Ask Magpie: Brown Crossbody Bags, Dresses for Fundraisers, + Jackets for Husbands.

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Q: A structured chocolate brown suede crossbody bag.

A: My top rec is this Neous (more here; seen above in smooth leather). Drooool. Love everything about it – color, shape, size, elegant gold hardware! Not chocolate brown, but this Cult Gaia comes in a great olive green or tan suede and nails the Neous look for less than 1/2 the price. I also love this Demellier, this J. McLaughlin, this Tom Ford, and this Paris64!

Q: Pre-school fall fundraiser, celebrating 100 years, cocktail attire, under $300.

A: I feel like a broken record, but Tuckernuck has such great options around this pricepoint (try codes YOUROCK or YOURULE for 20% off). I love this, this, this. Farm Rio also has some fun options, like this, and I can’t stop with this dress! Pair with a suede heel.

Q: I’m on the hunt for a dress (and outfit if you have ideas for what to put with it) to wear for our family photos. They will be used for our Christmas card/birth announcement. The kids are going to wear pale blue but I don’t want to be too matchy matchy, just look cohesive. Something ideally less than $400 or so! Thank you!!

A: This or this would be perfect tie-ins with the pale blue! Alternately, you might try a pale blue fair isle with high-waist trousers/jeans.

Q: My cousin is getting married in Morocco this November. Can’t find a dress to wear. It’ll be 65-75 during the day and 40-50 at night. In Marrakech so desert vibes. Help!

A: I’d wear something like this (more sizes here) or this!

Q: Affordable embroidered tops.

A: Love this Madewell. Would be so chic tucked into black leather kick flares or black jeans!

Q: Wedding guest dress for late October in Chicago with sleeves. Ideally under $150.

A: Love this dress! Not sleeves per se but this is also a major, chic statement for $130.

Q: Mother of the bride dress for a November wedding. And something for rehearsal!

A: Congratulations! I love these asymmetrical gowns from Rhea (confirm with your daughter on the color!) for the wedding. Black Halo has some great look for less options — this, this. If you’re open to a bolder pattern, I’m obsessed with this. If the bows on the sleeves feel too dramatic, I’m sure you can have a seamstress remove them. For the rehearsal, love this or this, or maybe something festive and unexpected like this (Tuckernuck has some look for less options). Don’t be afraid of color! It’s a celebration! My mom wore this as MOB a few years ago and looked so gorgeous in it.

Q: Pink dress for baby shower – 36 week bump.

A: Congratulations!! How exciting! I immediately thought of Thierry Colson – this, this – but they are a big splurge. This pink floral has a Thierry vibe but under $200. Also love this sweet pink floral, but think you’d need a size or two up to accommodate third trimester bump. Same with this solid pink — I’d go a size or two up.

Q: Adorable girl’s hoodie.

A: Love this one with the wildflower motif, and then Bobo Choses always has really fun whimsical unisex prints, like this one.

Q: Jackets for husbands.

A: This is more of a shacket, but I have this in my cart for Lan right now. Sezane has such great outerwear options in general. Also like this parka and I LOVE a man in a bomber jacket like this. I was also just showing Mr. Magpie these Baracuta bombers – love. So handsome, and something a little different from the ubiquitous Barbour. Buck Mason also has handsome shapes — like this and this.

Q: Dress for my daughter (age 3) to wear in her black and white heirloom portrait.

A: I love something timeless like this (timeless) or this (if you’re going for something more formal).

Q: Presenting at a big conference — need a dress, will be 6 months pregnant. Would love non-maternity.

A: You can’t go wrong with this in black with a great heel. I think you could belt above the bump.