What is the best color, length, pattern, etc. for a dress for a 14 year old to a formal wedding?

Question

i'm going to a wedding in June in Arizona.

Answer 1

Wow thats a lot. Well for color--that depends on your complexion. I wouldn't do white or cream, but most other colors are fine. Being that its June, I'd do something bright. First thing is to figure out if your skin is a "spring/fall" or a "summer/winter". Do you look good in pastels, murky colors like olive green, burnt oranges, yellow? Frequently that is people with olive complexion, but not always just them. Or does your skin do best with clear, exact colors--you know from the Crayola Basic 8 box--a true blue, clear red, purple?

Knowing if you are a spring, fall, summer, winter will help you pick colors for the rest of your life.

Length- it is a formal event so you don't want something above the knees. I'd go with a cocktail length dress, instead of full length, since you'll get more wear out of it.

Pattern-anything goes but often formal attire tends to be mostly solid colors.

Being 14 is difficult. It really depends on how mature your body is at 14. I'd go for something like this
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2955166/0~2378467~2378483~2377032~6008190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6008190&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2949025/0~2378467~2378483~2377032~6008190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6008190&P=2
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2953022?refsid=201430_1&refcat=0%7e2378467%7e2378483%7e2377032%7e6008190&SourceID=1&SlotID=2&origin=related


If you are quite girlie you can go for something more like this
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2935778/0~2378467~2378483~2377032~6008190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6008190&P=9
though I would have felt uncomfortable in that at 14.

It's an evening wedding so don't be afraid of something with a sheen to it like this
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2847485/0~2378467~2378483~2377032~6008190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6008190&P=10

But I'd go for something with straps so you aren't yanking it up all night long. But rather its halter, spaghetti or whatever--it just matters that you are comfortable and like it.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/party_dresses_detail.jsp?stid=2330&prodgroup=198
http://www.davidsbridal.com/party_dresses_detail.jsp?stid=2322&prodgroup=198
http://www.davidsbridal.com/social_dresses_detail.jsp?stid=2681&prodgroup=54

But definitely pick something you would like to wear again this year--to homecoming perhaps? Be careful since its so hot in Arizona especially in June, you'll want to wear something cool. Being so young, you could even wear something long (but a bit more casual) that you felt more comfortable in.

http://www.bodyc.com/BodyCentral/womens.fashion/itemdetl.html?lvl1=Dresses&lvl2=Summer&item=2670

No velvets or anything too tween or sexy. Nothing super clingy. Also avoid something that looks too beachy casual like this
http://www.bodyc.com/BodyCentral/womens.fashion/itemdetl.html?lvl1=Dresses&lvl2=Summer&item=1953

Answer 2

I would buy a dress that you can wear to the wedding, then to a formal dance (like a homecoming or prom) when school starts. Dresses are so expensive -- it's best if you can wear it multiple times. Any color but black. How about something like this, in a color you like?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2949194/0~2378467~2378483~2377032~6008190?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6008190&P=1