Monday, October 25, 2010

The Birthday Gala Dress

So I've known about my sister's 40th Birthday Bash for about a year.  She's been planning it that long!  *smile*  But only lately have I thought about what I want to wear for the event.  I've been saving pics and here's what I've come up with:

Julia Roberts in black lace



Neiman Marcus one shouldered gown



Black Lace short dress from Bergdorf's



Vogue 1970



Dress from Dillards



So tell me, which one do you like?  And why?  Weigh in and let me know your thoughts.  The dress with the highest votes will be considered by me as the one I should make and wear!

You have until Friday evening to let me know what you think.  I will tally the votes up on Saturday morning and announce what you think I should wear as my Birthday Gala Dress!

...more later!

66 comments:

  1. Personally, I like the last one. I think you could do something really neat with the neckline and I really think a pretty ivory or white would look amazing with your complexion - you have really flawless skin! Otherwise, if it's more of an event that requires black outfits, I like the lace detailing on the Julia Roberts dress (and the Bergdorf one). God, I swear, I am SO EXCITED to watch your construction of this. Daily wear is neat and inspiring, but there is something about fancy wear that is so thrilling. It's like magic. I can't wait!

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  2. I vote for the Neiman Marcus one-shouldered gown! I don't usually go for one-shouldered dresses, but there's something really perfect about that one.

    You found a lot of great options -- I'm sure you'll end up with something smashing!

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  3. Ok, well it will be cold? So you may want outerwear to go over the dress, which will make the bow one hard to wear. So out with that. Next a one shoulder one will require it to be very fitted, and I don’t think you like things tight? Out with that too! So go for one of the dresses with a lace insert. Sleeves if you want sleeves, none if you don’t. I can see a new version of your TNT here. Just look in the collection to see what you have and how much you have and then decide. How about a lace insert in the back too….

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  4. I like the black view on the pattern. I also like the long brown one on the pattern.

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  5. I like the Bergdorf's dress. It's a little unusual.

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  6. Personally, I was immediately drawn to the Vogue pattern. Elegant, with lots of opportunity for fit, and that diagional lace insert is very pretty.

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  7. I like the Julia Roberts' dress. Only in a wonderful color besides black. Or black lace over a fuschia skirt. The possibilities are endless....

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  8. I have the last one up on my bulletin board! I can see that on you, but if you prefer black, I like the first one best. Of course you could make the last one's style but in black fabric.

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  9. You could easily morph the first 3 into something truly original and spectacular. I think you really want a black lace dress---although whatever you decide on will be awesome.

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  10. I vote for the last one. I think it is fancy, but more versatile than the others! I also agree with the outerwear pointer-outer above - you want to be able to get a coat on comfortably, otherwise I would have voted for the one-shoulder dress.

    Can't wait to see what is picked and how you put it together!

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  11. I haven't read anyone else's comments, yet, so here's my choice. I'd do the 1970 vogue in a deep wine or red with the lace shoulder (black view). I don't like the dress Julia has on...it makes even her look dumpy, IMO. The dillards dress is "your" go-to dress with a lace neckline, bah humbug.

    Melissa in FL

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  12. I like the Dllard's dress in a rich silk velvet with the lace insert and long sleeves. A matching coat or shawl. A pair of killer drop dead earrings and a pin. I like the idea of wearing navy blue instead of black. You would stand out in a sea of black but not overshadow your sister.

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  13. Although I'm not an off the shoulder wearer, I do like the looks of the dress. After looking at the style of the off the rack dresses vs Vogue, you can make one or all of those dresses. The one I really don't like is the first. All that lace just didn't look right to me. I look forward to seeing your dress

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  14. My vote is for the last one - I think that you will look very elegant in that. And you're kidding about taking our votes into consideration - you're going to make what you feel will be "the one".

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  15. I like the one-shouldered dress - it looks different but still elegant and classy. However, the Bergdorf's is running a very close second because I'm really keen to see what you would do with that one. Actually, now that I've thought it through, I'm going to put my vote to the Bergdorf's dress. It has the most 'Caroline' vibe to it.

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  16. I sorta like the Julia Roberts dress but I sorta see Morticia Addams too. The one shoulder is probably a no-go because of a need for foundation garments that you don't have to fiddle with all night. The Dilliards dress is kind of blah to me, unless you had a sparklie jacket with it maybe? So, it looks like I'm voting for Vogue 1970, the short-sleeved version, I think.

