so… i live in small town with no clothing stores.
and then if i go to where i used to live 10 minutes away, there is a walmart & a few places to shop for clothes.
we have no target.
no malls.
no GAP.
no starbucks.
and somehow…. i am still alive.
🙂
it's a 30 minute drive to get to those things and really that is no biggie at all.
what i do have in my halfway biggish town that is 10 minutes from my house is Dress Barn.
i hardly ever go there.
and then when i do…. i always find stuff!
it's tricky.
there is a lot to navigate that is too "mature woman" for me.
and there is a lot of…. ruffles where there shouldn't be?
and denim jackets with rhinestones.
in a bad way.
and racks and racks FULL of mom jeans.
but i am telling you… it's worth a peek if you have time to shop with no children.
so today i will walk you though my shopping experience at the Dress Barn (moo)
(WHO named that store???? it's HORRID!)
i tried on this one.
it looks like it's coral zebra stripey fabic but it's actually seperate little layers of fabric.
too bulky on my curvy frame.
and looked too old on me.
when i shop… i am committed.
i bring in A TON of clothes to the dressing room and try on ANYTHING i may remotely like.
i find this method to be productive when trying to shop without children.
maximizing my time.
if you don't like shopping for clothes… you definitely don't want to go with me.
i fully admit that i take forever.
they didn't have this one in my size.
sad face.
i liked it a lot and would've probably gotten it…it's classic.
but i would need a strapless bra and that is not a favorite of mine… but may still be worth it.
not my size in this one either.
boo.
it looks so comfy!
not my size.
but i know it would be too low cut and too much focus on the hips for me with that v-ncek.
maxi dresses are always teetering on the line of cute and Mrs. Roper.
this one expecially.
a good maxi dress is hard to find if you are not a long skinny stick lady.
but if you are then i bet you'd look amazing in that!
you should also get a huge black sun hat.
and send me a picture.
this is a nice churchy dress.
it was not red it was orangey.
so orangey that i actually didn't even try it on.
i took it in but just couldn't do that color on me…. i knew i wouldn't want to look at it against my skin.
now THIS one…. i loved.
the color is off in the website photo.
it looked like this:
bright mint green…yellow, orange, and corally pinks.
with little birds all over it.
i loved it!
but in the end decided it was too dressey for my life.
i have no where to wear it…my friends don't get married any more… i go no where that requires this.
bummer.
funny story: one time (not yesterday) i was shopping and had an over zealous store employee trying to help me find something to buy. (dislike) i came out with a dress on and she was arranging me (touching me a lot) straighting and moving the belt and said "oh honey if you just need to get some Spanx and you will look great" and i said quietly "i am wearing spanx now"
ha.
i did not buy that dress.
this was my favorite.
orange dress…just the right shade of orange….with cream lace on top.
i think it is an AWESOME dress!
the photo looks pink but it's orange.
it didn't fit quite right. :(
i am considering ordering it in two sizes & trying again in case it was that ONE dress that wasn't sewn right.
this one i thought was really sweet.
kelly green underneath with white lace on top with that sweet little belt!
very flattering cut with the pleats facing inward.
(would that be called an inverted pleat? did i just make up a new term? let's say yes)
LIKE!
this one is crazy bright yellow but i thought it looked good!
i think with brown cowboy boots… chunky necklace… denim jacket….yes!
much better maxi dress.
slimming lines.
a bit more coverage up top…. probably a cardigan to top it off.
thumbs up on this one too.
this one was the best for my needs.
it is a deep corally hot pink color not red like it appears.
my first coral dress of my life!
does it say "mother of high school graduate class of 2013"??
that is the look i am going for.
a cute cardi (of course)… wedge sandal… pretty necklace…. shave my legs…. 🙂
YEP! i think it will work!
let's party.
all of these dresses are their website. (dressbarn.com)
i appreciate the affordability there compared to lots of places.
they are having a sale with dresses. (buy two save $10 i think?)
i really don't ever buy anything else there…it IS the DRESS BARN ya know?
dress barn did not pay me to post any of this.
i am not even going to link it because i don't want you to be confused.
i don't even know the girl who helped me check out today.
i just thought i would share with you that dress barn (moo) is not that bad.
i mean… it has lots of stuff that is just NOT for me… but there is good stuff in there too.
i am having lunch with mr. duerksen today.
hubba hubba.
