For what it’s worth, most of the non-maxi dresses that I’m seeing in stores now are several inches shorter than the knee, so you might have trouble finding something knee-length, especially given your height. Similarly, it’s nearly impossible to find dresses with sleeves long enough that they won’t reveal your armpits when you raise your arms. I cover my knees and wear sleeves to the elbow for religious reasons, so I’m constantly on the lookout for dresses that meet those criteria. Most of the women in my community adapt dresses and dressy tops via wearing long-sleeved shirts under shorter-sleeved or sleeveless garments, but that probably looks odd outside of an Orthodox Jewish context.
You might be best off finding a pretty sweater-and-skirt sort of outfit. If a maxi dress could work well at your novicifying (I’m forgetting the appropriate term), that plus a cardigan is probably the simplest way to go at the moment. A year ago, you could easily find dresses with knee-length skirts, but I’m finding it tough right now.
Guess who has a new dress?? This is why I can’t go into threads like this, I couldn’t pass up a good sale!
I have tried to look and it is very hard to find things with sleeves right now, that isn’t really matronly looking, so for a 23 year old, I would definitely go to Target and get something with a cardigan. Target has some really great stuff, it always impresses me. Plus, you will get a lot of wear out of a cardigan, you should get a white one since it’s spring, and a simple white cardigan goes with anything.
Sleeps With Butterflies, I didn’t see you starting a thread about tailoring, I think you are a tiny blonde from picture threads, and I often buy dresses that are a little too big because they are on sale, and take it to a tailor. Depending on the dress, it is very easy to bring things in. Also, you don’t have to pay an expensive tailor, I take jackets and jeans I want changed completely to a nice tailor, but if something needs to just be brought in, my dry cleaner does it, and for ten bucks or so. I get most of my stuff tailored, because you can make a dress that was on sale for 40 bucks look like a $400 dress if it fits you to a tee. I consider that difference well worth ten bucks. I say go for it!
Something I’ve had success with through the years, especially when I don’t know quite what the dress code will be: “informal” shapes in “formal” fabrics. Silk or velvet t-shirts, shantung slacks, etc. If everyone else is wearing tees, then so am I - albeit silk or velvet. If everyone is more formally dressed, I’m wearing silk or velvet - tee shirt and slacks.
And, at your height, you can probably find great buys in thrift stores. It’s hard to find “average” sizes there, because the size 12/14 medium height gets snapped up in a heartbeat. However, tall and slim sizes remain, if you have the patience to search through the racks. (I’m 5’9", and wear about a size 6 or 8, so I’m fortunate to find great clothes at Goodwill and such. I do have to search carefully, though, and try on everything.)
Seriously, though, a very basic shape in a high end fabric will bridge all kinds of gaps in formality. They’ll have the added benefit of being “classics” that you can wear through many years, for all kinds of functions.
A friend of mine picked up a hideous 1970s high-neck wedding dress for a song, and her tailor turned it into the perfect strapless dress that was in step with the style of the day. A good dressmaker can see your vision and turn it into exactly what you’re looking for.
Why not breal with convention and go for a maxi dress? My lady went to a wedding and created a stir with her maxi dress- floral and swishy! She got it from FC. Have a look at these… some are really fetching (well, in my humble opinion!). http://www.frenchconnection.com/category/Woman+Collections+Dresses/Dresses.htm
But at the end of the day, it’s what you feel good in that counts!
You should try Macy’s. They’re having a sale now. I usually go to the store and try stuff on. I think something like this would work for you. http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=547777&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results It’s cheap, cute, and can be worn to both. I still think you should go to any store first. In store usually has better deals and you can see how it fits.