only $41.99 but I am unsure about the shape – is it too fitted / too grown up (I know I’m a grown up, but you know what I mean). I might want something more playful, but maybe the structure of this dress is exactly what I need?

Another one from Sears for the same price, more flowy, maybe too short. And do we like the color? Hmmm…

This one is from Kohls and the length and shape seem good. It’s $57 right now which is… okay. I think this would look very nice but it’s not terribly exciting either.

I also really like this Little Black Dress from Macys for $89 (yikes!) but it’s way shorter than I’m comfortable with and also? It’s black. I’m not sure I feel comfortable wearing black to a wedding, especially if it’s a summer wedding.

I know I’d obviously need to try these or similar dresses on to know for sure, but I like humming and hawing online first. Do you have a favorite store to go to for dresses?

Thoughts?

I’ll also need some new shoes. I don’t have any dress shoes that I would actually leave the house in. I want to get a pair by Naturalizer I think, because I’ve been pretty happy with their loafers. I’m considering these three or something similar: