And the winners are....

Vine Dress from The Reformation (100% viscose -- sooooo much more breathable than poly -- $218)

Helmut Lang Jaquard Mini Dress from The Outnet (deemed not formal enough and also it's 44% poly but still worth an honorable mention, $210)

Saloni Ella Gown from Barneys Warehouse (Silk jersey! $179)

See all of the many evening-wear-under-$200-for-a-Mexican-wedding suggestions over here
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ps you guys RULE

The booties have it.

They beat out the wedges by 84%.

I guess my quiz was too easy?

And I like that they don't go with the dress. That's what I like about them. Just because you're going with Pronovias doesn't mean you have to wear Kate Spade fucking slingbacks, amirite?

POP QUIZ: Which shoes go with this dress?

Dear ESB,

Which do you prefer? There can be only one:

(Jeffrey Campbell)

(Schutz)

Let's have a little Monday morning pop quiz and then tomorrow I'll tell you the right answer.

Fill out my online form.

The YAYs have it.

Just barely.

YAY! votes for the Carrie Dip-Dye went from 62% early yesterday down to 54% this morning.

I blame all the tampon comments for the dip in votes.

For the record, I'm not a big fan of the dress. Wai-Ching is just too Burning Man for my taste.
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On a happier note: Ryan Gosling won the impromptu Is Ryan Gosling Cuter than a puppy? twitter poll with 100% of the vote.

And the winner is....

beeprint!

She took 27% of the vote with the sparkly Antik Batik Mini Dress + badass Rachel Comey Tux Boots.

The Michael Angel Peplum dress took 21.6%, just barely inching out The Burning Torch Ikat Dress at 20.1%. The Funktional Tunnel Dress got 18.9%, and the Acne Moreau Crepe Dress came in dead last at 12.4%.

Big ups to Shopbop for providing the $200 shopping prize. (beeprint: email me, wouldja?)

Dear Our Colorado Wedding Guest,

I know most of these dresses weren't in your price range, but perhaps you can stalk em for sales. And take inspiration from all the rad suggestions, obvs.

xoxo.

Colorado Wedding Guest Attire: THE VOTE!

I pored over your contest entries last night (PORED), and it wasn't too hard to narrow it down. My basic criteria were: a) Do I like the dress? and then b) Do those shoes go with the dress?

Here are the five ensembles I'm recommending for our Colorado wedding guest, four out of five of which feature BOOTIES. 

What can I say? I'm not a big fan of espadrilles.

from Emily (pictured above): Michael Angel Sleeveless Peplum Dress, Zara Leather Jacket, Charles Albert Obsidian Arrowhead Ring + Rachel Comey Ankle Boots

from beeprint: Antik Batik Mini Dress for some sparkle and falltime colors, Veda Avery Leather Jacket, kh:W earrings because they are subtle but badass + Rachel Comey Tux Boots because they are amazing.

from marisa, the i might get mauled by a bear (or hit on by an elk) but i will look damn good doing it outfit: Acne Moreau Crepe Dress, Matthew Williamson Mongolian Vest + Boutique 9 Wedges.

from Abbey: Burning Torch Ikat Dress, Leslie Shershow Antler Necklace + Rachel Comey Huron Boots

from buttercup133: Funktional Tunnel Dress, A Peace Treaty Yaluc Earrings, Club Monaco Adele Parachute Parka, Geometrical Illusion Printed Leather Pouch + Loeffler Randall Ollie Open Toe Booties

Cast your vote quickly! I'm shutting her down when we hit 500.

Note: As usual, I included no chalk/blush/white dresses, even though a startling number of you suggested them. If it's a color the bride might wear (especially at a casual wedding) it is not appropriate for a guest, mkay?

THURSDAY POLL

a) Do you think I am a complete asshole?

b) Do you plan to stop reading the blog after yesterday's incredibly insensitive dig at the homeless?

Just kidding.


If you don't have a sense of humor you shouldn't be here anyway.

Here's the question:

Is this dress too white to wear as a guest to a wedding?

(I have an opinion, but it's not a very firm one.)

THE RESULTS ARE IN

As of 4:04pm yesterday, you guys were 42.8% Nay/37.1% YAY! on the Chie Miharas for our minimalist bride.

An even 20% of you said Just get some damn flats already, and to you I say: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Pls do not ask me about the math. Take it up with Wufoo.

DO WE LIKE THESE? (Pls vote)

Nicole just suggested em for our minimalist, and I honestly can't tell if they are genius or hideous.

It's such a fine line.

Shoes by Chie Mihara

Sooooooooooooo............

 

The Yigal Azrouël won the oscar-worthy frocks vote.

But. Being as how our girl TOLD US going without a bra is not an option....

I sought an expert opinion.

Linda the Bra Lady* says: That dress is gorgeous. But does require a stick on kind of thing. OR a sexy bustier that you don't mind showing. (Which, no. Not for this dress. Not for the OSCARS.)

Truth is: stick on bras will NEVER give the same support as a bra with a back and straps.

Uh. YEAH.

The Yigal is clearly made for a) a perky-as-hell 19-year-old or b) bionic-boobed Naurnie, who loves to run around with no bra on.

