What You’re Shopping For: February 2022 Edition, Vol II.

*Image via Natalie Hewitt Weddings.

Q: Rehearsal dinner looks!

A: Congratulations! I just came across this under-$200 dress and swooned over it. Very Johanna Ortiz but at a great price. Perfect combo of youthful and elegant. I’ve shared this one before, but I would probably wear something frothy and feminine like it (or this, from the same brand). Why not?! So chic! I also think this white lace jumpsuit would be bananas, and this gingham sequin number from Markarian is the stuff of dreams! Last but not least, if you’re not wedded to white (ha), I just purchased myself this petal pink dress. The pleating is divine and it feels like something exquisitely crafted by a Parisian couturier for a special occasion. It would make such an elegant statement at a rehearsal dinner.

Q: An unusual statement dress to wear to a bachelorette (I’m not the bride) in Mexico.

A: Andale! This Zimmermann would also be memorable — no one wears yellow! (50% off, too!)

Q: Springy finds outside of the pastel color palette.

A: Oo I think you might like this post on neutrals (these jeans and this top just arrived in the mail for me from this post), or this one on crisp basics featuring a lot of chic, timeless stripes. A few other fabulous, non-pastel spring finds:

THIS FABULOUS TOP IN EITHER PATTERN

THIS TAN FLORAL

THIS TOP IN ALMOND BISCOTTI COLOR

THIS EYELET DRESS

THIS DEAD-RINGER-FOR-ULLA-FOR-$102

A CRISP, DRAMATIC WHITE TOP LIKE THIS OR THIS

THIS MUSTARD YELLOW DRESS

Q: Baby shower dresses for 7-8 month bump this spring!

A: Congratulations, mama! A few dresses I would consider (I usually preferred non-maternity so could wear post partum):

THIS THIERRY COLSON

THIS JULIA AMORY — HAVE SEEN IT WORK WELL WITH BUMP, YOU MAY NEED TO SIZE UP

THIS MI GOLONDRINA

THIS INEXPENSIVE BLUE IS SIMPLE AND CHIC AND I’D GUSSY IT UP WITH SOME FUN SHOES OR A GREAT SCARF

THIS LSF (HARD TO TELL IF SMOCKING WOULD WORK WITH BUMP — WORTH A SHOT!)

THIS JULIET DUNN

THIS STAUD

THIS BLUE FLORAL

HILL HOUSE

THIS BYTIMO — PROB WOULD ONLY WORK ON US SHORTIES!

Q: Housewarming gift for a couple that just bought a condo in NYC.

A: Fresh white towels from Matouk or a gift basket from Eataly to help stock the pantry.

Q: Dress for bridal shower in NYC in March.

A: I am assuming you are the bride? (Congrats!). I love this, this, this, this, and this. This or this would be pretty as a non-white/something blue option. If a guest, I love this, this, this, this!

Q: Round kitchen room table that can handle “love” from boys.

A: Ha! I love a simple round pedestal style like this and I feel the wash would hide a whole manner of sins.

Q: Mother-of-the-groom dress for a July wedding. Farmhouse chic.

A: So exciting! Farmhouse chic makes me think a little less dressy, summery florals appropriate. A few dresses in that vein that still feel “special occasion”:

BROCK COLLECTION

ALMOST ANYTHING FROM ZIMMERMANN, BUT ESPECIALLY THIS OR THIS

THIS BLUE

THIS DAMARIS BAILEY

THIS BLUE FLORAL

Q: Wedding day fragrance. I don’t know where to start!

A: Fragrances are so personal! I would go to a department store or Sephora and take some time with it. I will say my two personal favorite fragrances are Narcisco Rodriguez Her and Diptyque Fleur de Peau. Both are delicate, floral, and yet complex/slightly musky? I adore (!) both and wear one or the other daily, even when I work out, which says something because I feel like usually fragrances give me a headache when running. They are just so light and elegant. A part of me for sure! I’ve also been curious to sample some of the scents by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. A lot of elegant ladies seem to love these scents! They sell “fragrance wardrobes” so you can test a bunch of their different scents if you want to go that direction!

Q: Beach hat.

A: Sarah Bray, Pam Munson, or Eric Javits (<< I have several friends who go crazy over this exact packable sunhat!)! N.B.: If traveling with hat, consider this cool travel accessory!

Q: What to wear to Bemelman’s Bar?

A: I was just talking with a girlfriend about the fact that you can absolutely get away with anything anywhere in NYC. I once wore basically an evening gown to eat pizza at Rubirosa and no one batted an eye. But Bemelman’s — I feel like you can really pull out all the stops. I would aim north of a sundress and aim for true cocktail attire. A few that nail the vibe — sort of festive but sophisticated —

THIS REBECCA VALLANCE

THIS BLACK AND WHITE FLORAL

THIS MOLLY MOORKAMP

THIS RHODE

THIS MATTEAU

THIS JOHANNA ORTIZ

THIS ALEMAIS

THIS HOT PINK SITUATION

Pair with heels, like these.

Q: Could you possibly post a staple/capsule wardrobe for a 22 year old who just received a job at a high end Hedge fund/advisor/financial shop? want to look like an episode of “Billions” but on a 22 year olds budget…

A: Wow! Congratulations! I would stalk sale pieces from Veronica Beard (like this timeless button down) and Theory at Saks (i.e., pants like these or these) and Theory itself (like this top and this dress) — good quality, sophisticated, well-tailored. You can often find great basic LBDs at Zara, like this. Dress up with pearls and heels and you’ll look like a million bucks. Speaking of heels, this exact pair from J. Crew is probably my most worn shoe in my entire wardrobe, and it’s currently on sale for under $100. Just the chicest. I’ve mentioned it a bunch of times, but have a few friends who own multiples of Manolo’s similar BB style pump and they prefer the J. Crew from a comfort standpoint! A few other great-for-work, sophisticated pieces at reasonable price points:

THIS LINEN SHIRTDRESS (ESP IN BLACK)

THIS TWEEDY BLAZER

THIS LINEN DRESS

THIS BLAZER

CRISP BUTTON DOWNS LIKE THIS AND THIS

SUEDE SHIRTDRESS

Another option would be a Rent the Runway subscription. I had one specifically for professional attire back when I was presenting/pitching for my technology business and needed a lot of new and different looks all of the sudden that were professional and polished but I did not want to spend a fortune buying new suits/dresses that I’d wear a handful of times.