StyleBakery.com | Ask The Style Chefs

Nursing Mom Wants A Cute Dress

June 14, 2007

Q. I need help with a summer dress. I am breastfeeding my five month old son, and I have to always wear a nursing bra - no strapless bras this summer. I would love a cute summer dress for a few parties going on this summer, but it seems like all the dresses have spaghetti straps. I just turned 27 and want something cute!
-Top Coverage

A. You want coverage and you want to look cute - nothing too complicated, old or body baring, so you can still wear a full-style nursing bra. And of course you want options and a chance to enjoy the dress when the nursing is over. You’ll need a dress that won’t bare the bra straps and isn’t low cut. Look for fun mini dresses to stay cool or a dress with front buttons or a wrap style just in case you want to bring the little one along and you find a private spot to nurse. You can also opt to wear a tank top under any style that shows too much cleavage or won’t hide bra straps.

Here are some options:

left to right: Inset-Waist Jersey Dress, $98 at bananarepublic.com; Diane von Furstenberg Bundette Shirtdress, $298 at saks.com; Diane von Furstenberg St. Jude Wrap Dress, $325 at saks.com; Charles Nolan Vintage Print Dress, $408 at saks.com; Kimono-Sleeve Knit Dresses, $24.50 at oldnavy.com; Anchor-Print Shirtdress, $150 at jcrew.com

How To Hide A Tummy Pouch

June 14, 2007

Q. I am 5’6” and weigh 135. I have had two children with one being a c-section and I have a small “pouch” left from the surgery. I do not like the way it looks in the current clothing I have. Do you have any advice on cute tops and shorts/pants that will cover the pouch and not make me look like I am pregnant again? I wear about a size 8.
-Belly Banish

You want to look for pants and shorts that aren’t on the down low, meaning: skip low rise styles. Jeans and pants that sit on your waist will give you a slimmer appearance. Look for bottoms that have a little Lycra to give you room to breathe while helping to slim. Check out Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, they have an endless variety that will slim your tummy. Don’t let the name throw you, these are not “mom jeans”, these are stylish bottoms that will give you good tummy tuck control.

Don’t forget about the infinite intimate apparel options that can help flatten your tummy so you can still wear what you want on the outside. Look at choices from Spanx, Barely There and Donna Karan The Body Perfect Collection which you can find at barenecessities.com and figleaves.com. Also, check out our style recipe Underneath It All for more slimming ideas.

As for tops, empire waisted tops can hide a tummy, but be aware that too much extra fabric can also billow out and make you look pregnant. Look for tops that have a bit of stretch again and be sure the tops are long enough to cover your stomach fully without rising up.

What To Pack For A Honeymoon In Hawaii

May 31, 2007

Q. I will be going on my honeymoon from July 10-20 and I need some advice as to what to pack. We are going to Hawaii and we will be spending the first three nights in Honolulu, and then the rest of the trip on the island of Kauai (more remote and quiet). We are a young active couple in our mid twenties and our activities will be very active, but there will also be down time and nice romantic dinners, the beach, etc. I am petite (5’1, 120lbs) and not really into too-sporty styles. Any advice on stylish outfits and clothes for the most memorable trip of my life?
-Bride-to-be

A. Obviously, you want to look good for all those photos you’ll be taking. For a honeymoon I change my usual packing advice about keeping to three neutral colors and simplicity. For evenings, wear lightweight sundresses and for days of activities, pack shorts, tanks and vintage style tees. Skip jeans and pack stylish khakis or white pants and skirts. Pack double the amount of tops to bottoms. You can wear pants and skirts twice with fresh colorful tops before tossing in the laundry bag. Pack three swimsuits so you can continually switch them. Pack a clutch for dinners, a tote for the beach or pool and use that same bag for shopping or day excursions. Pack strappy heels, sneakers, flip flops or thong sandals and a low or flat sandals or espadrille. And don’t forget some pretty lingerie. Extra tips —pack an extra pair of sunglasses in case you lose a pair and you can always wash intimates with a little shampoo and hang in the shower overnight to dry.

