Bridesmaids shopping

Not shopping for bridesmaids, but for what they will wear.

After the first round of shopping, I have to ask: Why are 99.8% of all bridesmaids dresses hideous, expensive or both? Why is it more likely LA will earthquake itself into the ocean than we are to find a bridesmaid's dress with sleeves that's not going to make my friends look like the Queen Mum?

Saturday, Angela and I went to two mega-stores catering to all things polyester, I mean bridesmaidenly: Alfred Angelo and David's Bridal. AA's competitive advantage is that ALL their dresses/separates come in ALL 46 colors they carry. David's had some nice special occasion dresses, but less flexibility in terms of style and color combos for the bridesmaid gear--and nothing with sleeves.

What's up with this? Sleeves are our friends! They hide armpits and wattles, prevent sunburn and/or keep you warm. Even Julia Roberts couldn't pull off that armpit-slit dress she wore. If she can't do it, how are us mortal women supposed to manage?

Before I resort to shopping in that bastion of modest dressing--Utah--I'm checking out a couple of seamstresses to see if they can create something more suitable, flattering and with a retro vibe. Tulle overskirt, cap sleeves--something that evokes the 1950s. Or "Mid-century" as the hip-and-coming refer to it. Who knew this would turn out to be a tall order?