Jennifer Cooper - The Spanx comment totally made my day. I have not had a good laugh today and you were my funny moment. Thanks.
beki - you make me want to go to dress barn! super cute choices 🙂
heidi c - Ok, you have convinced me to give that store a try. That yellow dress is adorable and I love the ones wit lace. And you also just reminded me that I will be attending a graduation in a month as well! Yikes! I better find some kid-free time to shop! 🙂
Gina M. - This made me think about Tim Hawkins Comedy routine about the Dress Barn. Have you seen it? Here’s the link if you want to watch it. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAu4yG9V7_s
J - My 19 year has the coral dress. She doesn’t have your curves, but has ball-player shoulders and arms. It is very flattering and cute, cute, cute! Not old ladyish at all and she gets many compliments. Go for it!
I am the old lady and can’t bring myself to wear the big floral prints and sparkles. Round ladies don’t need rhinestones.
janet @ ordinary mom - I had to laugh because next week I am headed to Florida with my family for a vacation and this is the third conversation about Dress Barn I have had. My hairdresser told me to go there, as did my mom and now you. So I am listening and will plan to go.
And all three conversations ALSO talked about the unfortunate name.
🙂
Victoria - Wow. I may have to just check out dress barn. Love the black/white maxi dress and the white lace dress with the green underneath!
Lee Ann - So glad you posted this! I went to the Dress Barn and bought 2 dresses today! So excited. Neither of them are ones you posted though 🙂 I really wanted to find the black and white striped one with the yellow cardigan. No such luck, but 2 dresses in one day is pretty amazing!
katie - “i’m wearing spanx now.” haha–oh this made me laugh!!
i agree, you gotta try it all on….give things a chance because you never know where you’ll find that coveted piece of clothing.
Carrie - We have a dress barn too, I always forget about it. I feel like I’m a a difficult age for clothes, but I’ve felt that way since I was 25.
The same spanx story happened to me except it was my mom who said it. There really isn’t strong enough spanx in the world to hold in my freakishly pregnant looking belly (I’m very much NOT pregnant!).
Lisa - Hey, you oughta get, and wear the green dress shopping. Even to Wal-Mart. Especially to Wal-Mart. With strappy flat sandals, or some cute flip flops. You’d be surprised at how femmie and good it makes you feel. And so much cooler on hot days.
And, BTW, horses are easy, they just eat a lot.
Katey - I grew up with my dad saying hubba hubba about my mom. This made me laugh to read you saying it. Have fun!
midwestmom - I agree with everyone else, run back and get that green dress!! I’m sure the coral one is beautiful, but the green one just looks more like you! Not that I actually know you, lol.
Lorraine R. - Now I wanna go to The Dress Barn (moo)!!!!! You found some super cute dresses! Thanks for sharing – I’m inspired 🙂
Sara Torbett - Thanks for sharing these fun finds! We just got a Dress Barn (in Fayetteville, AR) so I’ll have to stop in :).
I thought of you today-at Target I saw a party banner with the word “WHATEVER” in a variety of colors!
It was so you. Thinking about it now-I should have bought it and sent it to you. Boo. 🙁 I suppose the thought will have to do!
Angie - I’ve found some really cute things at Dressbarn but your right you have to be careful. Lots of their things are just too mature looking for me. I love the graduation dress you chose!
Janel - The gorgeous green dress you think is too dressy for your life is perfect for lunch with Mr D, lunch with the girls, going to get your done, any reason. I think it can be dressed up or down….so pretty. Just because your in Kansas doesn’t mean you can’t dress like its Chicago or New York! You are beautiful and should show it off a bit once in a while. I bet had you worn that dress to lunch, Mr D wouldn’t have gone back to work! Ha!
Love ya Meg!
Stephanie - Mrs Roper! Hahahahahahaha!!!
Walmart is 20 mins from us. Target is an hour. I get ya!
Whitney - We live in a small town too- with nothing! Walmart & Target are 35 minutes away… Dress Barn is an hour+ However, I love it too despite the name! I have been in a Macy’s and decided not to buy a dress and then find the exact same one there with a different label and half the price! Love the ones you posted- I want them all… except I am 11 weeks pregnant and I know they wouldn’t fit me soon!
Connie - I read your blog everyday. I was born and raised in Newton and now live in Wisconsin. I’m wondering why you don’t mention Et Cetera. It’s my favorite clothing store in Newton (though not for HS graduation).
