*Image above via Carolina Herrera. So, so many wedding guest dress questions. I did update my Wedding Guest Shop and wanted to re-share my post on wedding guest dresses under $150. I think I ordered half the internet in search of a dress for my sister’s deferred nuptial celebration this May in Boston (so I feel your pain!) and have finally landed on this Agua Bendita (currently on sale, plus score an extra 20% off with code YOUROCK), as the event will in part take place outdoors and has a botanical theme.
Q: In search of a fancy and flattering dress for a late May wedding at the Inn at Perry Cabin. 5 months postpartum/breast-feeding.
A: Fun! I loved the Inn at Perry Cabin. My first thought was one of the dresses from Cara Cara — I know many of you have selected their styles for Baptisms/newborn shoots/postpartum affairs because many of them have sleeves and a loose skirt but are nipped in at the right spots. Very flattering. However, this body-skimming fish print could be fun given the location right on the water. A girlfriend who gave birth a few months ago recently wore this dress and looked gorgeous in it, and I think it made her feel comfortable given the coverage. If none of those fit the bill, a few favorite late spring/early summer dresses I love: this Agua Bendita, this Scotch and Soda, this Silvia Tcherassi, this Ulla, this J. Crew, this Mara, and this Reformation.
Q: Do you have a gift idea for a couple who was just married in Mallorca, Spain? It was the second marriage for both and in their 50s.
A: Ah! This is tricky because they probably have most of the gear they need for their home, and yet it can be a gamble to give them something too idiosyncratic (i.e., a piece of art / objet). I would probably go for some lovely table linens, a champagne bucket, or a St. Frank alpaca throw. Just beautiful pieces anyone would welcome into her home!
Q: Seen new any men’s sunglasses lately? My boyfriends style is pretty traditional mid Atlantic preppy. (He loved the navy sperrys you got Mr Magpie and was excited to snag a pair!) Bonus points for a sale price or a new inexpensive brand. Thanks!!
A: Hm. Does he already own Persols? This is the style Steve McQueen famously wore. I bought Mr. Magpie a pair maybe a decade ago and he still wears them — they have a ruggedly handsome appeal that I think goes well with the preppy vibe. Warby Parker has some similar styles for under $100. Mr. Magpie’s favorite men’s store, Todd Snyder, carries a lot of round sunglasses from the brand Moscot in its store in Flatiron, and I like the way the preppy-leaning clothes fit with that vibe. The sunglasses are pricey though — you can get the look for less with these Raens. I also think these J. Crew ones are fun. More of a splurge, but the most recent pair of sunglasses I bought Mr. Magpie was by Garrett Leight. I saw Brad Pitt wearing them and basically ordered them on the spot — ha! (Swoon!). Not exact, but J. Crew has a somewhat similar pair!
P.S. Lots of men’s spring fashion ideas here.
Q: Lake Como wedding in July – rehearsal dinner is Italian chic and wedding is cocktail.
A: I would wear something by Ciao Lucia to the rehearsal dinner — this in the cornflower blue or this in the tangerine — and then to the wedding, this, this (the lemons feel perfect for Italy!), or this.
Q: Gift for my aunt who is watching my dog for a week. A nice luxury — $150-ish!
A: Love this. I would give her a Cire Trudon candle, a Chappy Wrap blanket, or a set of Cuyana cosmetics cases (you can have them personalized! I have given these as gifts a few times).
Q: Dress for a June wedding on Martha’s Vineyard — one step below black tie. Colorful please!
A: I am loving bright orange, like this La Ligne or this Monique Lhuillier, or this fun polka dot from Caroline Constas. And then this Reformation is gorgeous in the green floral!
Q: A 60th birthday gift for a lady at around $100.
A: Happy birthday to her! Lake Pajamas! Always a hit.
Q: A honeymoon travel outfit for a 30 hour flight to the Maldives.
A: A nap dress, a cardigan (also love the ones from Kilte), a wrap, and canvas vibi venezias. The nap dress and Vibis are akin to wearing a nightgown and slippers but with a cute I-just-got-married flair and the rest will help you layer if cold (always the case on planes).
P.S. So many cute getaway/honeymoon trousseau picks here and here.
Q: Tops for chilly spring days.
A: Striped tops from Ayr or Kule that can be layered beneath a sweater (look for less with this), cardigan, or sweatshirt.
Q: Long necklace to wear every day. Willing to splurge!
A: Big splurges: a Brent Neale mushroom necklace or a heart necklace from Aurelia Demark. More affordable: the Lizzie Scheck zodiac necklace I layer nearly every day of the week with a few other gold necklaces I love.
P.S. More heart necklaces here.
Q: A really nice jewelry box/organization system. Not acrylic s’il vous plait.
A: Wolf 1834 makes absolutely gorgeous systems, like this or this. Gilt currently has some of them on sale. I have a lovely jewelry box I bought at Pottery Barn years and years ago — perhaps in college? — that I still have and love, and this one (also PB) is similar. This under $100 stackable tray style also caught my eye as a highly functional solution. I like the idea of being able to take a full tray out to find what you need without messing with drawers.
Q: A new crossbody bag – no price limit.
A: I would spring for something by Celine — their classic box style (mouth waters) or their Sangle if you’re looking for something bigger. I know many Magpies own the latter and love it. I also love this Marni crossbody for summer. So chic. Much less expensive: eyeing this FRP Collection for myself.
Q: Nude sandals that won’t make me cry, 2-2.5 inch heel, under $300.
A: Does gold/champagne qualify as nude? I consider that a neutral. These are perfect. If you want a true nude, I would look at these from Reformation.
Q: Shams for a big girl room — bed is dark wood, walls light green, bedding white and blush.
A: I’m partial to anything scalloped, so how about something like this quilted style or this style in the blush colorway. If you’re looking for a pattern (i.e., sheets are solid), I love this pretty floral from Biscuit.
P.S. More children’s rooms finds here.