Category Archives: Fashion

Fashion Friday

This Fashion Friday is dedicated to this gorgeous one-shoulder number from Alfred Angelo. This is the kind of dress that I would have passed right over if I’d been browsing their website and just seen it on the model. The selling shots are pretty terrible and don’t do the dress justice at all (which is why I won’t even put you through it and post them here). Then I saw these pictures of a high school friend wearing the dress at a recent wedding in Jacksonville…and I fell in love. The silhouette is so flattering and the flowy fabric is romantic and pretty. You can really see the movement in the amazing jumping picture below. Don’t even start me on the color she chose! So perfect. You can see more photos from the event at Tonya Beaver’s blog here.

Here are the details:

Style 7138 by Alfred Angelo

Fabric: Chiffon

Colors: 36 shades available!

Price: Cost will depend on your retailer, but it looks like it runs about $160.

Wear It Again factor (1-5): 3. The one-shoulder silhouette, structured bodice with empire waist and delicate flowers on the strap all make this dress super-flattering, and my guess is you’ll be coming up with excuses to wear it. But there’s no getting around the fact that it’s an “occasion” dress, just right for dress-up events but not a day-to-day pick. Still, I absolutely love it. So chic (and photogenic)!

Thanks to Christina for letting me post these photos!

Fashion Thursday

Fashion Friday is coming one day early since, surprise surprise, I’m in a wedding this weekend! Lots of post-wedding posts to come. In the meantime, I bring you Modcloth, a great resource for offbeat bridesmaid dresses, especially if you’re interested in patterns, florals or a more casual look. The dresses are also generally a lot more inexpensive than traditional bridesmaid offerings: prices range from $50 to $100. Be sure that all the maids purchase quickly and together after you make your choice though. Styles do sell out and turn over seasonally and new styles are added almost daily. Here are a few of my favorite summer offerings.

Melon Love with a Dress

The Details: Perfect for summer BBQs or strolls in the park, machine washable and in fashion-forward watermelon hue, this dress will get plenty of wear after the big day. The peekaboo lace at the bottom fancies it up a bit for the ceremony and the flowing A-line skirt and empire waist will flatter any figure.

Fabric: Cotton

Price: $72.99


Bayou Blue Dress

The Details: Recipe for style: Add a subtle pop of orange to a cornflower blue swirling geometric print and style with a demure V-neck and flattering band at the natural waist.

Fabric: Did I mention it’s 100% organic fair trade cotton?

Price: $93.99

Afternoon at the Arboretum Dress

The Details: This pretty floral in cream, rose and blue is delicate and feminine, but the cinched-waist silhouette keeps this dress looking utterly modern. The included belt adds a needed touch of hardware and the navy Peter Pan collar brings attention to the face.

Fabric: Polyester

Price: $49.99

Elegant Engravings Dress

The Details: It’s floral, it’s cutout, it’s coral—what more could you want? I adore the intricate cutout design and the sash at the waist. The touch of silk in this fabric gives it a beautiful drape and the creamsicle color will pop in pictures.

Fabric: Cotton/silk

Price: $84.99

Fashion Friday

This week’s Fashion Friday is devoted to a genius concept: Little Borrowed Dress. It’s a bridesmaid boutique that gives you the option to rent or buy. Each season the company reveals a new original collection with 8-10 bridesmaid styles in cocktail and full length. This season the dresses are all done in light and airy silk chiffon with rental prices of $75 for short styles and $95 for long (between $250 and $300 to purchase). Dresses come laundered and pressed and will arrive a week before the wedding. You wear, then slip back into the prepaid envelope and return post-wedding. The company stresses that their dresses should not need alteration (read: no alterations allowed) and since all the styles are loose, A-line and/or empire-waisted I tend to think that would hold up. I particularly like the strapless Hillary shown in peony below. The one potential downfall I see is that since the dresses are made to fit any shape or size, some of them look a bit baggy on these models. Make sure to pay close attention to the fit guide or attend a trunk show if possible to try on the styles. The next event is in NYC on June 3. Click here for details.





