It's bridesmaid season!

[Oof yipes I can't post this photo]

Hello,

Like many before me I need help with shopping. I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in my brother's destination wedding in Hawaii. I've attached a copy of the bridesmaids dress (sorry, I have no idea how to find it or link to it). 

[It's Wtoo™]

I'm the blue color on the far left. This is the necklace my sister-to-be wants us to wear with it.

She is leaving the shoes up to us which is where you (hopefully! Please?!) come in. I have terrible taste but I seem to know when others have good taste and could really use your help or your awesome readers' help. 

The wedding will take place on grass and I plan to dance so no heels dear god please no heels. Or wedges unless they're baby ones. Other than that I'm open. Sandals? Flats? Like every other bridesmaid on the planet I'd love something I could wear and love well after the wedding.

Thank you so much for any guidance you may have!

*****

I'd go with a simple flat sandal, like these two-tone Seychelles.

Something that says "Yeah I know this dress blows, but FUCK IT WE'RE IN HAWAII!"


Bonus: They're on sale. (Shop size 6 through 8.5 here, size 9 over here)

SeaVees + Teva at BARNEYS?

I've been resisting the damn Birkenstock trend like CRAZY, but I just might go for these.

a) I have never owned a pair of Tevas. Made mad fun of them when all the Seattle dudes were wearing em back in the 90's, but I have never owned a pair.

b) Now that I live in Southern California.... and frequent rocky beaches/get in and out of boats now and then.... I kinda get it.

c) Should I just kill myself?

vegan sandals, haiku poems &c.

vegan shoes suck ass
but i need summer sandals.
what you got, cookies?

*****

i know you're anti-
flatforms, but could you bend on
this pair from zara?

______________________________


p.s. hey naurnie,
bet these braided wedges would
go with your jumpsuit!

looking for the impossible dress

Dear esb,

Fashion is not really my thing but I love your style. And right now I am having huge shopping issues regarding a formal, evening wedding I'll be attending in a couple of weeks.

The last year has been a bit tumultuous and I feel like this is a great occasion for me to look and feel sexy. Basically I was in a pretty bad car accident and have scars along one arm and on both knees. I broke a leg and am still pretty wobbly in heels and so want avoid those. What I want is a dress that makes me look great but can hide as many of my scars as possible (arms are more of a priority than knees and the worst scars are high up my arm). 

Also, I'm three months pregnant (it was a surprise, but the hubs and I are excited) and so can't wear anything tight in the abdomen area. I also don't want to look obviously pregnant (I am not yet showing, though might be by the time of the wedding), as I just don't associate that with sexy. 

As if the dress I'm describing is not impossible enough to find, I'd like to stay under $200 since I'm not sure I will wear it again (I've gained some weight between the accident and the pregnancy). I'm probably a size 6, with short legs and most of my weight in my thighs (and now belly).

Can you help me?

Many thanks,
Almost recovered

*****

How bout this Thakoon shirtdress?

With an embellished sandal similar-to-but-perhaps-cheaper-than these studded suede Alaïas.

I'd wear that outfit. 

I WANT THAT OUTFIT.

Top image: Stella Tennant by Steven Meisel for W March 2013 via Visual Optimism

wedding high-tops

do it do it do it.

i dare you to.

or: anabela's lovely little see by chloe sandals are still available in a couple of sizes. (see her "wedding style diary" here)

pin-o-RAMA

Every once in a while when I'm procrastinating, I do a little "market research" on pinterest.

If you type: http://pinterest.com/source/eastsidebride.com (but insert your own url at the end, obvs) you'll get a quick overview of what people are pinning.

There are two images from this here blog that keep coming up over and over: This adorbz pair of budget-ish sandals, and this seeeelammin turquoise ring.

Weird, right? 

I mean, not weird. But I guess I'm always hoping ppl will pin images like this. (They don't.)

Anyhoo.

Thought you should know the Jeffrey Campbell sandals are avail at Nordstrom in red and black.

(And they're on sale over at UO in white.)

You're on your own with the vintage turquoise. KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED. 

Or: Here are a few lovely modern options....

(Four Square Turquoise Ring from Mociun)

(Aili Tulum Ring from Catbird)

(Rad Turquoise Ring from Scosha)

______________________________

*All credit goes to Bri for the tip.

Did everyone see this wedding already?

McKenzie & Jamie slay me. Slay me.

I haven't been slain by a wedding in a while.

