barrette remix: does tortoise shell work for a wedding?

Hi there,

I know I'm about a year late on this.

But I loved it then, and I love it now. I basically want that exact Rodarte barrette, but I can't find anything that doesn't have any bullshit crystals or (gah) pearls. I'm getting married in late May of 2012; this is my dress.

(Ignore that "boho chic" nonsense. And I know my dress has a sparkly crystal bit, but it's such a small bit). 

Since I can't find exactly what I want, I'm thinking of going in the other direction. So is tortoise shell too casual for a wedding? 

*****

I'm still loving barrettes. (As are alllllllllll the ladies who seem to be growing out their bangs at the moment. WUSSYPANTSES.)

But I feel like you need something with a little shine.

Vintage brass pansies? ($15)

Vintage brass feather? ($30)

Vintage "Carved" Barrette ($20), which, I'm pretty sure is made out of plastic. But how Rodarte AWESOME would it be if you painted it gold??


Top Photo: Rodarte, New York Fashion Week SS 2011 by Anna Bauer

more barrettes PLEEZ. and thank you.

Inspired by The Curve of Forgotten Things, a short film directed by Todd Cole in collaboration with Rodarte The Queens of the Barrette (and starring Elle Fanning), fieldguided put together a terrif French barrette round-up.

If you can't have one that's hand-carved and sprayed in gold (or are they HAND-CARVED OUT OF GOLD?) go with something tortoise shell-y for sure.

No Swarovski Crystals. Ever.

(Images via NOWNESS via fieldguided via Jazzy McG)

help me choose a dress on a deadline

Dear ESB,

I just started planning for my spring 2012 wedding.  I live a plane ride away from home and want to get married in my hometown so on my last trip home, I tried on dresses at a great little shop with my mom.

After trying on like fifteen gowns, I narrowed it down to two vintage inspired dresses from different decades, so they look very different.  One is a 1920s glamorous, long silk silhouette, and the other is a 1950s cupcake puffy skirt with lots of volume.

Since my fiance and I haven't planned much yet, I thought I would have at least 6 months before I have buy the dress, meaning we could book a venue and set a time of day for the ceremony and reception before I buy a dress.

HOWEVER, I just got word that one of these two dresses will be discontinued at the end of this month, so if I want one of them I have to place the order before April.

So, my question is, how do most ladies pick their dress??  I've asked my friends and they have been various shades of helpful, but ultimately this is my decision.

I am not one of those girls who had my wedding planned or have a clear "vision" of what kind of bride I want to be.  I like pretty dresses and I love vintage styles, but BOTH dresses are vintage styles and they look totally different.

The prices are similar, and I don't like the "choose the dress your fiance would like more" advice because he will love me even if I wear the cat veil.

xoxo

*****

Don't let the store scare you into making a decision. If you haven't set a date, booked a venue, etc, YOU ARE NOT READY to buy the dress.

1920's glam says evening cocktails to me, while the puffy 1950's silhouette* makes more sense for a ceremony/reception earlier in the day. Neither one will work if you change your mind out of the blue and run away to Mexico to get married on the beach.

There are a kajillion options out there, and even if both dresses get discontinued you'll have plenty of time to find another one before the wedding.

(Photo: Rodarte via .v via j.fro)
______________________________
*You can't MAKE ME say cupcake.

Dear ESB: Is my dress too costume-ish?

I have a bit of a sinking feeling sending this along, but give it to me straight.

I recently picked up this dress as a potential wedding gown; it's from 1910, is in incredible condition and fits perfectly. Given that I'm going for a vintage/DIY wedding vibe, I was thinking that with some hip accessories I could pull it off.

That said, I'm starting to have doubts. What do you think: too costume-ish? And if not, any hair/jewelry/veil suggestions to bring it into this century?

*****

My brutal honesty got me in trouble last time. Fortunately, I think your dress is gorg.

Why don't you wear one big barrette a la Rodarte? (Helllooo, do you even read this blog?)

Whoa. A Rodarte PAPER DOLL?

Rocking the barrette? I can't resist posting her too.

I might even cut her out and play with her.

From the current issue of Lula Magazine, once again via Nibs

HOLD THE PHONE

F*ck feathers and flowers and glitter mini burlesque crowns. Barrettes are the next big thing in bridal headgear.

Here's a how-to.

Rodarte, Spring 2011 via Nibs