Kitty Stardust Tee

Wren teamed up with Langley Fox to create this graphic tee benefiting NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles Animal Shelters)

The cause feels very near/dear to me. We just cared for the sweetest pup for precisely 24 hours. When H took her to the pound to check for a chip (not to leave her! we had no intention of leaving her!) they threw her in a cage. Wouldn't let us foster her while she's waiting to be claimed.

If her people don't claim her within two weeks, we'll scoop her right back up and hang on tight until we find her a permanent home. But my heart breaks for all the dogs and cats who won't be so lucky.... 

LET THE PEPLUM DIE

Does this even count as a peplum? WTF is going on with this??

Get it together, Alexander.



In other news:

We survived the rain!

I am directing a short film.

And.... Jenny Wren just sent me the perfect pair of pants (similar to these, but in vivid orange and blue). They're the ideal blend of pajama/evening and THEY ARE MY NEW JAM.

were you looking for gold sequin bridesmaids dresses?

This lil Wren kimono dress is $98 down from $493. And every size is available. WTF?

All their dresses are on so much sale I'm worried someone is playing a joke on us....

Here's a sequin dress I can get behind.

Wren @ Of a Kind ($180 down from $462)

ARE YOU OUT THERE, DREAM TEAM?


Thank you, Jacqueline!!!

I need a Big Girl Dress

Dear ESB,

The first in my group of college girlfriends is getting married this summer, making this the first non-family wedding I'll ever attend. As such, I need a Big Girl Dress.

Although I love your luxe taste, I simply cannot afford 99% of the things you post (but that doesn't stop me from perusing your blog on an almost daily basis). I've been completely supporting myself since I was 18 so I know the value of a dollar and can't justify splurging a few hundred bucks on one frock, no matter how kick-ass the frock may be. This is where I need the help of you and your resourceful readers. 

I want a sophisticated but still somewhat edgy dress that is $100 or less. At the moment, I'm inclined towards this dress [pictured above] (I know how much you love Nasty Gal) or this dress (but Nordstrom is out of my size). I'm out of loop when it comes to awesome online stores so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

I love patterns as well as interesting necklines and hemlines (especially deep backs). I have a disproportionately long torso and short legs so super fitted skirts make my ass look saggy. The wedding is in Baltimore and I'm no longer used to high temperatures so my pits would appreciate something breathable. 

Signed,
Ready For The Big (Girl) Leagues

*****

Grey flannel does not say summer wedding to me. The Nasty Gal doesn't suck, but it reads very "young." I.E. If you're over 22 and out of college (which it sounds like you are) I wouldn't do it.

Also, polyester = eew. Not only is it not breathable, but cheap polyester can look REALLY CHEAP.

How bout this silk Wren dress?

Listed at $99 or best offer on eBay.

There are also some floral versions floating around. This one is listed at $49 or best offer, and the seller accepts returns. I fucking love an eBay seller who accepts returns. 

Seeking: A simple dress for a busty bride

Hey there,

I'm trying to find a somewhat non-traditional dress for my Sept 2013 wedding.  I'm in my mid-thirties, short, curvy and busty - size 10-14 depending on how fit I am, 5'4" and 36G. Hourglass. I have a budget of about $1000, though I could be flexible for the right dress. Mostly I'm less interested in a specific "look" than just feeling beautiful and comfortable in my own skin.

Aesthetically, I'm drawn to pieces that are simple and architectural, often with one standout feature. Though it wouldn't work on my figure, that Roksanda Ilincic is the kind of thing I really like, as is this one that one of your readers posted recently. I also LOVE the Wren Goddess for Stone Fox [pictured above], but it's out of my price range.

In general, clean lines without fuss look better on me, and I have no interest in trying to look like a 22 year old (which too many dresses I've tried on make me feel like).

I live in Portland, OR, and have so far visited The English Dept and Sarah Seven, but their floaty pieces look terrible on my body. I also ordered this Badgley Mischka, but it was a much peachier color than the photo. The one dress I've tried on so far that I'm considering is the J Crew Corrina (I know, I know, J Crew) - great price, it has SOME style, and it suits me pretty well.

But I'm not committed yet. So now my plan of attack is to order a bunch of dresses from online, and also to visit some stores in NYC this December.