Oh well.



First and second runner up are the Aidon Mattox and the (dowdy) Max & Cleo.

The dress I voted for came in dead last.
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*Lady has got styles going up to J and L CUPS. Seems like a good lady to know.

Oscar-Worthy Frocks: The Vote!

Last night I FINALLY had high speed internet + a few solid hours to sort through your Oscar-worthy dress submissions.

I very quickly developed a pretty strict set of rules:

1. FULL-LENGTH

2. NO CHEAP SPARKLES

3. NO CHEAP ANYTHING

As Fine Persecution pointed out, our girl is a journalist, not a celebrity. She needs to look fabulous without looking like she's trying to compete.

My three faves were... The Aidan Mattox Belted Linear Dress ($395, pictured above).

Theysken's Theory Long Side-Slit Dress (Originally $690, Now $241)

Yigal Azrouël Green Satin Charm Gown (Retail $1695, Rental $250)

UPDATE: Here's the elusive Max & Cleo.

Photo courtesy of Bloomie's ($218), Avail in more sizes at Dillard's ($198)

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*HEY DILLARD'S, GET A CLUE WITH THAT SHITTY PHOTOGRAPHY, WOULD YOU?

The Results Are In

65% of you DO NOT approve of this dress for a wedding (or period, really).

Shall we compose a letter to the ladies of Rodarte?

Rodarte for Opening Ceremony

(If Yay!, get your pre-order in now.)

Bona Drag Shopping Contest: THE VOTE!

So, I challenged you guys to put together an outfit for the Philly Bride featuring a dress for under $250 and at least one item from the Bona Drag online store. 

I also said I'd give extra points to anyone who found a way to incorporate small dogs/cats/bunnies. No idea what I was thinking.

Anyhoo. You guys did really well. And some of you made me look like a complete photoshop amateur, but I tried not to hold it against you (TONIA).

from Johnna (pictured above): This dress. These shoes. This bracelet. This ring. <-- jaguars count as cats.. right?

from Galerie: amazing acne naia dress with braided racer back, silver fringe necklace, grey suede platform sandals, and to splurge, a fabulous lace cape

from Tonia: The dress is here, the shoes here, the bracelet here and the DOG CHARM (!!!) here (hopefully I am not the only one in-love with wiener dogs.)

from Aimee: hello lovely! ($216), with this necklace ($545, i knooow), and these shoes ($398) and if there is a chill this jacket ($98)

from Melissa: Alright, the reformation dress, with these gorg pearls and the highest, comfiest heels or wedges you can find.

Pls use your vote wisely. The winner will receive a $200 gift certificate from Bona Drag.

MAN POLL: The Caftan

This poll is for men only.*

If you see a man in the vicinity, please drag him over to your computer and make him vote.

Butterfly Caftan by EmersonMade
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*We'll just go ahead and assume that women who like women will like the caftan.

Country Club Wedding Crisis: THE VOTE

So yesterday I asked you to help me shop for this sister-of-the-groom (aka Might Show Up Naked). Roughly 80 of you did.

I combed your comments and chose 7 dresses, taking these deets from MSUN into consideration:

It will be an outdoor ceremony in the late afternoon (in August), moved inside for an evening reception. It is taking place up north (close to Boston - the 'wicked' totally gave me away!), and I definitely think it is a 'new money' vibe (though I am not entirely sure what that means).

... I am loving the idea of going balls out on one asset, staying pretty conservative everywhere else - aka - maybe get reeeaal leggy and try to stay pretty modest on the top?? Thoughts? (PS - now that we are best friends I can tell you that I am 5' 10", between size 8-10... more likely to show off my legs than my boobies/arms). Maybe a one of the cap sleeve numbers? I am also LOVING the backless idea.

Joie "Mae" Silk Feather Print Dress. Pure Silk.
WAS: $368.00 NOW: $154.56

Trina Turk Pierson Cowl Neck Dress.
Viscose/Elasthane. $148.00

Vero Moda Very Jersey Wrap Front Dress.
93% Polyester, 7% Elastane. $103.43

Wren Sasha Ruched Dress. WAS: $227.00 NOW: $98.00

Halston Heritage. 87% Rayon, 11% Nylon, 2% Elastane. WAS: $365 NOW: $146

Jessamine Corset Dress.
16% Nylon, 42% Polyester, 42% Cotton. $155.00

Jack and Ginger Chiffon Faux Wrap Dress. Silk. $128.00

We kind of struck out on the backless thing. Maybe that only works with an evening dress? (I.E. This "body conscious" shit sucks.)

HOKAY. Please choose wisely. You only get one vote.

I'll post the results tomorrow at 4pm PST.

Top Image: Vasil Germanov For GIA Magazine via Touchpuppet

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DISCLAIMER: Rob gets to vote as many times as he wants.

Speaking of FAERIES.....

How do we feel about Anne Hathaway's "Rock-Star Elfin Princess" look from Somebodyorother's White Fairytale Love Ball?

Photo By Stephane Feugere via WWD via Refinery29
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When asked, 70% of you said "Let's vote on more stuff!" So the other 30% of you can suck it.