THE Pre-Weekend Party Post! Wedding Edition/Reader Mail!

I love Reader Mail! and I was so excited to receive the excellent reader e-mail question that would inspire this post:

So, a question for my fashion expert:  I've been invited to a wedding this August of a college friend in Newport, RI. The wedding is black tie and I'm having a hard time reconciling black tie, summer, and beachside location in my head. Any brilliant ideas? The event starts around 5 pm and goes in to evening...  Feel free to use for reader mail or just to help me out puhlease. Ugh. xx. G.

As wedding season is upon us (so I hear; I won't pretend to be a wedding expert... though I have been planning mine since I was five... shhhh), and the summer is only getting more, well, summer-y, I imagine lots of people may be finding themselves in situations as similar to one above.  I think a lot of us dress more casually in general during the summer, and certainly at the beach, so I can definitely see how difficult it could be to reconcile, as my reader stated, the setting and season with the dress code indicated, and find something to wear.  After a bit of reading a research, I can offer the following advice:

Despite it's formal designation, Black Tie does allow for considerable variation (unlike White Tie, which is extremely regulated), especially for women.  Traditionally the definition may have demanded a floor-length evening gown, but these days’ dressy separates or short formal cocktail dresses are entirely appropriate as well.  I would focus less on sticking to a particular style or length, and more on the combined glamour of every aspect of your look.

  

Nicole Miller Dress via Nordstrom.com, Sachin + Babi necklace and Sergio Rossi slingbacks via Shopbop.com;  Rachel Roy Signature dress via Shopbop.com, Hype clutch and BCBGeneration sandals via Nordstom.com

In the summer I feel much more comfortable in something that flows and is easy to move in; so I would stay away from boning and bandage dresses for this occasion.  In rich, luxurious fabrics, with touch of sparkle and glamorous accessories, a dress that shape-wise might be identical to the comfortable, flowing, mini or maxi sundress you wear on the weekends is black tie.

   

Issa, Elie Tahari, and Shoshanna dresses via Shopbop.com

DVF, Halston Heritage, and Helmut Lang via shopbop.com; Haute Hippie and Donna Morgan via Nordstom.com

A little shine and sparkle instantly dresses up an outfit.  Look for these qualities in dress, or, use your accessories, shoes and jewelry for this purpose, especially if you feel your dress is a little plain.

Sachin and Babi via Shopbop.com, Donna Morgan via Nordstom.com

DVF bag, Kenneth Jay bib necklace and earrings, and Alexis Bittar earrings via Shopbop.com

I would definitely go with a pair of strappy, heeled sandals over of a full on pump, and make sure to bring a pashmina or shawl.  It is always good to have one on hand to cover bare shoulders if the ceremony is in a church or temple, and certainly to shield yourself from the cool ocean breezes that will inevitably sneak up (I'm imagine a post-party stroll on the beach with my sweetie, a pair of sparkly strappy sandals dangling from my fingertips, cashmere shawl draped over my shoulders, beautiful gown trailing behind me in the sand, shining in the moonlight...).

Nordstrom cashmere shawl; Ports 1961 shoes via Shopbop.com; Classiques Entier via Nordstom.com; Report Signature and LAMB via Shopbop.com

Strapless sweetheart necklines are really prominent this season, as are one-shoulder dresses.

BCBGMAXAZRIA gown and cocktail dress, Adriana Papell, Laundry by Shelli Segal via Nordstom.com; Rebecca Taylor via Shopbop.com

Budget is also a factor here.  You need to decide whether-or-not you want to invest in something really special that you'll wear to other formal events over the years, in which case you should look for something timeless, and avoid trendier shapes and styles.  If you doubt you’ll ever have reason to wear something so fancy again, and you don't have the disposable income to spend on something you'll wear only once, you may want to choose a cocktail dress that can easily be dressed up or down.

Haute Hippie via Nordstom.com; Erin Fetherston and MXMJ via Shopbop.com

Color-wise, in addition to the always-in-style black I came across a lot of really beautiful deep yellows and rich blues, which I love.

       

Aidan Maddox via Nordstom.com, Lela Rose, Rachel Roy, and Sunner via Shopbop.com, Aidan Maddox via Saks.com

Last but not a pretty bag or clutch.  If it’s big enough throw in a pair of flip-flops for that late night walk by the shore with your sweetie.

Rebecca Merkin via Shopbop.com; Sondra Roberts and Jessica McClintock via Nordstom.com

*Shopping Note: the dress shop at Nordstrom is great for gowns, Shopbop has amazing cocktail dresses, BCBG is a good bet for both, and, if I, personally, were able to splurge on a dress it would be a DVF or Nicole Miller - both seem to make every woman's body look amazing.

I hope that was of some help!  Keep the mail coming babes! xo Caitlin

p.s. speaking of bags… don’t forget you have three more days to enter my fantastic OUFI London clutch Giveaway!

Installment II: Underwear-as-Outerwear

Wearable at Work?

Yes! sometimes.  and obviously it depends on where you work and how conservative or fashion-forward the environment is.  My reader, of the reader mail that inspired this post (See Installment I), works for BCBG Max Azria, obviously a fashionable environment where I think this look would be more acceptable.  If you are a librarian, probably not.