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  17. I think the Neiman Marcus one-shouldered dress would be elegant.

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  18. I love how the NM one-shouldered gown looks on that model, but it might be a challenge for anyone not graced with her freakishly long neck, legs and odd stance. That said, I like the Vogue one shouldered dress, but I'd add another shoulder out of lace, rather like the first view but without the sleeve.

    Sounds like it'll be a great party.

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  19. I agree with Melissa: even Julia looks remarkably dumpy in that dress, so no to that one. You look so good in your profile pic dress with the diagonal lines, so I think you should go with the one-shouldered Vogue with lace inset. What if you continued the lace shoulder down the sleeve and left the other arm bare?

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  20. I like the lace one from Bergdorf's. Lace top with a plain bottom to me looks classically elegant. I have a black dress with a fitted body and long lace sleeves and it takes me everywhere. Can't wait to see what you make though, whichever one it is!

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  21. Personally I would go with the black dress from the Vogue 1970 pattern. It combines the Julia Roberts dress, the one shouldered gown and the Bergdorfs dress so all the elements you've been drawn to. You could make it long if you prefer and add the laces sleeves for the Julia Robers look and of course do it in any colour you like.

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  22. I like the first one. All that black lace looks so dramatic.

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  23. I love the one-shoulder one. The ruffle is very dramatic.

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  24. I'm resisting reading everyone's comments to try and remain impartial! You seem to be gravitating towards black, lace and maybe some asymmetry so I think the Vogue pattern is a good combination of all those, I like the black sheath view best.

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  25. I love the black lace short dress, and the julia roberts dress is my second choice.

    You are going to have an amazing dress no matter which one you make, though!

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  26. I vote for the Julia Roberts dress. I really like the scooped out neckline and think it will look fab on you!

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  27. My vote goes to the Julia Roberts dress, but then in a shorter version. They are in fact all lovely dresses. Good luck with your choice!

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  28. Go with Vogue 1970. Since that was the year your sister (and myself) were born. Wish your sister a Happy Bornday from me. A fellow soon to be 40, survivor.

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  29. I like both Julia's dress and the Vogue pattern - I can see you combining the 2 for something spectacular..I really love lace overlay - classy and feminine.

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  30. I vote for the Julia Roberts dress, but knee length (not floor length). It's classic, and I think you could get a lot of wear out of it!

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  31. I like the black lace from Berdorf's best. It's unusual to find a lace dress that's also fashion forward. I have my nieces wedding next summer and I've been looking for ideas too. Why is it so hard to make up your mind about formal dresses?

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  32. Dillard's! You could add sleeves or make it as is and throw a shawl/jacket over it to extend the look for other occasions.

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  33. This is tough....but I think I'm going for the Vogue pattern with lace sleeves. Short of elbow length, since I think that long tight sleeves are hard to wear on a dress in general but especially lace ones.

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  34. Neiman Marcus one shoulder gown. I really think you could pull this off.

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  35. I vote for the Vogue view C. While I totally agree you could pull of the one shoulder one i think you would look fantastic in a deep ivory gown with a lace insert and maybe some fab heels.

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  36. The 1970 dress, the "sleeveless" view with one shoulder in lace! You have lovely arms, you could show them off in this dress. You could use a non-traditional lace fabric too, like in the Bergdorf dress.

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  37. I'm going to agree with Nancy K on the Bergdorf one. There is something very modern about it. I think it's in the extra long sleeves, the lace pattern and the trendy shoes...

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  38. I would do the Vogue pattern, view with sleeves, but in black. A nice sheer lace for the top would be super (like the picture before the pattern) but plain sheer or sheer point de esprit in black would be quite nice as well.

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  39. I like the Vogue pattern. The one in blue with one sleeve in lace. Not that color, of course.

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  40. I'm going to vote the Dillards dress. I was going to suggest doing a lace inset instead of the beaded(?) neckline and perhaps lace sleeves, but then I thought maybe that's wandering into wedding-party territory? Maybe a sheer fabric instead of lace would keep it more in the party dress territory. My second choice is the Vogue view C. As far as color, I like the idea of a dark rich color.

    The Julia Roberts dress is nice, but somehow it's just not reading "happy" to me. It may just be the posture this photo, as her face certainly looks happy.

