Rent the Runway in Real Life

I put it to a vote here on which dress I should order for the wedding I attended this past weekend. Well, here's the winner in action!

dress-Elie Tahari via Rent the Runway, belt-Asos, heels-Forever 21(similar here), necklace/sunnies-Banana Republic(similar here and here), clutch-H&M(similar here), rings/bracelet-Jewel Mint

How fabulous am I in this dress?!!! I loved it and loved myself in it and brought the chic with a capital CH to the event. The pattern is flat in the fabric, that's not actual lace, which is fine. I wanted to push the textural element in the pattern and give it some edge so, I cinched it in with a metal-plated/spike belt. These heels were chosen partially for comfort, and partially for height.

I didn't upstage the bride though, who was beyond gorge in a very tasteful strapless gown with the most delicate layers of chiffon. Congrats to Steph and Erik! You may recall Steph from this closet visit post.

Now let's talk about designer garments versus fast fashion retailers.... Remember this dress:

Dorothy Perkins from this post

This is a very similar silhouette and cut to the rented Elie Tahari dress:

If you click on the images to expand you'll see how DIFFERENT the fit is with each dress. That's what makes a designer garment (somewhat)worth the higher price. Fit, fabric, construction, are what (should) elevate a typical straight-shift dress from being tight in the armpits to fitted and stunning. Of course, some designer-ware is astronomically expensive and you CAN find quality garments at your average retailer, but if you have the opportunity, go out and try on a few designer dresses. Get an idea of what a proper fit feels like. You'll have a better frame of reference when deciding whether or not to buy a cheaper/fast-fashion version. Regardless of what you could save, if it doesn't fit best to leave it on the rack or send it back. Yeah, I think I made a mistake with the Dorothy Perkins dress above, I should have returned it.

Comments

Two Things

First: Isabel Marant's collocation for H&M debuts today in select stores AND online at noon, so you may want to get up on that. Here are a few looks I'm lusting after. Hello mixed patterns! Love the oversized coat and the detail on these jeans. Patterned blazer, cropped colorful trousers, yes please! Of course, I cannot partake in this collection with my Year Of No Shopping, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. So get ready to go by noon because I'm sure this noise will sell out fast. Number Two: I'm thinking about a new haircut. Something along the lines of Tilda Swinton . What do we think? I'm not going to go blond, but I like the shorter/buzzed sides and back with length on the top. Mr. Keller is hesitant, he thinks it's too masculine, but I'm kind of in the mood to go a bit edgy and I've had the same cut now for two-ish years... FYI: Tilda Swinton is my spirit animal! ...

Nasty Gal

Since the weather has been horrible I've been consoling myself with online shopping. And have made my first purchase with Nasty Gal : Lacy Chiffon Blouse Yuma Studded Blouse Alva Knit Dotted Stud Blouse Apparently I'm having a button-up shirt craving. I think all three of these shirts could work with the sweater, which is an alternative to your basic pull-over and may be a bit too edgy for work. But, I'm thinking a conservative wool trousers would nicely balance it out. And in writing this I've come to the realization that my work "uniform" for the rest of the winter will focus on mixing edgy pieces, (or items with unexpected details) with conservative basics. That might not always actually happen, but it's a good starting off point in planning a week's office wear. Okay, enough of my pontificating, go check out the sale over at Nasty Gal there are some great deals to be had.

40 Year Old Cottagecore

dress-Anthropologie(more options here ), sunnies- DIFF Eyewear , necklace- Benevolence LA , bag-- Shiraleah , sandals- Born I first became aware of Cottagecore earlier this summer and found it to be an aesthetic I can appreciate and find aspirational , but was not necessarily a style that aligned with my wheelhouse. Well as I've been growing my hair during covid quarantine and having picked up this dress as seen here , I felt that I was ready to tackle #cottagecore here on my 40th birthday!!! Yep, that's right today I turn 40 (but I don't look it). And while it's been a year like no other, I feel excited for my next year, decade, chapter of my life. I think it's fair to say I'm done having babies and ready to move on from the chaos of very little children to the chaos of big kids. I no longer feel like I have something to proof in my work, writing, sense of self. I'm just going to enjoy and be grateful for the many blessings of family, friends, health, a...

Outfits Not Just Clothes

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