Shopping Trip, NYC: Bar Mitzvah Dress Try-On

My group of friends have three big Bar Mitzvahs coming up in the next few months, so we have been talking nonstop about dresses. One friend in particular, D, absolutely hates online shopping and has been asking for an NYC day trip to try on dresses in person. And since one of the upcoming Bar Mitzvahs is her son’s, Linz and I obliged. (Haha twist my arm.)

Since we only had a day and wanted to try on as many dresses as possible, we decided the safest route was to stick with the big two on the Upper East Side: Bloomingdale’s and Saks.

Linzi and I both are VERY familiar with Saks and Bloomies online, but it’s wild how differently we shopped in person. Dresses I absolutely would NEVER look at twice online ended up being some of my favorites, and other dresses I’ve been eyeing up online didn’t pass the touch test.

14 Pretty Party Outfits For Bar Mitzvahs & Holiday Parties: A Try-On

While I was originally looking for a dress that was under $400, they are getting harder to find! That said, most pieces in this try-on are between $295 – $595, with a few that are more. Some of them (like the Cult Gaia dress), were so gorgeous, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to try them on, even if I knew they were over budget. And since I need a day dress for the ceremonies and a party dress, there’s a little mix of both options in this try-on.

Let’s get into it.

1. SIMKHAI Bubble Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales

This is the dress that started my love affair with SIMKHAI. A friend has been lusting after this line of dresses from afar, so I knew I had to try on whatever was in-store. This dress is ridiculously comfortable and bananas cute in person. And there’s a long-sleeve midi version that is now haunting my dreams. It is the ultimate of pretty day dresses. I’m wearing a size small.

2. Alice + Olivia Chara Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales

This is the kind of sneaky-useful dress I can see myself slipping into for a random date night (this old thing?), rocking it on girls night, or wearing it to allll the holiday parties (office holiday parties AND friends’ parties), in addition to a Bar Mitzvah! I’d wear it in the fall with sneakers (it’s that faux-leather skirt that vibes casual), or in the winter with moto boots, tall boots, or heels. This dress managed to give me a waist without feeling too squeezy in the midsection, and was wildly comfortable. This is the dress I can’t stop thinking about. I think it runs a *little* big. I’m usually a size 6, but the 4 fit the best.

3. Sandro Short Satin Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales | Sandro | Nordstrom (in black velvet only)

This was one of my favorites. It’s short, but not too short, with a flirty little ruffle that adds some personality. Easy to dance in, easy to wear – it looks more fitted than it actually is. The straps were a little too long for my 5’3″ self, but that’s a really easy fix at the tailor. I’m wearing a size 38 (and it fits a tiiiny bit snug in the chest).

4. SIMKHAI Separates: Top, Skirt or Pants

Top: Saks | Bloomingdales, Pants: Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

Um. I couldn’t get over how much I loved this set. The top is pure magic on – it drapes *exactly* right, insouciance personified, and these pants are well-made, fit like a glove, and are stunning. I’m wearing a size small in the top, and a size 6 in the pants.

But! Before you get too excited, there’s also a skirt.

Top: Saks | Bloomingdales, Skirt: Bloomingdales

This skirt is bananas cool in person. Not only would this skirt look amazing with tall boots, moto boots, sneakers, heels, flats, or flip-flops…but it could also be worn with boxy little sweaters in the winter and cute tank tops in the summer. This is such a truly special piece – another one I cannot stop thinking about. The skirt does run bit, though – I’m wearing an XS and might be able to size down to XXS.

Honestly, it was such a joy to even try these pieces on – I wanted to stand up and clap. Standing ovation for you, sir!

Here’s the different variations these pieces come in (including a mini dress):

5. Staud Mermaid Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales

This black-and-navy Staud maxi dress looked good on EVERYONE (we all tried on a size medium). All three of us fell in love with this seriously cool and comfy dress! While strapless dresses often dig in, this one is really comfortable, and there’s plenty of fabric for strategic ruching down the body. This dress was a delight to wear, and made me feel a little like a princess (but in a deeply chic, 40-something way).

