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Shoe Choices For Peridot Bridesmaid Dress

February 15, 2007

Q. My bridesmaids will be wearing this dress to my wedding, any suggestions for shoes?

-Shoe Help

A. Choose silver strappy or peep toe shoes for your bridesmaids (they’ll be happy that they can wear the shoes again!) Another suggestion—let your bridesmaids choose their own silver heels so they can be happy with the fit, heel height and not be complete clones of each other.

Here are a few pairs they may like:

left to right: Calvin Klein Emmaline, $130 at zappos.com; House of Dereon ‘Hot Rocks’ Sandal, $159.95 at nordstrom.com; Kenneth Cole Reaction ‘Rags to Riches’ Pump, $78.95 at nordstrom.com; Tyler by Richard Tyler ‘Witness’ Pump, $98.95 at nordstrom.com

One Dress, Three Shoe Wardrobe

February 15, 2007

Untitled1 Q. I bought this dress and, besides the sandals shown on the model, I would like to get two more looks out of it. Something to dress it up with heels for evening and something to dress it down with a flat for day. Can you show me some options so I can get three looks out of one dress?
-Shoe Wonder

A. Smart girl to think about how to wear your dress in a variety of ways to multiple functions. Here are some options for work, day, evening and weekends. Now you just have to think about accessories!

left to right: Corsica stacked sandals, $148 at jcrew.com; Enzo Angiolini Chicara, $99.95 at zappos.com; Michael Kors Seaport Flat, $112.95 at zappos.com; Nora strappy heels, $168 at jcrew.com; ‘Nautical’ cork platform wedge, $88 at bananarepublic.com

Hosiery Options for Black Tie

February 15, 2007

Q. I have a black tie bat mitzvah to attend and I’m stumped. I have a knee length black velvet dress. It is covered in tiny sparkles. I have dressy black sling backs with a closed toe to wear. My question is, what hose would go? What’s in style? Do I wear sheer or opaque? Textured or plain? Black or nude? It will be cold too.
-Cover Me

I have three suggestions that would work:

1. Choose a black lace patterned hosiery that is still thin, not a thicker tight texture, like Jonathan Aston’s Fleur tights. This works if you feel the outfit needs a little more oomph.

2. Choose a nude hose—the best, best version I have found is the Hanes Silk Reflections Transparent hosiery - truly invisible.

3. Black sheer hosiery, perhaps a pair with a back seam, like Falke’s High Heel back seam pantyhose

.

Ranch Wedding Dress Code on Invites

February 15, 2007

Q. Thanks for this great site! We are hosting a wedding at our ranch this summer. Although it will be an elegant catered event, it is still on a ranch. We are planning to mow a wonderful path to the ceremony site at the top of a pasture. Seating will be on hay bales. I am concerned that people might not dress appropriately for the walk to the ceremony site or to sit on hay. What wording could you suggest for an invitation that would alert the guests? The wedding couple does not seem to think this will be a problem, but will take advice.
-Ranch Hands

A. Best laid plans can sometimes go awry when suddenly a guest sinks their Jimmy Choos into the dirt or a piece of hay gets stuck in a sheer bit of dress fabric. Always better to prepare guests ahead of time rather than surprise them. My suggestion is to add something about the ranch wedding with hay bales and outdoor grounds on the invitation itself. A good spot would be on the directions to the ranch included with the invite. A simple line can be added that while the wedding will be “black tie” or “festive”, guests will enjoy an authentic ranch environment with seating on hay bales for the ceremony. I would suggest that the hay bales have blankets or thin cushion coverings - unless the guests wear jeans (which I’m assuming is not what you have in mind), sitting directly on the hay may pose a problem for anyone wearing silk, chiffon or delicate fabrics.

If the wedding couple has set up a website, which seems to be the norm these days, they could include a description of the upcoming wedding day along with tips for guests like, “you may wish to bring along a low heeled shoe for a walk on the grounds” or “guests will enjoy a genuine ranch environment for the ceremony with seating on hay bales.” If the couple does not wish to consider these suggestions then they should certainly ask the groomsmen and bridesmaids to spread the word.

Bra For Low Cut Dress

January 31, 2007

Q. I have a dance coming up for my college dorm and I have my eye on a dress very similar to the one you featured in your July 15th answer (the Nicole Miller border print tie front gown). However, my chest is medium-large, any recommendation for what to wear underneath? It’s pretty low in the back and front. Or should ample chests avoid such dresses? I love the print and think the rest of the dress is flattering.

-In Love with a Dress But Not Sure if it Loves Me Back

A. For a dress similar to this one, you definitely need a specific, supportive strapless bra. I’m hoping that perhaps the straps on the dress you’ve chosen have slightly wider shoulder coverage. You need a strapless bra that is plunge style and either adheres to your skin or has a dipped band in the back. Here are two styles that fit small, medium and large busts:

The Clearly Natural strapless underwire bra from The Natural offers a practical solution to your backless dilemmas. The supportive cups clip to a transparent strap at the back and a clear, adjustable halter strap is included for additional support. Available up to size 36DD and 38D. $46 at figleaves.com.

The Jezebel Caress Strapless Bra features contour cups for shaping and support, a plunge front and a low back. Available up to size 38D. $27 at barenecessities.com

Also, check out our newest style recipe, Underneath It All, for a complete guide on what to wear underneath your sexiest clothes. You’ll find several of our favorite bras for low cut dresses.

Shoe Choices For Peridot Bridesmaid Dress

One Dress, Three Shoe Wardrobe

Hosiery Options for Black Tie

Ranch Wedding Dress Code on Invites

Bra For Low Cut Dress

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Shoe Choices For Peridot Bridesmaid Dress

One Dress, Three Shoe Wardrobe

Hosiery Options for Black Tie

Ranch Wedding Dress Code on Invites

Bra For Low Cut Dress

get the scoop

like us on facebook!

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