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  41. Julia Roberts dress or the Vogue pattern, and definitely not in black. I like the idea of lace overlay. You don't look dumpy in anything. :) You look good in color....red for instance. Sparkly jewelry that makes a statement to set off the dress.

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  42. Go for Julia Roberts in bright red! But be careful you'll outshine your sister, because you'll look stunning :-)

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  43. The Neiman Marcus one shoulder dress is incredibly elegant. Please do that one or the one shoulder Vogue dress. Either would look beautiful on you.

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  44. Definitely the Dillard's dress with the insert. Keeps the focus on your beautiful face. Make a nice jacket so you won't be cold or make the dress with long sleeves. Stay away from black, its too boring. Any jewel tone would be nice and festive.

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  45. I love love love the one shoulder number! Those ruffles, that cut...its just so pretty!! And so different!

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  46. 40th birthday--still a baby! While I like the Julia Roberts gown, it would be difficult to do much other than stand in it--not my idea of a good time. I love the Vogue pattern. Lace gives it an elegant evening look, the princess lines are slimming and easy to tweek, and it doesn't scream "Tonight and no other." Have a great time--can't wait for the pics.

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  47. I like the Vogue pattern--an opportunity to use lace in a creative way. I haven't seen anything like that in stores, which is why it appeals to me!

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  48. I'm not going to be much help 'cause I like them all.

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  49. Oh, the Neiman Marcus one-shouldered gown. I can see that on you, with perhaps a smaller bow since we of the shorter suasion don't do well with bows that come up to our eyebrows! The dress hangs so elegantly and wouldn't need to be tight-tight to look great. But...all the others are wonderful, too. The Vogue pattern has so many good options. I'm starting to think about our 50th wedding ann. next year and wondering what sort of dress I'll want. So I'll be watching your choice with great interest. Whatever you make will be terrific1

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  50. Ooo.. this is difficult. I like the last one, too. I think it is elegant and chic.

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  51. I like Vogue 1970. I think you could easily adapt your TNT dress pattern to this one.

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  52. Yikes - a lot of comments, and I'm not going to read them all, but this is what I think. That last dress looks like your TNT pattern, not that it isn't special, but it would look like a black work shift with lace. I like the Vogue 1970, with the long sleeves and the one side being lace, of course. This would give you the lace-inspired look, but also the one shouldered look. Finding just the right lace would fun and since you won't need a whole lot, it could be super fabulous lace.

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  53. I love love love the Bergdorf dress! I can't believe it isn't getting more votes. All of the dresses are pretty, but the Bergdorf one says va-va-voom.

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  54. Carolyn, I think you should go with the Vogue pattern. I agree with the poster who suggested navy--it would be just stunning! The one-shoulder dresses, I think, require, IMO, a figure that not many of us have, and they seem way more out-there than I perceive your style to be--classic, simple but drop-dead. Please choose the Vogue!

    Gail D.

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  55. OOh! I love the Vogue one as well as the last one but I guess thay are similar. The Vogue one with the long sleeves is very classy,IMO

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  56. I like V1970, view A. You know what colors look best on you but don't out-do the birthday girl!

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  57. I like the Vogue pattern~ it's the best of both worlds. I really think the view "B" would really suit you. However, since it is a very formal affair,the combination of the top of "B' and the skirt of "D" would be beautiful.

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  58. The Neiman Marcus, black, ruffly one-shoulder. I KNOW you adore a shift (like the white one w/ the jeweled neckline), and that's why I want to see you in a dress that's completely different!: slightly flowy, a ruffle, one-shoulder.

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  59. All great dresses, my vote would be the Julia Roberts dress or the last one (which certainly would be easy to copy from your tnt dress pattern?)

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  60. I can see where you would have a hard time deciding! I like the Julia Roberts dress and the Vogue pattern dress... maybe the one two sleeves and long.... mostly because
    it's getting coldddd! And I wouldn't want you to freeze!
    They are all pretty though, and I'm sure you would look great in any of them!

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  61. I vote for the bergdorfs it has the wow factor.

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  62. I love to see you in something more youthful like this...

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3119305?origin=related-3119305-0-0-2

    or

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3124616?origin=category&resultback=7484

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  63. I think Vogue Version C would look great on you. While I really like the one-shoulder pic, the silhouette from the Vogue pattern (C) looks stunning to me.

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