I know that mostly, I need to go try more stuff on, but I'm hoping you and your readers can help direct me in that process. What I'd really like to see are 1) dress suggestions 2) suggestions of brick and mortar places in PDX in particular to try on dresses that might fit the bill, and 3) more pictures of short and curvy brides/ladies in unconventional evening/party dresses to inspire me/give me ideas (so many of the curvy brides in unconventional dresses I see are wearing 50s dresses and that's not me).

Thanks in advance for helping me through this tender process that involves far too much polyester and feeling like a sausage/muffin, 
(you can just leave off my name - I couldn't face coming up with a witty sign-off that involved the idea of "curves")

*****

Ackkkkkk. Not only are the simple, non-traditional wedding dresses (often) more expensive, THEY COME IN THE TINIEST SIZES.

What's a cool girl with boobs to do??

HALPS INTERNETS WE NEED YOUR HALPS.

Do I give her advice or keep my mouth shut??

Dear ESB,

What do you do when one of your best friends (super creative, fashion-forward, beautiful, artist), recently engaged, just sent you a picture of her wedding dress and.... and you seriously thought it was a joke and waited a whole day for the "JK! Hahahaha" follow-up text message but it never came and turns out she's seriously going to wear that dress. With Toms shoes, to boot.

The dress was "a super great deal!!!" on a sale rack, and she is apparently obsessed with saving money on this wedding because her parents gave her a chunk of change for it, but instead of using the money on the wedding she wants to pocket it, so she is going major-low-budg on the wedding. As in, wants to not even serve the guests dinner.

So really my main worry is that she's going to cause some negative feelings when her guests travel across the country to celebrate her big day and then don't even get a hot meal! What are we supposed to do, run down the street to Chipotle before the dance?

Should I give her some advice here or shut my mouth?

-It's Her Party and She Can Starve Everyone if She Wants To.

*****

YOU HAVE TO TELL HER.

ALL OF IT.

Weirdly I am more upset about the fashion thing than the food thing. (I wish one of my friends had mentioned that the stupid $80 dress I bought off the sale rack was so. not. me. before I bought two pairs of shoes + a pair of earrings to go with it.)

Photo: Jeana Sohn for Wren

HOUSTON, WE'VE HAD A PROBLEM

The Jack & Ginger, which is winning our contest with 30% of the vote, is no longer available in a medium.

Do we give it to the Wren, which is #2 with 21%?

Do we throw the Wren into a run-off with the Vero Moda (which is at #3 if we count Rob's 50 votes, which I think we should)?

Should MSUN just buy this stupid J. Crew dress, which my friend M thinks would be far more appropriate for a Country Club wedding than any of the other options?

Do you guys like this late entry better than anything else??

Is this all too boring for words and should we just GO DRINK A MARTINI ALREADY?

happy friday, ladypantses ;)

Photo: Lara Stone courtesy of POP Magazine 2007 via PAPERFASHION + Fashionising
_____________________________

FWIW, I voted for this puppy. To be rocked with kil-ler heels. Not wedges, HEELS.

Hello, FASHION-FORWARD Bridesmaids.....

(And, oh yeah, I guess the vintage-clad bride is okay too.)

I actually don't know if these ladies are her bridesmaids or just rad friends, but I am WAY INTO their shimmery, watercolor-y dresses.

Wren has a similar vibe going with their spring collection.

Shop here and here.

(Wedding photos by Becky Holladay via Once Wed via frolic!; Wren spring collection via Oh Joy! via Gilda)

Bridesmaids' Dresses for Spring.....

I've recently gotten a few rather specific requests for bridesmaids' dresses, but instead of giving you what you asked for, I figured I'd just show you a few things I like.

Listen, you might have this idea that you want them to wear a "really fun, tea-length skirt, maybe with a cream or white sleeveless top," or "THEY HAVE TO WEAR SAGE GREEN TO MATCH MY INVITATIONS," but you'd be much better off looking around to see what's actually in stores. (And what's, you know, cool. If you're into that.)

1. Mina Stone Hera Dress at Steven Alan

2. Wren Julia Dress at Refinery29 Shops

3. Kimono Dip Dye Dress at Calypso