In my opinion, balance is key.  One "underwear" item per outfit and the rest of it should lean toward the conservative side.  It is also helpful if you are able to adjust your outfit to cover-up/conservatize (new word) if need be.  Layering is the easiest option, as you can see below I chose a lot of cardigans and blazers that can allow you to show as much or as little as you like.

How I styled/tried it: 
(click picture for larger image)

Huh? basically I just thought my confused-at-photobooth face was too hilarious not to include. also, excuse the poor quality photos, I was alone at home and that's all I really had for self-portrait-ing.

Cosabella cami, Splendid tee, Banana Republic skirt, Jessica Simpson shoes.

Layers! I will always consider this the Clueless look. remember how that movie had us all layering our tee-shirt with tanks for a minute? so here is a lacey, low-cut, lingerie-ish camisole, layered over a thin crew-neck tee, creating, in my opinion a very pretty, sweet look; especially worn with a high waist-ed pencil skirt, I think this outfit is pretty work-appropriate.

Haute Hippie blazer, Elie Tahari pants, Only Hearts bodysuit, asos cropped blazer, asos corset, DVF pants.

Pair a sheer bodysuit or corset style top with a sharp blazer and tailored pants.  also, keep it sweet! pastels or feminine florals like this corset dial down the boudoir element of these pieces.

Asos corset, Asos wide-leg pants , Oasis crop blazer, Bebaroque bodysuit, Topshop tank.

A sharp suit balances out the lingerie-factor of these tops, and I love the nude and blush tones.  I also looovvve that bodysuit.

American Apparel jersey leotard, Splendid white tee, asos lace top, DSQUARED2 dress, Freddy black bodysuit, Derek Lam dress.

A strapless dress, especially one with an underwire style top like these would generally never be appropriate for work.  but layered over a sweet short or three-quarter length sleeved tee, really dials down the sexy factor, and in my opinion looks super cute.  a bodysuit is a good option here.  this is another example of how to balance out an outfit.  just make sure the dress isn't too cocktail-y or bodycon.

H&M pink label top, F21 skirt, Target peep-toe flats (so, instead of being embarrassed lets just use this to illustrate how a girl can dream of everything at shopbop, but manage to shop it on a budget).

Me trying out black lace. I think with lace usually white or lighter colors keep things more appropriate, black or (eek!) red is a lot more bedroom style. with black I say the sleeves should be short or three-quarter, never full length, and it should be on the looser side. I'm wearing mine with just a light pink bra underneath, but I think it works with a skirt worn high, above the waist actually.   I paired my outfit with flats to tone it down further.

Kiki de Montparnasse caftan , Elizabeth and James lace button-up, Urban Outfitters bodysuit , Organic by John Patrick skirt.

Pair a sheer flowy top with a high waisted skirt.  black and lacey is balanced beautifully with a demure light pick knee-length skirt.

Alice+Olivia tee, Thakoon corset, F21 skirt , Rag & Bone cardigan, F21 short-sleeve cardigan, F21 draped cardigan.

Like the strapless dress, I love a corset top over an appropriately conservative top.  bottoms are best high-waisted and knee-length or just above, and again, layering is the easiest option.  a long cardigan (there are lots of really pretty lightweight options in blush and grey tones in stores now.  I bought a couple at Zara about a month ago that I'm practically living in, see below), button or belt it at the waist letting as much or little of your "underwear" style top (depending on how revealing or sexy it is) show through.  I've also been seeing a lot of these scarf-like cardigan/vest options that I really like.

American Apparel nude lace bodysuit, vintage camisole, Zara cardigan.
Here I'm layering two underwear-style pieces, the lace bodysuit, and camisole (slip, actually, cut into a cami), to make one that is appropriate to wear in public. I'm layering it with a long belted cardigan that allows me to cover up more or less as needed. keeping everything in these pale blush tones makes it pretty and sweet as opposed to overtly sexy.

Alexander Wang cowl back cardigan, Cosabella bralette, Free People lace cropped tube top.

A low back is a nice way to let a little lace peek through, and a cardigan allows you to button/unbutton to the degree that you feel comfortable with.  I think these camis are perfect for this look. they're sexy but still very sweet, and, importantly they are obviously not just a regular bra - it is important with "under/outer" that it's clear your choices aren't accidental.

H&M bra, Hanky Panky bralette, Zara cardigan.
I'm a little less sure if I'd wear this out during the day or at work, basically I am wearing two bras and a cardigan. I do think the layering of the bras, one very structured, almost corset looking, but actually not very low cut or cleavage-y (at least not on me, haha) under the lace bralette, which could pass for a cami from this viewpoint, sort of makes it work. again, it helps that everything is in lighter, similar tones, and this outfit displays the versatility of a cardigan.

asos peg-leg pants, asos trousers, asos sleeveless tuxedo jacket, Loeffler Randall Bustier.

In my opinion, high waisted, tailored pants are important.  they reel in the sexy, hips, hourglass effect of a corset-type top.  and like a sharp blazer or suit jacket, vests like this one are a great option.

to recap: balance is key. layers. it helps to have the option to cover-up. keep it sweet. lighter colors, blush tones.  cardigans.  sharp, tailored trousers and jackets.  high waist-ed skirts and pants.  one "under" per outfit.

So what do you think?  am I way off base or do these outfits work for work, and for what type of work/workplace?  let me know what you think bebes! xoxo 4 evvaa, caitlin