Actually, it might be more Hot Evil Villain than princess, but I like it.

6. Maje Knit Dress (With Strategic Buttons)

Saks (only in white) | Bloomingdales | Maje | Neimans | Nordstrom (longer version)

This dress is really comfortable, and easy to wear. It’s another one of those dresses that would work great for everyday, is modest enough for a ceremony, but can also be fancied up for a party. Hint: those buttons are all functional – wear ’em open or closed. I’m wearing a size 38. This one came home with me.

7. Cult Gaia Ela Dress

Bloomingdales

Not to be dramatic, but is one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever had the honor of putting on my body. It feels so well made, and the design is wildly inventive. It’s ivory, which feels really fresh in the winter, yet has enough heft to pair nicely with black tights and boots (although it’s stunning with bare legs, too). My one note is that the top ran a little long, running the risk of…exposure. The tailoring I’d need, while not impossible, might be a little tricky. This dress runs a tiny bit big (I’m wearing a size 4).

8. Ramy Brook Halter Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

This dress runs big (I was wearing my usual size small, but needed smaller – that neckline, haha), but this dress is so fun and flirty! It’s also made from a lightweight fabric that has some metallic threads running through it, so it’s one of those rare dresses that wouldn’t look out of place with flip-flops on the beach…or with tights at a holiday party. Love it.

9. Maje Flirty Knit Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

The genius part of this dress is the cut of the skirt. It’s cut to be flouncy, all the way around, and turns the dress into something really special. It’s essentially a sweater dress (VERY comfortable on) and sooooo flirty. Another dress that could easily be worn during the day (oh heyyy sneakers), or dressed up for night. I love the kicky black-and-white print, but there’s a cool, metallic version, too.

10. Maje Sweater Dress Set

Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

With the exception of Nordstrom, the retailer shots of this genius sweater dress set are tragic online. This is a really cute and deeply useful set. I love, love, love the sweater – it’s cut perfectly to layer over dresses (just swingy enough, just cropped enough) – but would also be seriously cute with high-rise jeans, too. And while the mini shift dress that’s revealed without the sweater isn’t exciting, it’s pretty darn cute. I’m wearing my usual size 38.

Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

11. The Giant GANNI Dress

Saks | Nordstrom

My friend, D, hated this dress on me. So, OK, I won’t wear it to her kid’s Bar Mitzvah. 🙂 “You look like you have no butt.” True. This is not a sexy dress. It is, however, a seriously cool, Fashion-Girl dress and I LOVE IT. Wearing a size 38. (OMG – it’s laughable how long it is on me compared to the models. I actually like how it fits me, better, haha.) This is likely not a practical purchase – there’s something of rebellious prom vibe here.

12. SIMKHAI Faux-Leather Polo Dress

Saks (in brown!!!!) | Bloomingdales | Shopbop

While I love the idea of this dress, it was just OK on. Frankly, I may have needed to size down, but it wasn’t exciting enough (or useful enough) to track down a smaller size. That said…the brown is very interesting. Hmmm.

13. Maje Ruffled Maxi Dress

Saks | Bloomingdales | Nordstrom

In my never ending quest for the ultimate, do-it-all day dress…this one isn’t bad! It feels lovely and romantic on, with a slight, 70’s cool-kid vibe. I’m wearing a size 38.

14. Two Alice + Olivia Matching Sets

Top: Saks | Bloomingdales, Pants: Saks | Bloomingdales

I’ve been staring at these wild Alice + Olivia sets for years…wondering. And now I know: I don’t love them. The butterfly print is gorgeous, but the pants were a little tighter than I wanted them to be (they actually reminded my of my black “bar pants” in the 90’s) – definitely sexy. I prefer a much looser trouser these days. So maybe something like this?

Top: Saks | Bloomingdales, Pants: Saks | Bloomingdales

This set is definitely better, and would be fun for an evening, but I think I’d tire of it quickly.

That’s it! It was definetely inspiring, trying on such beautiful pieces. I feel like it’s sometimes a good level-set, and helps me better evaluate the more affordable stuff, too.

xo,

S