Amy K. - You are so right about the Dress Barn – the name, the million old lady clothes & then, crazily, incredibly cute stuff mixed in! I do believe I might have to see if I can’t find that green floral dress in my size for a wedding this summer… =)
sara @ it's good to be queen - i LOVE your choice! and you’re right about maxi dresses..they are tricky….especially if you’ve had kids…
Kelly - I laughed out loud at the Mrs. Roper line… got an immediate mental image of her in her moomoos ( I don’t know how moomoos is actually spelled, but they should sell moomoos at Dress Barn, shouldn’t they?!)or caftans as they were called back in the day before they became maxi dresses…had totally forgot about Mrs. Roper, but maybe that’s subconsciously why I can’t bring myself to try on a maxi dress ha! From now on ugly maxi dresses will be called Mrs. Roper caftans around here… You are a kill. You did good at the Dress Barn.
denise@victory rd. - you are a MOG! Congratulations/Sniff sniff.
We live 30 min from everything, too.
We have a “Pants & Things” in our small town. The mannequins in the window are gold. I’ve lived here 20yrs and never been in there.
I’ve learned to shop like you.. just try everything…who knows I might be surprised…or fall into despair.
The MOG dress you picked is perfect!
http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/2012/04/mog-dress.html
Tiffany clark - Living out in the country myself, I too have to drive 30 minutes for anything! I really don’t mind it either. It probably helps me spend less. And shopping without kids? Well, since Olivia was born 5 years ago I don’t think I have really experienced that since. Oh well, there will be a time again. Maybe when I am shopping for HER high school graduation. Oy. You will look fabulous in the outfit you picked out! I love it!
Sara - Some of my favorite dresses have come from Dress Barn…but like you I have never found anything else!
Heidi DeGroot - Just wanted you to know that I recently found the Sweet Nothings strapless bra at Wal-Mart for I think somewhere between 11-14 dollars!! It really is the best strapless bra I have ever had. It also comes with straps so it can be a “convertible” bra. Extra bonus you have a Wal-Mart near you:) I believe it is made by the same company that makes the brand Maidenform which is much pricier in department stores!
Kate - When Julia was a baby, I used to sneak out once a month to dress barn during her Sunday nap. Good times 🙂
Kristin S - So, I just did a search. A brand new one just opened in a new shopping center. Crazy.
Gina - You had me at moo. I need that same look…. Mom of the grad, only I need it x2. Thanks for the shopping help!! I guess I am in denial and hadn’t thought about it but I definitely need a new dress for the occasion. Have a fun lunch!!
Kristin S - You did great! That’s a great dress.
Now, I have no clue where Dress Barn is near me but I’m sure there is and I so want to find that green floral dress!
On a totally different note, I’m driving to Colorado from NC next month. We stay with friends in Tulsa and then head up to 70 and shoot across Kansas. No offense to your state, but I hate I-70. That’s how I see Kansas. You have opened my eyes that there is so much more! So, where should I pull off the interstate and browse/rest/shop!??!?! You find such amazing things in barns. Things that would cost 10 times more here.
Help a girl out?
Adrienne s - I have a Dress Barn 5 minutes from my house and have never been there. You just inspired me. I had no idea there were all those cute dresses!!! I thought it was all “mature” woman clothing.
michelle - A) Dress Barn needs to change their name IMMEDIATELY. I honestly think they’d see at least a 20% jump in sales if they were CUTE DRESSES or HOT MAMA or something. Sheesh.
B) Have you ever looked on eshakti.com? They’re web-only, and you can enter your measurements and they’ll customize their (super cute) dresses to your shape. And honestly, they’re around the same price as Dresses for Moo-Cows (aka Dress Barn). I’ve never ordered one, but I want to! Just waiting for the right event… 🙂
Makila - Why oh why oh why did they name it the Dress Barn? Moo.
🙂 Cute dresses.
Karyn - I’ve been following you for awhile but haven’t commented before…now I must because this post spoke to me on so many levels. WHY did someone think putting BARN in the name of a women’s clothing store was a good idea?? I had never set foot in a Dress Barn til 2 years ago and I was pleasantly surprised with the options for a cocktail-type dress for an event. I’ve found a couple other good options there since. Also, I grew up in Emporia and can totally relate about driving to a town with other stores. We would make pilgrimages to Topeka a couple times a year to go to a “real” mall. 🙂 I live in Denver now but travel back to East Central Kansas a few times a year. Reading your blog feels like ‘home.’ Thank you!
Susan - Mrs. Roper! Too funny. Years ago I shopped at Dress Barn because I worked for the home office of RadioShack and we had a mall (in downtown Ft. Worth). We had a Casual Corner which was my first choice for work clothes but they went out of business and so Dress Barn enters the pictures. Hate the name too. I had the same issues 15 years ago as you do so I usually bought skirts and sweaters that were okay for work. Thanks for the reminder! Looks like nothing much has changed in the past 15 or so years!
erin - go back and get the green dress….it looks great and you deserve it! after all, you did just run a half marrthon!!
