Monday, April 25, 2011

Nearly Naked on My Way to the Courthouse


Hey ESB,

I'm freaking out a bit, and after reading your blog the past 6 months, I feel like you, of all people, are capable of giving me some sensible and tasteful advice. I'm getting married in 5 weeks, and what was supposed to be a sweet, laid-back "no big thang, just tying the knot" courthouse ceremony has become a shopping nightmare for me. For starters, I live in Omaha, NE, a near desert in the way of quality retail, so when I tried to just go out to the local department store and pick up something cute off the rack, I encountered styles that were more appropriate for women in their 50's than a stylish woman in her 20's. So I've been shopping the web non-stop these past couple months, purchasing and returning, purchasing and returning. My latest return occurred this week when I tried on this Geren Ford silk maxi dress, which was a couple inches too short, but otherwise awesome.

Am I screwed? Should I just go out to the Dillard's and buy the first thing that fits well and try to chill out? I was really hoping for something modern minimalist and cool, but I'm starting to give up hope. I've got some womanly hips, cropped brown hair and fair skin, so there are some parameters (like no strapless and not too too tight around the hips), but there are a lot of colors and styles I would be down with for this casual fete. I'm not seeing them out there, and I want to look beautiful for the cameras and the FH, so if you could use your style prowess to point me in the right direction, I sure would appreciate it!

Cheers,

Nearly Naked in Nebraska


*****

My Dear NN,

I hope you won't mind (I'm sure you won't mind) but I called in cevd to help me with this one. I've been crazed, she's been knocking it out of the park, and plus I had a feeling you'd approve of her taste.


I mean. Right?

Figure 1: Bruce II Silk Racerback Tank,

Figure 2:

14 comments:

  1. This just landed in my in-box from The Outnet. It may not be right for you (maybe too dressy?) but I'm just hoping someone- anyone snags it for their wedding. Unfortunately only size 2 is left.

    http://www.theoutnet.com/am/product/77084?cm_mmc=Email-_-MondayJustIn-_-110425-_-AM

    otherwise I vote ESB's second recommendation.

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  2. I like Fig. 2, as well.

    Also, there are many fun options at Alice + Olivia. Like this one:
    http://shop.aliceandolivia.com/product/eve-flutter-slip-dress/

    This bride wore Alice + Olivia to her city hall ceremony. I love it:

    http://www.snippetandink.com/budget-friendly-san-francisco-wedding.html

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  3. Loving the Michelle Mason gown. It is perfection!

    Also, v. excited to see the cevd/ H collaboration :)

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  4. I like both of ESB's suggestions, but just in case you'd rather something shorter, here's a pretty one: http://www.calypsostbarth.com/Carmela-Dress-p-18545.html

    Excited for this mysterious H and cevd collaboration....!!

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  5. I also really like this skirt: http://www.calypsostbarth.com/Mousse-Long-Skirt-p-18387.html

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  6. And if you have the budget for it, this yellow number is awesome.

    http://www.thecorner.com/item/YOOX/JONATHAN+SAUNDERS/dept/tcwoman/tskay/7B4C1203/rr/1/cod10/34204133XE/sts/sr_tcwoman3

    Better picture of it here: http://katearends.com/blog/2011/01/just-because/

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  7. this one's only appropriate for a fairly avant-garde casual wedding, but i'm pretty crazy about the skylights in back. if your buns are more introverted, what about this?

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  8. right. fuck my life fig. 2 is ridiculous. i hope you share a photo of it, nearly naked.

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  9. yes. yes. and also this? i'm in love.

    http://www.shopbop.com/grecian-dress-rachel-pally/vp/v=1/845524441860717.htm?folderID=2534374302025521&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize&colorId=11906

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  10. the second one reeks of paper bag

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  11. NN, here. Thank you for all the brilliant suggestions! The second dress is sort of the color/cut I've been looking for all along (I couldn't disagree more with the paper bag comment. It has a lovely defined waist and a-line shape, and would look pretty slick with a belt), so I bought it! Feeling very relieved right now.

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