Also: CUTE SANDALS

Photos by Lydia Jane via Miss Moss

Dots Dot Dots

Dear ESB,

Marrying a lovely lovely man in 3 months. Have a dress but nothing else. (I know, I know. I despise bhldn. But the dress is so pretty!) We're having a small brunch wedding, so pretty casual and possibly an outdoor venue. Any shoe and/or accessory advice?

I've never been terribly comfortable in heels, so I'm thinking a beautiful pair of ballet flats or sandals would do (I'm also short and curvy, so trying to keep me from looking shorter and curvier is a priority), easy to wear but still special for the day. 

Also, my fiance gave me an AMAZING engagement ring (an oversized copper disc with an asymmetrically-placed silver disc inside), and I'd like to be able to keep it as the focus of my jewelry.

Oh, and our general palette for the wedding is bright pink, yellow, and orange (read: citrus). We're pretty non-traditional, and want to keep things light and fun!

Thanks!
Shoeless but Shiny

*****

Dot earrings, obv.

And then…. Would you consider a slight heel?

There is no ballet flat on earth that will make you look less short.

eloping this summer?

you should probs wear this with these.

Dear ESB: Since you're on a shoe kick...

Since you're obviously enjoying this spring's amazing shoes, I was wondering if you have an opinion (I'm guessing yes) about what kind of shoe to wear with this Dolce and Gabbana sun dress that I will be wearing to my wedding at my mother's apartment, and then two days later at a larger party for friends and family.

I've been eyeing the Emerson Fry Pharaoh heels but not sure about the chunkiness. I can do the shopping myself, just curious what you think about shape and color. 

I've been reading you forever, trust your judge more or less without question :)

xo

*****

Oh because that sounds fun. I tell you what SHAPE AND COLOR and you go shopping??

How do I know until I see it????????

Chunky = good
Rose = too matchy-matchy. I'd maybe go with something nude.

OH BUT WHEN I SHOP FOR NUDE/CHUNKY LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND:

Roanne Mignon Sandal by Loeffler Randall

Dear ESB: Which shoes should I buy??

There are three amazing pairs of shoes here...

(Tomcat, Naked & Daisy, all by Cydwoq)

... All are available in the silver finish that the Tomcat is pictured in. None are available for try-ons in my small town.

Which pair should I buy for the wedding?

I want them to be dress-up enough to work with my [vintage ivory silk] wedding dress, and hip enough to wear again later.

*****

Can I have a photo of the dress?

*****

I'll remove the sleeves and most of the neck lace, but this gives you the general idea.

(Yes, the photo was taken in an RV -- otherwise known as my secret sewing lair)

*****

No













NO ON THE SHOES

shooooooooooooooooooooooooooooes

Andromeda Laser Cut Flats + Tangerine Wallis Sling Backs by Sigerson Morrison Belle

Red Scalloped Sandal by Jil Sander

speaking of spring....

We visited these Ancient Greek Sandals at Mohawk General yesterday.

They may, in fact, be perfect.

tell me what i need to wear.

Dear ESB,

Here's the set up:

- Rustic old church.

- Barn Reception.
- Summer.

Here's the dress (more or less, I'm using it as inspiration to make my dress):

Here's the Jewelry:

engagement ring

other ring

arrow cuff bracelet

gold wire bracelet

and some of these enamel cuffs

Now, I've hit a wall:

I need shoes, and a goddamn necklace.

Help a sister out.

Sincerely,

i might be barefoot.

*****

you do NOT need a necklace. you've got pleeeeeeeeeenty of accessories going on already.


But here are your shoes:

I nailed it, right? Feel free to tell me that I nailed it.

Wanna know how I did it? I typed "sandals" into google images. 

Boom.

What do Angelenos wear in DECEMBER?

Dear ESB,

I've studied the What To Do In LA series (there are FIVE POSTS!) but I need you to tell me what to wear the last week in December so everyone won't know I'm from Seattle.

xoxo

*****

During the day, when the temps range from 63-72, rock a scarf with a short-sleeved tee. To an Angeleno, anything below 73 = CHILLY and anyway scarves make us feel like we have SEASONS!

(A beanie, or "toque" as I prefer to call it, given my Canadian roots, is worn year-round by the LA dude. It does not signify winter.)

At night, when the temps range from 39-46, do not dress warmly enough. Instead, act like whatever I'M WEARING MY OPEN-TOED SANDALS and just throw on a parka. Which you will wear all night, wherever you go, because none of the old houses are properly heated/insulated and all the restaurants will seat you outside.