Tracy - Really…who named that store? What were they thinking??
Have fun at lunch!
jamie - kinleigh is napping. my house is quiet. laughing out loud with this blog entry. too funny. and full of absolute truth.
Lizelle - I agree with Kimberly – get the dress!! It looks so so cute!
Carol S. - What a fun post. Thanks for sharing inspiration meg. Hang in there. As a mom of a college freshman I can tell you…it is all good! And I’m grateful I have an 8th grader to keep things going. Have not even thought of a dress for graduation so better jump on this. Thanks again.
rae - ooo! i need a coral dress for a wedding party and i might go in and check that last one out! i went to dress barn for a “blogger event” that was pretty weird and funny. but i did find a tiki looking dress that i loved!
Jennifer@CupcakesandMudPuddles - Loving those maxi dresses….going to have to head over to their website and grab me one or two of those! They’re so great for the summer down here in South Texas. 🙂
Molly - this is how i need to shop too. sometimes i think i can get away with having my girls along…ya know like a fun girls shopping trip. but nope it doesn’t work that way.
and love that dress. you’ll be a sweet mom of a graduate of the class of 2013!!
Jen - I love this post! I feel the same way about Dress Barn (moo!) but a few weeks ago I needed a dress fast and it was my only option. I was shocked! I tried on so many dresses (many of the same ones you tried on!) and found one I loved. I am heading back to use my “bucks” and hopefully find another one for our daughter’s graduation. Glad you found something!
Cori - We have a dress barn too. Get past the old lady clothes and it totally works! I live it because I can find things that aren’t being worn by every other mom in the PTA because we all shop at Target and Kohls.
rhonda - I discovered Dress Barn when shopping for my courthouse wedding 3 years ago. There are some AMAZING dresses there!
Seriously Sassy Mama - I am stuck in my house because my car is in the shop. Boo!
Heather - There is a Dress Barn in the outlet mall near where I live, but I never go in there because of the name. It just puts me off. You’ve shown me some really cute dresses, though. I may have to go in there sometime. They SHOULD pay you for this post!
Stephanie - Have you looked in JCPenney lately? They have some really fun stuff and the prices are actually quite nice! I usually always find something in there. Surveying my closet (or the pile of clothes on my bedroom floor), seems to me I buy myself a lot of clothes at Target!!
Southern Gal - Our small towns must be similar. We are 30 minutes away from the metropolis. We are actually getting a local Chick Fil A next month! The whole town is ecstatic.
Jamie - I bought that orange lace dress. Couldn’t leave there, but the yellow one just was all wrong. Funny.
Kari - Just Friday I had to drag my friend to Dress Barn, the same way my mom had to drag me. I wear a LOT of dresses to work and that’s where I buy most of them. They’re a good quality and they seem to last a long time. But seriously…that name. Could not be any worse.
Kimberly - Cute cute cute!
And the green/floral/birdie one… heck, you should have got it for everyday. It was so you! And besides, you only live once, and it doesn’t need to be for a wedding! :o)
Terrie G - Black stripe with yellow cardi…looks so you!
I used to live in a town with almost a grocery store…
Now I’m in a town with a mall (if you can call it that),
Target, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, etc…
But, sadly I rarely go.
Think I’ve been trained most of my life there is no where to shop.
Not a big shopper anyway…I’ll probably not clothes shop with you.
Unless they have a comfy chair… 🙂
Happy Thursday & Yeah to lunch with the hubs!! Me Too!!
Lee Ann - I totally agree with everything you said about this store! In fact, I’m so excited you posted all of this because I need to head there soon – a wedding in the family this summer and I need a dress!
Amanda - I did a little bit of research. The store started in little city (big town?) on the coast of Connecticut. I’m going to guess that the lady who named it didn’t have much experience with typical barns, or she might have changed her business plan.
Lacy Rohre (who still really wants to come to Craft Weekend!) ;-) - could not agree more. Why in the world did they name it that?
erica - funny! i, too, live in a small town (3300 peeps) without target, starbucks, etc…and it’s about a 30 min drive…so, when i go shop – im serious! lol. living in a small town – the advantages out-weigh the disadvantages for me:) love the dresses! never been in a dress barn.
(ps. i bought one of the bubble gum prints from you – love it! looking forward to your next sale;))