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)

Black shoes shouldn't be hard, right?

Hi ESB,

I'm a grad student and a bridesmaid at an upcoming wedding (Iowa in March), and blah blah blah, I need low-to-flat black shoes that are under $30 and I could preferably wear again to work. The best I can find is target, payless, or Forever 21 (this or this?).

The wedding has an old Hollywood glamour sort of feel, and the dress is simple, black, and plain. I'm not generally a stylish person (did I mention I was an engineering grad student?), so I was hoping that you or your stylish readers could help me?! I generally struggle with which t-shirt has the least holes, but aspire to more eventually.

Thanks!!!

*****

First off, please please PLEASE invest in a pair of shoes that costs more than $30. Shoes made of real leather, not "faux suede" or "faux patent leather" (What does that even mean? They're not patented??) or "thermoplastic rubber." With my apologies to the vegans. I mean, if you're vegan I guess those rubber ones wouldn't be the worst.

A good pair of shoes, say an $80 pair of shoes, or even a $120 pair, will last you four times as long as the $30 ones. Longer even, if you take good care of them and reheel them when they start to wear down. And they will be comfortable, and your feet won't get all sweaty and gross, and you won't get blisters while you're dancing at that wedding or tromping around at work.

Again, my apologies to the vegans. I don't know how you do it.

Anyhoo, dear reader, I'd go with something uber-simple like these Seychelles.

(Which you could even rock with a holey t-shirt. Who's got two thumbs and loves a t-shirt full of holes? This blogger.)

$59 down from $108 on Gilt for two more days

Yet another reader is forced to make HER OWN STYLE CHOICES

Aug 10

Dear ESB,

I would greatly appreciate your stylish opinion on my wedding ensemble.

So far I have everything I need but have recently been rethinking what I'm wearing. I am a somewhat traditional bride but am about doing what I want despite tradition and yet have ended up making some very typical choices. This is what I get for going shopping with my dear sweet mother instead of my FSIL who has kick ass style.

Here is what I have so far that I'm happy with:

This Romona Keveza dress but with a sash I'm making that's more casual. These Seychelles flats. This rad sparkly bangle.

Here's what I have so far that I'm rethinking:

This necklace, which now seems waaay too sweet. And a sweater similar to this with no polka dots.

Before I got my engagement ring I never wore any jewelry, so I could really use some help finding a necklace that's more unique (preferably in a white or coral or peach). Our wedding is an evening garden wedding in 1 month and we are doing about 1/2 traditional things and 1/2 whatever we want.

Also, I'm thinking of switching the sweater for this because I'm a blazer girl at heart. Any of your superb input is highly appreciated!

Sincerely
Sucked Into Sweetness

*****

Aug 10

Addition: the blazer is no longer available in my size (s, xs, 0-2)

*****

Aug 11

Also, I'm wearing this in my hair. And I completely understand if you don't respond to this simply because I have sent you 3 emails instead of 1

*****

Oct 13

so, yeah. i never responded.

WHAT DID YOU WEAR??

*****

Nov 20

No worries, you're clearly very busy. It was great!

Although I probably could have gone with no necklace, I ended up buying that blazer and LOVED it.

Pictures attached and credit to our awesome photographer. And yes, there's a link to some incredible underwater engagement photos at the bottom of that link - that's why you take engagement photos.

You're awesome,
Hallie

*****

Clearly you did not need my help one bit.

♥ ♥ ♥

(Photos by Cameron Ingalls)