Photos by Elizabeth Messina

Fashion Friday

This Fashion Friday, I want to showcase two of my brides who chose amazing bridesmaid dresses. Unfortunately, both of these dresses were from Priscilla of Boston, which closed all its locations last year. I’ve scoured the web to see if the designer has moved to a new house or if the dresses can be reliably found at a discount retailer, but so far have had little to no luck. Still, I have to give credit to my two brides and show off their choices.

Amanda chose these beautiful purple gowns for her wedding. The neckline was really special and the fabric was light enough for summer but the silky blend fit her more formal affair perfectly.

We all adored the calla lily bouquets. The shoes on the other hand…let’s just say mine have not been seen since the wedding. If you are interested, you may be able to find them in the lobby of the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta.I have to show off a few pictures of my bride as well (here with her sister and MOH Emily).


So perfect! Amanda’s dress is also from Priscilla of Boston and is part of the Vineyard Collection.

Mr. and Mrs. make their entrance. I can’t believe they’ll be celebrating their one year anniversary soon!

Michele chose these floor-length black dresses that truly were flattering on every one of her bridesmaids. We all loved the empire waist and the fabric stayed wrinkle-free all night long.

The whole wedding party at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

We had a very difficult time getting the groomsmen to abandon their beers for this photo.

Michele’s dress was gorgeous too! It’s Paloma Blanca.

The happy couple. I love this one!

Fashion Friday

Flirty, feminine and sweet, I love the Blake dress from Jenny Yoo!

This dress has so much going for it. The empire waistline and A-line skirt mean it’s going to absolutely flatter any body type. The detailing at the bust is sweet and the flowy skirt seems perfect for a backyard reception or beach ceremony. The fabric is a crinkle chiffon, which is extremely lightweight and won’t show creases or wrinkles, and this one hasn’t been overly pleated, which you’ll sometime see with this fabric. I love the softness of the look—it’s so delicate and girly!

Blake dress from Jenny Yoo

Fabric: Crinkle chiffon

Colors: 20 shades to choose from! (Pictured: Sangria)

Price: Tiered pricing based on quantity. $350 for 1-2 dresses, $315 for 3-6, $297.50 for 7 or more.

Wear It Again factor (1-5): I’m giving this one a 3. Though I think the silhouette is lovely and versatile, to me the fabric makes this an “event” dress. I’d probably only pull it out of the closet for another wedding or a fancy party.

Bonus: The straps are removable so the dress could be worn two ways!

Fashion Friday

It’s really hard for me to pick a favorite J.Crew bridesmaid dress, but for summer I’m loving the Anita dress in cotton cady.

The cotton is lightweight and breathable, so it’s perfect for outdoor weddings where other fabrics might cling or show sweat. A bridesmaid’s nightmare is being stuck in a dress that doesn’t fit the season or the location. The neckline is classically chic and will look good on everyone (I’m partial to dresses with straps) and the colors are all fresh and happy. The included sash fancies it up just a touch, so I think it could swing formal to casual depending on color.

Anita dress by J.Crew

Fabric: Cotton cady

Colors: Bright hydrangea (shown), black, cypress, graphite, sweet papaya, spiced wine, dark navy, sweet orchid, fresh tangerine

Price: $235

Wear It Again factor (1-5): 5! The silhouette is so classic that it will never go out of style and the fabric makes it completely versatile so it can easily go from day to night.

Bonus: J.Crew updates color palettes each season, so if the colors aren’t thrilling you now, check back in six months (or less) for a whole new crop.

Fashion Friday

I recently discovered BHLDN (Anthropologie’s wedding line) and I’m now obsessed with their Tracery dress.

The detailing around the neck is absolutely gorgeous and draws all the attention to the face, and the silhouette looks comfortable and flattering to all body types. I love the drape of the silk and the pleating at the bust as well. Everyone talks about wearing dresses after the wedding (we’ll call it the “Wear It Again” factor), but this one truly passes that test. I’d definitely wear it to a fancy restaurant or office holiday party. The only downfall is that it’s only available in three colors.

Tracery dress by BHLDN

Fabric: Silk blend

Colors: Grey, shell, night

Price: $260

Wear It Again factor (1-5): 4, only because the fancy fabric won’t lend itself to everyday wear.

Bonus: The shell version would be a perfect rehearsal dinner dress for the bride!

Shop all of BHLDN here.