So at long last I have an update. I did try on quite a few- and ended up with 3 finalists. I anguish over most decisions, this one included. The original one, I tried on again and didn't love it as much and also realized that while I could wear a strapless bra if I were perhaps a guest, as mother of the bride who wants to dance and go crazy, that was not an option. I spent m time at the stores, and also ordered quite a few (at the end, I was ordering dresses in 2 sizes because you never know. ( I don't know how the picture will show up but I got this dress in navy and I love it. It is understated but has some bling, is long but not sweeping the floor, very flattering on and-------has a short sleeve bolero jacket for coverage but looks good without It as well. I actually took it to a tailor today to tweak it. It covers me fine, but she will raise the straps a tad and also ensure that the bra straps are totally covered. I am very excited and cannot wait to wear it. and----it's comfy!!! Now for shoes. I know I want strappy, and am looking for super comfy but of course pretty. I think a wedge could work since it is a garden wedding......... but yay I have a dress!! Here is a link that might be useful: prettiness

Perhaps the difference between "couple shower" and "couples shower" is a matter of the ear.....they sound very much the same.....actually it's a lot more difficult to say "couples shower"....so the error was likely mine. And also men are invited....both men who are part of a "couple" and single men friends....with or without a date. Anyhow I think it's a lovely custom....the party given fro my daughter at a friends house on a lovely summer evening, featured jugs of wine set in ice filled copper boilers around the yard and the deck, and similar onef filled with beer. Dinner was a chicken casserole...probably a salad and rolls....don't remember dessert but if I know the friends who gave the shower, probably wedding cake. There were about 80 people invited and each couple was asked to contribute a small amount and the hostesses bought a lovely Wallace silver coffee service. tray coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar. It sits on my daughter's buffet server and is used for Christmas Easter, Birthdays and other occasions I am sure. I don't know how the custom got started but it's been the custom among my circle of friends. I have given several, one time it was a back yard hamburger cook out and the gift was a very nice grill, another time it was a fancy cocktail buffet for 80 people ( my house was bursting!) and the gift was the bride's china...not all of it but a couple of place settings of Lenox, another time we did a garden party with oven fried chicken potato salad, beans slaw and strawberry shortcake and the gift was a piece of antique oak furniture. All the parties were given by 2 ior 3 couples and we did all the cooking. We had lots of fun! Linda C

It's funny, I grew up with a mom who always had her clothing altered but somehow I have never thought of it. Quite a few of the dresses were close but no cigar........ and this one I kept coming back to (and other than the no jacket ).. as I said the neckline was really ok but I am well endowed and just didn't want any cleavage to show. When I took it to the dressmaker, she at first just suggested raising the shoulders. Then we looked a bit more and she ended up doing a lot more (as I said, the armhole tweaking and the bra snaps so the cap sleeves can be more extended over the shoulders).... but I know it will look like perfection. The dress was quite reasonable, so even adding on quite a bit for the alterations it is still palatable. for shoes, I am at this point going to try for a strappy sort of wedge (for comfort, and for the lawn)... in either silver, navy, or some other metallic....... it will have a lot to do with comfort. I don't really expect to wear a purse much, but I am leaning towards using a really pretty beaded evening purse from my mom which is white with some pastel flowers. I know it's not a perfect match, but I think it will feel nice for me to have her purse at the wedding. ( She' passed in 2004). At least that is what I think for now.

I believe I have the arms for a sleeveless dress, so that's not an issue. I have been looking at Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Nordstrom. The two dresses I posted are from Nordstrom. Both are Kay Unger, so they're essentially the same dress, one sleeveless and one with the 3/4 sleeve. I did go into one special occasion dress shop in the area, but their selection of knee length dresses was very limited and what they did have was a little dressier than what I want. If I'm going to spend a little more on a dress, I am looking for something I will wear again. I plan to dress up this navy blue by adding some sparkle with jewelry and shoes. The woman at Nordstrom who was helping me suggested shoes in a pewter color. I never thought I'd agonize this much over my dress selection. No one is even going to be looking at me that day! Ha!