Pack a few day to evening dresses that can be worn with flip flops or wedge sandals, left to right: Striped Sylvan dress, $148 at jcrew.com; Strapless Smocked Jersey Dress from Nicole Miller, $255 at edressme.com; Grace Eyelet Dress, $44.50 at delias.com

Pack a variety of tops that can be paired with shorts worn multiple times, left to right: Love Squared Drawstring Tube Top, $26 at nordstrom.com; Gingham ruffle halter, $78 at jcrew.com; Stretch twill short, $60 at jcrew.com

left to right: Three Tier Print Cami, $78 at ardenb.com; Tory Burch Frederick Pants, $235 at bloomingdales.com

left to right: Susina Pointelle Cardigan, $36 at nordstrom.com; Zinc Patchwork Skirt, $42 at nordstrom.com; Rialto boatneck sweater, $68 at jcrew.com; Nick & Mo Tab Front Skirt, $42 at nordstrom.com

Triple Duty Dresses

May 31, 2007

Q. I have several “big” events this year. The first is a late-July family wedding in the Midwest that won’t be terribly formal. The second is my (gulp) 20-year high school reunion on September 1 in Phoenix, which also won’t be terribly formal, and the last is the wedding of my closest friend in Santa Fe on September 8, also not formal, but probably dressier than the other events. I would like to have one dress to wear to each since there will be entirely different people at each event. The problem is that the first event is smack in the middle of summer, and the last event is just in the very beginning of fall. I was leaning towards a halter-style neckline dress with an empire waist (I am short and curvy and find this style highlights the shoulders and bust while hiding my non-flat tummy) and have fallen in love with a chiffon one that is black with white polka dots. Will this be too summery to wear to the September 8 wedding? If so, do you have any other suggestions of dresses in the style described that would be in a color and fabric that is more seasonless?
-Multi-Function

A. Your black and white polka dot choice will certainly work for all three events. I like that you thought beyond a simple black dress and chose a pattern. With none of the same people at any of the events, you have multiple options. A little black dress can be switched in a myriad of ways with different accessories and heels while a patterned or colored dress makes a fresh and more stylish impression. I found several flattering options for a petite, curvy figure:

left to right: Sexy Red Dresses from edressme new york, $42 at edressme.com; Adrianna Papell Floral Silk Halter Dress, $178 at nordstrom.com; Adrianna Papell Floral Silk Halter Dress, $179 at nordstrom.com; Maggy London Print Charmeuse Halter Dress, $178 at nordstrom.com; Maggy London Silk Chiffon Halter Dress, $148 at nordstrom.com

Add Sass To A Navy Cocktail Dress

May 31, 2007

Q. I recently purchased a Navy Satin Pinstripe dress by Betsy Johnson for a formal evening wedding this July 2007 in downtown New York (which I hope is OK to begin with!) However, I want to add a little spice to the dress and not just buy a black/navy satin shoe since the dress itself is different as far as style. Any advice on how to spice things up a bit!

- Frazzled and Dazzled

A. Metallic or color is the best way to add sass to a navy dress. Here are several options for your feet and to carry.

opt for silver or white accessories, left to right: Franchi Handbags Pagoda Leather Clutch, $158.95 at zappos.com; Whiting & Davis Handbags Shirred Mesh Long Clutch, $183.95 at zappos.com; Nina ‘Oriana’ Sandal, $68.95 at nordstrom.com; Stuart Weitzman Hotdish, $285 at zappos.com

or add red, black and gold, left to right: Maxstudio ‘Savannah’ Sandal, $128.95 at nordstrom.com; Charles David Carouse, $170 at zappos.com; Hand-painted laurel garland ring, $45 at jcrew.com; Jalda Patent Bean Clutch, $265 at saks.com

Nursing Mom Wants A Cute Dress

How To Hide A Tummy Pouch

What To Pack For A Honeymoon In Hawaii

Triple Duty Dresses

Add Sass To A Navy Cocktail Dress

get the scoop

like us on facebook!

subscribe + win

Categories

Nursing Mom Wants A Cute Dress

How To Hide A Tummy Pouch

What To Pack For A Honeymoon In Hawaii

Triple Duty Dresses

Add Sass To A Navy Cocktail Dress

get the scoop

like us on facebook!

subscribe + win

Archives

Categories