Dress Boutique: MOB

all images in this post are thumbnails. click for larger versions.

It's rhododenron season all over New Jersey, even in front of the window of the dress boutique.  As I predicted, that one big bloom is right in my way. If you live in a part of the country that doesn't have rhodos, let me tell you that the next thing that will happen is that an 8" plume of greenery will rise up from the place that the flower was and obstruct even more of my view. Something will have to be done about it.

The window dressing this time is remarkable not for the color - a pukey pale pink - but because it marks the end of Prom season and the beginning of Mother Of The Bride season, and the dress on the right is the perfect thing. At first glance, you would think  this one would be a hot seller amongst the MOBs for the long-sleeved jacket alone. Believe me, no one wants to see flappy underarms in the receiving line so the jacket alone makes it worth the price for this outfit.

But that's not the main thing here. This appeals to the  MOBs because it's got a little bit of everything: unobrtusive coloration so as not to take away attention from the bride, very little crepe-y cleavage exposure, cloaking device for flappy underarms (see above) and slimming vertical seams. The real attraction here is that it takes the pressure of deciding on any one particular style off the poor old MOB. Typically, the MOB must calm the overwrought bride and take over the final details of the catering and floral arrangements, soothe the injured feelings of Aunt Marge because of disrespectful seating arrangements, and make sure Dad has black socks  and an appointment for a haircut 5 days before the wedding.

All this activity leaves precious little time for the MOB to shop for herself. In a rush, she must find a flattering ensemble and does not have time to dither around deciding on one single style. No need to fret, Mom - this one's got it all.

"Give me something sedate and tasteful.
NO - put rhinestones along every seam and hem!"

"I'd like a dress that has simple lines.
NO - add some fancy goldfish fins to the bottom!"

"The jacket should be closely fitted for a tailored look.
NO -  put those Liberace frills at the cuff!."

Continuing the tradition of a little something for everyone, we have the now-standard princess dress in the middle and look at what is on the left side! Do click on the thumbnail to see it in all its glory - not only is it a ghastly color, not only does it have big patches of sequins that proudly proclaim  "here are my nips", but its got that very fetching ruching thing going on. Does it not evoke  Lily Munster's cape? Perhaps they are going for the luxury look by trying to imitate  the way you use fabric to cover an electrical cord that hangs from the ceiling. Be careful where you wear this one. The way the fabric falls on this is referred to as “coffin-lining “ – probably not a good omen at a wedding.

Comments

[Meggy Donnelly]

man lady! you are one sad sack. it's pretty obvious that you are jealous of the people that have somewhere to wear these dresses. you've been posting about them since last fall. thanks for the laughs.

New here, Meggy?- Suzette

[toxiclabrat]

Suzette, I absolutely love the ruched dress which would give me curves where I don't have any. However, this was before I read your dreaded description of it, along with it being a coffin type of dress.
But I will have to agree that the color would look "deadly" on me. If it was in a rich navy blue, I would buy it.
Where the hell I could wear it would be another story....

[Erica Rae]

Is this a real dress store? These dresses are gorgeous..I'd love to get one for PROM!