Also: If water should happen to fall from the sky, don't get all daredevil and act like you know how to drive in it. That will give you away for sure.

Photo by Maya of Turned Out
______________________________
Note: H says, "Remind your husband not to comment on the open-toed sandals."

I just found your wedding shoes.

These Rodarte for Opening Ceremony Pom Pom Sandals are WAY ON SALE. Buy now for spring, amirite?

Avail in tons of sizes in burgundy, moss + black.





You're welcome.

Bride Comes Down With Shopping Fatigue

Hey lady,

I'm in need of you and your team of experts to help me out.

I'm wearing this to my rehearsal dinner.

The shoes I thought I'd wear with it, I realized when I tried them on with it last night, are in a state that's not acceptable for a wedding related event. They're kinda trashed - I need new ones.

I've started scouring the internet for yet another thing I need to buy for the wedding, and would you believe it, I think I have shopping fatigue. Plus, I have a gajillion other more important things (like designing a bunch of stuff and having it printed, for example), that really need my attention. Plus you've got great taste and are really good at this.

Can you help a girl out?

Couple things:
As much as I wish I could rock flat sandals like the lady in the picture, I'm a shortie, 5'3", so I need a heel.

I'd rather not spend over $250 and less would be even better - although I can always be convinced otherwise for an amazing shoe.

I know you hate J$%^w, but I wouldn't judge if you found something there

That's it. Please help me. I've got 5 weeks to go and it's starting to get a little intense.

*****

Don't be fooled. THIS LADY IS TOTALLY WEARING WEDGES.

How bout these Madewell "Mini Wedge" Sandals? Too low?

It's either that or the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Jackson T Strap Wedges. Which would be a whole lot cooler if they were just an inch less high.

Would someone please explain to me why all of the wedges happening right now are either 1.5 inches or FOUR fucking inches??

That fourth inch can mean the difference between sexily sauntering around in your maxi dress and tromping around like a complete idiot/SUFFERING ENORMOUS BLISTERS. Which you DO NOT want to suffer the night before your wedding.

Shitballs. You'd better order some shoes pronto and start breaking them in.

Note to the Team of Experts: Our bride is in New Zealand, so if you're down to help shop, pls hit stores that offer worldwide delivery.

Novia Plátano (at top) by Gloria Vilches via Honey Kennedy

meet my summer wardrobe

I've been talking about buying white jeans for years. This cropped pair from the Gap (via Refinery29) might actually work for me.

"with the granny sandals" says Rob.

EXACTLY, Rob. Exactly.

With the (ahem) vintage Famolares I bought for $24 at Wasteland. No Urban Outfitters grannies for me.

p.s. I finally got a look at the Bass sandals (or a version of them) at the outlet mall the other day. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGLY. No idea why I was obsessed.

adorbz wedding sandals, anyone?

$100 counts as low-budg, right?

Jeffrey Campbell via Design Crush

p.s. A quickie note to my dad, who thinks i'm going to burn in hell (or, you know, whatever the atheist version of that is) for my "regrettable materialist ways," WHY THE EFF ARE YOU STILL READING?

7 1/2 blog posts i should have posted

i've been cheating, you guys. (and also: cheating you guys.) not only have i put up a dear esb EVERY DAY for the last week,* i've put up all these other reader letters, which are rad, but sort of allow me to cop out and escape from actually writing anything.

here's a short list of posts i OUGHT TO HAVE written while in nyc:

1. When You Reach Your "Mid-Thirties" You Will Lose Your Tolerance For Alcohol

2. Everything I Do That Annoys My Husband, I Learned From My Mom

2a. My Mom Is Pretty Fucking Cool

3. I Think My Hasbeens Un-Broke Themselves In or The Quest For Granny Sandals

4. Driving a Cargo Van Through the West Village: More Fun Than You Might Think!

5. An Open Letter to My Five-Years-Ago-Self or You didn't have time to wash that pan before you packed it? REALLY?

6. My Month Without High-Speed Internet. Or Even Reliable Internet. (Say "Why didn't you go to Starbucks?" and you lose a testicle.)

7. WHERE THE EFF IS MY HUSBAND? AND WHY DID I THINK IT WAS COOL TO LEAVE HIM BEHIND FOR THIRTY-THREE WHOLE DAYS??

and now i will publish this post via the miraculous high-speed internet in the jetblue terminal, and board my plane for los angeles.

xoxo,
me

(Cacharel Spring 2011 via Sara Williams via seesaw via The cherry blossom girl)
______________________________

*How else can I stem the tide?