*Image above via White Dossier.
Q: Black tie dress for a summer wedding and postpartum body.
A: Congrats, mama! I LOVE this dress, and it sort of skims the body versus hugs it. Personally, I find dresses that nip at the natural waist or just under bust and then have a fuller skirt do me favors, so I would also consider this, this, this, or this. If you’re not looking for a black dress, you might consider this Needle + Thread gown. The sleeves and cut are demure.
P.S. More wedding guest dresses here.
Q: Striped tee shirt dresses to wear with sneakers while chasing kids.
A: These are just what the doctor ordered. Love both colors! Kule also has some good ones!
Q: Kids’ masks.
A: I like the ones from Busy Bees — they have wire at the nose to help with contouring to the face and come in the cutest print — and Lele Sadoughi. I like these best because they launder nicely. I have a bunch of other ones from different brands that look permanently wrinkled and disastrous after tons of laundering. These KN95 ones from Evolve Together have come recommended but keep selling out, but I was also able to buy some of these from Well Before thanks to a comment from reader!
Q: Bridal shower/rehearsal dinner dresses!
A: Woohoo — congratulations, lady! I answered a few permutations of this in my last installment, but wanted to add a few other bride-to-be finds I’ve come across since last week:
THIS MILLE IS SPECTACULAR — SO UNLIKE ANYTHING I’VE EVER SEEN BEFORE!
THIS ZIMMERMANN-ESQUE STEAL — SO SIMPLE AND ELEGANT!
P.S. More bridal finds here.
Q: Sandals.
A: I was just contemplating whether or not I would buy a second pair of Hermes Orans over the summer. I have them in the saddle brown leather (they call them “gold” on the site for some reason) but I’ve worn them close to daily for like six summers in a row, and I am wondering if a new pair in the metallic gold or silver would be nice for the upcoming summer. A few other pairs I love and have tagged for myself…
ADORE THESE MALONE SOULIERS (WOULD CONSIDER GETTING IN THIS BLUE, TOO)
LOVE THESE SOPHISTICATED GLADIATOR STYLE ONES — THEY BELONG WITH A DRESS LIKE THIS OR THIS, OR PAIRED WITH ANYTHING IN THIS POST
I AM LOVING CARRIE FORBES EVERYTHING, AND FOUND SOME ON SALE HERE, HERE, AND HERE
OR YOU CAN GO CARRIE FORBES-INSPIRED WITH THIS PAIR (UNDER $50)
IF YOU’RE TALKED HEELED SANDALS: THESE ARE A BIG YES FOR ME, AND FOR DRESSIER OCCASIONS, THESE
I DON’T LOVE FLIP FLOPS BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE NECESSARY (BEACH!) AND THESE ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST
Q: Invitations for my daughter’s first birthday — don’t even have a theme in mind. I’m lost!
A: Honestly, starting with a cute invitation is a great way to set a theme. A few designs I love, several of which are “socially-distanced” themed:
THIS SAFARI/JUNGLE THEME — I DID THIS THEME FOR MY DAUGHTER’S FIRST AND WAS SO FUN/EASY TO FIND ACCESSORIES…WE DRESSED HER ENORMOUS STUFFED GIRAFFE IN A PARTY HAT!
THIS STRAWBERRY ONE — SO CUTE, CAN DO STRAWBERRY SCONES/CUT STRAWBERRIES/STRAWBERRY CAKE!
WE DID PETER RABBIT FOR MINI’S THIRD BIRTHDAY, ANOTHER GREAT (AND EASY TO DECORATE) THEME
CANDLES — MORE GENERIC IF YOU ARE OVERWHELMED BY A THEME
Q; A long floral bridesmaid dress for a barn wedding in Vermont in June! Ideally in a cool tone.
A: I absolutely love this LSF style (more sizes here, but not on sale). This Reformation is spectacular but currently waitlist only…you might luck out with a restock! Reformation has some other long/midi florals worth a look, too — this is sweet with the shoulder ties. Splurge option that you will for sure re-wear: this Erdem. Not in a cool tone, but I personally adore this yellow beauty and this pink J. Crew is stunning!
Q: Maternity summer style.
A: Congratulations! I’m sorry you have to endure heat while pregnant! I would live in loose-fitting dresses and statement sandals. Luckily, smocking is still in (and I, personally, still love it), so there are tons of great pieces that will work with you growing bump. Something like this or this (or both) would be great starter purchases because you can accessorize with different colored accessories to create different looks. (Pair with a statement headband, or statement shoes, or statement earrings, or a statement shades, or a statement bag for totally new looks!) A few other bump-friendly dresses I love:
THIS SEAFOAM GREEN (UNDER $40)
YOU NEED A BASIC BLACK DRESS — I LIKE THE DETAILS ON THIS ONE; PAIR WITH HUGE SHADES AND A SLICKED-BACK PONYTAIL WHEN YOU AREN’T HAVING IT
NAP DRESSES, DUH
THIS SUNHOUSE STYLE – SELF-TIE BELT, OR WEAR SANS BELT!
I LIVED IN THIS SLEEPER (ON SUPER SALE)
Q: Black tie wedding guest dress in LA in mid-April that can also be worn the following week to a fancy fundraiser.
A: Fun little string of events! I love this, this, and this. This one reminds me of something by Brock!
Q: Dress for semi-formal Hawaii wedding, early May, $650 max.
A: This dress! I am in loveee — trying to imagine an excuse for it. A Hawaii wedding in May would be perfect. I also love this and this.
Q: Classic black evening clutch.
A: This is actually so hard to find! I feel like they’re either super pricey or super cheap looking. I love this Anya — the kisslock detail is perfection — and this Roger Vivier is heirloom-quality (with a price to match).
Q: Formal dress to wear at end of February. Not bank breaker.
A: This is so elegant and looks like Zimmermann, but reasonably priced at $128. And this one has an understated 90s elegance to it — think Gwyneth/CBK. (Comes in other colors, too!). Pair either with big statement earrings and an updo or low bun. Chic chic!
Q: Brother’s rehearsal dinner dress — $200-ish, navy or burgundy or black.
A: This or this would be pretty — pair with big earrings! A bit dressier: this OPT!
For a more budget option, Baltic Born has some super cute white dresses for wedding/rehearsal dinner festivities! They have a nicer size range than some other places I’ve seen, too. (Mine is in two weeks so I needed something with long sleeves, brr!)
Thank you, Dana!