Dress Help

[civilspouse]

I am going to a AOA inducation dinner with DH next month and I think I need a dress. I have no idea what the dress code is, DH and I are both terrible at this kind of thing. I'm guessing that he will wear a shirt and tie, so I will need a dress. I'm pregnant so it would have to be maternity or something that would work with a baby belly. Our shopping selection is limited here, even more so for maternity clothes, but I'm afraid to get something online without trying it on. Are there styles that will work without being a maternity dress so I could wear it again? My default would just be to go with a little black dress because I have no clue. We are in the midwest and it's still quite cold here. Thanks in advanced for helping a fashion challenged person.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I would email someone - the person you RSVPed to, maybe - and find out the dress code! You could probably get away with dress pants and a blouse.

[diggitydot]

Unless the induction ceremony is at the national conference in Chicago, a decent dress will be fine. No need or anything totally glam. Maybe something nice enough for a day wedding, but not cocktail dress worthy.

This may sound lame, but do you have access to a Target? Some of their maternity dresses can be dressed up nicely with the right accessories. You may never wear the dress again, but it's freaking Target, so who cares?

[SuzySunshine]

I was also going to recommend Target - they had some really cute maternity dresses when I walked by that section the other day. They were short sleeve for spring but would do fine with a sweater.

[Pollyanna]

Typically business attire is fine for the AOA induction. Dh wore a sport coat and tie and I wore a nice pant suit. You likely already own something that would be appropriate. Strong work on the AOA!!!!!!

[oceanchild]

I love maternity dresses. Once it's warm enough that I don't have to wear tights, I intend to wear dresses as often as possible.

I've seen good maternity dresses at both Target and Old Navy. (I bought this almost immediately after I saw it on the rack, and I think it's really cute: http://www.target.com/p/liz-lange-fo...Slot=large_1_2 They also have it in black and white stripes.) If you're ordering online, anything with a drawstring to make an empire waist will give you a lot of flexibility.

I also think you'd probably be fine with slacks and a blouse or nice sweater. But I say embrace the dresses.

[OrionGrad]

I remember Gap having some cute maternity dresses last summer. You can check online to see if the Gap nearest you sells maternity styles in-store.

[Vishenka69]

I also got a few cute regular dresses with empire waist at TJ Maxx. Definitely start with Old Navy, Target and Gap. I would steer clear of Motherhood, their quality is awful.

[Bittersweet]

I would steer clear of Motherhood, their quality is awful.

Yes! I had a hem come completely undone during a first wear. I loved my Target maternity dresses and they weren't any more expensive. Good luck!

[civilspouse]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we'll start with Target this weekend and see what they have.

[MrsK]

I really liked the maternity clothes from Target and The Gap. During my last pregnancy, I was interviewing for jobs and needed nice/professional looking clothes (unlike my first pregnancy when I was working from home and wore my pjs all day). I bought a few blouses from Target and borrowed the rest of my clothes from a friend who worked as a lawyer and got married late in her pregnancy -- so she needed both professional and dressy/rehersal dinner/honeymoon clothes during her pregnancy. She sent me her whole wardrobe which fit in one large flat rate box and consisted entirely of extremely versitile clothes from The Gap. The clothes were absolutely perfect for every occassion during my pregnancy and she enjoyed the clothes so much that she wanted them back notwithstanding that she's not planning another baby.

[oceanchild]

Enh, I have some hand-me-down dresses from Motherhood that have held up fine. And they do have actual selection, unlike Target and Old Navy and Gap. I guess I just don't expect high quality from maternity clothes generally.